Izu to Ise 12 days
Fully Guided Japan Cycling Tour
 

Cycle distance：-

Ascent：-

Accommodation：Ryokan

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa

Meals：Dinner

Today we will meet at the hotel at Shuzenji Onsen, and gather together for an introductory meeting where you will meet your guides. After we have done a bike fitting, we will enjoy a Japanese welcome dinner.

Shuzenji is situated in the navel of the Izu Peninsula. With a history of more than 1200 years, Shuzenji ranks as one of the top 100 outstanding, hot spring resorts in Japan. Surrounded by low-lying hills, this hot spring resort is the terminus of the only railway line that traverses the spine of the Izu peninsula. A short distance south from the railway station there is an open-air bath with only a decorative roof, known as the Toko no Yu. Though it is forbidden to bathe, you may sit on the bench that circles the bath, kick your shoes off, soak your feet in the warm, mineral water and just relax.

Proceed further south to take a short stroll through the Bamboo Forest Path (Chikurin no Komichi) and enjoy the rows of souvenir shops, charming tea houses and the refreshing green of the tall bamboo trees.

A must read for anybody visiting Shuzenji is “The Dancing Girl of Izu, “ written by Nobel Prize Laureate, Yasunari Kawabata, based on a personal memoir of the writer and his infatuation with an adolescent girl who belongs to a troupe of traveling performers. The book is a good introduction to the beauty of the Izu Peninsula, and gives the reader a rare insight into the social fabric Japanese society during the pre -WW2 years.

Be sure to visit the temple that is the namesake of this town, Shuzenji Temple. The temple was founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai, who established a major Buddhist sect in Japan in the 9th century. Kukai is credited for the discovery of hot springs all over Japan, including that of Shuzenji. According to ancient legends, wherever Kukai tapped his walking stick ,hot water would spurt out of the ground. Shuzenji is one of the many hot springs whose origins are attributed to this miracle monk.

If you are missing craft beer, end your evening with a visit to Baird Beer’s Shuzenji Brewery, right along the Kano River.

◆Access from:

• Tokyo: 2 hours by train

• Osaka: 4 hours by train

• Nagoya: 3 hours by train

Cycle distance：57km

Ascent：1,160m

Accommodation：Ryokan

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Starting from Shuzenji, you will head north along the Kano River bicycle road until you reach Nagaoka, another hot spring spa. Notice a rugged mountain to you left. The road you are on will wind around it and then head westward until you descend a short pass that will take to the Western coast of the Izu peninsula. A not so short climb to Cape Osezaki will take you to a promontory from where you will be able to see Mt. Fuji across the Suruga Bay. The undulating road will take you across another climb, before you descend into one of the most beautiful fishing villages in this area, Heda. The sight of pine trees lining the beach, the white sand, and even whiter fishing boats docked within the cobalt -colored bay can compete in beauty against any Adriatic seaport.

The entire western coast of Izu Peninsula is a series of rolling hills and capes that jut into the ocean. Enjoy the sharp drops onto fishing villages followed by quick successions of steep climbs. Before quitting for the day, proceed further south for about 8 km to Koibito Misaki (Lover’s Cape) for the finest panoramic view of Mt. Fuji across the Suruga bay.

At Toi you will enjoy staying at a traditional Japanese inn where you will be served with the freshest fish you have ever tasted. Toi was the second largest gold mine in Japan until as recent as 1965, when it was closed and turned into a museum. Visitors can enter a tour into the cavernous mineshafts filled with waxed dolls of miners working the faces, and indoor gold panning (sifting sand for tiny specs of gold) at the main museum building.

Cycle distance：46km

Ascent：350m

Accommodation：Ryokan

Room style：Room with toilet only, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast

From Toi, you will board a small ferry to cross the Suruga Bay in about one hour until you reach Shimizu, a major port. From the ferry terminal head straight south to the pine forest of Miho no Matsubara, another narrow slither of a peninsula that juts east into the Suruga Bay. Through the pine trees, you will see Mt. Fuji looming straight across the bay. Take a break at the Miho Shrine before you head to Nihon Daira This hill is about 308 meters high, commanding a 360 degree panoramic view of the Suruga Bay, Port of Shimizu, Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps to the north. The sight of snow -covered Mt. Fuji, across a sea of green tea plantations, reminding us that Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the top producers of green tea in Japan.

Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a god from ancient myths, is said to have led his troops to the top of Nihon Daira during his march to solidify his rule in Eastern Japan. During his siege, the premises of Nihon Daira were set on fire by the revolting local tribes. Yamato Takeru no Mikoto extinguish the deadly fires that were engulfing him, with a special sword given to him by his aunt, the Priestess of the Ise Shrine, where we are headed. That sword is considered to be one of the three most sacred treasures of the Imperial Family today. The other two are a special mirror and a necklace.

After you have descended Nihon Daira, take some time off to visit the many roadside, greenhouses where for a nominal fee you may pluck and eat strawberries to your heart’s content. Continue heading west along the coast until you reach the first bridge. From here turn right and proceed due north till you enter Central Shizuoka. Our next visit will be Sunpu Castle in the heart of the city. Originally built in 1337, the area encircled by the stone has been turned into a beautiful park. After meandering through the city itself, we will follow the Abe River for about 8.5km where you will cross a bridge. From here the road will take us through bucolic farmland till we reach our destination for the day, Yuyama, a very traditional hot spring spa.

Cycle distance：67km

Ascent：1500m

Accommodation：Cottage

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast

Today will be quite challenging, because the route will steadily climb as you follow the Abe River and its tributary the Nishi Kawachi River. The deep-green colored tea plantations and bucolic farmlands will reward you for your efforts.

After crossing many hills you will reach the beautiful Ikawa Lake. If you are lucky you might see a steam locomotive chugging up the steep hills.

The ride along the Ooi River up to Kawane will be most memorable.

Cycle distance：83km

Ascent：940m

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast

Today the route will be mostly downhill, as you enjoy the ride along the Ooi River. En route shortly before you reach the wide Tenryu River be sure to visit the Akiba Shrine., which is comprised of the lower and upper shrine. If you take time to walk to the summit of Akiba mountain, you will be awarded with a panoramic view of Hamamatsu City. Lying among the dense forest lies the lower Shrine., Akiba Shrine blends Shinto, the emperor worshipping indigenous religion of Japan, Buddhism and a particular form of mountain worship, known as Shugendo. Since 400 years ago, the Akiba Road or Kaido has been a popular pilgrimage route, because the Akiba temple is the head shrine of more than 800 shrines nationwide.

Beyond Kawane, you can visit one of the tea plantations and enjoy several sips of different kinds of green tea.

As you descend down the Tenryu River the river will widen as you reach Tenryu Futamata. Do not miss the train station because the main structure has been designated as a National Tangible Culture Property. The chief attraction is the historic turntable

Cycle distance：68km

Ascent：890m

Accommodation：Ryokan

Room style：Room with toilet only, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Today you will be riding upstream along the Tenryu River. You will immediately notice that the mountains are getting higher, and are pressing closer to form narrow valleys. Eventually you will ride along the Funagiri Dam Lake, and depending on the season you will see many row boats. Beyond the lake, as the valley narrows, notice a rather large water fall to your left. Look up towards the sky and notice the small villages perched high on the steep , terraced tea fields.

Beyond Sakuma, one of the largest villages in this remote area, you will ride along the railway tracks of the Iida Railway line that connects the Pacific Coast with the deep inland valleys lying at the foot of the Japan Alps. You will be riding through deep forests and along a pristine river until you reach Yuya Hot Spring and call it a day.

The area along the Tenryu River is especially rich in folk lore and well known for its snow festival, held in every village in the first week of December. Some of the highest mountains in Japan tower over the narrow valleys that lie along the Tenryu River, where even today it is quite inaccessible. The Akiba Road or Kaido is a favorite among Japanese bicyclists, who appreciate low traffic, challenging climbs, and mysterious folklore.

