November 01 - 07, 2026

JAPAN

TOUR DE FRIENDS

REGISTRATION CLOSED

受付終了

REGISTRATION CLOSED 受付終了

4 stages from Fukuoka to Kagoshima 
culture, mountains & coast 
supported group ride

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STARTER LIST

STEPHAN PÜTZ

TEST RIDE WITH

WHAT YOU GET

You get it all…!

we come together and travel to the other side of the globe to discover a different kind of beauty. The volcanic terrain of Kyushu, Japan awaits us with roads you’ve never seen and a truly unique culture. You will be part of a journey through the true back country Japan. We’re talking about steep climbs, breathtaking panoramas, and of course hot springs. The crisp colors, the mild temperatures of Japan’s autumn.

RAD RACE Tour de Friends Japan is a fully supported multi-day cycling experience. Not to race - but to see, feel & inhale.

The route leads through Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, and runs as a one-way journey over four stages from central Kyushu down to the south. In total you cover roughly 500 km with about 8,000 m of climbing, starting in Fukuoka and riding via Yufuin (Oita), Minami-Aso and Hitoyoshi (Kumamoto) before finishing in Kagoshima.
Find the whole komoot collection further below.
We got some fine stages for you. Designed to soak up as much of this one of a kind landscape and also getting some nice challenges at the end of the season.
Probably the best way to travel Kyushu.

Stage 1: Fukuoka → Yufuin — ~130 km / ~1,800 m
Stage 2: Yufuin → Minami-Aso — ~120 km / ~2,200 m
Stage 3: Minami-Aso → Hitoyoshi — ~120 km / ~2,000 m
Stage 4: Hitoyoshi → Kagoshima — ~130 km / ~2,000 m
Note: These distances and elevation figures are provisional and will be confirmed as soon as possible.
✱ Ever tried to Graval in Japan? Right, everything is paved. Your Road Bike will love it!
You sort your trip to Japan, we sort everything from Fukuoka onwards. Most riders will fly into Tokyo or Osaka and continue to Fukuoka by domestic flight or Shinkansen, but you can also fly there directly if it fits your plans. If you want to travel by train, it is worth booking Shinkansen tickets or tourist rail passes before you arrive in Japan to access special visitor fares.
From our meeting point in Fukuoka, you can switch to ride mode only. We take care of:
- Hotel check-in and welcome briefing including bike check
- Daily luggage transport
- Accommodation in selected hotels and ryokans
- Breakfast and dinner on riding days
- Checkpoints with snacks and drinks on the route
The final stage ends in Kagoshima, where we celebrate properly. From there, you decide: fly home or keep exploring Japan.
Please note: At November 7 we offer you a transfer for you and your luggage (bike packed) back to Fukuoka.
Since this option only might one interesting for people who don’t travel on from Kangoshima, please BOOK THE SHUTTLE SERVICE SEPERATELY.
You can book the shuttle by clicking HERE
BIKE AND RIDE
Road bike in excellent condition
Helmet
Pedals and cycling shoes
2 bidons
Repair kit (tubes, tyre levers, multitool, mini pump or CO2)
Spare brake pads and one spare derailleur hanger
Bike computer with charging cable and loaded route files
Front and rear lights (you’re entering Tunnel-County!)
RIDING GEAR
2x Riding clothes for mixed temperatures
Arm and leg warmers
Base layers for warm and cooler days
Rain jacket
Full finger gloves and short finger gloves
Buff
Some sick shades
OFF THE BIKE
Comfortable off bike clothes
Light jacket or hoodie for evenings
Sneakers or sandals
Small daypack or tote bag
Onsen towel and toiletries
TRAVEL AND MONEY
Passport and any required visa
Printed or digital copies of flight confirmations
Credit card and one backup card if possible
Cash in yen for small shops and countryside vending machines
around 20,000¥ would be a good start
Emergency contact list on paper and on your phone
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Travel insurance proof and policy number
Health insurance card and any international health card
Personal medication for the whole trip plus a little buffer
Basic pain relief
Chamois cream sunscreen and lip balm
TECH
Phone and power bank
All chargers for phone bike computer lights and camera, Di2, eTap…
Plug adapter for Japanese sockets if needed
EXTRA GOOD STUFF
Snacks you love and know your stomach likes
Maurten drink mix
Small notebook ready for new friends and routes
Respect and curiosity for local culture
Open legs and open mind
breakfast & dinner is always included
local food at checkpoints
all lunch & coffee stops are on you
✱ Pro bike mechanics for everyday repairs along the track and at start & finish – no open heart surgeries on your bike
Your luggage will be transported every day from start to finish.
If possible even directly to your accommodation. Nice!

Your Bike Bag will be stored safely and awaits you after the final stage in Kagoshima.
RAD RAVE.
For participants it’s mandatory to join the official What’sApp Event Broadcast so you don’t miss any news. This will be our main communication channel before and during the whole tour.
Of course we will also use our trusted RAD RACE Tour de Friends web-app so you always have stage info and accomations on your hand. Nice!

5 riding days on a carefully curated route including the welcome ride with the local communities
Luggage transport from stage to stage
Hotel / Ryokan accommodation (shared rooms)
Japanese breakfast & dinner
Mechanic support
Support vehicles & staff
Checkpoints with snacks & drinks along the route
Daily briefing & stage meetings
Final celebration at the finish line
web app and broadcast

➔ KOMOOT TRACK

➔ RETURN SHUTTLE

All participants are solely responsible for having sufficient insurance coverage for the entire duration of their travel and participation in Tour de Friends 9. This includes, at a minimum, valid personal liability insurance and international health insurance that is fully effective in Japan, or a travel insurance policy that provides equivalent coverage (liability and medical treatment abroad).
As a strict condition of participation, every participant must be able to present valid proof of this insurance cover at any time upon request by the organiser. Participants who are unable to provide such proof will be excluded from participation in Tour de Friends 9 and may be denied the start or continuation of the event, without any claim to a refund or compensation.
All participants are furthermore obliged to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in Japan and to respect local rules, customs and cultural norms. Any violation of Japanese law or disrespectful behaviour towards Japanese culture is the sole responsibility of the participant and may lead to immediate exclusion from the event as well as personal legal consequences.

SCHEDULE

Daily rhythm to keep things smooth and fun.

You arrive in Fukuoka, check in, build your bike and hunt down your first bowl of ramen. Next day we roll out for an easy welcome ride so you get used to the roads the crew and the group vibe. Then it is four stages across Kyushu from Fukuoka へ Yufuin all the way down to Kagoshima with mountains onsens volcano views and tiny roads in between. We wrap it up with an aftershow party in Kagoshima and a group transfer back to Fukuoka including luggage so you only have to worry about riding eating and hanging out.

これはレースではありません。

❀

Friends, not finish times!

❀

これはレースではありません。 ❀ Friends, not finish times! ❀

THIS IS NOT A RACE

❀

THIS IS NOT A RACE ❀

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES OF THE TOUR DE FRIENDS!

We want you to enjoy the view, get to know each other and simply have fun. What makes this event special is the way you participate in it - your mindset, your openness your pursuit of meeting new people.

SAFETY FIRST

Obey local traffic laws

Insurance mandatory

COMPANIONSHIP IS KEY

Ride respectfully in towns & villages

No littering

THERE ARE NO BLOCKED ROADS

Lights mandatory in tunnels & low light

Helmets required

Full disclaimer

WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS

Tour de Friends is not a race. It’s a community ride. No timing, no pressure.
Ride your speed, join new groups, wait for others, enjoy the scenery, share the moments.