It's Time to Book a Vacation to Japan — Because Beer Biking Is Back

Japan is ready to welcome tourists once again. Not only should you immediately book a flight, but you should also book a seat on the Ichiroku Onomichi. What’s the Ichiroku Onomichi, you ask? Let us explain. 

The Ichiroku Onomichi is a 16-passenger bike that takes guests through the eastern ​​downtown area of Onomichi, a port city in southwest Honshu, about a two-and-a-half-hour train ride south of Kyoto. It’s also the only place in Japan where these specialty-built bikes are street legal. 

Here, guests will work to pedal together on the rather chic black and white bike with tan leather seats to get to the area’s lesser-known attractions, including the entertainment district Shingai, an area dating back to the Edo period between 1603 and 1867.

Related: There's a Sake Train Running Through Japan, and It's Pure Magic

Guests can choose from three tour options. The first is the “Onomichi Past and Present” tour, which brings travelers to places like Onomichi Vinegar, Japan’s oldest vinegar distillery, dating back to 1582. Guests can even sip on a few of the company’s offerings as it offers drinkable tastings too. The tour begins at just ¥3,300.00, which comes out to roughly $22.50, and it includes one drink and one croissant from a local bakery for the ride. 

The next option is the “Onomichi Beer” tour, which stops at the Onomichi Brewery, a new-school brewery built inside an old-school warehouse built in 1894. Following a tour of the brewery, guests on this tour will also get a cup to go so they can sip while they pedal to their next destination. The tour begins at just ¥3,300.00, which comes out to roughly $22.50, and includes a tasting at the brewery and one drink for the ride. 

Related: Noma Plans Next Pop-Up Restaurant in Kyoto

Finally, there’s the “Onomichi Experience” tour, which takes guests to multiple stops in one outing, providing the best overview of the area — and the most exercise you can expect on a group bike trip. The tour begins at just ¥1,650.00, which comes out to roughly $11, and includes one drink for the ride. 

Ready to explore with your friends? You just need a minimum of four people to book a tour and reserve early so they can craft the right experience for you. See more about the bikes and tours, and book a ride here.