Wheel Women Japan Tours 2025
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.
Our philosophy is to show you that your bike is the doorway to adventure.
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?
We love it when the fellas join in...as long as they understand that what we do best is to help women get out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges. For the women, it's their ride - their rules, so we make sure the men are actively involved but not running the show.
By women, for women
Manageable routes
Small group sizes
E-bikes available
EXPLORE OUR 2025 ADVENTURES
We are still in planning mode and getting everything organised for 2025...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
Spring 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
Autumns 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.