Cycle distance：61km

Ascent：400m

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa, Lake view

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Much of the ride today will be downhill along National Road 151, one of the few negotiable National Roads that connect the deep inland prefectures with the Pacific Ocean. Eventually the road debouches onto a wide open plain. From here you will follow the Toyokawa river, riding through open rice fields until you reach Hamanako. You will feel a sense of liberation after having bicycled several days through deeply forested, narrow valleys. The lake is the tenth largest in Japan. Formerly a true fresh water lake, today it is connected to the Pacific Ocean by a channel. It is a major resort area. We will stay at Bentenjima, named after the beautiful Shinto gateway. It is said that the shrine gate was once on land but sea erosion and earthquakes changed the terrain of this estuary leaving the gateway in water. Take a stroll along the Bentejima Beach Park after you have checked into your hotel.

Hamanako is famous for eel farming, so be adventurous and try coal-barbecued eel placed on top of rice, with taste enhancing soy sauce gravy.

Cycle distance：-

Ascent：-

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa, Lake view

Meals：Breakfast

Take a leisurely walk around Hamanako Lake, and visit the Hamanako Garden Park. Or take a 30 minute train ride to explore Toyohashi.

If you like trains, it is only a one- hour train ride to Nagoya, the fourth largest city in Japan.

Cycle distance：62km

Ascent：400m

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Today you will be heading due west till you reach Cape Irako, where you will board the ferry to Toba, on the Shima Peninsula. En route, you will enjoy the view of the white beaches, good waves and many surfers as you proceed along the Pacific Bicycle trail that runs along the coast. Near the Irako Port there are several melon picking farms where for a nominal fee you can eat sweet melon to your hearts content. (June to September). You can enjoy strawberry picking from January to May.

The ferry ride across the Ise Bay is 55 minutes long. As you approach Toba your eyes will be drawn to the many islands. Once ashore, take time to visit the Mikimoto Pearl Island where the technology for the first cultivated pearls in the world was first developed. Visit Ago Bay, where you will be amazed at the sheer number of tiny islands that are actually strips of land stretching far out into the ocean. Tonight you will stay in a hotel that offers a beautiful view over the Ise Bay, and the freshest fish for dinner.

Cycle distance：53km

Ascent：740m

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet only, Onsen spa

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Today enjoy the ride along the Pearl Road, chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful roads in Japan. The road is hilly with gorgeous views of numerous islands lying off the jagged coastline. It is only 23 km long, but each bend, each promontory along the road will reward the effort of the climbs, with sweeping views of numerous islands and the cobalt blue ocean.

Tonight you will spend the night at Shima, hotel offers a gorgeous view over the Ago Bay and outdoor hot spring, onsen,.

Cycle distance：60km

Ascent：930m

Accommodation：Hotel

Room style：Room with toilet & shower, Onsen spa, Lake view

Meals：Breakfast, Dinner

Today we will continue to cycle on the coastline of the Shima Peninsula, along the Ise bay, coming across people engaged in farming and fishing.

The Shima Peninsula is a designated National Park , and contains Japan’s most sacred Shinto Shrine, known as the Grand Ise Shrine.

The Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu, the Sun God, purported to be the legendary ancestor of the current Imperial family. The Shrine is one of the holiest Shinto Shrines. More than 400 years ago, during the Edo Period, one out of every 10 Japanese made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. The chief priest or priestess must come from the Imperial family.

The Shrine building is rebuilt ever 20 years, funded mostly by private donations.

Enjoy the hill climb up to the main entrance of Ise Shrine, and then head to Ise City. You will be impressed with the traditional architecture of the Japanese- style inns that continue to service domestic pilgrims.

At the end of today’s cycle through quiet old road we arrive at Ise Grand Shrine and the end of the tour. We will enjoy the last dinner together to celebrate out travels through four prominent peninsulas, reflect upon our time together and enjoy each other ‘s company.

Cycle distance：-

Ascent：-

Accommodation：-

Room style：-

Meals：Breakfast

The tour officially ends after breakfast. You may choose to spend some time in this beautiful city or leave for the other destinations.

◆Access to:

• Chubu Nagoya Airport: 2 hours by airport bus

• Osaka: 2 hours by train

• Kyoto: 2.5 hours by train

• Tokyo: 4 hours