Kyoto to Wakayama Cycle
A 10 day cycling tour from Japan's Ancient Capitals to the Pacific Coast
Duration
10 Days, 9 Nights
Interested in making this tour private?
Difficulty: Level 2.5 of 5
Max Distance: 65km
Max Elevation Gain: 1400m
A reasonable level of fitness required. E-bike recommended
Rental Bikes
E-bikes, Carbon Road Bikes and aluminum cross bikes are available for this tour.
Accomodation
Premium Hotels & Traditional Ryokan
Enjoy a 9-night stay across a carefully selected mix of high-quality hotels and traditional ryokan, supporting local businesses along the way
Price
Per person (twin / double): ¥750,000
Single supplement: +¥88,000
Early Bird Offer
The first 6 guests to confirm their place on each departure will receive a 5% discount on the tour price.
The trip
Cycle from Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto to the Pacific coast at Wakayama, following rivers, backroads and historic pilgrimage routes through the cultural heart of the Kii Peninsula.
Ride beyond the crowds in Kyoto and Nara, explore the tea fields of Uji and Wazuka, and journey through the sacred mountain landscapes of Yoshino and Mount Koya. Along the way, we dip in and out of the Keinawa Cycle Route, which links Kyoto with Wakayama and forms the natural spine of the journey.
Relax in carefully chosen accommodation, including a stay at a mountain temple on Mount Koya. Savour Japanese cuisine from matcha tea in Uji to fresh seafood in Wakayama, and experience Japan at a pace that allows time for culture, landscapes and connection with the road.
Highlights
- Cycle from Kyoto’s temple districts through river valleys and tea-growing hills, with a scenic boat journey on the Hozugawa River and a traditional tea ceremony in Uji
- Ride ancient pilgrimage routes into Japan’s spiritual heartland, visiting Nara’s historic temples and climbing through cedar forests to Mount Yoshino and Mount Koya
Soak in a hot-spring and enjoy fantastic local cuisine at our wonderful range of accommodation.
- Enjoy memorable stays and meals along the way, including a night at a temple lodging on Mount Koya and a celebratory finish at the Pacific coast in Wakayama
Bike Rental Options
We offer a fleet of high-quality Specialized and Giant bikes for this tour, including carbon road bikes, e-bikes, and hybrid options to suit a range of riding styles and preferences.
Carbon Road Bikes
Specialized Aethos / Roubaix
Lightweight, performance-focused bikes ideal for experienced road cyclists.
¥77,000 for the tour duration
E-Bikes
Specialized Vado
Comfortable, lightweight and powerful pedal-assist bikes, ideal for a more relaxed riding experience. Step-through frames available
¥77,000 for the tour duration
Hybrid Bikes
Giant RX / Specialized Sirrus
Versatile and comfortable, suitable for mixed terrain and casual riding.
¥30,000 for the tour duration
All rentals include high quality helmet, handlebar bag and setup and fitting prior to the tour.
Departures
Reserve your spot on your preferred tour by clicking the link below. You’ll be taken to our booking form to share a few details with us, and we’ll be in touch shortly to confirm your place.
If a departure is full, you can still use the same form to join the waitlist. We’ll reply with a confirmation and let you know your position on the list, along with any updates as they arise.
2027
2027 Kyoto to Wakayama tour dates are still subject to change.
Posted on Google Louise RogersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We absolutely loved this tour . My husband and I are social cyclists and we hired e-bikes for this trip. The tour was a challenge but oh so rewarding. An extremely well organised company who adapted to weather conditions and ability levels like clock work. Great exposure to cultural life, rural living and culinary delights. Thank you to the team @We Ride Japan .Posted on Google Helen BebanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We Ride Japan Shikoku Island and Inland Sea was an unforgettable cycling and cultural experience. The guides were very helpful and competent. We found the back roads and lovely small places to stay far from the crowds. We hired e-bikes and they were superb. Thoroughly recommendedPosted on Google Penny Le ClercTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed a 10-day guided cycling tour with We Ride Japan, and it was one of the best travel experiences I've had. Everything was impeccably organised from start to finish, allowing us to relax, enjoy the ride, and fully immerse ourselves in the experience. The scenery was breathtaking, taking us through beautiful countryside, scented citrus groves, and spectacular coastal landscapes. The cycling support, meals, and accommodation were outstanding throughout the trip. And we loved experiencing Japan's unique culture, rich traditions, and genuine hospitality along the way. Big thanks to Tamie, Will, Yu, Taiyo, and Ryuji for their exceptional support and organisation. These guys are very knowledgeable, professional, and great fun to travel with. Their enthusiasm, local insight, and sense of humour added enormously to the experience and helped create a wonderful atmosphere within the group. We Ride Japan delivered a truly memorable adventure, and we couldn't fault a thing. If you're considering a cycling holiday in Japan, I highly recommend them.Posted on Google Bill FowlerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was a fantastic trip, the best cycling trip ever! Every day’s riding was great. The routes were well thought out, the roads were (for the most part) quiet and the staff knew all the little twists and turns that took us down the country roads or around the rivers and dodged a few of the the towns. We rode through scenic valleys surrounded by hills and through many coastal villages. The gradients were just about right - you could pedal up them at a decent speed, but once you got to the top you could always roll down the other side without touching the brakes. Perfect! The riding was very much tourist riding. It seemed 12km was the magic number before we stopped for morning tea. And then another 14 or 15 km before it was lunch, and then another 20 odd or