Pedal to one of Japan's oldest shrines

Hop on a bike and, together with our guide, set off on a journey to discover the origin of Japanese spirituality. The destination is Suwa Grand Shrine, a sanctuary so old that its origin is shrouded in mystery. You will visit the two upper shrines of Maemiya and Honmiya, where the Nature worship of ancient Japan is still strong, and pass by Jinchokan Moriya Historical Museum and the three teahouses of Takasugi-an, Hikusugi-an, and the Flying mud boat, where you will encounter the imaginative and quirky architecture of Fujimori Terunobu.

On the way there, you will ride along the Miyagawa River, pass under a row of cherry trees that turn a pretty pink in spring and a fiery red in autumn, and discover a lot of hidden spots only the locals know. You will also stop by a shop selling kanten, typical food from the area, and have a short break at a local café where you can try some traditional snacks.

The ride is easy with few ups and downs, and you will ride pedelecs, special bikes where a small electrical motor assists the pedaling.