Travel for the sake of travel is silly. Japan is travel for the sake of the pursuit of the best. You'll be hard pressed to find better roads, and you'll be harder pressed still to find an experience that challenges and rewards on so many levels more than simply cycling.

*This exclusive edition of the RAID Southern Islands of Japan is being  offered in collaboration with the RAPHA RCC Summit Kyoto, scheduled for  April 10 - 13, 2025. Our RAID adventure starts immediately after the  conclusion of the RCC Summit in Kyoto. Special pricing will be provided  for RCC members who are attending the summit. The RAID Is available to everyone even if they did not attend the RCC Summit. 

UNDISCOVERED JAPAN.

Japan. In the context of Western travel, the word brings up a miasma of electricity: Lights. Glitz. Video games. Animé. Tokyo. RAID’s Southern Island trip? Anything but. This is the Japan you haven’t heard about, the one where one of the world’s longest cycle paths (complete with suspension bridges) reign supreme, where remote towns, volcanoes, simmering hot springs, traditional inns, and one of the World Heritage Sites peak from behind the neon curtain. Yes, the bullet trains of Japan will break the narrative’s fourth wall every once in a great while, but this trip is one for the purists, for those whose favorite TV show was No Reservations. Welcome to rural Japan, real Japan, a Japan hidden from the great cultural export of the 70s and 80s, complete with some of the most rewarding cycling in this part of the world.

Our departures are all-inclusive. All prices include hotel accommodation on a double-occupancy basis (single-occupancy is available on most trips for an additional fee), professionally guided rides, on-road vehicle support, limited laundry & recovery, all meals (excluding alcohol), and ride nutrition/food (hydration, energy bars, etc.). Baggage transfer, porterage and all gratuities at restaurants are also included.  

Airfare is not included and gratuities for our trip leaders and personal expenses. Bicycles are not included on this departures. 

RAID strives to ensure our guests have the most flexibility when signing up for a cycling adventure. Deposits: Deposits are fully refundable up to 90 days before the trip start date. Within 90 days of the trip, deposits are no longer refundable. Refunds: You can request a refund up to 90 days before trip start. Once within 60 days from the start of the trip, there are no refunds of any kind. Trip Transfers: You may transfer 100% of your payment or deposit to another trip 60-90 days before your trip departure. Once inside of 60 days of trip start, 50% of your trip fee is eligible for transfer. This allows you to credit your payment towards a future trip with RAID.    

*A cancellation administration fee of $75 applies to all cancellations from 60-120 days prior trip departure.
This cancellation policy applies to all trips, as well as all other additional services.
The effective date of a cancellation will be the date on which your cancellation notice is received.

Note: Cancellation policy for certain longer voyages and Holiday departures may vary due to high demand for these tours. Our Group cancellation policies vary.  Also, please review our Terms and Conditions. We stress the importance of purchasing a travel protection plan to protect yourself from fees in the event you need to cancel your reservation.  

IN THE EVENT THAT WE CANCEL YOUR TRIP

We will provide you with a $150 credit to use on another RAID trip departing over the proceeding two years. You will also be entitled to: (a) book any other available trip; or (b) receive a full refund of all monies paid; and we will not be liable for any flight or insurance costs you have incurred (it is for this reason that we recommend you delay booking flights and arranging insurance until your trip is confirmed). We reserve the right to stop you from participating on your trip if you: behave in an abusive and/or threatening manner; or engage in illegal activities.

TRANSFERRING YOUR TRIP

Should a business or personal emergency cause you to not be able to go on your trip, you may transfer to any other trip, which: has space available on it; and is scheduled to depart within two years of the trip you originally signed up for. There is no charge for transferring all of your payments to another trip. Transfers made 60 days or fewer in advance will be considered a cancellation, and our standard cancellation policy will apply.

Vaccination and COVID-19 Testing Requirements

RAID Cycling is actively monitoring and implementing guidelines recommended by health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as local authorities where applicable.

RAID Cycling will require all guests to be fully vaccinated prior to the trip start.

*Our policies may change as new information becomes available. Any updates to our itineraries will be communicated promptly via our website and email.

Vaccination: RAID Cycling will require all guests to be fully vaccinated and to carry proof of their vaccination with them for 2024 departures*. (*If you qualify for a medical exemption, please contact our team.)

• A hard copy, digital copy, or picture of your vaccination certificate will be accepted. We’ll also accept a medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19 dated no more than 90 days before departure.
• Please note that many regions (including most international destinations) have additional requirements and/or documents needed for entry. See details on Japan entry requirements HERE. 
• Your guides will check your documents at the start of the trip. For the health and safety of the group, if you are unable to show proof of vaccination, you will be unable to join the trip and our standard cancellation policy applies.
• You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. See  HERE for CDC vaccine guidance.
• We encourage those who are eligible to get a booster dose. At this time we are not requiring it for travel with us but are closely monitoring what the CDC considers “fully vaccinated.”

COVID-19 Testing: As of June 12, 2023, the United States stopped requiring a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country. The CDC is still recommending testing before all air travel, however. Trek Travel currently does not require a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test to join our trips.

• Guides can help facilitate getting tested locally if guests become symptomatic while on trip with us. In Japan, guides will also facilitate testing in accordance with current and local regulations.
• Please note that many regions (including most international destinations) have additional requirements and/or documents needed for entry.