Lake Toya To The Sea Of Japan 4 Day Cycling Tour

You will meet your guides and group between 9:30 am and 10:00 am in the Lake Toya onsen village. Once everyone is together we will hold a short meeting to introduce ourselves and brief everyone on our upcoming 4-day cycling adventure. We will then get our bikes ready and fitted for everyone to start pedalling for the day.

We start cycling from our hotel on a lakeside path designated for pedestrians and cyclists, then on to a quiet road that loops all the way around Lake Toya. We cycle clockwise around the caldera lake, which is over 30km in circumference.

Since Lake Toya was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption the adjacent areas have vibrant agriculture and horticulture, which we will take in from the saddle during the day.  Active volcanoes are another geographic feature of this area. We will climb up the lower slopes of Mt. Usu and visit Mt. Showa-shinzan, which only formed in 1943. Both mountains and the lake caldera form the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark.

After completing our circuit of the lake, we will return to our hotel, where you can relax in an onsen hot-spring looking over the lake.

This morning we bid farewell to Lake Toya and head north into the farming area of Toyoura. This area has unobstructed views of Mount Yotei (also known as Ezo-Fuji as it resembles Mount Fuji). We will point our front wheels towards the volcano with spectacular views all morning.

Arriving at the foot of Mt. Yotei, we visit a popular natural spring. Local people come here to fill their water bottles with natural mineral-rich water. The heavy snowfall that makes the area of Niseko a world-famous winter resort also gifts us with special water, renowned as one of ”Japan’s 100 Best Springs”.

After filling our bottles with fresh water, we continue to cycle through farmland around the northern fringe of Mount Yotei to the potato capital Kutchan Town. From Kutchan we climb through the international resort town of Niseko to Konbu Onsen, our lodging at the foot of Mount Niseko-Annupuri.

Today is our final and most challenging cycling day, with three major climbs. From our hotel in Konbu Onsen, we start climbing towards Goshiki Onsen on an alpine road that cuts through the Niseko mountains.

Just before reaching the top of the pass at 800 m above sea level, we will have a short break, enjoying morning tea in the mountains. We then continue on our bikes, passing between Mt. Iwaonupuri and Mt. Niseko-Annupuri before descending into Kutchan Town on a stunning mountain road.

Stopping for lunch in Kutchan, we will savour the local specialty — Udon noodles made with potatoes grown in the area. After filling up, we will depart for our final destination, Yoichi, on the Sea of Japan.

After another scenic climb, we will stop at the small farming village of Akaigawa for a break before attacking the last hill. Alternatively, you can part from your bike and travel in the van for the last 30mins. Situated on the shores of the Sea of Japan, the small town of Yoichi marks the end of our ride.

After celebrating finishing our ride, we pack the bikes into the van and transfer to Otaru by train. Otaru is a historic port town famed for its seafood and the canal that connects the town centre to the sea and it is here that we will look back over our adventure with a final evening feast.

Our tour finishes after breakfast today. We recommend that you explore the town of Otaru on foot. The town has a unique, old-fashioned atmosphere, which is enhanced by its architecture and the famous canal. It is a half and hour train ride from Otaru to Sapporo and the same train goes all the way to New Chitose Airport (CTS).