OVERVIEW

Discover authentic Japanese countryside through cycling between the natural beauty and rich cultural heritages around Nasu with our local knowledgeable guide. Designed to immerse you in the local atmosphere, this tour begins in the Nasu highlands, renowned for its charming vacation homes and ideal summer retreats. Start by exploring the highland and visiting charming local restaurants and cafes at a relaxed pace.

Next, channel your inner poet at Ashino, where you’ll encounter the Yugyo-Yanagi, an iconic willow tree celebrated in Japanese literature. Matsuo Basho, one of Japan’s most famous Haiku poets, wrote about this tree in his travel journal, “Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)”. If you wish, you can try writing your own Haiku, inspired by the landscapes that influenced Basho.

In Shirakawa, visit Nanko Park, established in 1801 and known as Japan’s oldest public park. Enjoy a tranquil moment with matcha tea and Japanese confectionery while admiring the serene Japanese garden. The tour then takes you to Shirakawa-no-Seki, a historic checkpoint that once marked the border between the Northern native tribes and the Imperial Court of Japan during the Nara and Heian periods. This location has also been featured in many admired Haiku. Experience the echoes of history and imagine the travelers of old who once passed through.

This tour explores the peaceful, rural landscapes of Japan, offering a relaxed experience and an authentic glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Embark on a journey through Nasu and Shirakawa to explore the cultural heritage, from Samurai castle history and poetic inspiration to serene moments in Japan’s oldest public park.
• Cycle around the less densely populated and less traveled Japanese countryside.
• Enjoy a full-course lunch using local fresh ingredients at a local farmer’s house and have a chat with the family.
• You will stay at excellent onsen ryokan (Japanese style inns with natural hot springs) in Nasu Onsen.
• The tour is attended by an experienced cycling guide well familiar with the local history, lifestyle, people, and food.
• The rental cost of a high-quality e-hybrid bike is included.
• Full support using a large van to ensure your bike rides are safe and comfortable.

RIDING LEVEL

EASY (suitable for beginners)
E-hybrid bikes will make the mileage and ascents easier.

ITINERARY

Day 1 / Meet day [No Cycling]

Meet at JR Nasushiobara Station (70 minutes from Tokyo station by Tohoku Shinkansen (super express train)).
Adjust and test rental e-bikes at Ride Experience tour desk.
Move to the ryokan by our van.
Stay at an excellent Japanese traditional style onsen ryokan with modern art arrangements in Itamuro Onsen, a small riverside onsen village with 1,000 years long history.(Stay 2 nights at the same ryokan.)
(Overnight stay・Dinner provided)

Day 2 / Nasu Gourmet Loop [Cycle 36km, 560m UP]

The first cycling day is a day of exploring Nasu, the gourmet and biking resort! Nasu has established itself as a royal resort since aristocrats-built summerhouses and opened ranches and the emperor built a summerhouse (called “Goyotei”) about 100 years ago. This has led Nasu to have some of the highest level food producers in Japan.
You will cycle around highland area of Nasu with quiet forest paths, panoramic views and gourmet stops including soba with tempura (lunch), ice-cream and bakery etc.
Stay at the same onsen ryokan in Itamuro Onsen.
(Overnight stay・Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided)

Day 3 / Nasu – Ashino [Cycle 42km, 470m UP]

Cycle between dairy farms in flat area and down to the rural countryside area. Visit Yugyo willow tree, an iconic willow tree famous for Matsuo Basho and his Haiku poem surrounded by beautiful rice paddy fields. The highlight of the day will be a full-course lunch using fresh local ingredients at a local farmer’s house!! Have sit a low-table in the living room, taste fantastic foods delivered one after another, and enjoy chatting with the host. It must be a great experience for you. Experiences of the slow lives in Japanese countryside through cycling continues after lunch. Visit an old shrine, castle ruing, hidden beautiful bamboo forest and natural spring water protected by local people etc.
Stay at a cozy modern hotel with onsen in a quiet forest of countryside of Ashino.
(Overnight stay・Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided)

Day 4 / Ashino – Shirakawa Cultural Loop [Cycle 44km, 600m UP]

Cycle through quiet countryside and riverside to the next town called Shirakawa. Visit Japan’s oldest public park with beautiful lake and Japanese garden. You can enjoy matcha and Japanese confectionery. After lunch with local special Shirakawa Ramen, another cultural experience is climbing up the inside of a wooden Japanese castle (Shirakawa Komine Castle). The last cultural visit before heading to the border pass is Shirakawa-no-Seki, an old shrine with old giant trees where used to be an ancient border between central Japan and northern parts of Japan.
Stay at the same hotel in Ashino.
(Overnight stay・Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided)

Day 5 / Break-up day [No cycling]

After breakfast at the hotel, you can take a free shuttle bus from the hotel to Nasushiobara Station.
You can take a Tohoku Shinkansen to Tokyo Station
(Breakfast provided)

ACCOMMODATION

You will be staying at a long-established Japanese traditional style onsen ryokan that boasts the longest history and dignified presence in Nasu and a cozy modern hotel surrounded by forest in Ashino. The accommodations offer top-level hospitality and finely tuned Japanese-style service, each with its own excellent onsen (natural hot spring) to relax in after riding.

FOOD

Many of our guests consider this a gourmet tour, offering an incredible range of traditional Japanese food, including kaiseki-ryori (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner), soba and tempura, ramen, local cuisine cooked by farmer’s mom, matcha tea with traditional Japanese confectionery and coffee breaks with cheesecake and/or ice cream from local dairy farms.
For those who enjoy drinking, there are many brands of sake proudly presented by Tochigi, the rice production center of the Kanto region.
*Please note that some food options may change due to temporary closures or availability.

EQUIPMENT

High-power e-hybrid bikes will be provided to every participant and you don’t need to worry about hilly terrain. Our guide will control the comfortable pace for everyone. A support vehicle will be also available throughout the tour, so you can jump in the van anytime you want (only for 4 or more participants). Your luggage will be transferred by our vehicle and you won’t need to carry your bags on your bike.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 4 nights’ accommodation on twin room share basis
• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
• Rental e-hybrid bike
• Tour guide(s)
• Support vehicle (only for 4 or more participants)
• Mechanical support
• Luggage transfer by vehicle
• Snacks and water during cycling
• Entrance and experience fees
• Transfer from Nasushiobara station to the accommodation on the day 1
• Accident insurance (limited)

INQUIRY

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact us via the Contact form.

BOOKING

Tour：Nasu Slow Life E-Bike Tour

Price：Scheduled Group Tours
¥418,000- /person (Guided & Van-supported) (for 4 or more participants)

Private Tours
4-8 participants: ¥418,000- /person (Guided & Van-supported)
3 participants: ¥418,000- /person (Guided, no support-van)
2 participants: ¥440,000- /person (Guided, no support-van)
9 or more participants: Quote Individually
*All tour prices are twin room share basis.

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—以下から選択してください—November 17 - November 21, 2024 / ¥418,000-May 18 - May 22, 2025 / ¥418,000-June 2 - June 6, 2025 / ¥418,000-June 22 - June 26, 2025 / ¥418,000-Private/Custom Tour

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Dive into the heart of Nasu

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