"NEW ZEALAND. Cycling and Hiking Adventures"

Hokkaido at the northern edge of Japan offers fantastic opportunities for adventure seekers. Hokkaido may be best known for the excellent snow conditions, but there are secrets that are revealed only in summer... The heavy snowfall in winter is what makes Hokkaido roads so wide and smooth, providing perfect conditions for road cycling. The roads are maintained regularly (virtually every summer) and built with ample space to house the snow. The harsh winter also means less population, traffic and good food, everything you wish for cycle touring destination! The ocean surrounding Hokkaido is blessed with bountiful seafood, attracting many food lovers all over the country. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of natural hot springs scattered over the land, but it’s Hokkaido where you find many outdoor pools set in the beautiful natural environment. So what else? Come and find more secrets yourself! We highly recommend our 2 nights extension option in Kyoto, including a day cycling through a bamboo forest, rock garden, Zen temple and the Golden Pavilion.

• Devised and researched by Ayaka (our in-house staff from Japan) this is an awesome 8 day cycle tour of Japan's popular cycle destination on the northern island of Hokkaido
  
• Starts and finishes in Abashiri Memanbetsu, eastern Hokkaido
  
• Cycle-friendly rural roads, designated bike paths and sidewalks
  
• Experience the country’s best seafood cuisines
  
• Soak in onsen (natural hot springs) set in the beautiful outdoor settings
  
• Cycle up and around Japan’s largest caldera lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu, a part of Akan National Park
  
• Cycling in Shiretoko National Park, World Heritage Site, home to shika deer and brown bear
  
• Selection of comfortable accommodation: hotel, minshuku (guest houses), and ryokan (traditional inns), most of which have on site onsen
  
• Enjoy the generous spirit of the Japanese people
  
• Full vehicle support throughout, English speaking guides
  
• Price includes Bike rental, 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  
• Optional cycle tour in the ancient city of Kyoto - Kyoto Discovery Cycle. Enjoy a day cycling tour around Arashiyama bamboo forest, zen rock garden and other historic sights (includes two nights accommodation in central Kyoto).  This option is available for a minimum of 5 clients.  
   

To see some more pictures from our Secrets of Hokkaido tour check out our online gallery.

" Hokkaido cycling provided a wonderful experience of action, culture and rural Japan.  This trip was the best!"  Alister Hawkey, Secrets of Hokkaido, July 2008.

If you want more, view our Northern Islands of Hokkaido cycle tour designed to combine with the Secrets of Hokkaido 12th and 27th June departures.  Discover the secluded twin islands of Rishiri and Rebun, which  provide wonderful playgrounds for cyclists, hikers, kayakers, flower enthusiasts and bird watchers.