We have just finished our inaugural Kyushu tour with a group of 15 and it has been a huge success and I am already planning the next journey for 2026!

Kyushu has touched me - and while the riding was top class (some of the rides compared with stunning roads I’ve seen across the world) - it was so much more than that. Incredible scenery, the small quirks of daily life that you notice riding through rural villages and rice paddies, the spiritual temples and mountains and most importantly the generosity, care and graciousness of the local people - from the ladies giggling as they dressed us in Kimonos to the Nagasaki University students who followed us up a mountain with iced tea and cake. Not to mention the food… from ramen to kaiseki meals, vending machines to jigoku mushi (hell steamed cuisine) - it was an exceptional culinary journey.

The group met in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s capital - a friendly city with a relaxed nature, incredible Hakata ramen and Yatai - perfect for a late night feast. We had an indulgent, cultural and celebratory start with the team from Kyudensangyo, Fukuoka Prefecture and Cycle Concierge all together for a big welcome dinner at a historic sake brewery that set the tone for the culinary adventure ahead.

Day 1 - a ferry trip and short ride of Shikanoshima, a small island in the Genkai sea adjacent to Fukuoka - the climb to Shiomi park the first “steep pinch” of the tour…! (Let’s not mention the GIS specialist getting lost on the first day… !) After a bowl of seafood and rice the Shinkansen whipped us away to our first overnight stop by the Yabe river. Thanks to the SAS team (Dave, Tim and Mark) for being the advance party.

Terraced tea fields, river valleys, vibrant green rice paddies, bright red higabana spider lilies, and alost sub-tropic forested mountains set the tone for the first couple of days as we cycled through Fukuoka prefecture (and another “steep pinch” to the Inari shrine). The opportunity to go to an exclusive, invite only bar (Rusty’s) another highlight - the food and drinks perfectly curated and the historic Edo era house a beautiful setting. Althought it was the local’s izakaya we found later in the evening, where I loved the simplicity of a perfect avocado with soy and wasabi. But it was the gyoza that stole Viv’s heart.

Soy sauce ice cream (yes, it’s a thing and yes it’s incredible!) and a cycle path (tunnels!) were highlights of Day 3 as we made our way to the Kunisaki Peninsula, a pilgrimage site of ancient worship for devotees of Rokugo Manzan. Futago-ji a highlight for me - nestled deep in the forest, the temple buildings and steps covered in moss - an enchanting and spiritual place. We rubbed the feet of the Nio Guardian statues to give us “Strength in the legs and loins” - which we would need for the latter part of the Tour as the climbs got bigger.

Pinky and John were the Konbini champions - instant experts with tips for the rest of the group on smoothies with added ice cream! For me - the egg sandwich and onigiri always a favourite. And Yoshi taught the ‘family’ all he knew about Ramen - and that 1 bowl a day is never enough!

Beppu is an otherworldly town of steam - rising from the streets, used to cook “hell steamed” food and onsen dotted throughout historic Kannawa - the group set off to explore - each finding joy, relaxation and ‘healing’ in different onsen - the sand onsen by the waterfront was popular and the experience of the herb onsen - using sekisho, a Japanese herb as an aromatic bed to lie on in an almost cave like room something I will never forget. Rob and Nige managed to tick off all the “Hells” of Beppu - their favourite the Oniishibôzu Jigoku - or mud hell. Kannawa after dark must be experienced - the steam rising out of the pavement glowing in the night lights giving an eeriness and mythical atmosphere to the dark streets. The Banana Boat bar a “Lost in Translation” moment with Tim and Dave - sometimes, what happens on Tour, stays on Tour…!

From Beppu we were well and truly in the mountains - the scenery spectacular. I sipped on my favourite Japanese sports drink - Pocari Sweat, as I found a steady climbing rhythm as we cycled to Yufuin and then climbed through tiny forest roads, grasslands and plateaus to reach the 1330m high Makinoto Pass in the Aso-Kuju National Park. It was the biggest climbing day of the Tour, with 1700m vertical. Our traditional family run onsen ryokan another hidden treat and perfect to rest and revive our legs - private onsen, outside onsen, indoor onsen - Josephine coming close to her onsen record of 5 in a day!

Crossing the Kuju Plateau was superb - the humiditiy and temperature had dropped, skies bright blue, late summer flowers blooming and the grasslands verdant greens, yellows and whites. So many sites along the way from fields of colourful blooming flowers to the unique bubbling ‘soda’ onsen and giant stone buddhas - magaibutsu. Two nights in Taketa allowed us time to relax (and do more laundry!) - the kimono wearing experience a joy as ladies giggled as they tried to find John’s hips ! Dinner at our most charming ryokan overlooking the town … well it was so exceptional you will just have to join us next year to experience it!!

The final 2 days riding were incredible - cycling the Milk Road around the edge of the Aso Volcanic Caldera - with 360 degree views and a unique perspective of the caldera walls, with the rice paddies and villages below like patchwork and the 5 Peaks of Aso dominant in the middle. I think we all tried to ride as slowly as possible to soak up the atmosphere and views for as long as we could. The culinary adventure of the day basashi (horse meat sashimi) - possibly not for everyone!

Justine - taking it as slowly as possible :)

The final day and final climb to Nakadake Crater an epic finale - and luck was on our side with the clouds and mist clearing and the crater viewing platform opening just at the last minute. To ride to the top of an active volcano a unique experience - I don’t think I even felt the final “steep pinch” I was so excited to reach the top! Photos and celebration with the steam rising from behind - it was a fast descent to Kumamoto with an exceptional tailwind. We slurped down a final bowl of ramen along the way to reach the city and our hotel, bike packing and beers always a sad moment.

A fitting, fun restaurant for our final night with exquisite meat on the bbq yakiniku style and speeches that brought a tear to some of our eyes. After 12 days together we all felt like ‘family’ and it was sad to say our farewells - hoping it will be またね (mata ne) “See you later”, not goodbye!

Thanks to the incredible Crew - Pepe and Dave for the early scouting work in March, Yoshi for his ability to immerse us even further in Japanese culture and experience and always find us incredible ramen, Rob for being so calm and collected as our “Zen” mechanic, Dave for his experience and expertise in Japanese culture as well as many laughs and Lost in Translation moments and Kyuden Sangyo and Fukuoka Prefecture for making this inaugural tour possible and helping us along the way.

If you’d like to join this tour in 2026 - make sure you email us to get on the EOI list. It will no doubt fill up fast. There’s also more photos in our gallery below, on our WOR Instagram and check out our Kyushu Instagram Story for more.

Thanks again Kyushu - I can’t wait to return.

KYUSHU - the inaugural tour

Tours
About
Shop
News
Contact
TERMS & CONDITIONS
FAQ

KYUSHU - the inaugural tour

Girona to the tourmalet 2025 - tour wrap

ToursAboutShopNewsContactTERMS & CONDITIONSFAQ

Tours
About
Shop
News
Contact
TERMS & CONDITIONS
FAQ