D1 · HIROSHIMA TO ONOMICHI

20.1 mi / 709 Ft
32.3 km / 216 m

“In Onomichi, the hills cradle temple bells and winding alleys whisper stories of poets, filmmakers, and cats—a peaceful haven where history and calm hold hands.”

Upon arrival at Hiroshima International Airport, we’ll provide a scheduled transfer to Onomichi — a quick 40-minute ride. Depending on your arrival time, we’ll either head out for a short spin to loosen the legs or take the famous Onomichi Temple Walk, climbing the steps behind town and visiting 25 temples along the way. (Alternatively, you can fly into Osaka Kansai [KIX] and connect to Onomichi by train — just ask us for details.)

Our first night sets the tone at the U2 Hotel, a one-of-a-kind cycling hub where you can literally roll right inside. Beyond the rooms — designed with riders in mind, bike hooks and all — the complex houses a restaurant, bar, café, bakery, Giant bike shop, and local artisan shops.

Dinner is at the lodge’s restaurant, known for fueling cyclists with style: Setouchi seafood off the grill, handmade pizzas, seasonal game, and Italian-inspired dishes, served in a relaxed, modern space. The perfect start to our adventure together.

O/N Onomichi U2 Hotel or LOG

D2 · tHE BRIDGES
OF SHIMANAMI KAIDO

86.2 mi / 6,400 Ft
138.8 km / 1,974 m

“Rushing defeats the magic of this route… It is one of the most scenic cycling routes in Japan. Take your time and I am sure you’ll thank yourself later!”

Behold, the Shimanami Kaidō. Japan’s most celebrated cycling route stretches 76km from Onomichi to Imabari, carried by a chain of soaring bridges across the Seto Inland Sea. The ride is never just about the distance — it’s the rhythm of village life, the scent of mikan (oranges) hanging heavy in the air, the salt spray drifting up from the water. This is where the true kimochi of riding in Japan hits you: simple, pure, unforgettable.

We’ll break for a waterside picnic, then stop in at a local gelato maker — himself a rider — whose craft captures the seasons in every scoop. It’s fuel, but also connection: one cyclist welcoming another.

As the sun drops, we trade bikes for tatami and gather at Sushi Kin, a quiet, family-run spot that locals revere. There’s no show, no flash — just the day’s freshest catch, cut with precision, served with humility. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why we came: to ride hard, to share a table, to feel Japan not as tourists, but as travelers.

O/N Onomichi U2 Hotel or LOG

D3 · HIROSHIMA

38.2 mi / 4,022 Ft
61.5 km / 1,281 m

“Everything was solemn and peaceful, and my steps were heavy. … In my mind’s eye I realised how deep the history of this place is buried.”

We begin the day with a serene temple walk, setting a reflective tone before rolling out on optional rides along the quiet, scenic roads surrounding Onomichi. By midday, the journey shifts as we travel to Hiroshima for a powerful visit to the Peace Park.

Here, we’ll stand before the haunting Atomic Bomb Dome—one of the few structures left standing after August 6, 1945. It’s a sobering reminder of the devastation of nuclear warfare, but also a place that stirs a deeper appreciation for peace. To balance the weight of history, we’ll then retreat into the tranquil embrace of Mitaki Temple. Hidden in a lush forest on the slopes of Mount Mitaki, this atmospheric complex offers waterfalls, moss-covered stone lanterns, and a sense of quiet harmony just beyond the city.

As evening falls, Hiroshima’s energy takes over. In the lively heart of town, we’ll gather around the hotplates to sample the city’s most beloved dish—okonomiyaki, a layered creation of cabbage, noodles, and seafood like oysters and squid. Born in the hardships of the post-war era, it’s now a signature comfort food, best enjoyed shoulder-to-shoulder with locals in the buzzing downtown scene.

O/N Sheraton Grande Hiroshima Hotel

D4 · HIROSHIMA TO HITA

35.7 mi / 3,885 Ft
57.4 km / 1,184 m
*Optional longer afternoon ride

Breaking in the RAID tradition, today we climb aboard Japan’s famous railway transit: The Shinkasen Bullet Train. We’ll be whisked to Kurume, a principal city of the island of Kyushu, only 1.5 hours away. A quick transfer brings us deep into the mountains outside Kurume. Today’s route begins with a stunning pedal through lush green tea fields, with rolling hills covered in trees to the horizon, replete with tea sampling along the way.

We enjoy a leisurely lunch of homemade buckwheat soba noodles from a hidden cafe that we have been visiting for years. The patriarch of the family has been crafting noodles for nearly 40 years. His wife and three daughters will be our friendly servers, it’s a special afternoon. From here we continue up the Hoshino River before we head up a stunning European alpine climb.

After the day’s ride, we disappear into the quiet embrace of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Here, steaming baths wait to soothe tired legs, and the rhythm of local culture — untouched for centuries — surrounds us. The Japanese devote as much thought to relaxation as they do to work, and nowhere is that more distilled than in the onsen.

This is 裸の付き合い (hadaka no tsukiai) — “naked communion.” In the bath, hierarchy and status dissolve; it’s just people, stripped of pretense, sharing steam, silence, and laughter. What begins as recovery for the body becomes something deeper: a reminder of connection, of humility, of shared humanity.

The ryokan is the purest expression of this philosophy — a space designed to unwind, reflect, and connect. And really, who are we to disagree?

