izu peninsula
coastal bliss
best to visit
march - november
tour type
duration
difficulty
terrain
surface
self-guided
🔥🔥
hilly
paved
3days | 2nights
located a short bullet train blast from tokyo, the izu peninsula is one of the most undiscovered, yet incredible cycling destinations in japan. offering a wide variety of terrain, including epic coastal roads that rise and fall on the craggy cliffside, there is something for everyone. head inland and discover stunning terraced wasabi fields, magical waterfall and ancient towns steeped in a timeless beauty. for the more adventurous, heading up to amazing skyline roads will offer views of suguru bay and onward to mt. fuji, a unique scene that is hard to repeat anywhere else in japan.
bamboo and beaches
Shuzenji Onsen (修善寺温泉) is one of the oldest and most famous hot spring resort towns on the Izu Peninsula. Located in the hilly center of the peninsula, it lacks the ocean views of many nearby onsen towns but attracts visitors with its history and attractive setting.
Shuzenji Onsen was named after Shuzenji Temple (修禅寺) at the center of town. Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s most important religious personalities, founded the temple about 1200 years ago. Today, it is a Zen Buddhist temple where visitors can participate in meditation classes (Tuesdays from 9:30, reservation required). Kobo Daishi is also said to have created Shuzenji’s most prominent hot spring, Tokko-no-yu, located in the middle of the river bed that runs through the town center. Today, Tokko-no-yu is used as a foot bath.
Other attractions in Shuzenji’s town center include a small bamboo forest, several historic ryokan and a few tastefully designed shops and cafes. Onsen bathing is possible at the town’s public bath, Hakoyu. Furthermore, several of the town’s ryokan open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime for a fee of around 1000 yen.
the allure of the region is not only the breathtaking views, but the vast amounts of easy access dirt roads. this emerging cycling trend has been buoyed over the past 5 years by bicycle manufacturers offering typical road frames with clearance for wider tyres and specific mixed terrain bikes. what this allows is the chance to explore roads and areas otherwise off-limits to conventional bikes which the suruga region and sasama and shimada areas have plenty to offer. our courses include multiple sections of off-road terrain all easily accessible and rideable. that being said, and while it is nice to not get lost, there are numerous more adventures to be unearthed so we recommend getting on the bike and spend a few days exploring this wonderful region.
equipment check
don’t get caught in the mountains without some essential equipment.
•gps unit with pre-loaded course
•enough food, water for your ride.
•spare tubes, pump, tools including chain tools
•proper clothing for changing conditions
•tell somebody your planned route and expected finish time.
experience history
ride experience.
navigate the routes with ridewithgps.
1. download the ride with gps mobile app for free via the itunes app store or google play store
2. tap open shortcut
3. enter shortcut or scan the qr
4. you'll be prompted to download the experience. tap download to begin.
book your trip
once you have decided on a tour, contact us through email at info@ridejapan.cc or fill out the tour enquiry form. after completion of the tour application form you have the choice of paying a trip deposit (with the balance due a few weeks before your trip takes place), or paying for your trip in full upfront. in both cases your place on the trip is confirmed at this stage, and we will follow up with more information in due course.
bespoke cycling tours
if you are inspired to ride with us in japan but would like to do so with a private group or on dates of your choice, then we’d be delighted to make that happen. please get in touch with our dedicated travel team to get the conversation started: info@ridejapan.cc