The San’in is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets—facing the Sea of Japan, this serene region is far from the crowds, and just the perfect setting for a 10-day bike adventure off the beaten path! Quaint fishing villages, timeless shrines and temples, grand Samurai castles, island hopping, dramatic volcanic landscapes… For those who crave the real Japan, this is as authentic as it gets. This journey is about discovery, about immersing ourselves in the local culture and customs, not just checking off tourist spots. So we’ll sleep in cozy lodgings, soothe our muscles in onsens (hot springs), and try out an outstanding variety of local delicacies. Sounds like your kind of thing? Come join us!
San-in is one of Japan's least populated and least urbanized regions, making it an alluring setting for an off-the-beaten track cycling adventure in the Land of the Rising Sun! Come join us on this 10-day cycling adventure and let’s discover a totally different side of Japan together. We’ll pedal through a variety of different landscapes, and make sure to really immerse ourselves into the local culture and the way of life. This all-inclusive tour is as good as it gets!
The meeting point for our tour is Tottori City, the gateway to the San-in region. We meet at our hotel by 1pm for a bike fitting and an easy 25-km (15-mi) warmup ride to the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest and most visually striking of their kind in Japan. We will also visit the Sand Museum with its impressive sand sculptures. In the evening, we convene for a trip briefing and a welcome dinner at a local izakaya restaurant. Please let us know if you require assistance with pre-tour hotel bookings.
Meals: Dinner
Cycling: 25 km (15 miles)
Elevation: +300 m (+985 ft), -300 m (-985 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Monarque Tottori (Western style)
Our day begins with a 25-minute train journey westward along the San-in line. Disembarking on the outskirts of Tottori City, we saddle up and begin cycling. Just 2 km (1.2 mi) into our ride, we are greeted by vistas of the majestic Sea of Japan, so we continue along a coastal route unveiling sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages nestled between scenic headlands. After 15 km (9.3 mi), our path veers inland where the landscape transforms into a tapestry of farmlands and forested hills.
Soon, we reach Lako Togo and follow a gorgeous 10-km (6-mi) loop around its peaceful shores. We continue onwards through the lush countryside which now becomes decidedly more mountainous and we’ve got some climbing to do! Our destination is Mount Mitoku, home to the fabled Buddhist temple of Nageiredo. Embarking on a steep yet picturesque hike, we marvel at the temple’s precarious perch upon the mountain’s cliffs. After taking in this awe inspiring sight we will free-wheel down to Misasa Onsen, our home for the night. In the evening we can relax in the healing waters of the various hot springs in town.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 52 km (32.3 mi)
Elevation: +762 m (+2,500 ft), -702 m (-2,300 ft)
Accommodation: Kiya Ryokan (Japanese style)
We head back to the coast by following the course of the Tenjin River for 20 km (12.5 mi). Then we veer west, alternating between coast-hugging roads and rural stretches through pear farms and rice fields. Eventually we will begin to catch glimpses of the towering Mount Daisen, a dormant volcano once referred to as the “Mountain of the Great God” and bearing resemblance to the more well-known Mount Fuji.
We cycle along undulating roads on the lower and middle slopes of the volcano, stopping regularly to appreciate the natural beauty of the area and take pictures. Tackling the slopes will involve some gradual as well as steep uphill bursts, though these are always rewarded with refreshing descents downhill. We spend the night in the seaside town of Kaike, known for its onsens and seafood! Make sure to catch the sunset at the sandy Kaike Onsen Beach.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 73 km (45.4 mi)
Elevation: +556 m (+1,824 ft), -618 m (-2,028 ft)
Accommodation: Bayside Square Kaike Hotel (Japanese style)
This morning, we depart Kaike along a very pleasant and newly built coastal cycle path to Sakaiminato City. The city and its surrounding areas, sandwiched between the Sea of Japan to the east and the Nakaumi Inland Sea to the west, makes for a great cycling route. First we will cross the famous Eshima Bridge to the islands of Eshima and then Daikonshima where we will make a stop off at the Yuushien Gardens. These beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens are perfect for a refreshing stroll before looping back to the coast via a scenic road that seemingly floats on the Nakaumi Inland Sea and then continues to hug the edge of the Sakaiminato Strait.
