[ TRANS-TOHOKU Bike Tour]
We undertook the Trans-Tohoku in June 2024 and it was a great experience with Tetsuya-san and Hiro-san. We have previously ridden every year in Italy or Spain and decided to try something different this year. We were not disappointed. Everything about the trip was perfectly organised and a delight. We added a rest day in the middle which we all benefited from. I highly recommend Ride Experience.
[ Foodie’s Bike Tour NASU – NIKKO]
Like a multi course ‘Kaiseki’ meal, this tour is not just about only the cycling and the food.
This is an immersive sensory experience in many elements: waking up in a ryokan at dawn to go sit in an outdoor onsen and listen to the chirping of the birds in the trees above, attending a local fire festival with accompanying drumming performance one evening where we were the only overseas visitors, discerning the multi dimensional textures of the meals and walking through a golden bamboo forest in the drizzling rain dispersing the soft light to a golden aura that cannot be captured by camera. Tetsuya-san is like a master chef bringing all these together with his team in an all too short tour.
I need not say that everything is super organised, even a rain storm on one of the days had a ‘Plan B’ and didn’t miss cycling on that day. So am glad to have chosen this tour just as anyone would choose an authentic restaurant run by locals.
[ Custom Tours]
Really wonderful experience! Terrific planning and execution by the Ride Experience team. Special bonuses we didn’t see any other gaijin for four days !
[ Foodie’s Bike Tour NASU – NIKKO]
We’ve just wrapped up six days of incredibly exciting experiences, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, indulging in delicate and delicious Japanese countryside cuisine, and interacting with the warm-hearted locals. Throughout our journey, we’ve come to admire Japan’s impeccable road and rail infrastructure. Exploring the countryside, particularly in the Nasu and Nikko areas nestled amidst picturesque mountain ranges, has been a revelation. Each location shares a common background, yet boasts its unique identity and charm. Despite cycling 50-60 km every day, this trip remains the most extraordinary adventure we’ve ever had.
[ Custom Tours]
My wife Anne and I were lucky enough to join Tetsuya-san and his driver and assistant Haru-san on the 2024 Sakura Tour. We joined a group of 6 others from Western Australia and Malaysia who were already friends. The timing of our tour corresponded beautifully with the peak of the cherry blossom season, and the beautiful colours in some of the photos are scarcely believable. The logistics of the trip were deftly handled and although we realized there was a lot of work going on behind the scenes, it all looked effortless. Even when Day 3 was rained out, a second van materialized to ferry us around, and Tetsuya-san produced a Plan B with interesting activities to make the best of the day. The accommodation was a mixture of very comfortable 4 and 5 star hotels, with a couple of nights spent in charming village ryokans. All were equipped with onsen, and the food, which was included, was first class throughout.
We could not recommend Bike Experience JP and Tetsuya-san highly enough.
[ Gravel & Craft Bike Tour NASU – MASHIKO]
Wow – a super professional company with great friendly English speaking staff. If you’re looking for a cycling adventure, then look no further. They will adapt the tour to what you would like to do. A great mix of cycling, cultural events with extremely comfortable accommodation. oh, don’t worry about going hungry, the food is exceptional.
Just go ahead and book – NOW
The cycle routes and site visits were well chosen. The hotels were excellent and all had onsen baths, which provided welcome respite at the end of each day of cycling.
The visits to the various craft centers were fascinating and enjoyable. It was a unique experience to guided by the master craftspeople themselves. We learned about weaving with bamboo grass, indigo dyeing, and made our own postcards with traditional Japanese paper (washi). In Mashiko, the grandson of the famous ceramic artist Hamada Shoji showed us around his workshop and fascinating museum, and demonstrated making pots with a kick-wheel. We were shown around a brewery that makes organic sake by the owner. In Mashiko, the charismatic owner of another sake brewery gave a tour, then hosted an impressive and delightful tasting of excellent sakes. That provided a wonderful celebratory end to our four days of cycling in Tochigi Prefecture.
All Ride Experience staffs did a fantastic job. In particular I appreciated their help in getting my bike into the sag wagon when I ran out of energy and did not want to hold up the group. Cycling with a gravel bike on gravel roads was a new and interesting experience for me. The routes went through beautiful, early autumn countryside. In particular I enjoyed riding alongside the rivers.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
We have not done many reviews but did feel that one was indicated in this instance, so bear with us. My wife and I participated in this tour during September of 2023. We had found this tour by simply using “google” and studying the various bike tours available in Japan. Our experience up until now has been unsupported multi day bike trips in North America and Europe ( ie LeJog 2022). Criteria included daily distance to be biked, elevation changes as well as the area of Japan that would be explored. My only experience with Japan had been 30 years earlier when I had briefly visited a number of the larger cities…ie Tokyo, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kyoto. That had been a positive experience and it brought me back…..but this tour was both vastly different as well as superior.