O/N Kotohira Onsen Kaya-Usagi

D5 · HITA TO OKUNOYU

46 mi / 6,500 Ft
74 km / 1,983 m

“In these mountains, shiitake hide in secret groves. So rare, even a whisper of where to find them is passed down in hush.”

Today’s ride takes us deep into Ōita’s enchanting countryside, where every turn of the wheel reveals a new facet of this fertile land and its proud culinary treasure — the shiitake mushroom. Ōita produces more dried shiitake than anywhere else in Japan, and you’ll see their cultivation woven into the rural landscape.

We pause for lunch with sweeping views of the Kuju Mountains, a chance to taste the region’s flavors while soaking in the beauty of one of Kyushu’s most dramatic ranges.

The day’s shorter ride leaves us with time to fully savor our destination: Kurokawa Onsen, one of Japan’s most revered hot spring villages. Our inn for the night, Okunoyu Ryokan, is an elegant retreat nestled in the forested mountains. Here, the river runs through the property, feeding a series of baths that feel as though they were carved from nature itself. Private indoor baths, mixed open-air rotenburo, and secluded riverside pools invite you to soak away the miles. Lanterns glow on wooden walkways at night, steam drifts up into the mountain air, and the stillness of the valley settles in around you.

Tonight, in true ryokan tradition, we trade our cycling kit for yukata robes and gather for a kaiseki-style feast. Dining at Okunoyu is an experience in itself — multiple courses of seasonal mountain cuisine, presented with precision and elegance. Local game, river fish, mountain vegetables, and of course the region’s famed shiitake mushrooms come together in a meal that feels both rustic and refined. It’s the perfect way to end the day: relaxed, restored, and fully immersed in the rhythm of Japan.

O/N Kurokawa Onsen Okunoyu Ryokan

D6 · OKUNOYU TO ASO

56 mi / 5,992 Ft
90 km / 1,826 m

“As you crest the high pass, Aso’s five peaks unfold before you, sculpted against the sky like a reclining Buddha — the local Nehan-zo sight. It’s not a show of power, but of stillness.”

Today is our Queen Stage, heading south through the Ōita prefecture, known to many as the “Land of Abundance”. We will be traversing through the Kirishima Mountain Range, a volcanic belt of major peaks that run vertically through the prefecture and contribute to the many hot spring sources that make this region so popular. Ōita has the largest number of hot springs in the entire country! Known for its quiet roads and scenic beauty, 60% of Ōita is covered in dense forests.

This afternoon we spend circling Mount Aso’s barren caldera, then descending back to the lush valley below. The constant smoke plume reminds us of its power and potential, and gazing down into the 20 mile-wide crater gives us a glimpse at the Earth’s origins. This is one of the most visually striking places in Japan, if not the world - its grey, craggy moonscape is covered in small, jagged rocks - like something from a SciFi film set on a distant world.

We’ll spend the night in the shadow of Mount Aso at another ryokan set among tranquil gardens and hot springs. Tonight we visit a small local restaurant where we will dine on some noteworthy regional cuisine this evening.

O/N Sozankyo Ryokan & Onsen

D7 · MT ASO TO YUFUIN (OITA)

47 mi / 4,242 Ft
75 km / 1,292 m

Our last day’s journey traverses the scenic Yamanami Highway, considered one of the most scenic byways in Japan, crossing the Kuju mountain range before finishing in Oita. The amazing route takes us from the Tadewara Marshlands through the Chojabaru and Kuju Mountain Ranges with stunning views of sprawling grasslands and steaming, looming volcanoes the entire way.

Our journey ends in the quiet resort village of Yufuin, set in a broad valley under the watch of twin-peaked Mount Yufu. The town is small, artistic, and alive with galleries, boutiques, and hidden cafés — the perfect soft landing after days on the road.

This afternoon, we’ve arranged private access to the Comico Art Museum, home to works by Japan’s most celebrated contemporary artists including Yayoi Kusama, Tatsuo Miyajima, and Kohei Nawa. It’s an intimate, world-class collection set right in the heart of the village.

Tonight we stay at Oyado Kaikatei Ryokan, a warm, understated inn surrounded by trees. Tatami-lined rooms, futon bedding, and both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths invite you to soak, reflect, and savor the final night of our adventure.

O/N Oyado Kaikatei Ryokan

ADDENDUM: Extending your trip with additional non-cycling days exploring Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima is an option that we’re more than happy to facilitate! Let us know when you book and we’ll be more than happy to arrange an extended venture with the same RAID standards.

D8 · Yufuin Departure
Transfers to Fukuoka & Osaka

This morning, enjoy a short walk through Yufuin before we set out on our final transfer. Our vehicles will shuttle you 1h45m to Fukuoka International Airport (FUK), the most convenient hub for international departures. Please schedule flights from 1:00 pm or later on departure day.

For guests continuing their travels in Japan — especially toward Kyoto — Osaka (KIX) may be the better option. From FUK, affordable daily flights (1h10m) connect directly to Osaka. Alternatively, the Shinkansen offers a scenic half-day train journey to Osaka or Kyoto.

If you’ve already booked a return from Osaka, let us know — we’ll secure the best transfer option for you. From Osaka, connections are straightforward: buses link Itami (ITM) to Kansai International (KIX) in 75 minutes, and the Shinkansen runs direct from Osaka Station to both Kyoto and Tokyo.