Here are the details and message from Lyndon who is planning this cycling tour in Japan.

Click on all the tabs to see details of the trip and Japan. Reviews on their site are old but good. More recent reviews are on Trip Advisor and are also good. I will link the Trip Advisor reviews in the next message. One of the Trip Advisor reviews was from a Florida woman who I rode in Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand with.

Some info on the Japan bike ride I am interested in. It would be good to have some of our DSR riders for this event. We tried to get on the ride waiting list for 3 years prior to COVID and now it is available next year 14-25 April. It is the Japan Highlights 10 day 11 night tour and is at about the same time as the cherry blossom season I think – though I am not sure of of it’s intensity where we are riding.

All meals are included. Start Izumi, end Kyoto. Cost ¥310,000/A$3,238 plus eBike rental ¥5000/A$33.35 per day. Add 5% for payment through PayPal or credit card. Concludes after breakfast on 25 Apr.

I plan to fly into Osaka and get a domestic flight to Kagoshima for the start. At the end I would get a train from Kyoto back to Osaka. Air China (Taiwanese) seems good to for the international bit – modern Airbus A350 with above average legroom in economy ~$1,296, yet to look at reviews. ANA for the internal flight $142, train on last day $42.

Historic weather: April Japan/Kyushu average 20°H & 8-10°L, but there is a 50% chance of rain. April is considered a perfect month to visit Japan – the best weather-wise.
I have been to Japan a couple of times and it certainly is different – ultra clean, and very nice people. A lot of positives.

The tour I have talked about is not a guaranteed departure – I guess they need bookings for that. I am keen to commit soon so that it is still available, ie not booked out.
Have a think about it and chat or ask questions.
Lyndon
https://www.japanbiking.com/tours-2/tours/