Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa, Nagahama
Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa offers elegant lakeside accommodation with panoramic views, relaxing hot springs, and refined Japanese hospitality, just a short trip from Kyoto.
This itinerary starts from Nagahama in Shiga Prefecture, which sits on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. From here, we’ll cycle to Mihama, in Fukuwi Prefecture and then north along the Sea of Japan with overnight stays in Echizen, Tojinbo and finishing in Kaga. You’ll pass castles, temples, shrines, dramatic coastlines and superb small roads around lovely lakes. You’ll stay at charming ryokans and enjoy welcoming onsens and delicious cuisine. That’s Japan in a nutshell.
Only Great Explorations:
- Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
- Hotel properties unique and distinctive including traditional ryokans
- A ride you will never forget: each of the rides will be memorable through lush valleys and along the coast on quiet roads
- Food that is superb – if you’ve never been to Japan, you are in for an experience like no other
- Cannondale Quick model hybrid bikes (our fleet)
- We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises
We are running this itinerary until it is safe and appropriate to return to Noto due to the earthquake that occurred there in early 2024.
We have designed this itinerary so that the majority of people can ride from hotel to hotel without the need of shuttles. This region is rural and the hotels in some cases are more modest than those we use in other countries (we book the best available). We request beds where possible but you may be sleeping on futon with tatami floors on occasion and why not – it’s Japan. All of the hotels are onsen-style with gender segregated hot spring baths (indoor and outdoor spas) that are usually a highlight after a day of cycling. There are 7 or 8 tunnels on the trip (most about 300 m in length) but these have a path to ride and if you are not comfortable doing these, a shuttle is available. This region doesn’t see as many western tourists as other regions of Japan which is why we love it! Let’s keep it a secret should we?
Straight Talk
Japan Biking – Kyoto to Kaga
Nagahama
Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
Day 1
Mihama
Mihama, Fukui, Japan
Days 2 + 3
Echizen
Echizen, Fukui, Japan
Day 4
Echizen-Mikuni
KYUKAMURA ECHIZEN-MIKUNI, 15-45 三国町崎 Sakai, Fukui, Japan
Day 5
Kaga
Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan
Days 6 + 7
Kanazawa
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Day 7
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more Great Explorations guide(s)
- Support vehicle
- 7 nights lodging
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners
- All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
- All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off
What's Not Included
- Bike rental
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 16-23 | May 8-15 |
| May 23-30 | May 15-22 |
| May 30-Jun 6 | Jun 5-12 |
| Jun 6-13 | Sep 18-25 |
| Sep 19-26 | Oct 2-9 |
| Oct 3-10 | Oct 9-16 |
| Oct 10-17 | Oct 16-23 |
| Oct 17-24 | Nov 6-13 |
| Nov 7-14 |
Trip can start any date, although we recommend starting on a Saturday and avoiding travel during Golden Week. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
4-16 participants
Total Days
8 days / 7 nights
Arrive/Depart
Nagahama / Kaga
Activity Level
Moderate +
40-70 km daily
Van Supported
Terrain
Rolling with some short steep climbs
Cost
Land Cost
US $4,500
Single Supplement
US $1,140
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $380
Gravel Bikes*: US $480
E-bikes*: US $560
Pre-trip Extension in Kyoto
Includes 2 Days, 2 Nights and a half-day walking tour
US $695
Single Supplement: US $295
Includes 3 Days, 3 Nights and two half-day walking tours
US $995
Single Supplement: US $450
Pre- or Post-trip Extension in Tokyo
Includes 2 Days, 2 Nights and a half-day walking tour
US $695
Single Supplement: US $295
Includes 3 Days, 3 Nights and two half-day walking tours
US $995
Single Supplement: US $450
Post-trip Extension in Kanazawa
Includes 2 Days, 2 Nights and a half-day walking tour
US $695
Single Supplement: US $295
Includes 3 Days, 3 Nights and two half-day walking tours
US $995
Single Supplement: US $450
*Gravel and E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247
Getting There
You can reach Nagahama (Maibara station) from Tokyo or from Kyoto.
1
Day 1
Nagahama
You can reach Nagahama (Maibara station) by train from either Kyoto or Tokyo. Your hotel and dinner at the hotel are included on this day. We meet at 2 pm for either a local walking tour or warm-up ride through Nagahama. Visit Kurokabe Square, a fascinating corner of old streets around the Kurokabe Glass museum. The Happy Taro brewery is here also and lots of eclectic shops. After a welcome reception, we’ll enjoy dinner overlooking the sea.
2
Day 2
Nagahama to Mihama
We’ll ride right from the hotel along Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The ride is easy-going (flat) all the way to the north end of the lake. We’ll have lunch at a charming restaurant and for those doing the add-on route, there are two climbs en-route to Mihama. Arrive to our hotel, take an onsen (hotspring bath) and enjoy a fabulous dinner at our hotel.
Distance: 42 km; 160 m gain or 65 km; 600 m gain
3
Day 3
Mihama 5 Lakes Ride
This will be a favourite day of riding as we ride quiet lakeside paths around 5 beautiful lakes. Plum groves line the lake. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way and then a sake and plum wine tasting at day’s end before a delicious dinner at a local izakaya restaurant.
