TOKYO, February 14, 2025 — Tabbit Tours (Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, President Yuji Kashimura) has launched a new day trip to Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, combining bus and bicycle travel: “Enjoy the Mito Kaido and Edo Culture with the Sports Support Bus and Active Bicycle Tour of Ishioka.” This tour uses a “Sports Support Bus,” which accommodates bicycles, providing a unique way to explore Ishioka at your own pace. Tourism Media Services interviewed the organizers to learn more.
■Tour Details:
This tour is part of the Japan Tourism Agency’s 2024 “Regional Tourism New Discovery Project” and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Kanto Regional Transport Bureau’s “Edo Kaido Project,” promoting Kanto region tourism under the “Edo Kaido” banner.
The Sports Support Bus carries both passengers and sporting equipment, enabling active travel. With capacity for up to 10 bicycles, it lets you cycle only on preferred routes, making longer distances and challenging terrain easily manageable.
■Tour Experience:
Following a bike fitting and practice, participants explore Ishioka’s historical sites and culinary offerings. This ancient city boasts over 1,300 years of history. The tour includes visits to Fuchu-juku, a well-preserved Edo-period post town, Kokubunji Temple (a nationally designated Special Historic Site), and Hitachi-no-Kuni Soshagu Shrine, known for the “Ishioka no Omatsuri” festival.
Participants also enjoy a hands-on Edo-period flint-making experience.
The roughly 25km cycling route features the Koiseyama Cycling Road, popular with couples and families, and offers views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting) from Asahi Pass.
■Tour Information and Bookings:
Tours are scheduled for May 10 and May 18, 2025. The fee is ¥27,500 per adult and ¥26,000 per child (elementary school students). Infants are free (lap-sitting required on the bus; meals not included). One lunch is provided. Adult bicycle rentals are available at an extra cost.
The tour departs from and returns to JR Ishioka Station, meeting at 9:30 AM and concluding around 5:30 PM. A minimum of five participants is required. Reservations are made via the official website: [website address removed].
■Conclusion:
Explore Ishioka’s many attractions by bicycle, utilizing the convenient Sports Support Bus.
Tabbit Tours is planning further Sports Support Bus trips; details will be posted on their website.
For more information, visit the Tabbit Tours website: [website address removed].
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SOURCE Tourism Media Service
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