Our Story
This website, Bicycle Tours Japan, is the international face of Ride Experience Inc. — a cycling tour company founded and based in Nasu, Tochigi, Japan. We built Bicycle Tours Japan to make our experiences accessible to visitors from around the world, offering everything from tour booking to travel resources in English.
Ride Experience Inc. itself was born out of a simple conviction: that the best way to truly experience Japan is to slow down and move through it on two wheels. Founder Tetsuya, after traveling to over 40 countries and discovering the joy of bicycle tourism firsthand, returned home with a mission — to create the same kind of unforgettable, immersive journeys in his own backyard.
Settling in the lush countryside of Nasu, he gathered a group of like-minded locals — cyclists, former athletes, mechanics, and outdoor enthusiasts — and built a company from the ground up. What started as a small operation guiding a handful of international visitors through back roads and forest paths has grown into one of Japan’s most trusted names in cycling tourism.
-
Foundation
Ride Experience Inc. is established in Nasu, Tochigi. First guided tours launched for international visitors.
-
Going Global
Bicycle Tours Japan launches as the English-language platform for Ride Experience Inc., opening the doors to cyclists from across the world.
-
Growth
Tour offerings expanded to include Epic, Relaxed, Self-Guided, and One Day tours. Team grows to include former competitive athletes.
-
Recognition
Featured in national media and international travel publications. Partnership established with Japan Tourism Agency.
-
Today
Over [3,000] guests from [30]+ countries guided. A proud team of 10 or more specialists, each bringing world-class expertise to every tour.
Our Philosophy
We believe a bicycle is the perfect lens through which to experience Japan — fast enough to cover ground, slow enough to catch the details. Our guiding philosophy is built on three core commitments.
Authentic Discovery
We take you off the tourist trail and into the landscapes, villages, and moments that most visitors never see. Every route is handpicked by our guides who know these roads intimately.
Safety First
Every guide on our team holds first aid certification. Our bicycles are maintained by a professional mechanic with 30 years of experience. You ride; we handle the rest.
Personal Connection
Small groups, expert guides, and genuine hospitality. We don’t do bus-tour experiences. Every journey is personal, flexible, and tailored to you.
Our Tours & Services
Based in Nasu, Tochigi — just 70 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen — we offer a full range of cycling experiences for every ability level and travel style.
Epic Tours
Multi-day, long-distance rides through Japan’s most dramatic landscapes. Designed for experienced cyclists seeking a true challenge.
Relaxed Tours
Leisurely rides that put scenery, culture, and good food front and center. Perfect for all fitness levels and first-time visitors.
Self-Guided Tours
Full route planning, bike rental, and support — with the freedom to ride at your own pace. Ideal for independent travelers.
One Day Tours
A perfect introduction to cycling in Japan. Short, rewarding, and easy to fit into any itinerary.
Custom Tours
Fully bespoke itineraries built around your dates, fitness level, interests, and group size. Just tell us your dream ride.
Social Proof
Since our founding, we have been privileged to share the roads of Japan with guests from across the globe. Here is what a decade of dedication looks like.
OUR TEAM
Every member of our team brings a unique world-class background — from Olympic athletes to professional mechanics — all united by a love of cycling and a commitment to exceptional hospitality.
Tetsuya
Tetsuya was born and raised in Tokyo. While working at a foreign-affiliated IT company or working in an import business, he traveled to over 40 countries. His passion to reproduce the bicycle tourism that he experienced around the world led him to Nasu, Tochigi. After moving to Nasu, he established Ride Experience Inc., a company specialized in bicycle touring, with his enthusiastic local friends. Having been a cyclist for more than 20 years, his love for roads and paths is incomparable. He takes great pleasure in biking to explore attractive routes, and from narrow mountain roads to gravel paths, no one in the area knows more than him. He also loves music, cooking, craft beer and local sake.
Message from Tetsuya
Bikes are a grown-up’s adventure gear. They turn roads and landscapes that you blindly pass by car into the most memorable, exciting experiences. Join us for an adventure to find the Japan that no one has seen before!
Keiji
Born in Tokyo and raised in Saitama, Keiji pursued his studies in the United States after high school, where he engaged in various outdoor sports and backpacking. Upon returning to Japan, he spent many years working in the outdoor industry, specializing in the sales of international outdoor gear brands in Japan, gaining extensive experience. Seeking a place where he could enjoy the outdoors throughout the year, he relocated to Nasu. His vast knowledge and experience greatly enhance our hiking tours, enriching participants’ outdoor adventures. On his days off, he leads an active lifestyle, enjoying fly fishing in local rivers, trekking nearby trails, and of course cycling a lot.
Message from Keiji
Hello guys! Just a 70-minute bullet train ride from Tokyo, Nasu offers a variety of outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking in its lush natural surroundings. You can also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the traditional Japanese countryside with its rice paddies and rural landscapes. If you’re visiting Japan, be sure to stop by Nasu!
Hiro
Originally from Tochigi, Hiro is a former downhill mountain bike competitor with a 30-year career as a professional bicycle mechanic. He is responsible for maintaining all our bicycles and also serves as a guide during tours. Hirokazu is a trustworthy person who can solve any bicycle problems.
Message from Hiro
Hello, I’m Hiro. On my days off, I like to go fishing or explore local trails on my mountain bike. A beer after a ride is the best! I’m also good at bike maintenance, so you can leave the bike care to me and just enjoy the tour.
Nagako
Nagako is a former Olympian in 2002 Salt Lake, snowboard halfpipe. She competed and trained in many countries in overseas. She started study accounting after retirement from competitions, then passed CPA of US. She has been in accounting industry for a while but she was wishing to come back to sports world. As her wish, now she is back to active snowboarder as a couch in winter, then summer she enjoys cycling and skateboard. At Ride Experience, she welcomes guests with a smile and engaging conversation.
Message from Nagako
Hello, I’m Nagako. I love exercises that use my legs. So that I love biking for no reason:) ”Nasu” has beautiful scenery in each season and you can enjoy hot springs especially after riding will be totally the best thing! You will never get bored. Let’s go for a ride with Ride Experience!
Kohei
Kohei, originally from Okinawa, is a former Olympic cyclist and one of Japan’s top road racers, having also competed with a professional team in Italy. After retiring from competition, he built a new career as a cycling guide and coach, sharing his expertise and passion for the sport. At Ride Experience, Kohei leads many of our long-distance tours with his exceptional endurance, deep knowledge of cycling, and his ever-charming smile.
Message from Kohei
Hello everyone! I’m Kohei. I simply love being on a bike. During my pro cycling days, I traveled through many countries and saw countless landscapes—but I was always riding too fast to truly enjoy them. Now, I prefer to take it slow and soak in the scenery.Let’s explore Japan together and enjoy its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and delicious food!
Moeka
Moeka will be your dedicated point of contact, expertly coordinating your exceptional trip. With extensive experience at a prestigious international hotel and a background in marketing, she provides insightful recommendations and ensures every guest has memorable experiences on our tour.
Message from Moeka
Hello, I’m Moeka. I call myself a travel builder and am passionate about planning trips for myself and my loved ones. I am thrilled to have turned this passion into my dream job. I am keen to learn about your preferences and am always happy to help. I proudly recommend choosing us for our guides’ passion and experience, as well as the high quality of our equipment.