Leave the city behind and pedal into the heart of rural Japan on this small-group cycling tour through the dramatic Yabakei Gorge, one of Oita’s most beautiful corners of Kyushu. Together with your local guide and a friendly handful of fellow travelers, we’ll roll along a peaceful dedicated path and quiet country roads, with craggy peaks rising on either side and the Yamakuni River flowing alongside us.
This is far more than a bike ride. As we pedal, we’ll soak in breathtaking gorge scenery, pause at historic landmarks, and catch the small details of countryside life — rice paddies, riverside gardens, and local flavors like the region’s prized kabosu citrus. It’s a relaxed, social, and genuinely local way to experience the nature and history that define this part of Oita.
*This is a small-group tour (maximum 5 travelers), keeping the day friendly and personal as you ride alongside fellow guests and your local guide.
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’ll meet at JR Bungo-Mori Station in Oita, a stop on the JR Kyudai Line that links the area’s main hubs — Beppu, Yufuin, and Hakata — across northern Kyushu. (Pickup from another location may also be possible.) From there, we’ll drive together to Yabakei.
At the cycling terminal, we’ll get you set up with your bicycle — choose from a range of options, from comfortable city bikes to mountain bikes and kids’ bikes (e-bikes are available in limited numbers). After a quick safety briefing, we’ll set off on two wheels.
Now the ride truly begins. We’ll follow the dedicated path along a former railway line, drinking in the breathtaking gorge scenery as we go. A real highlight is Ao-no-Domon (the “Blue Tunnel”), a historic passage carved by hand straight through a sheer cliff — we’ll pause to take in this remarkable feat and the picturesque Yabakei Bridge nearby.
We’ll stop to refuel. Depending on the weather, we might pick up local treats for a relaxed riverside picnic, or settle in at a local restaurant along the route.
After lunch, we’ll make our way back toward the terminal at an easy pace, savoring the views we may have missed earlier, with a brief stop or two to discover a few local sights along the way.
After a wonderful day of riding and shared discovery, we’ll drive you back to the starting point.
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.