The ride concludes with a high-arched bridge crossing to the harbor where we’ll load our bikes and embark on a relaxing 2 hour 50 minute ferry journey to the volcanic island of Nishinoshima. Upon arrival on the island, we will be transferred to our ryokan to enjoy a delicious seafood dinner. We are now in a truly remote, offshore, part of Japan!!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 46 km (28.6 mi)
Elevation: +310 m (+1,020 ft), -311 m (-1,020 ft)
Accommodation: Kuniga-so Hotel (Japanese style)
We begin with a quick transfer back to the port where our bikes will be waiting. We cut across the island on flat, paved roads for 10 km (6 mi) until we reach the spectacular Kuniga Coast, characterized by rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and unique rock formations. We will walk along a coast-hugging trail to the top of the Matengai Cliffs; towering walls of volcanic rock reaching 257 m (844 ft) which offer breathtaking views of the sea and coastline.
We then cycle the 10 km (6 mi) back to the port and get comfortable on an inter-island ferry which will shuttle us over to our next island, Dogo-jima (2 hours on the boat). Upon arrival, we’ll hop on our bikes again and ride along a route that leads to traditional boat-building sites and a unique “bull sumo” stable. Continuing on, we make our way toward our accommodation near the port area. After 28 km (17.4 mi), we’ll reach our hotel, where we can unwind and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this quiet, remote island.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 48 km (29.8 mi)
Elevation: +880 m (+2,890 ft), -872 m (-2,860 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Miyabi
Considered by those in the know as one of Japan’s best cycling routes, today we travel up the centre and down east coast of Dogo Island as we loop back around to the port to return to the mainland. The first highlight is after 10 km (6mi) (and a bit of climbing!) when we arrive at an ancient cedar tree which is believed to be over 600 years old and has spiritual significance for the islanders.
From here we head up a little further to the village of Nakamura where we can stop at a beach for a quick break. We then ride down the east coast on quiet country roads, passing through dense forests, fishing ports, rice paddies, citrus orchards, and tunnels that burrow beneath the coastal hills. After around 43 km (26.7 mi), we arrive back at Saigo Port where we’ll have lunch and board a ferry to take us back to the mainland (2 hours 25 minutes). Take in the views from the deck as we say goodbye to the islands. Upon arrival in Sakaiminato City we will be transferred to our hotel and we’ll reconvene for dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 43 km (26.7 mi)
Elevation: +1,087 m (+3,566 ft), -1,093 m (-3,586 ft)
Accommodation: Onyado Nono Sakaiminato (Mixed Western/Japanese style)
We begin with a 12-km (7.5-mi) ride over to the northern tip of the peninsula where we reach Miho Shrine. One of Japan’s most scenic shinto shrines, Miho is nestled on the slopes of Mount Atago and harbors intricate wooden architecture, including a gorgeous torii gate. We continue for another 3 km (1.9 mi) to the Mihonoseki Lighthouse where we can climb to the top to enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding sea, lagoon and cliffs. We then backtrack a little bit before cutting 5 km (3.1 mi) across the hilly peninsula to its northern seashore.
Here we’ll cycle along the nature-rich coastline, climbing up and down for 35 km between a scenic string of headlands jutting out into the Sea of Japan, separated by bays sheltering fishing villages. The final 10 km (6 mi) of the route takes us through rural areas leading into the historic city of Matsue on the shores of Lake Shinji. We’ll saddle-off and walk over to the “Black Castle”, one of only 12 original feudal-era castles left standing in Japan! Perched atop a hill and surrounded by a moat and thick walls, visiting Matsue castle makes for a great finale to the day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 65 km (40.4 mi)
Elevation: +1,267 m (+4,157 ft), -1,275 m (-4,183 ft)
Accommodation: Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu (Western style)
With our hotel in Matsue as our base, we’ve got a fun loop today that covers a large swathe of the forest-covered rolling hills and flat farmlands of the surrounding countryside. For the first 15 km we’ve got some gradual climbing to do but after that it is all downhill and flat.
