Trip Basics
Overview
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This is an example of a trip was before the 2024 Noto earthquake. We have not been back to Noto since then. WHile it would be impossible to recreate this now, similar style trips are available throughout Japan.
The main considerations for this trip were:
- Self-paced
- Goal is family time
- Relaxed, but active
- Equipment and Planing support
- Guide optional
After some back and forth regarding what they had inteneded for the rest of their itinerary, I found that they were already palnning to visit Shirakwago and Kanazawa, so instead of having them come to our main area in Nagano, I thought taking the bikes to them would be a prefect way to incorporate the bikes into their existing plan.
Client Request:
To: [email protected] Subject: Private Family Bike Trip in SummerWe are a family of 4 from America. We will be in Japan for three weeks in July and August. We are happy to go alone, but we are having trouble finding bikes and good routes for more than a day trip that are not package tours.
Do you have anything more private with flexible dates? Maybe a week or so depending on where it is. We will already be going to Tokyo and Kyoto, so would like to see somplace different. Preferably not too far away though. It does not need to be famous. We want to just ride together and not worry about other people in the group or keeping to a schedule.
Notes from the Road
- Around 350 km Ridden
- Around 4,000 m Climbed (and cruised down)
- 8 Days on Bike
- 2 Rest Days
- Scenic Cosatal Rides
- Shirakwagao, Kanazawa, Wajima, Noto
The family was already planning to visit Shirakawago and Kanazawa, so after some discussions, we decided to make the bicycle portion start from Shirakawago, include a day off in Kanazawa before getting out to lesser known areas.
The main goal was to have time riding together as a family, and the distance did not matter as much, so where possible I planned shorter routes that can be easily comopleted in just three or four hours, but could easily fill an entier day as well with stops and side road exploration. Of course, hills were expected as a neccessary evil, but we tried to make them as few as possible - another reason to choose riding along the coast, rather than more mountainous inland.
The route did not need to be extremely detailed. Just a rough plan of where to go, suggestions of what to see and do, and they were capable of filling in the rest. The main thing was helping them book accommodations and getting the bikes to them in Shirakawago, collecting their heavy luggage, and then later meeting them again at the end of their trip to collect the bikes and give them their luggage back.
Day 1: Shirakawago ~ Kanazawa
Day 2: Explore Kanazawa
Day 3: Kanazawa ~ Hakui
Day 4: Hakui ~ Nishigishi
Day 5: Nishigishi ~ Farm Inn
Day 6: Farm Inn ~ Rokkosaki
Day 7: Rokkosaki ~ Wajima
Day 8: Explore Wajima
Day 9: Wajima ~ Togi
Day 10: Togi ~ Wakura Onsen
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Difficulty
This was for a family with active, capable riders, but also happy to just relax. Not looking to prove anything. Their main goal was to spend time together riding, so were looking for just enough to fill the day, but not enough to make them ask "Are we there yet?"
We included two rest days - one was in Kanazawa, where they would have spent a day anyway, the other was not really because a rest was needed, but rather because Wajima was worth a full day to enjoy.
The clients were a fit family with no particular long distance bike touring experience, but athletic and not against a little challenge. The itinerary was short enough that it would be doable by anyone, even smaller children who can ride independently, or even for being pulled in a trailer.
Here are some estimated stats for the trip
- Around 350 km Ridden
- About 4,000 m Climbed (and cruised down)
- Seven full / half days on bike
- Average ~8km/h (including stops)
Price Estimates
As with all our custom trip, this was based on the family's budget, and in line wiht the current prices of the time.
The family was happy with comfortable accommodation at local family run inns, which took priority over price. It was mostly self-guided, which made it less than a fully guided option. Most of our trips can be done with a partial or fully guided option.
The area of this trip has been devstated by an earthquake in 2024 and is in the process of rebuilding. A similar trip in the same area would depend on the situation current situation.
Please contact us for an estimate for a similar trip in other locations at 2025 rates. We can provide an estimate for some or all of below:
- Planning, logistics and detailed route maps
- Guide, Self Guided, or Hybrid
- Bicycle rental and gear (helmet, bags, lights)
- Public / non-bicycle Transportation
- Comfortable, affordable Japanese style inns
A custom trip is very difficult to give a one-size fits all price estimate due to many factors. Our main goal is to make it reasonable and affordable for anyone to have a unique once in a lifetime adventure with your limited time in Japan.
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Number of Participants
We want to make it affordable as possible, especially for families, which make up a large part of our customer base, so we do not have a set per-person rate. If you request as a family or group, it is much easier for us to take that into account.
Unfortunately, it is often difficult insert individuals into custom trips with other random individuals, so joining a group to reduce costs can be difficult, but if we have requests from multiple parties for the same time, and everyone is happy to join strangers, we are happy to accommodate.
Individuals, couples, or small group of three are welcome as well, of course, and we do our best to make an active rural Japan adventure attainable.
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Type of Accommodation
Depending on the itinerary, accommodation options can vary widely - from fairly luxury ryokan, to simple inn to business hotel. Usually we prefer smaller, more homey accommodation. Farm inns, small family run inns where possible. We prefer a warm friendly host with down-to-earth meals to a fancy lobby. We tend not to do luxury unless that is the request, and that luxury inn is actually the main attraction of the day.
If we are truly wandering, going where the wind takes us without preplanned accommodation, sometimes there are not a lot of options, but this is just a feature and part of the excitement.
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Location
Price can vary depending on the number of days of the trip, and how far it is from our base near central Japan. Having to travel further to get to and from the location to host a two day trip will be more costly on a per-day average than if it is for a longer trip.
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Dates / Advance Notice
For certain times of the year, mainly spring and autumn, we
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Number of Days
Longer trips will generally have a lower average daily rate, but this depends a lot on location, dates, and advance notice.
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Level of Support
To accommodate different budgets, we can offer different levels of support. The price difference may not be huge, but for those where every little bit counts, we are happy to work to fit your budget.
Fully guided: The guide will be with you to explain all meals and attractions, and either riding or walking with you, or always nearby.
Semi guided: We will be there to support, carry luggage, help with communications, checking in, and some attractions, but also you will have more free time. We may choose meeting points through the day, and you will be on your own (although we will share GPS location, and always available on phone) and dinners at inns you can enjoy on your own, or on a case-by-case basis.
Self-guided with support: We plan the route and give you maps, meet you are the start with bikes and take your luggage to the inn. We will be available via phone for support, and can see your location. Otherwise you are on your own. We will pick up the bikes at the end and you can seamlessly continue your journey.
Fully Self Guided We plan the route and give you maps, assists with accommodation and other bookings, make arrangements for your to get bikes if needed, and give you as much support as possible without ever meeting. We will be available via phone for support, and can see your location. Otherwise you are on your own.
Please contact us with more details and we will do our best to either build an itinerary that fits your needs, or point you in the right direction if we are unable server you directly.
