See Japan from your own folding bicycle!

Alex Kent – Japanese translator, interpreter, and admirer of things Japanese, will be your guide and interpreter for a 2-week tour of Japan by folding bike. Tours are offered in the spring and fall. This will be an unforgettable, close-to-the-ground, people-to-people journey through Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, across the Inland Sea, and other destinations.

Minimum group size is six riders; maximum of 8.

Accepting early registration for April 2025 (dates to be announced)

“We loved the tour of Japan, especially the opportunity to meet with some local people, and learn a bit about what it is like to live in Japan. We enjoyed the varied experiences, from the big city to the small town and the delicious food along the way. The riding was fun, and it worked well taking our bikes on the trains.” -Berenice R., 2019 participant

Thinking about a Brompton folding bike? Click the above image to visit Clever Cycles in Portland, OR.

They can answer all your questions!

Riding the Shimanami Kaido across the Inland Sea from Onomichi in Honshu to Imabari in Shikoku.

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Is this tour for pro cyclists?

No! You do not need to be a competitive cyclist; this is not a race! Daily mileage will vary from just a few miles up to around 15~20 miles. You do need to feel comfortable and secure on your bike (we will be riding in traffic). There is no age limit for the tour: our oldest participant was 86!

NOTE: Accommodations will usually be in the traditional Japanese style: Tatami rooms, futons, shared sleeping spaces, and shared bathrooms. Single- or double-occupancy is generally not available.

PLEASE NOTE: I am generally unable to accommodate special diets, including strictly gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, Kosher, Halal, or other special diets. Allergies can typically be accommodated. Please inquire.)

Do I have to bring my own bicycle?

Yes! Tour participants will bring their own folding bikes. Such bikes can easily be folded and carried onto trains at no extra charge. We exit the train station, saddle up, cycle over to our lodgings to drop off our bags....and then, FREEDOM! We reverse the process to get back on the train and proceed to the next destination. If you do not already own a folding bike, they are usually available used for reasonable prices on Craigslist, etc. Recommended brands include Bike Friday, Dahon, Tern, Giant, and Brompton, among others.

Folding bike rentals are typically not available. If you buy a folder and no longer want or need it after the tour, these bikes can always be resold on Craigslist or at a bike shop.

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How much does the tour cost?

Tours are priced as a package which includes: accommodations, most breakfasts and dinners, admissions, honorarium to homestay host families (two nights in Otowa Village, Shiga Prefecture), handling of bicycle case, and my services in developing, planning, and leading the tour. Participants are responsible for R/T airfare to Japan (Narita or Haneda airport), ground transportation from and to the airport to Tokyo Station, and in-country train fares. You will also need to purchase travel & health insurance. Contact me directly for more information or to schedule a video meeting. Tours cost are approximately $5,500 (subject to change depending on exchange rates and other factors).

Read about the 2016 tour here!

Past Trips

2016

In 2016, Alex Kent set off with 6 tour members to travel across Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, Kurashiki, and Shimanami Kaido to Naoshima.
2019

In 2019, Alex Kent guided 8 tour members across Japan to visit Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture, Kanazawa, and Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.

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2024

The April 2024 group consisted of six riders, hailing from Minneapolis, Western Massachusetts, New Orleans, North Carolina, and Southern Pennsylvania. The route included Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, the famous Shimanami Kaido (this time all the way to Shikoku!), and homestays in rural Shiga Prefecture.