An 8-day fully guided road cycling tour completing a clockwise loop of Okinawa Island—from the bustling capital Naha along the turquoise west coast, through the subtropical rainforests of UNESCO-listed Yanbaru National Park, and back south along the rugged Pacific shoreline. We cover 387 km (240 mi) across 6 riding days, with no rest days, staying in carefully selected seaside resorts and a forest lodge. Local guides, all meals, a support vehicle, and rich cultural stops throughout make this a seamlessly organized island adventure.
Arrive in Naha—the energetic, cosmopolitan gateway to Okinawa and the former capital of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. Try to get here early: Shuri Castle, the royal palace that presided over the Ryukyus for over 400 years, and Kokusai Street with its 1.6 km (1 mi) stretch of shops, bars, and restaurants are well worth exploring before the trip kicks off. In the evening, we meet for a trip briefing and welcome dinner together.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: La’gent Hotel Okinawa Naha
We roll out through Naha at a steady, controlled pace—urban traffic for the first 20 km (12.4 mi) before the island opens up. Our first stop is Araha Beach, a long stretch of white sand that marks the transition from city to coast. From here, Okinawa’s famous blue scenery takes over as we push north, rounding rugged Cape Zanpa with its iconic white lighthouse before continuing along the west coast to Onna, known for its sea-view resorts. We spend the night at one of them. Dinner is on your own tonight—hotel restaurant or an izakaya, your call.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa
Cycling: 63 km (39.1 mi)
Elevation: +536 m (+1,759 ft), -508 m (-1,667 ft)
Heading north on Route 58, we veer onto the Motobu Peninsula after 10 km (6.2 mi), threading through seaside towns, fishing ports, and patches of farmland and forest. The day’s highlight arrives at the 50 km (31 mi) mark: the spectacular Kouri Bridge, stretching nearly 2 km (1.2 mi) over shimmering emerald water—riding across it feels like cycling on the ocean itself. We stop at a local food court on Kouri Island for a break before looping back, crossing tiny Ojima Island, and rejoining the coast for a relaxed final stretch to our seaside resort near Okuma Beach. The afternoon is yours—beach, snorkelling, dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Okuma Private Beach & Resort
Cycling: 79 km (49.1 mi)
Elevation: +616 m (+2,021 ft), -641 m (-2,103 ft)
We follow Route 58 north along the East China Sea, pushing through tunnels and punchy little climbs until we reach Cape Hedo—a dramatic limestone promontory at the northernmost tip of Okinawa, where the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea collide in a dramatic show of white water. From here, we turn inland and climb into Yanbaru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of subtropical rainforest home to rare wildlife including the flightless Okinawa rail. A descent brings us to lunch before a peaceful east coast stretch and a final climb to our secluded forest lodge. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ada Garden Hotel Okinawa
Cycling: 46 km (28.6 mi)
Elevation: +975 m (+3,199 ft), -850 m (-2,789 ft)
Having reached the far north, we now head south along the rugged Pacific side of the island. After a short opening climb from the forest lodge, we drop down to the Aha River and work our way through consistent climbs—around 7 km (4.3 mi) at a steady 5% gradient—through tropical foliage and farmland. Keep an eye out for the pineapple plantations as we approach Higashi Village, Japan’s top producer of the fruit. From the 30 km (18.6 mi) mark, the road tracks the Pacific coastline in a satisfying rhythm of headlands, bays, and fishing villages all the way to our sea-view hotel near Kin. For dinner, the local classic is taco rice—a delicious Okinawan invention born from Tex-Mex ingredients and Japanese white rice, created in the 1980s to feed hungry US Marines stationed nearby.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Asbo Stay Hotel
Cycling: 80 km (49.7 mi)
Elevation: +1,401 m (+4,596 ft), -1,517 m (-4,977 ft)
After yesterday’s long traverse, today is a more relaxed ride into the densely populated south. We sweep around Kin Bay and through Uruma City before reaching the day’s highlight at around 37 km (23 mi): the Kaichu-doro, a remarkable causeway cutting through the turquoise shallows of the Pacific Ocean. We stop, take it in, then continue into Okinawa City—historically known as Koza, shaped into a “base town” during the Vietnam War and still carrying that energy in its vintage English signage, old-school rock bars, and the neon-lit Gate 2 Street, which makes for a great dinner destination.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
Cycling: 50 km (31.1 mi)
Elevation: +396 m (+1,299 ft), -360 m (-1,181 ft)
The final day in the saddle brings us full circle. We leave the urban sprawl behind and trace the limestone cliffs and coastal roads of the Chinen Peninsula, hugging the shoreline around the southern tip of the island. A stop at the Peace Memorial Park—a beautifully landscaped tribute to Okinawa’s wartime history—adds weight and meaning to the final ride. From there, we pass through the fishing port of Itoman and loop around the Naha airport perimeter before rolling back into the capital. Tonight we celebrate with a farewell dinner and, if you’re up for it, some bar hopping in true Okinawa style.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: La’gent Hotel Okinawa Naha
Cycling: 69 km (42.9 mi)
Elevation: +606 m (+1,989 ft), -652 m (-2,139 ft)
Time to head home—or onward. Naha Airport (OKA) is nearby and well-connected to Tokyo, Osaka, and other major Japanese cities. If you’re not ready to leave, the Okinawa Archipelago has plenty more to offer: the Kerama Islands are just a short ferry ride away for world-class snorkelling, and the remote white-sand beaches of Kume Island are well worth the trip. Let your guides know if you need help with post-tour hotel bookings.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
This Okinawa road cycling tour is designed for experienced cyclists comfortable with back-to-back riding days.
Over 6 cycling days, we cover 387 km (240 mi) with no rest days, so building stamina ahead of the trip is important. Daily distances range between 46 km and 80 km (28.6–49.7 mi), and terrain is consistently undulating throughout. Days 5 and 6 in the north are the most demanding, with up to 1,401 m (4,596 ft) of elevation gain in a single day—solid climbing experience will make a real difference here.
Riders with less experience are very welcome, but your guides recommend preparing well—the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy every kilometer. Note that passenger seats in the support vehicle are limited, so you should come ready to ride the full daily distances.
This tour follows roads rather than dedicated cycling paths, so being comfortable sharing the road with traffic—including in busier urban zones around Naha and Okinawa City—is essential.
Want to explore more of Japan by bike? Discover more Japan cycling tours here!
Roads in Okinawa are mostly in excellent condition. The south is more urban and traffic-heavy, especially around Naha and Okinawa City. As we head north, roads become quieter and more rural, though some secondary lanes near Yanbaru may have patches of gravel, crushed coral, or limestone debris. We ride rain or shine—subtropical showers can occur at any time—though your guides can modify the route based on conditions or group comfort if needed.
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.
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Bikes are not included in the base price of this tour. If you bring your own, make sure it’s a road bike in good mechanical order.
If you’d prefer to rent, your guides offer a standard road bike or a carbon road bike—you’ll be able to add a bike rental to your booking at checkout.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guides and on the support vehicle, though your guides cannot guarantee parts for every possible issue. Bringing a basic toolkit, a spare tube, and a pump is recommended. Wearing a helmet is required on all rides—non-negotiable.
Group sizes and pricing
Okinawa bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
The price for this Okinawa bike tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
This Okinawa bike tour starts and ends in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. Fly into Naha Airport (OKA), which has direct connections from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities, as well as some international routes. The airport is just a short taxi or bus ride from the city center.
You’ll meet your guides at the hotel on Day 1. We highly recommend arriving at least a day early to give yourself time to explore Naha and recover from any travel.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.