Firstly, the cycling experience was great. Our rented bikes were “Cannondale Synapse”; great shape and tuned up daily. The day would start with a review of what to expect…..including distances, elevation changes, planned stops. On average we did around 100km each day, and the elevation gain was about 1000m/day. If these values are more then you are comfortable with then there is the ebike option, or to take a ride in the support van that is always close at hand. Scenery is varied from rural agriculture (plenty or rice fields), small towns, tropical forests, mountain passes, and ocean views. I did miss having a better paved shoulder on the road, but traffic is very light, motorists are friendly and keep a safe distance. I was only honked at once; but this was well deserved. Bathrooms are frequent and clean. The one road negative was that on occasion there is a water drain that is uncovered and just beside the road; none of us went into it….but I did keep a wary distance from it. The guides were very capable, friendly, conscientious and very safety conscious.
Secondly what we did not appreciate coming into the tour, which was just as meaningful as the cycling was the cultural experience. Stops along the way included “Shrines”, “Temples”, a Saki brewery, bake shops, orchards, hot springs, museums…….. Accommodations were always at first rate traditional inns/onsens or modern hotels/onsens. Meals were a feast to the eyes and stomach. There is no way that I could have seen or discovered this aspect of Japan on my own; especially with the language barrier. This was completely different from my earlier more urban visit to Japan; vastly more meaningful.
So yes, we can highly recommend this tour. We can truly say that there was not a single negative memory. The tour company “Ride Experience” provided for an excellent tour and holiday, with only positive surprises. Our guides Tetsuya, Yoshi, Keijj were incredibly knowledgeable, capable and well prepared. By the end of the tour, you can’t help but feel that you have becomes friends. The people of Japan that we met were incredibly friendly, kind, polite, and went out of their way to be helpful and welcoming. I believe this is the signature tour for this company; they do have shorter ones also available. For us this tour was certainly epic, and of the bikes trips/tours we have done probably about the best.
Our guided Trans-Tohoku tour with Tetsuya and Yoshi was truly epic! Each day was filled with opportunities to learn about the history, culture, and food in ways that would not have been possible by ourselves. The quiet roads were beautiful. Every detail was carefully planned – accommodation in rural mountain villages or with a sunset view over the Sea of Japan were highlights, along with locally sourced food in special places. We could not have been better cared for – our guides were attentive and flexible. The photos we received at the end, taken at every interesting spot along the way, leave us with wonderful memories.
[ Foodie’s Bike Tour NASU – NIKKO]
Knowledgeable guide took us to hidden local gems, including beautiful ryokans and charming restaurants. High-quality bikes, well-designed routes, and breathtaking scenery. Excellent attention to detail and top-notch customer service. Highly recommend for an authentic and memorable experience.
[ KUMANO KODO Pilgrimage Bike & Hike]
Such a thrill to be part of the first Ride Experience Kumano Kodo trip with Tetsuya and his team. It was a fantastic experience. The scenery was sublime and the cultural experiences were amazing. We didn’t regret taking the ebike option. The routes were well planned and the organisation was seamless – with the support van following along, we were never far from a change of gear if we needed it. The hotels were the perfect choice – all with a river or ocean view and sensational traditional food. Would recommend this trip to anyone interested in seeing a full experience of Japan outside of the big cities. Thanks again Tetsuya, Yoko, Taka and Yoshi for your care – we had an awesome time!!
[ KUMANO KODO Pilgrimage Bike & Hike]
Your team worked with us to make all problems disappear with an efficient and very positive attitude to all of our small problems. The food I experienced over the trip was wonderful. The presentation and range of flavours gave me a most enjoyable view of Japanese cuisine. The Onsen experience was new for me and it was most enjoyable to see this aspect of Japanese lifestyle. The Onsen in the caves, with a wild ocean breaking onto the walls of the Onsen was breathtaking, the contrast between the warmth of the Onsen and the wild ocean will be an experience that I will cherish. Finally, the range of rides was amazing. I particularly note the return ride along the river to Shingu. This was a wonderful ride along a most picturesque small quiet road, and experience that will be one of my most enduring memories of the trip.
