Wheel Women Japan Tours
Our Wheel Women Japan Tours run annually and we anticipate bringing you
Spring AND Autumn Tours very soon. An immersion into culture, life and cycling
in the most magical and mysterious of places.
We will show you that your bike is the doorway to adventure.
2026 TOURS Coming Soon!
HOW HARD IS IT?
Our rides cater to riders who are happy to travel at speeds from 20-25kmphr. Sometimes we go faster, sometimes we take it slow...but we always make sure it's FUN. No matter what, you will always be supported and cared for on our tours by our Ride Leaders. Each ride has a difficulty rating.
WHAT BIKE CAN I RIDE?
We have a great selection of bikes for you but our 'go to' is the Specialized Vado SL flat bar e-road bike. A lightweight and nimble machine suitable for hills or flat roads. By consultation only we do allow riders to bring their own bikes, or rent conventional road bikes or flat bars.
CAN MEN JOIN IN?
Partners are partners right...whether they are male or female we think it's pretty awesome that you want to experience the adventure together. We welcome male partners and friends as well as same sex couples. Whether they are male or female, we are always happy to see couples share the love of a bike ride!
By women, for women
Our tours are designed by our Director of Fun, Tina. She is an expert on women's cycling, as well as cycling in Japan with extensive experience in both areas. That doesn't mean that men aren't welcome, it simply means we understand that sometimes the needs of women differ to that of the boys! Of course, everyone is welcome but we put women first.
Manageable routes
We know who our target riders are so we ensure that we set courses exactly suitable for those riders, with a few challenges thrown in. We make it very clear on every course exactly what the skill and fitness requirements are to meet the ride criteria.
Small group sizes
Our tours are immersive and an intimate experiences of exploring Japan. Meeting local cyclists, taking the paths less travelled, finding places the tourists don't visit. For that reason we keep our groups to a maximum of 10 riders. Tours have a minimum number to go ahead.
E-bikes available
Stay Tuned
Not everyone likes to travel with their bike, it can be combersome and difficult in Japan. We offer a range of Specialized flat bar e-road bikes as well as conventional bikes for rental through a third party. We recommend the fun e-bikes for everyone, unless after consultation.
EXPLORE OUR 2026 ADVENTURES
We are still in planning mode and getting everything organised for 2026...so please be patient. Yeah, we know it's EXCITING!!
If you'd like more info on any of our tours please click the EOI buttons below and we will be in touch.
SHIMANAMI KAIDO EXPLORER
29th March - 4th April 2025
Across 6 days we will explore the islands of the Shimanami Kaido, taking the paths less travelled. The islands offer so much more than just the direct route so we will explore the hill climbs, the hidden beaches and find breath taking shrines. Starting and finishing in the 'Kyoto of the west' in Onomichi, this will be a gourmet food lovers dream from traditonal banquets to the most sensational burgers in the area!
WESTERN JAPAN ADVENTURE
18th Oct - 29th Oct 2025
It's a big one, across 11 days we will start with our base in Onomichi on Honshu and explore the fabulous lesser known out-and-back routes to the glorious islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Then we'll head off to Fukuoka on Kyushu for an 'inaka' adventure through forests, discovering waterfalls and soaking up the Kyushu atmosphere. We'll top it off with an onsen resort for our final stop. This is the ultimate in the 'real Japan' experience.
CUSTOM TOURS
By Arrangement
Have a bunch of buddies you want to do something special with, or maybe just your family? Perhaps you aren't sure our set tours are exactly right for you...that's okay! We are happy to customise a plan for you that will let you experience the best of the western Japan areas we cover. We can set the ride at your pace, your timeline and your budget and know that you'll have an awesome bespoke tour just for YOU!
Why are our tours only to Japan?
It's a good question and something we get asked often...but the answers are very simple!
It's safe!
When women travel, especially alone, they want to know it's safe! Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to travel with an extremely low crime rate. Though of course incidents can happen at any time, and it always pays to be cautious, we love the fact that our riders always say they feel really safe in Japan, and that's why they keep coming back. Our bikes are usually really safe, walking around at night is pretty safe...we love that!
It's close!
For some women, leaving the family can be challenging. It might be their first adventure without their children or partner...it can be hard to stop worrying about the gang back at home right! But Japan is so close and it's just a one day flight away if you need to return home urgently...of course we hope that never happens, but it can be easier to deal with than knowing it will take 3-4 days to get back home if there is an emergency.
We're like 'locals'!
Wheel Women Founder and Director of Fun Tina McCarthy has been travelling to Japan since the 1980's. But these days she spends more and more time there, so much so her Japanese friends say she 'is more Japanese than the Japanese'! Tina spends several months in Japan each year cycling and knows the local roads, as well as the best secret places to explore. Tina speaks some Japanese and knows loads about Japanese culture.
A note about
sustainability
Working towards creating sustainable travel
Our mission for sustainable travel
At Wheel Women we always respect the environment and do our best to tread lightly by minimising our impact. We support and respect local communities and contribute to local economies so they reap the economic benefit of our stays in each area. We strive for 2 night minimum stays in each location, insist on BYO drink bottles, provide re-usebale chopsticks to each rider when possible and leave no trace.
It's our shared world...let's respect it and be gentle.
Did we mention the very cool kit?
Exclusively designed and available for tour members only...want the kit, join the tour!
