Escape the city and experience the heart of rural Japan on this small-group cycling tour of the Yabakei region. Join your local guide and a friendly group of fellow travelers as we pedal along dedicated cycling paths and tranquil rural roads. This isn’t just a bike ride; it’s a chance to immerse yourself in breathtaking gorge scenery and discover the unique blend of nature and history that defines Oita. Perfect for those who want an affordable, social, and genuine local experience.
*This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 5 participants, providing a personal and intimate experience as you explore alongside fellow travelers.
JR Bungo-mori Station
Also Available: We can also arrange pickup from Yufuin. Please inquire when booking.
Return to the point where tour starts
09:30 AM
English, Japanese
We will meet at JR Bungo-Mori Station in Oita. The station is located on the JR Kyudai Line, spanning over the major attractions (Beppu / Yufuin / Hakata) in Northern Kyushu. Pick-up from the other location could be available. After meeting up, we proceed to Yabakei by car.
Rent your bicycle on your expense. Choose they best fitting bike from various selections: e-bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes etc. Follow safety instructions before start the cycling.
Our ride begins! We’ll cycle along the dedicated path, which follows a former railway line, enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the gorge. The highlight is the Ao-no-Domon (Blue Tunnel), a historic tunnel carved out of a sheer cliff. We’ll take a moment to admire this impressive work of human effort and the picturesque Yabakei Bridge.
We’ll stop for lunch. Depending on the weather, we can either buy local food from a shop and have a relaxing outdoor picnic, or we can dine at a local restaurant along the cycling route.
After lunch, we’ll begin our return ride back to the terminal, taking our time to enjoy the views we might have missed on the way. We’ll also make a brief stop to see some local sights.
After a full day of shared exploration, I will drive you back to our designated drop-off location.
Kei led us on an enchanting ride on a bike path built along a defunct train track that borders the Yamakuni river. The craggy mountains rising on each side, with crashing flumes of water pouring off the slopes, and makeshift gardens next to rice paddies next to the river. Kei told us about the geology, the unique local delicacies such as kabosu fruit. He is a fun guy to chat with and he knows the area very well. It was a great day trip.