MTB Guided Tour
We guide riders from beginners to experts on trails throughout the 1500m high Norikura-Kogen according to their riding ability. Riding thorough virgin conifer and birch forest gives you a unique and special experience that can only be found in Japan. Norikura-Kogen, which has cool weather even in the middle of summer and great fall colors is one of best mountain biking locations in this country.
About The Trails
Most of the trails are single track (about 1m wide) and are controlled by NORTHSTAR staff. For beginners, we provide easier trails first and eventually increase the difficulty as the rider progresses. For intermediates to experts, we provide a great mix of smooth trails to high speed and technical trails. You can enjoy short loops (2-3 Km) riding up by yourself or long trail rides (8-10Km) using transportation provided by NORTHSTAR. Come ride in the amazing beauty of Norikur-Kogen!
*All the trails in Norikura-Kogen need to have certified guides to ride because of safety and environmental protection.
Bike Park
We have a mini “North Shore Style” bike park in our front yard with ladders, teeter-totters, balance beams and jumps. It is not only for your technical improvement but also to enjoy like a skate park.
About our Bikes
For our trails we recommend a 120-160mm full suspension/all mountain bike. We have some uphill riding on the trails though most of trails here are downhill and we also suggest to have an adjustable seat clamp as we change our seat hight easily. Especially for the advanced and technical trails, we strongly suggest to have flat pedals instead of clip-in pedals.
Season
Tours from end of May to June will not be using the technical trail up in the mountain because of snow and tours from July to October will be using all trails.
Pricing
With Lodging
1 Day Guide Tour ¥7,000 (End of May to October)
*Including guiding fee (9:00AM to 3:00PM) and transportation.
2 Day Package ¥17,500 (July to October)
*Including 1 night lodging w/2 meals, guiding fee (1:00PM-4:00PM for Day1, 9:00AM-3:00PM for Day2) and transportation.
**Reservation Fee: ¥3,000 (Non refundable for any reasons since the price is with a special package discount)
Without Lodging
1 Day Guide Tour ¥7,700 (End of May to October)
*Including guiding fee (9:00AM to 3:00PM) and transportation.
**Also please contact us for custom plans or groups. If you are a group with more than 10 people, you can order a special lunch for ¥1,000. And if you are a group with more than 10 people and order a 2 Day Package from July to September, the dinner will be American Family Style BBQ.
Insurance
Trail Guiding Courses do not include insurance in the pricing. We recommend our wilderness/backcountry insurance (¥1,000/up to 2 days).
Age Restriction/Group Size
4th grade and up / from 3 people up to 20 people (For elementally school students participates need to have a guardian to participate with.)
Disclaimer
Guides will make the final decision about what trail to ride. Please understand that we will have your safety as a primary focus of this mountain bike tour. We will take into consideration the riding ability of our guests, the weather, and the condition of the trail to make this evaluation.
Tour Cancelation
Cancelations may happen because of rain on the day of a tour or day before and it causes bad trail conditions or riding will negatively affect the trail, we may cancel a whole tour or a half day to protect the environment and the trail.
Half day cancel: ¥3,000 pay back
Whole day cancel: ¥7,000 pay back
2 Day Pack cancel but stayed at the lodge: ¥9,700 pay back
2 Day Pack cancel but not stayed at the lodge: ¥14,500 pay back
Registration
Please contact us via our Reservation Page. Please note that our lodge guests have first priority for lessons, so contact us before coming to ensure availability.
