Nagano, Japan
Early fall in the Japanese Alps means crisp mountain air, the first red and gold leaves, and hot springs at the end of every ride. We climb from Nagano city through the snow-monkey valley, over the highest road pass in Japan, around the smoking volcano of Mount Asama, and across the open highlands of Utsukushigahara and Kirigamine. We finish on the Nakasendo, the old samurai road, at the wooden post town of Narai-juku.
Highlights
- The Shibu PassJapan's highest road pass, at about 7,120 ft.
- Hot-spring nightsRyokans with onsen baths, and two nights in Kusatsu.
- The snow-monkey valleyYudanaka and Shibu Onsen on day one.
- The Venus LineOpen highland roads across Utsukushigahara and Kirigamine.
- Narai-jukuAn old wooden post town on the samurai road.
The route
A point-to-point mountain trip, so every day goes somewhere new. The days are short in miles but the climbs are steep: Monday goes over the Shibu Pass, the highest road pass in Japan, and Thursday climbs to the high plateau of Utsukushigahara. Then two nights in the hot-spring town of Kusatsu give your legs a rest in the middle. The van carries your bags every day and can pick you up anytime.
Day by day
Sleep: Hotel in Nagano city
Sleep: Ryokan in Shibu Onsen
Sleep: Onsen ryokan in Kusatsu
Sleep: Same
Sleep: Ryokan in Komoro
Sleep: Mountain lodge on Kirigamine
Sleep: Inn in Narai-juku
Sleep: —
Please note: Routes, stays, restaurants and daily plans may change. We reserve the right to update the itinerary for weather, road conditions, availability or safety, and if something changes we'll swap in something just as good.
Is this trip for me?
Level 3 of 4
You'll enjoy this if you ride regularly and are comfortable with 35–50 mile days that include climbs of an hour or more. You don't need to be fast; you need to be steady.
- Short days in miles, but steep mountain climbs
- Daily rides of roughly 20–50 miles
- A rest day in Kusatsu in the middle
A typical day
Breakfast together, then we roll out mid-morning. We stop for coffee and a long lunch along the way, and arrive at the next stay in the afternoon with time to shower, explore or nap. Evenings are for dinner, whether it's a group dinner or one of the places I've picked for you to try on your own.
How the riding works
- I ride with the group every day.
- A support van carries your luggage, follows the ride with snacks and water, and can pick you up anytime.
- You'll get every day's route ahead of time for your GPS or phone.
- Ride at your own pace. We regroup at coffee and lunch stops.
The food
Ryokan dinners are multi-course meals of mountain food: hand-cut soba, river fish, wild mushrooms, Shinshu apples and local sake. Along the way there are chestnut sweets in Obuse, onsen eggs in Kusatsu, and soba in the Komoro hills. The trip ends with a final dinner in the old post town of Narai-juku.
Where you stay
Mostly traditional ryokans: tatami rooms, futon beds, yukata robes and hot-spring baths. We start at a hotel in Nagano city, then stay in Shibu Onsen, two nights in Kusatsu, Komoro, a mountain lodge on Kirigamine, and an inn in Narai-juku. Exact properties are confirmed closer to the trip.
What's included
- 7 nights of hand-picked stays, mostly ryokans
- Breakfast every day
- Ryokan and group dinners, including the final dinner in Narai-juku
- Luggage van between stays, and van support on every ride
- Snacks and water on rides
- Rider jersey and cap
- Alex riding with you every day
- Pro photos and video of the trip
Not included
- Flights to Tokyo
- Train from Tokyo to Nagano, and home from Narai-juku
- Most lunches
- Dinners on free nights
- Drinks beyond the group dinners
- Bike rental (offered as an add-on)
- Travel insurance (required)
Price and booking
Pricing is announced Nov 16, 2026. Email subscribers get first access, and booking opens to everyone on Nov 19.
We confirm the trip is running by June 11, 2027. Please wait until then to book flights.
Getting there
Fly into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), then take the bullet train to Nagano, about 1.5 hours. We meet at the start hotel on Saturday afternoon for the opening dinner. The trip ends after breakfast in Narai-juku the following Saturday, and the train back to Tokyo runs via Shiojiri. Want to arrive early or stay longer? Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
Your host
Alex Blosil, chef and ride leader
I'm a chef from Utah. I fell for France at 15, lived there in my early twenties and spent a winter cooking in Paris. I fell in love with cycling on a bike trip across Iowa with my mom, and my first food-and-bike trip was through Skåne in southern Sweden. Now I plan every trip around the best tables in each region, and I ride every mile with the group.
Questions
What is staying in a ryokan like?
You sleep on a futon on tatami mats, wear a yukata robe, and soak in hot-spring baths. Dinner is a multi-course meal of local food. It's one of the best parts of the trip.
Can the route change?
Yes, sometimes. We reserve the right to change or update the route, stays and restaurants for weather, road conditions, availability or safety. If anything changes, we'll replace it with something just as good and let you know as early as we can.
How fit do I need to be?
See “Is this trip for me?” above. You don't need to be fast. The van can pick you up anytime, so you choose how much you ride.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. Or rent a quality bike from us as an add-on, fitted and ready when you arrive.
Can I get an e-bike?
Not on our 2027 trips. The van follows every ride, so if you need a break, you can hop in anytime.
I'm traveling solo. Can I have my own room?
Yes. You can choose your own room, or a shared room if you're booking with a friend or partner.
I have dietary needs. Is that OK?
Of course. Tell us when you book. I'm a chef, and I'll make sure you eat well.
Can a non-riding partner come?
Get in touch and we'll see what we can work out.
When do I pay?
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. The balance is due 120 days before the trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it's required. Choose a policy that covers cycling and trip cancellation.
What should I pack?
We'll send a packing list after you book. Plan on cycling kit for each riding day, a rain jacket, warm layers and casual clothes for dinners.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
How big is the group?
8 riders at most, plus me, our support driver and our filmmaker.
Still have a question? Email alex@chefalextours.com.