Cycling Japan’s Historical Nakasendo Trail

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced cycling guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
    • 8-day Nakasendo bike tour (6 days of biking)
    • Rental bikes (mainly titanium or carbon gravel road, e-bikes available)
    • Accommodation for 7 nights (best value and available option—mainly traditional Japanese minshuku, ryokans or a modern resort hotel)
    • Luggage transfer
    • Support van (possible to transfer people without bike)
    • Most museum/shrine entry fees
    • Onsen fees
    • Sales tax
    • Hospitality tax
    • Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during the tour
    • Special jersey

  Not included:

  • • Flights to Japan
    • Domestic transport (train tickets, buses, airplanes)
    • Support & gear on demand (while there is van support, the group is not followed and there is no support with incidentals)
    • Helmet
    • Travel and medical insurance
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to join this Nakasendo bike tour, you need to be in great physical condition. You will be cycling for a week, anywhere between 50 and 72 km per day (31-45 miles) per day. Daily elevation gains can be found in the itinerary, but the biggest elevation gain in a single day will be around 1,200 m (3,940 ft).

  What else is on the offer in Japan? Check out this biking & hiking Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage or a cycling tour of Hidden Japan on Shikoku Island.

  Any diet or medical concerns need to be mentioned prior to the tour. Each guest is required to have personal medical and trip insurance.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
    • Sneakers or sport shoes
    • Breathable outside layer or jacket
    • Sunglasses
    • Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Daypack with snacks
    • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

  Touring in Japan covers mountains, plains, and coastal areas, where rain is not uncommon. Weather in the winter can also get quite cold in the winter. Make sure to bring clothing appropriate for the season. Generally, pack light and use layers. Due to high humidity, a waterproof hardshell is great and effective as any membrane shell. High-quality Merino fabric base layers as well as high-quality bib or riding shorts are strongly recommended. You’ll be able to do laundry in most lodgings so you might not need as much clothing as you think.

  All attendees should have their own smartphone device with local data provisioning (e-Sim or similar).Each rider is responsible for their own cycling clothes and shoes.

  If you’re bringing your own bicycle or equipment, you will be 100% responsible for any spare parts, repairs, damages or losses. Your en-route guide is equipped for most mechanical issues, but they do not carry spares for bikes other than their own. Read more about this in the next question.

• What about the rental bikes / can I bring my own bike?

  Rental bikes
  High-end conventional bikers or e-bikes typically featuring 1×11 or 2×11 wide range components are included in the price of the tour. You also get a repair kit (pump, tool, patches, etc.), safety lights, and “rinko” bags for the train. Helmet, rental clothing or shoes are not provided. If you bring your own saddle and/or pedals, they will be installed for you. Please do not bring racks, panniers, or other components without consulting first. Rental bikes are suitable for bikepacking type saddle bags, frame bags, or front, and not old-school expedition racks and panniers.

  Your own bike
  You can also bring your own bike! However, please keep in mind that land logistics in Japan may be challenging for bike boxes or cases that are larger than 200 cm (LWH). If you have a question regarding your specific box or case, just let us know. Also, if you bring your own bike, you will have to pre-arrange your own liability insurance (if you take your guide’s rental, you will automatically have liability insurance).

  For taking your bike on the train, you need to use a full coverage bag. They’re called “rinko” bags and they are generally provided with rental bikes on request. By removing wheels, the bike can fit easily into the bag and be placed in the designated area inside the train.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants with 1 guide.
    • If there’s more than 4 people on tour, the price goes down. Let us know if you have a larger group prior to booking.
    • It’s possible to arrange additional dates if you have at least 4 participants—contact us for details, we’ll help you find a date that suits both you and the guide.
    • In order to secure lodgings, the tour is bookable up to 90 days prior to departure.

  It may be possible to arrange Nakasendo bike tours for bigger groups, but the sooner you book, the better. Your guides wish to avoid high impact in small villages, and stays in Japanese ryokans are often severely limited. Contact us prior to booking if your group has more than 8 people.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. That said, if you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to GS Astuto base, the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Tokyo and one of its two airports, Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND). From there, you can take a train or a bus, it will take you 1.5-3 hours.

• Safety measures in Japan

  Medical and travel protection is mandatory. 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!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your early bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how early bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.