Alps Route Japan is a tribute to the mountains of Japan. Covering the high alpine passes, from Gunma to Nagano, and through the Southern Alps to finish on the slopes of Mt. Fuji. If you love riding high on some of the best roads in the world, you will love Alps Route Japan.
Everyday is different except that every day is the same as we challenge the best mountains of Japan. Iconic climbs, such as the beast named Norikura; more than 2700m up in the clouds, or the might of Mt. Fuji on the final day, not once, but twice. We designed Alps Route Japan to push the limits and now in its fourth year. 900km, 19000m of climbing stand between you and the satisfaction of completing a hard week on the bike. Japan is known for its warrior Samurai, do you have what takes to finish Alps Route Japan.
It’s not all pain and punishment and we want you to experience the best of Japanese hospitality, so accommodation is a perfect mix of Alpine Lodges, Traditional Ryokans and Hotels. Everyday is different, and every town is unique. Our goal is to amaze you with Japan off the bike as much as on.
With breathtaking scenery, challenging riding and plenty of off-bike experiences to enjoy as well, the stage is set for a uniquely rewarding cycling holiday – one you and your legs will remember for a long time to come.
The Alps Route Japan Cycling Tour is an Advanced Tour and requires a high level of fitness and bike handling skill. However, with the full support of a great team, professional guides and the best support you can get all you have to do is the riding, we take care of the rest.
Contact us today for more information on whats required to take on Alps Route Japan as well as single supplement details.
Package includes:
Maximum 12 persons | Single Supplement available
Thur 13 – Fri 21 September, 2018 | 8Days 7Nights
Takasaki, Gunma
Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi
900 km
19,000m
Advanced
Traditional Japanese, Modern Japanese & Western Style.
Join us on the 2018 Alps Route Japan. This Advanced Japan Cycling Tour is set to test with 7 Hors Categorie climbs in 7 days, not to mention the other categorized climbs, your legs will certainly be feeling it as you a push body and bike up the final ascent of Mt. Fuji, the famed Azami Line (12km @ 12%).
Average distance is about 120km per day with approximately 2000m of climbing. Our Advanced Tours aim to push fitness and bike handling ability, so high level cycling skills are a must. However, all that being said, we still strike the balance with time off the bike, and all the towns we visit have something to explore.
Contact us for more information on joining this tour.
Thursday September 13
Today’s ride : 3 pm departure | Post travel recovery ride of 50 km (2hr)
Hotel : Western Style (T.B.C)
Included Meals : Dinner
We meet in Tokyo at 10am. We will transport your bike bags out to Takasaki in our team van while we head out on the train together to the Gunma mountains and our starting point. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the town or perhaps get a few cheeky kilometers in the legs.
Friday September 14
Today’s ride : 9 am departure | 113km – 2300m
Hotel : Traditional Japanese
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overveiw:
A solid day awaits with two categorized climbs as we head up and down the valleys of the beautiful Agatsuma area of Gunma. Roads vary from stunning mountain highways to narrow tracks deep through the back-roads.
Course:
Saturday September 15
Today’s ride : 8am Departure | 130km – 2800m
Hotel : Western Style Lodge
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
Leaving the heady aromas of the hot spring town behind, the group will battle their first HC climb, the stunning Mt. Shirane. Besides the views, the reward for the efforts is the descent, where 35km of down await as we make our way for Hakuba.
Course:
Sunday September 16
Today’s ride : 9am Departure | 110km – 1700m
Hotel : Western Style Lodge
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
Norikura, the highest road awaits, but first the riders must get to the base. Today is a fast, relatively flat day before we tackle the small climb deep in the valley to take us to the base. Hot Springs are abundant and provide a chance to rest the legs before tacking on Norikura the following day.
Course:
Monday September 17
Today’s ride : 7 am departure | 140km – 3000m
Hotel : Western Style Hotel
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
2703m is our target as we climb direct out of our lodge. 22km of spectacular mountain road await on what will be a very memorable day on the bike. Two course options today as we battle the roads of Norikura and head for the castle town of Matsumoto.
Course:
Tuesday September 18
Today’s ride : 8 am departure | 100km – 2900m
Hotel : Japanese Lodge
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
Heading up over the Hors Categorie Utsukushigahara, the riders will traverse the gravel summit at more than 2200m up before making the descent on one of the most amazing engineering feats, the Venus Line. A tough day of undulation before making the final climb to our stunning lodge for a well earned rest.
Course:
Wednesday September 19
Today’s ride : 8 am departure | 145km – 1800m
Hotel : Western Hotel
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
A relatively flat day awaits the riders as we roll down the valley toward Mt.Fuji. Rice fields abundant before making the climb up toward Lake Motosu and the fast roads around the lakes toward our accommodation in Kawaguchiko.
Course:
Thursday September 20
Today’s ride : 7 am departure | 166km – 4000m
Hotel : Western Hotel
Included Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Overview:
It would not be Alps Route Japan without one final challenge; and what a challenge it is. Riders will tackle the mighty beast that is Mt.Fuji not once, but twice as we circumnavigate the mountain. Both the Skyline and Azami (in that order) will need to be completed in order to make your mark on the hallowed list of finishers of this epic week on the bike.
Course:
Friday September 21
Included Meals : Breakfast
After a Sayonara party in Lake Kawaguchiko the previous night it is time to say goodbye. We will help you with transfers to Tokyo from Mt.Fuji area and help with any onward hotel bookings or further travels in Japan.