Tohoku - The Narrow Road to the Deep North
SamurI RESIDENCE IN KAKUNODATE
Cycling in Tohoku
Cycle touring in the Tohoku region explores the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The route snakes through the spine of this traditional region, known for its expansive landscapes, rustic hot springs, mountains and lakes. Our 13-day tour will take you from the northernmost prefecture of Aomori, through the historical castle town of Hirosaki, with its leaf-viewing festival in autumn, and past Lake Towada, a huge crater lake surrounded by forests. You will be able to unwind in Nyuto Onsen’s milky mineral waters after a day in the saddle, and enjoy great local food such as kiritanpo (grilled rice on skewers), gyutan (beef tongue) and wanko soba (noodles served in numerous small bowls). The route is interspersed with historical towns including perfectly preserved Kakunodate and traditional Ouchi-juku. The tour will end at Nikko National Park, home to Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine, with the whole area well known for its autumn colors.
As part of “The Northern Collection”, our Tohoku tour is designed to follow on from our final guided Hokkaido tour, “Wild Hokkaido Explorer”. As autumn draws to a close in Hokkaido, we encourage you to chase the warmth and coloured foliage further south, by connecting to our Tohoku tour. Next spring, why not go the opposite direction, by starting with our Tohoku tour from the south and escaping up to the fresher climes of Hokkaido?
Anything is possible on our new Tohoku Tour!
“My family and I absolutely loved our cycling tour! We were able to see areas that we would never have gone to ourselves. Of course, those off-the-beaten-track places ended up being our favorites! The Cycle Japan team also chose wonderful food and hotels for us. The cycling itself was also high quality - all of the roads were in excellent condition, and we never had any big issues with traffic. We can’t wait to come back in the future!”
Tohoku Highlights
Travel the paths that the poet, Matsuo Basho, once trod; “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”.
Cycle past caldera lakes, through national parks and around famous castle towns.
Experience well-preserved, historical Edo-era towns.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in numerous hot-spring baths.
Explore uncrowded beauty spots and stunning mountain landscapes.
Sample local delicacies and culinary delights.
Wonder in World Heritage Nikko’s spectacular temples and shrines.
Tohoku Tour - 13 Days
Price: $8,320 USD per person. (Based on twin/double occupancy. If you wish to have your own room, a supplement will apply.
Season and Departure Dates: We run this tour to coincide with the best of Tohoku's weather.
2025
12th to 24th October 2025
2026
25th to 6th June, 2026
12th to 24th October 2026
Private Groups: The Narrow Road to the Deep North is available for private groups, and can be modified to suit group rider needs. Contact us to arrange a private departure.
Accommodation: We use a range of accommodations including Ryokans, luxury nights, standard mountain inns & some Western style hotels. See our accommodation page for more details.
Rider Numbers: 6 riders minimum
Grade: Level 2 (moderate to strenuous). See our grade page for more details.
How to book: Fill in the Booking Form and we will send you a confirmation, and details of how to pay the deposit. Our tours are priced in US dollars.
“It was a fantastic trip that exceeded my expectations not only for biking, but also for hotel and baths, hikes, food, cultural experiences and daily challenges. Kathy and I have done a lot of bike trips and this one was right at the top. ”