Biking vacation in Japan

Planet

Activity:
Few vacations have as little detrimental impact on the environment and local residents as a cycling trip. This itinerary makes very limited use of private motorised vehicles since most of the cycling routes are point to point. When transport is required this will be mainly making using of public transport such as trains, metros and public buses. On this itinerary we include some of Japan’s top destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto as well as many lesser visited areas which are outside the classic tourism routes such as the Gifu peninsula and the picturesque farmlands and remote mountainous regions of Takayama and Shirakawa-go which are even more accessible on two wheels. During the trip the tour leader will encourage guests to talk to local people, visit local cafes and markets and restaurants and to purchase traditional gifts and crafts. Also, by sightseeing and visiting cultural sites (like Ryoanji Temple and the splendid Kinkakuji in Kyoto and the UNESCO gasso-zukuri farmhouses) our entrance fees go towards upkeep of these important sites.

Environment:
We actively encourage our clients and local partners to reduce the amount of plastic bottle consumption on all trips we operate. On this trip water will be provided and included during the rides and when possible, we will do our best to ensure this is available from larger dispensers and tanks rather than small plastic bottles. Clients will be encouraged to bring a refillable bottle to fill up.
In Japan, more than 20 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks are used and disposed each year. Cottonwood, birch, spruce and bamboo are the main sources of these one-use chopsticks and the impact of so many discarded chopsticks is unsustainable and cause of serious deforestation. Our to leader will be offering a pair of reusable chopsticks to each guest thus actively encouraging to reduce waste and be respectful towards the environment.

UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked to reduce our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that would not have benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.

People

Local Craft & Culture:
We do a lot to celebrate the traditional industries and local culture on this tour, as this is not only a way to directly benefit the locals but it is also hugely fascinating and enjoyable for travelers. For example, in Wajima we visit the famous morning market and have the opportunity to purchase lacquerware, the most well-known local handicraft. We also enjoy more shopping opportunities in Mino, a century-old production center of high quality traditional Japanese paper. There is also the option to see a show of traditional professional performing arts in Kyoto, including kyogen classical comedy, kyomai dance, gagaku music of the imperial court, bunraku puppet theatre, the tea ceremony, and flower arrangement. This encourages local customs to continue and creates employment opportunities. The tour leader will be giving information on Japanese etiquette, language, traditions and rituals throughout the tour to make sure the behaviour of the guests is always respectful towards the local communities we visit.

A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local or have lived and worked in Japan for a long time and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. Our leaders and guides have been trained in responsible travel and actively encourage our suppliers and other members of our team to respect the environment, protect the culture and support the local economy.

Accommodation and Meals:
We will spend 13 nights in a variety of accommodation, from comfortable hotels to traditional Japanese inns and ryokans. Outside big cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo, we rely more on family run accommodation which contributes directly to the community as staff are from the area and food is grown and sold locally. As well as providing an authentic and memorable experience for the guests, staying in traditional Japanese accommodation promotes genuine interaction between local populations and visitors who will have the opportunity to learn of Japanese rituals, from onsens (hot spring baths) to Japanese dining etiquette. Although not always guaranteed due to limited availability, we usually spend one night in traditional UNESCO gassho-zukuri houses, some of which were built more than 200 years ago and are still run by a local farmers, allowing us to get a real feel of a Japanese family home. By supporting these small businesses we contribute to support the rural communities, many of which are suffering as young people choose to live in the big cities. Meals will usually be taken in smaller restaurants, cafes and markets where there are some weird and wonderful regional specialties to try with plenty of fresh and locally grown produce. Japanese cuisine is usually one of the main highlights of any trip to Japan. It is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes which are usually prepared with seasonal ingredients. Seafood is very is common, and it usually comes grilled or deep fried. Sushi and sashimi aside, other staple dishes include Soba or Udon noodles, Sukiyaki (meat, fish and vegetables cooked in broth) and Yakiniku (grilled meat).