Kyoto to Tokyo by Bike

This route is my favorite way to experience Japan. Starting in Kyoto's serene temple district, you'll pedal through the Japanese Alps, past traditional ryokans, and into the organized chaos of Tokyo.\n\nThe beauty of this route is the contrast. Morning coffee at a 400-year-old tea house, lunch at a roadside ramen shop where the owner has been perfecting his recipe for 50 years, and dinner at a modern izakaya in Nagoya. The cycling is challenging but manageable - expect 60-80km days with some serious climbs through Gifu Prefecture.\n\nMust-do: Take the ferry across Lake Biwa on day 2. The cycling infrastructure in Japan is surprisingly excellent, with dedicated paths through most urban areas and well-maintained rural roads.