Distance: up to 34 km; 220 m gain or 54 km; 660 m gain
4
Day 4
Mihama to Echizen
Riding north along the coast, towards the Tateishi Cape Lighthouse, you’ll pass beaches and fishing ports; lunch will be a European and Japanese fusion restaurant using locally sourced fish and vegetables. Arrive to Echizen, a city known for its traditional crafts of forging blades, lacquerware, wooden chests and washi paper. Thanks to its favorable geographical position and the availability of raw materials in the area, Echizen attracted many merchants and artisans during the feudal period.
Distance: up to 65 km; 430 m gain
5
Day 5
Echizen to Mikuni
Today, after a morning visit to a blacksmith center learning how knives have been made for over 700 years here, we will ride further north along a dramatic stretch of coastline with lunch at a beautiful cafe along the coaste. We’ll reach Mikuni and enchanting Oshima Island, an island that features rock formations unique to the area, making it a sacred place occupied only by a shrine and a primitive forest with walking trails. Dinner will be at Lull, a fine French restaurant, likely a favourite meal of the trip.
Distance: 46 km; 375 m gain
6
Day 6
Mikuni to Kaga
Ride north first along the sea, then join Lake Kitagata on a dedicated cycling path and finally along the Daishoji river to Kaga. As we make it to the Kaga Onsen area, enjoy a guided visit of a woodturners and lacquerware workshop and witness craftswomen at work. Afterwards enjoy lunch in a charming French restaurant. Visit the Kakusenkei gorges before returning to the hotel with its beautiful Onsen. Tonight you are free to dine on your own choosing one of the many restaurants nearby. Distance: 30 km; 265 m gain (morning) and 33 km; 680 m gain (afternoon option)
7
Day 7
Kaga Loop
This is a favourite ride, through the Kutani valley, birthplace of the famous porcelain. Admire unique architecture of the traditional villages with beautiful houses with mud walls and red tile roofs. After lunch at cool cafe, we visit Natadera Temple, which boasts 1300 years of history. We’ll have dinner at a local Izakaya and celebrate our time together. Distance: up to 55 km; 890 m gain
8
Day 8
Depart
You can depart at your leisure; the hotel will arrange taxis to train station – the Shinkansen train gets you to Tokyo in 2h30 or you can reach Kyoto in 2h19.
If you are doing the Extensions to Kanazawa, the train takes 19 minutes. If you are doing the Extension to Tokyo, the train from Kaga takes 2h with a change of trains in Tsuruga. From Kanazawa, there is a direct train that takes 3h.
Gran Resort Mikatagoko, Mihama
This resort sits on the shores of Kugushi Lake with pleasant rooms and hot springs in the hotel. It's location, inn Quasi-National Park is ideal with its proximity to the Mihama 5-Lakes.
Shikibu Onsen Yurari, Echizen
This casual hotel has an onsen, bathhouse with natural hot springs, saunas, and outdoor and indoor area. There is a restaurant, lounge, and library.
Kyukamura, Echizen-Mikuni
Located a short stroll from Tojinbo Cliffs with a magnificent view of the Sea of Japan, there are large indoor and outdoor onsens.
Rurikoh Onsen, Kaga
This hot springs hotel is well located and has a pool, 2 restaurants, 2 bars and a cafe. There's also gender-segregated, communal bathhouses with indoor and open-air hot spring baths.
Tour Reviews
The trip was extremely successful and the guides we had were great and we had fund with them every day. The hotel rooms were good and the Japanese people were unbelievable and friendly. I didn’t expect that type of scenery and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I was there. The food was a learning experience and I enjoyed it more and more each day. We really enjoyed the knife place and purchased 3 knives. The hotels with the Onsens were excellent and a great experience.
Our bike guides were excellent all around. Great group of like-minded participants too, fascinating itinerary off the beaten path with unique locations, properties and experiences. Great meeting & biking with the owner, Robbin, as well. Some hotels quite basic but I understand that in such remote areas, this is all that is available. Glad to have had such unique experiences.
Amazing food. Amazing hotels. Great guides. Nice biking. Perfecto. Cannondale bikes were excellent once again. Japan is amazing. The onsens were amazing. Guides were outstanding. But the food! The “French” dinner was one of the best I’ve ever had.
This was our first guided tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The food, guiding, experiences and scenery were all wonderful. Visiting the Saki maker, lacquer bowl turner and knife maker were all great add-ons.
Well curated hotels, restaurants and itinerary. Thoroughly enjoyed the rural nature of the trip. Particularly enjoyed seeing interesting sites unique to the places we passed through on our daily rides. So happy to have exposure to local specialties that were authentic to the areas we were at, including the ‘eel’ lunch, the classic Japanese lunch where we sat on the floor; the Italian and French “fusion” also excellent and a welcome change. It was clear that all the restaurants were thoughtfully chosen. Our Travel Advisor was responsive to pre-trip questions and comprehensive trip materials were provided. Our cycling guides immensely enriched our trip with their excellent communication, proficiency in managing the group, safety consciousness, knowledge of the area and fluency of the language, not to mention their fun spirit and good natured dispositions. Your team really ‘aced’ this trip!
Such a beautiful and fascinating country! We had a great group, amazing guides, spectacular scenery, beautiful onsens…. Great memories!
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