The highlight of today’s ride is a visit to the Adachi Museum of Art in the lovely village of Hirose. The Adachi Museum is renowned for its integration of Japanese art within meticulously maintained gardens that feature lush greenery, carefully arranged rocks and serene ponds. Truly zen! We’ll spend some time here before circling back to Matsue via roads flanked by extensive farmlands. Back in Matsue the rest of the day is yours to explore more of the city or simply relax.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 47 km (29.2 mi)
Elevation: +556 m (+1,824 ft), -556 m (-1,824 ft)
Accommodation: Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu (Western style)
Time for the home stretch as we cycle east from Matsue to the coastal city of Izumo. After departing Matsue, we ride for 25 km (15.5 mi) through a tightly packed sequence of small valleys north of Lake Shinki. Expect some sharp bursts up and down complemented by blissful rural surroundings. As we curve around the lake, the roads flatten and we skirt along the banks of two rivers—first the Hii and then the Kando—for 30 km (18.6 mi) before we are greeted, for the last time on our tour, by the turquoise waters of the Sea of Japan.
The remaining few kilometres take us north along the coast to the endpoint of the day’s ride: Izumo Taisha. This is one of Japan’s oldest and most important Shinto Shrines and certainly one of the most impressive due to its grand architecture! We’ll spend some time exploring the beautiful grounds of the shrine and then hop on a local train for a 30 minute journey to our hotel near Izumo Train Station. We’ll enjoy a final dinner together as we celebrate the completion of our San-in cycling exploration.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 63 km (39.1 mi)
Elevation: +446 m (+1,463 ft), -444 m (-1,457 ft)
Accommodation: Green Rich Hotel (Western style)
Time to say goodbye! Depending on your onward travel plans, either head to the nearby airport or the train station. Daily flights are available to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Kyoto and Osaka can be reached in half a day by train.
Meals: Breakfast
It is occasionally necessary to re-route or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.
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This Japan coast bike tour is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and prior experience riding an average of 50 km (31 mi) in hilly terrain. While riders with less experience are more than welcome, the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the trip!
Expect a moderately challenging adventure with some gradual climbing on most days. Over 9 cycling days, you’ll cover 463 km (287 mi). For day-by-day distances and elevation gains, check out the itinerary.
Your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.
In addition to cycling, at Mount Mitoku (Day 2) and the Kuniga Coast (Day 5), you will be hiking for 1-2 hours, with some steep sections involved. At the beginning and end of the tour, you’ll be taking short rides on local trains to avoid busy city streets, and to get to and from the Oki Islands you’ll be boarding passenger ferries on the Sea of Japan (3 ferry rides in total).
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This trip is along tarmac roads in good condition, and there is no technical riding. San-in is one of Japan’s least urbanized regions, so traffic tends to be minimal at all times. While on the mainland we will have a support vehicle with us at all times, during the riding on the remote Oki Islands (Days 5 and 6) a support vehicle will not be available.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Because some people can’t imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, they are not provided as part of this Japan coast bike tour. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is in good mechanical order.
If you’d like to skip the hassle of bringing your own bike, you can rent a hybrid bike for $500 (price per person, for the whole trip). Alternatively, you can rent an e-bike for $750, but as these are limited in number and size, it’s best to reach out to us prior to booking to check availability.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though having spares for every conceivable problem cannot be guaranteed. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on this Japan coast bike tour and is non-negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. Therefore, it’s compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
Japan has a diverse climate. There are four seasons: from April through June, it’s spring. The rainy season is from the middle of June to the middle of July. July through the end of September can be hot and humid temperatures in the big cities can go as high as 35 degrees Celsius.
Group sizes and pricing
Japan coast bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Japan coast bike tour is Tottori. To get there, most people fly into Kansai Airport (KIX), serving Kyoto. From there, it’s best to rent a car—it will take you around 3 hours to reach Tottori. Alternatively, you can fly into Tottori Airport (TTJ), just 15-30 minutes away.
Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at 1pm at the first hotel. It’s highly recommended that you fly in at least a day earlier.
All nationalities require a valid passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Up to 62 countries have reciprocal visa exemption arrangements allowing nationals from those countries to enter Japan without a visa. Depending on the country, you are allowed to stay in Japan for a certain period, which can range from 90 days to six months. For more information, please visit the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Secure your spot for 2026 with just a 10% deposit. The remaining 20% of the deposit is due by the end of 2025. Learn about our cancellation policy below.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
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We had a fantastic tour! Everyone should do this. Verry friendly guide!