Ride & Seek Expands Samurai Cycling Tours in Japan

Ride & Seek has added two new cycling tours in Japan, expanding throughout Hokkaido and Kyushu, giving you more to explore through the remote areas of Japan’s islands and inland mountains.

These two new additions put them on all four of Japan’s major islands, with arguably the most extensive cycling tours in the country. We rode their Shikoku Islands tour, and it was amazing…and it was just a small taste of what’s on offer with the new 13-day Kyushu tour, which delivers all the amazing bridges and island hopping, then adds a traverse of Kyushu on the east.

If you prefer to explore the northern island of Hokkaido, with a full rest day stop in Sapporo, the 14-day tour shows off a different type of nature. Here’s what you need to know…

Both tours are full supported with lodging, breakfast, most lunches, dinner, and luggage shuttling, airport pickup & dropoff, guides riding with you, and van & snack support.

Throughout the tours, you stay in both Japanese inns and Western-style hotels, and enjoy traditional cuisine and baths in natural hot springs. Ride & Seek has been operating in Japan for 20 years, and native guides provide local knowledge but speak perfect English, too.

Hokkaido – Japan’s Last Frontier (14 days)

On the new Hokkaido tour, discover remote, peaceful cycling routes that reveal Japan at its most pure and untouched, riding smooth roads among vast forests and plains, volcanic landscapes with caldera lakes and towering peaks. It’s a deep immersion in the nature and grandeur of Japan’s northernmost island.

Highlights include:

Cross the Tokachi Plain to learn about Indigenous Ainu culture and cycle through the vibrant flower fields and sweeping vistas of Daisetsuzan National Park.

Find high-altitude adventure on Niseko’s breathtaking Panorama Line and the volcanic calderas of Lakes Toya and Shikotsu.

Pedal the stunning coast of the Shakotan Peninsula, famous for its crystal blue waters and world-class seafood.

Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Shirogane Onsen and explore the steaming geothermal landscapes of Noboribetsu.

Enjoy the lively urban atmosphere of Asahikawa and Sapporo.

Taste the essence of Japan’s breadbasket with cuisine from hearty miso ramen to melt-in-your-mouth sushi and delicate sea urchin.

The Hokkaido tour runs from Sept. 3-16, 2026. Pricing starts at $8,960 per person based on double occupancy. Details here.

Kyushu – The Enchanting South (13 days)

The new Kyushu tour begins on Honshu, makes an iconic crossing to Shikoku and then continues to Kyushu on winding among dramatic gorges with waterfalls, lush valleys, a geothermal wonderland and volcanic peaks and timeless onsen towns. It becomes the third stage of Ride & Seek’s Samurai Epic and can also be booked separately.

Highlights include:

Follow the bridges of the breathtaking Shimanami Kaido cycling route over the Seto Inland Sea.

Explore the dramatic Oboke and Koboke gorges on the Yoshino River, and the mythic cliffs and cascading waterfalls of Takachiho Gorge.

Pedal through a volcanic wonderland, circling Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest active calderas.

Unwind in the riverside baths of Kurokawa Onsen, in the artistic hot spring town of Yufuin and among the geothermal wonderland of Beppu.

Find an imposing samurai castle and rich warrior heritage in vibrant Kumamoto.

Enjoy the warm hospitality of southern Japan while savoring regional specialties like thick udon noodles and savory tonkotsu ramen.

The Kyushu tour runs from Oct. 30-Nov. 11, 2026. Pricing starts at $8,320 per person based on double occupancy. Details here.

They recommend you bring your own bike that you’re comfortable on and know how to maintain. Once there, they provide nutrition for rides, a Ride & Seek kit and water bottle, GPS with preloaded routes, and some tools…but you should know how to work on your bike and bring any specialty tools you might need.

“With the addition of our new Hokkaido and Kyushu tours, we’re proud to offer what we believe is the most extensive guided cycling program in Japan,” said Dylan Reynolds, founder of Ride & Seek. “Our connection to Japan is deeply personal. We’ve been operating tours there for nearly 20 years and benefit from a legacy of collaboration with local partners that have 40 years of experience. This depth of experience allows us to take our guests beyond the typical tourist routes to reveal the country through its scenic roads and legendary history and hospitality.”

Check out more photos, details, and their other global tours at RideAndSeek.com.