Fuji to Kyoto
Skedaddle's Japanese cycling itinerary climbs out of Fuji's foothills and runs the Nakasendo old-post-road to Kyoto. A serious week, properly supported, eats well.
About this trip.
Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
Mt Fuji forms the backdrop for the early days of this twelve-day ride between Tokyo and Kyoto, with the Fuji Five Lakes and Lake Kawaguchi giving the cycling its first proper stretch of countryside after a gentle e-bike loop around Tokyo. The contrast is part of the point — you start in central Tokyo and finish in Kyoto, a 1,200-year-old former capital of temples, immaculate gardens and quiet back streets. In between, the trip deliberately slows down: onsen towns, traditional villages, a bullet-train hop in the middle, and rural roads around Japan's largest lake.
The route from Fuji to Kyoto
After the Tokyo warm-up, the group transfers to Kawaguchi for the first proper day in the saddle — around 17 km with roughly 245 metres of climbing. From there the riding works through the lakes country before a stay at Kannami, where the Hatage Onsen is the main reason to stop. The bikes then go on the Shinkansen for the long jump west to Omihachiman, and the second half of the trip unfolds around Lake Biwa: Hikone Castle, the old port town of Nagahama, and a string of villages along the shoreline that rarely see overseas cyclists. The final day's ride brings you into Kyoto, where the cycling gives way to temple visits and slow walks through the lanes.
Daily distances are modest by European cycling standards — this is not a trip about logging miles. Roads are generally quiet once you leave Tokyo, and guides travel with the group throughout.
When to go and what's included
Saddle Skedaddle runs the trip in April and in November, and the month matters. April lands ahead of the early-season crowds, with warm sunny weather, wisteria in full flower and the countryside full of spring colour. November swaps spring for the autumn maple — the Japanese call leaf-hunting momiji-gari, and the hills around Lake Biwa and Kyoto turn properly red. Both months sit either side of the hot, rainy summer, which the trip is deliberately built to avoid.
Accommodation moves between modern city hotels and traditional minshuku and ryokan, the latter often with an onsen attached — soaking at the end of a riding day is more or less the unofficial sixth meal. Food is a real feature throughout, from bento boxes eaten on the bullet train to multi-course ryokan dinners, and the trip leans on local restaurants and family-run inns rather than international chains. Bikes, guides, most meals and the Shinkansen leg are included; flights into Tokyo Haneda, lunches and the usual incidentals are not.
Prices start from £5,595 per person over 12 days. For every booking, Saddle Skedaddle makes a donation to World Bicycle Relief, the charity that puts bikes in the hands of people in low-income communities — guests can top up that donation at the point of booking.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
