The Japan Grand Loop connects Japan’s signature sights and iconic riding roads into one epic journey: about 2 weeks / ~2,800 km end to end.
Start from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or Hiroshima—the plan is flexible—and take in Mt. Fuji, the Japanese Alps, cultural capitals like Kyoto and Hiroshima, plus the island beauty of Shikoku and the rugged Sea of Japan coast.
If you want to experience as much of Japan as possible in one ride, this is your route.
Why You’ll Love the Japan Grand Loop
- Ride Japan’s famed scenic roads and visit top sights in a single loop.
- Choose your start city (Tokyo / Osaka / Nagoya / Hiroshima).
- Balance of epic roads + hot springs + culture.
- Fully doable as independent travel (rental bike + hotel bookings).
Route Overview
Note: Google Maps limits waypoints, so some stopovers may not appear in one map. See daily pages for full detail.
- Total distance: ~2,800 km
- Time needed: 14 days (tune to 10–16 days)
- Daily pace: 200–300 km/day
- Best seasons: Spring (Apr–May) and Autumn (Sep–Oct)
The loop is drafted from Tokyo, but it’s easy to start in Osaka, Nagoya, or Hiroshima with minor tweaks.
You’ll also find rental-shop links for Tokyo, Aichi (Nagoya), Kyoto/Osaka, Tokushima, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Hiroshima, Tottori, and Fukui across the section pages.
Sample Itinerary (14 Days)
Day 1–2: Kanto Section
Tokyo → Hakone → Mt. Fuji → Kawaguchiko / overnight → Kiso Road (Tsumago-juku) → Gero Onsen / overnight
Day 3: Central Japan Section
Gero Onsen → Hida–Mino Seseragi Kaidō → Gujo Hachiman → Lake Biwa → Kyoto / overnight
Day 4: Kyoto (rest & sightseeing)
Day 5: Kyoto & Kansai Section
Kyoto → Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge → Ōnaruto Bridge → Naruto Skyline → Iya (Kazurabashi) / overnight
Day 6–7: Shikoku & Chugoku Section
Iya → Shikoku Karst → Matsuyama / overnight → Onomichi → Hiroshima / overnight
Day 8: Hiroshima (rest & sightseeing)
Day 9: Shikoku & Chugoku Section
Hiroshima → Daisen Loop Road → Tottori Sand Dunes / overnight
Day 10: Sea of Japan Section
Tottori Sand Dunes → Tajima Gyoka Line → Mikata Goko Rainbow Line → Fukui (Eiheiji) / overnight
Day 11–12: Northern Alps & Nikkō Section
Fukui → Kanazawa → Hakusan–Shirakawa-go White Road → Takayama / overnight → Matsumoto → Yugama (R292) → Kusatsu Onsen / overnight
Day 13: Kusatsu Onsen (rest & sightseeing)
Day 14: Kusatsu Onsen → Nikkō → Tokyo
How to Ride the Loop
The Japan Grand Loop is accessible from major cities (airports & rail).
You can ride clockwise or counterclockwise—pick based on your arrival city/time.
Best Seasons
- Spring (Apr–May): fresh green, late cherry blossoms, alpine roads reopen
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): clear air, comfortable temps, outstanding foliage
Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot/wet (typhoons) in Honshu; winter (Dec–Mar) brings heavy snow and alpine closures.
If you must ride in summer, consider Hokkaidō. For winter, consider Kyūshū routes instead.
Highlights
- Mt. Fuji & Hakone Skyline
- Kiso Road (Nakasendō post towns)
- Historic Kyoto & Nara (UNESCO)
- Shikoku Karst & Seto Inland Sea views
- Hiroshima / Miyajima & Peace Memorial Park
- Tottori Sand Dunes & the Sea of Japan coast
- Northern Alps (Takayama / Matsumoto)
- Kusatsu Onsen & Shiga–Kusatsu Skyline (R292)
- Nikkō shrines/temples & mountain roads
Practical Info
- Rental bikes: plentiful in Tokyo / Osaka / Nagoya / Hiroshima (others listed in section pages)
- Lodging: hotels & onsen ryokan (use Booking.com etc.)
- Cost ballpark (2 weeks): bike rental + lodging + meals from ¥300,000–¥400,000+
- Notes: alpine roads have seasonal/volcanic closures; urban areas congested on holidays