April 2026 Folding Bike Tour in Japan
Fact Sheet
April 4 to April 18, 2026 (14 nights).
See Japan by folding bike!
Registration for the April 2026 Folding Bike Tour of Japan is now open!
· A folding bike is one of the best ways to see Japan: Fold the bike and take it with you on the train. Arrive at the destination, uncover the bike, open it up and – FREEDOM!
· Cruise through Japan’s streets at bike speed and see things up close and personal with a small group of cyclist-adventurers (groups are limited to eight riders).
· Daily mileage averages around 12~20 miles (with some longer days in the saddle).
· Participants should be moderately fit and comfortable riding a bike in cities. There is no age limit.
· Take your own folding bike. (Brompton, Dahon, Bike Friday, Tern, etc.)
Route:
● Tokyo (rendezvous & start)
● Kamakura
● Kyoto
● The world-famous Shimanami Kaidō (crossing Inland Sea) and stay at a traditional inn Lake Biwa and two-night homestay in rural Shiga Prefecture
Tour dates
● Tour dates will be finalized on or around November 15, 2025, but are likely to be approximately from April 4 to April 18, 2026 (14 nights). Why these dates?
○ Weather: April is a good time of year for bicycle travel in Japan - not too hot, not too cold. (The rainy season is typically in June-July.) Similar temperatures to the U.S. Northeast in early May. Will it rain? I don’t know, but “April showers” are not really a thing in Japan. The rainy season is typically in June-July.
○ Japan’s academic calendar begins around April 1, so students are in school, and families are less likely to be on the road.
○ We want to avoid Japan’s notorious “Golden Week,” which in 2026 runs from Tuesday April 29 to Monday, May 5. During this period, a series of national holidays (Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day) are linked together and the whole country goes on vacation. It’s hard to get reservations. Not fun.
○ We might get to see cherry blossoms. We were lucky in 2024 and 2025: Japan had a colder spring and the trees were in full bloom in Tokyo and Kamakura. But cherry blossoms = large crowds of people under the cherry trees. They drink, carouse, and loudly enjoy themselves, so the blossoms are a mixed blessing
General Itinerary (subject to change )
● Tokyo: 3 nights
● Kamakura 2 nights
● Kyoto: 4 nights
● Shimanami Kaido (crossing the Inland Sea): 1 night
● Otsu: 1 night
● Shiga (Hino Town, Otowa Village) 2 nights
● Return to Tokyo and end of tour.
Price
The package price for the 14-day tour will be $6,800. Please note that this price is subject to change depending on the yen-dollar exchange rate, inflation in Japan, and other factors.
This price includes:
● Lodging (14 nights) We will generally be staying at better-quality hotels. There will be a 2-night homestay with host families in Shiga Prefecture. This will involve sleeping in futons on tatami-mat floors, Japanese-style. (Note: there will be a modest additional charge for single occupancy)
● Japan Rail (JR) tickets for the duration of the tour. Includes extra-large baggage charge (applicable to all riders)
● Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. For the most part, we’ll be eating at better-quality restaurants, including some fancier places. Breakfasts are usually included as part of our overnight stays.
● Admissions (museums, temples, shrines, etc.)
● Trans-shipment of one bike case from Tokyo to our last port-of-call in Shiga Prefecture. In Shiga, you will repack your bike in its case so you can carry it on board the train back to Tokyo for your flight home. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in Japan
● Planning, organization, interpreting, leading, cooking, answering lots and lots of your excellent questions,etc.
The price does not include:
● R/T airfare to Narita or Haneda airport and ground transportation between the airport and our hotel in Tokyo at the start of the tour.
● Hotel & meals for the night after the tour has ended in Tokyo.
● Travel insurance (health insurance) that will cover you in the event of illness or accident. I will need to see proof of coverage.
● One lunch and one dinner on the “free day” (Beer and saké in moderation will be provided at dinners).
● Souvenirs and other incidentals
● Folding bike and luggage. Participants must bring their own bike, helmet, bike carry bag, bike lock, etc. I recommend a multi-speed Brompton C-Line (ideally, the 6-speed) because of the ease with which it is folded and deployed and because of its small form factor when folded. Other foldies are also welcome; please consult with me about your ride.
Meals and special diets (IMPORTANT)
As I have indicated on my website and in our conversations, I cannot accommodate special diets, including but not limited to strictly gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, Kosher, Halal, or other special diets. Allergies can, however, typically be accommodated. (I myself have a most unfortunate food allergy for a Japanist: I cannot eat finned-fish {shellfish is OK; go figure}. I somehow manage to find what to eat in Japan, even at sushi places.)
Payment schedule
● To be announced.
Cancellation policy
Partial refund may be given with written notice of cancellation received by these dates (subject to cancellation fee):
● To be announced
Other
I will be asking you to sign a standard release of liability form. This is basically the same form used by cycling clubs for participants in group rides.
April 2026 Folding Bike Tour in Japan