For many European-based gravel riders, the thought of flying all the way to Japan 'just' for a long weekend of gravelling (even if it is exceptional) is pretty unlikely. But what if we said that you could also add-on a fully guided gravel rider's tour of Japan too while you're there? That's what the organisers of this year's Grinduro Japan are offering. Suddenly, it feels lot easier to justify the long flight! If you're intrigued and you would like to find out more, then read on....

The gravel riding in Japan is nothing short of world class, but to get the most out of a trip there, for many people a guided tour is the way to go. Not only will the guides show you the best riding, but they'll also give you a much deeper cultural understanding of the places you're visiting, they'll help smooth out all the little stresses that travelling in such a unique destination can produce and they'll make sure you really get your money's worth out of the time you spend there.

If you fancy the idea of a perfectly planned and delivered week of Japanese gravelly heaven, then the Grinduro Gravel Tour Japan could be just the thing for you!

The organisers have included the following in the trip price:

• Entry into Grinduro Japan 2025
• Fully Guided & Mechanic Supported Tour
• Bullet Train to Wakayama
• Ferry to Tokushima
• 7 Nights Accommodation (Twin Share)
• Sponsor Schwag
• Luggage Transfer

The tour, which includes entry into the 2025 Grinduro Japan event, will take eight days and riders will cover 500km of varied terrain. The organisers have described the tour as "zone 2 pace, with some long climbs and long gravel sections."

The itinerary is as follows:

• FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 / ARRIVE Minakami (Gunma) - Grinduro Japan Day 1. Arrive in Minakami and join the Grinduro party which kicks off with music, vibes and the Schwalbe Shakedown. Get checked in to your accommodation which is included as part of the Gravel Tour Japan package.
• SATURDAY OCTOBER 4 / Minakami (Gunma) - Grinduro Japan Day 2 (80km / 1800m). This is the day to test your party-to-race ratio. Grinduro Japan is 80km of up down and around the mountains of Minakami. 4 timed stages and plenty of fun on and off the bike. The wild after-party goes on until late, so be sure to pack your dancing shoes in your kit bag.
• SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 / Minakami (Gunma) - Grinduro Japan Day 3. Grinduro Japan winds down and we wrap up the weekend with a chill ‘Hangover Ride’ in the morning. Many a sayonara to say as you wave goodbye to many new friends made during the Grinduro experience. You’ll have the afternoon to explore Minakami or put your feet up in your accommodation before Grinduro Gravel Tour Japan tour begins!

• MONDAY OCTOBER 6 / Tokushima (Tokushima) - Transfer Day. We say goodbye to our friends in Minakami and jump aboard the bullet train to Wakayama. The Shinkansen journey will cross a large portion of Japan, passing Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka. We’ll bunk in Wakayama for the night before grabbing an early ferry to Tokushima and Shikoku Island the following morning.
• TUESDAY OCTOBER 7 / Kamikatsu (Tokushima) - Road Trip Tour Day 1 (80km / 2000m). Departing the coast, we head inland and deep into the forest backroads. Some amazing scenery awaits as we weave our way up and down. On route today is some mild gravel to keep us honest, majestic mountains and streams, deep valleys as well as ancient shrines and huge variety of Japanese architecture, both new and old, to reward our efforts.
• WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8 / Kitoizuhara (Tokushima) - Road Trip Tour Day 2 (110km / 3000m). Today is Shikoku Super Gravel Day. Our ride takes us deep into the interior of the island, showcasing magical views on what is possibly the longest gravel road in southern Japan. This is a challenge, but epitomises what we all love about exploring amazing landscapes on our gravel bikes.
• THURSDAY OCTOBER 9 / Cape Kamoda (Tokushima) - Road Trip Tour Day 3 (120km / 3000m). Today takes us on a journey from the deep forested interior of eastern Shikoku toward the ruggeed coastline. SOme climbs early to keep the legs honest, but soon the glimpse of the pacific ocean will come into view as we amke our way toward the coast and the overnight in Cape Kamoda. The purple party will be in full swing as we celebrate our final night of the epic Grinduro Road Trip Tour.
• FRIDAY OCTOBER 10 / DEPART (Tokushima) - Road Trip Tour Day 4 (70km / 1000m). The final day and a short blast up the coast as we ride through small fishing villages and coastal bays. Before long, the deep isolation of the forest becomes the contrast that is Japan and we finish our tour back in the city of Tokushima. Your own onward travel to airport or ferry from here. Peace.

Prices start from US$4100. You can find out more about Grinduro Japan on their website and you can find out more about the Grinduro Gravel Tour Japan here