The Sea of Japan Bike 4-day Tour (Self-guided)

• Cycle around picturesque countryside towns and coastal roads
• Stay at a ryokan with a superb riverside view
• Climb one of the Three Holy Mountains of Dewa

Embark on a self-guided Sea of Japan bike tour. Cycle along Niigata and Yamagata's coastal towns.  Bike in the picturesque countryside, stay at a riverside ryokan, and climb a holy mountain! Discover at your own pace what Niigata and Yamagata have to offer.  

 Cycling and hiking in amazing nature, small towns and coastlines at your own pace.

You'll start at Niigata station in the afternoon, where you will pick up and check your bikes before starting your cycling tour. You'll be cycling along the coast of Niigata city up to Sakamachi station, where you will make a right and cycle along the Arakawa river. After that, you'll so on reach Takanosu onsen, your accommodation for the night. 

Distance: Around 75 - 80 km 

Elevation: On the low side, and makes for an easy ride. 

Accommodation:Takanosu onsen 

Meals: Dinner

Have a leisurely breakfast at Takanosu Onsen while admiring the mountainous landscape surrounding the area. After that, continue cycling from Takanosu Onsen to Murakami city via the Mount Ohira route. Once at Murakami city, have lunch here and explore the salmon drying facility to understand the city's affinity to salmon. After that, we will head to the coastal area for a cycle before reaching Denden no Yado, our accommodation for the night, where you will have dinner and rest.

Distance: Around 125 km.
Elevation: Maximum of 400 metres steady climb from Takanosu Onsen to Murakami (first 40 km), then flat roads from Murakami to the coast, then to accommodation.
Accommodation: Denden no Yado (田田の宿)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch 

After breakfast, today, cycle south along the Aka river before going East to the starting point of Dewa Sanzan. Park your bicycles near the information center, then climb Mount Haguro. Have lunch at the top of the mountain before coming down, then cycle to Naa restaurant for your Tsuruoka food tour experience. Tsuruoka is the only city in Japan awarded the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. You will have the opportunity to get an insight into Tsuruoka's rich food culture. Have a dinner prepared with local ingredients at the site and head back to Denden no Yado for the second night, and rest.

Distance: Around 50 km.
Elevation: On the low side, and makes for an easy ride.
Accommodation: Denden no Yado (田田の宿)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner 

After breakfast, you’ll cycle to Shonai Airport to drop your bikes and complete your adventure. 

Meal: Breakfast