whatever and you were at the hotel. Never any stress and never any hurry. Lunches were great - always in a nice shady spot. And that was important, as every day on the cycle trail was clear blue cloudless skies. The temperatures were typically around 28-30ºC and there was next to no wind either. The organisation was superb. Each night dinner was predetermined and we had some fabulous meals. The hand picked restaurants and menus meant that we really did see the best of Japanese cuisine. Every night you thought it was the best meal yet - until the following night. The accommodation varied between traditional Japanese and Western style and was always great. We had a day off at Uchiko and our place there was superb. Two levels with a lounge/dining area. More like a house than a hotel. And then we stayed in a magnificent place up on the hill at Tosa-Kure where we had the most superb view out of our bathroom window. The lounge too, but I’ve never had a view like that from any bathroom I’ve ever stayed in. That was a brilliant day. It started with a scenic train ride along the Shimanto River valley and finished with a very cool 50km to the best hotel of the tour. A few times we would meet for drinks down near the water. Most places were near the water and it was always a pleasant time of night to enjoy a sundowner by the sea. I should say that if anyone is contemplating a cycle tour anywhere then Will and Tamie and WeRide Japan would be the best place to start. The cycling is gentle, the food is superb, the accommodation is outstanding and the crew are brilliant!Posted on Google Leanne MTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku cycling trip was one of the best we have experienced. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, from the excellent accommodation to the wonderful local restaurants and variety of food throughout the journey. Will and the guides were outstanding riders, personable, professional, and genuinely committed to ensuring everyone was well looked after. They did an exceptional job managing the diverse range of rider abilities, including the mix of traditional cyclists and e-bike riders, ensuring everyone felt included and supported and ensured we were topped up with snacks, water and coffee. So a special mention to Will, Shoko, Yu and Ryouji for creating such a seamless and enjoyable experience from our Japanese word of the day to the insights into the Shrines and Temples we visited this all made it a great experience. Also can't forget to mention the fantastic group of fellow riders, this made for a truly memorable trip that we will be talking about for years to come. Highly recommended.Posted on Google Richard SteeleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Setonaikai and Shikoku Cycle Tour Peerless organisation, even managed to make a typhoon a great experience! Great accommodation with mix of ryokan and hotels most with onsen, exceptional meals with kaiseki style dinners and great riding along the Shimanami Kaido and around Shikoku. Roads great surface, few cars some narrow sections through forests and along rivers, always different and points of interest. My hire bike was a near new carbon Specialized Roubaix with spring head stem and 34mm tyres. Good Specialized e-bikes for those that want to get up the hills a little easier. Rides around Uchiko recommended on the “rest” day. Distances not huge, 70k biggest day, plenty of stops, max climbing around 600m one day, any regular rider would have no trouble esp with e-bike. Great guides, Shoko, Yu and Ryoji, cleaned and serviced bikes most days and along with Will(owner) led the rides and drove the support vans. The best cycling holiday I’ve ever had.Posted on Google Jenny BoyackTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have recently completed the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku Tour with We Ride Japan and can recommend this amazing family business without reservation. Everything, absolutely everything, was perfect. Tamie and Will's organisation and attention to detail is superb. The actual cycling was wonderful - safe, excellent bikes and accessories, well-supported by them and their team of guides/supporters, beautiful scenery, regular breaks, a great mix of relaxation and challenge. The itinerary was thoughtfully prepared with contrasting places to explore and opportunities to learn about Japanese culture. The accommodation and food was also outstanding. This particular tour was a treat but I would also recommend We Ride Japan for any of the tours they offer. Jenny Boyack, Palmerston North NZPosted on Google Jan McLarenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We Ride Japan Our bike tour of Shikoku was absolutely fabulous. It was perfectly organised, everything ran like clockwork and we felt well guided, well cared for and very safe. Amazing experiences in authentic Japanese restaurants and wonderful Japanese accommodation. We learnt so much about Japanese culture, language, Buddhism, food. The landscape was spectacular and we biked around the coast, through hilly regions, past rice fields, through small towns and villages, stopping at temples, shrines, and other points of interest along the way. We Ride Japan gets 10/10 from me. Superb organisation, marvellous cycling - all on sealed roads or lanes and over incredible bridges. A superb trip.Posted on Google Greg GibbTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic ride with Will and his crew Great accommodation stunning rides and the crew were so helpfulPosted on Google Peter HarrisonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did the Southern Japan Cycle tour in April this year. Absolutely fabulous experience and well recommended. The organisation and attention to detail were first class, the bikes were in excellent condition and the tour route was stunning. Started in Hiroshima, crossed the inland islands before cycling through Shikoku and Kyushu to Nagasaki. Will and his team (Nami, Hiro, Ryuji and Tereza) as well as Tamie and Shane deserve huge credit for creating this once in a lifetime experience. Domo arigato !!





















































