SpiceRoads Launches Kyushu Island Cycle Tours

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, one of the leading bicycle tour operators in Asia, has launched two new tours to Japan's third largest island of Kyushu.

This southern island is plentiful in beautiful forests, sea coasts, active volcanoes and is dotted with zen-like onsen spas for a post cycle soak. The two tours are timed to coincide with the cherry blossoms in the spring and the fall colours of autumn.

Kyushu’s Hot Springs and Volcanoes is a 7-day tour with cyclists going from the lushness of onsens to the steaming caldera of Mt. Aso to modern Kumamoto with a feudal past. Starting from Aso and cycling 265 kilometres in five cycling days riders will be able to partake in the Japanese tradition of bathing in hot springs and don traditional yukata in the famous spa town of Kurokawa. Riding on to the town of Taketa to admire the feudal architecture, the landscape becomes mountainous with the turquoise water of Takachiho Gorge contrasting with the red and yellows of the trees in the autumn. Cycling to the rim of Mount Aso caldera, which has a circumference of around 120 km, riders then descend down to Kumamoto, offering a chance to glimpse into modern city life and feudal Japan at its landmark Kumamoto Castle. To fully experience Japan the overnights are in traditional inns, of which three are also onsens, and partake in local cuisine. The tour cost is US$2,600 and bike hire is US$130. Tours are scheduled to depart 11 November 2012 and 31 March 2013 and 10 November 2013.

Cycling Colourful Kyushu Island is an 8-day tour that starts in the city of Kumamoto and then heads to the islands of Amakusa. Here dedicated bike paths, and even a bike bridge, are used to cycle along blue-green waters passing tiny harbors and fantastic rock formations as well as ancient temples and shrines. In Izumi there's an opportunity to sample southern Kyushu’s typical sweet potato brew, before heading to Mt Sakurajima volcano. At its foot lies the city of Kagoshima, only separated from the ash spewing giant by narrow Kinko Bay. Magnificent views on Mt Sakurajima are interrupted by one last soak in the unique Furusato temple onsen. The daily cycling distances are long but are on flat roads and are not strenuous. There are also options to extend some of the rides, so the distance can vary in total from 370 to 520 kilometres. Tours are set to depart 17 November 2012 and 6 April 2013 and 16 November 2013. Cycling Colourful Kyushu Island costs US$2,900 and bike hire is US$165.

SpiceRoads also offers an 11-day tour to Japan's Noto Peninsula.

To introduce these tours SpiceRoads is offering a US$250 discount off any of its 3 Japan tours if booked by 15 May 2012. Just enter JAPAN to receive the discount when booking. Terms and conditions may apply.

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