Cycling Tours in the Shonai Region of Yamagata Prefecture
Leave the car behind and explore the wide open plains, rural farming villages, and beautiful coastline of the Shonai Region with the freedom of cycling.
Our cycling tours pair you up with experienced local guides who will show you the deep history and vast beauty of this rural region as you cycle along a variety of courses to choose from.
See below for details on a variety of courses and check back as we continue to add more courses across Yamagata Prefecture.
A relaxing 3-hour guided cycling and hiking course around the the lush forests of Mt. Haguro.
This fully guided cycling course takes guests off the beaten path and immerses them in the splendor of the spiritual town of Togue that rests at the base of the Dewa Sanzan Mountains.
During this 3 hour program we will see the famous five storied pagoda of Mt. Haguro in its ancient cedar forest, the vast farmland of the Gassan Plains, cycle through small villages and forests, and stop at a gorgeous temple to enjoy tea and matcha tea by its Japanese garden.
You will be led by a bilingual local guide who will share with you the deep history and stories of the places we see throughout the day.
These bikes are Specialized Sirrus cross bikes that glide across the flat terrain on this course.
This is a longer 4 hour course that is guided by the Yamabushi monks of the Dewasanzan Mountains.
This course integrates an emphasis on the Yamabushi culture of these mountains with a more in depth hike in the forest of Mt. Haguro as well as a visit to one of the shukubo yamabushi lodges where you will also enjoy the shojin ryori cuisine founded on these mountains.
Building off of the standard Haguro course, this tour will also visit Gyokusenji temple but will include zen meditation with the monks of this temple in front of its beautiful Japanese garden.
This is course is for those wishing to gain a deeper cultural experience during their ride around Mt. Haguro.
Note that this tour starts at Miyatabo, one of the yamabushi lodges at the base of Mt. Haguro. It can be reached by a bus from Tsuruoka Station see here for a link to its location.
Haguro Cycling Course
Availability April to October
Price From 9,000 yen per person
Activity Length 3-4 Hours
Starting Point Miyatabo
Included:
-Rental Bikes (Specialized Sirrus cross bikes with Shimano drivetrains)
-Helmets
-Trained and experienced guides (English and Japanese)
-All entrance fees
-Tea and wagashi at the temple
Please note that this tour requires at least 2 people to operate.
Private tours are also possible upon request.
Reservations
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