FAQ
General
- What do I need to bring?
- ID (driver’s license, passport, residence card etc.), comfortable clothes (no skirts or pants with wide hems), athletic or sturdy shoes (no sandals or high heels), rainwear (in case of sudden rain), gloves, backpack.
November through March: winter coat, gloves and warm hat.
Summer: Cap (sun protection), sunglasses (sun protection and insect repellent), swimsuit, sandals or water shoes (if you want to go into the river) - Is there a place to change clothes?
- We have a changing area (hidden by a curtain) or you can use the changing room in Okutama station.
- Can I leave my luggage with you?
- Yes, but we are unable to accept valuables, perishable food, and pets. You can also leave your suitcases and other large luggage after you check out from your hotel.
- Is there an age limit?
- Junior high school students between the ages of 12 and 15 years old are not allowed to participate in tours or rentals unless they are accompanied by an adult guardian. For safety reasons, children under the age of elementary school and people over the age of 70 are not allowed to participate in tours or rentals.
If you are a high school student or younger than 18 years old, you will need to bring written permission from a parent or guardian.
We do not offer infant/child bicycles. (We do not have child seats.) - Is there a height limit?
- We have bikes from 138cm and up, but the appropriate height varies depending on the model. Please refer to the bicycles section of our website to check the appropriate height. Please note that the number of bicycles is limited.
- Do you have insurance? What happens if you get injured or have an accident?
- All rental bikes are covered by liability insurance.
This insurance does not cover injuries to the person renting the bike or damage to the bike.
If you are concerned about your own injuries, please purchase your own insurance.
Compensation for injury and damage (legal damages payable to the victim): ¥100 million per accident (per person per accident).
*About ¥100 million for bodily injury and property damage in total for each accident.
If you are involved in an accident, contact the police, even if it is a minor accident. If you are injured and unable to ride on your own, please contact us or call an ambulance if you are seriously injured.
Cycling tour guests are required to take out domestic travel accident insurance (300 yen).
Domestic travel accident insurance (per person)
Death and disability: 3 million yen
Daily hospitalisation costs: 4,500 yen
Daily hospitalisation fee: 3000 yen
Liability: 10 million yen - I did not receive a confirmation email after making a web reservation…
- When you make a reservation on our website, you will immediately receive an email confirming your reservation. If you do not receive the email, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
• If you do not receive the e-mail, it may have been sent to your spam folder.
• You may have entered your e-mail address incorrectly.
• The capacity of your mailbox or server is full.
• Please check your settings so that your email address is not blocked from the trekkling.jp domain. - I’m planning to go by car. Is there a parking lot?
- We do not have a parking lot. There is a town-run parking lot at the nearby (2-3 minute walk) Hikawa Campground. This is the cheapest parking lot (700 yen per day for a standard car), or you can walk 3-4 minutes to Times Parking at Okutama Town Hall near Okutama Station (chargeable parking, rates vary between 880 yen and 1320 yen on weekdays and weekends). However, during the Golden Week holidays, the summer high season, and the autumn foliage season, the car parks are often full. If you are coming during these times, we recommend that you take the train.
Cycling tours
- Where is the meeting place?
- The meeting place is at our Trekkling store.
Google Map - The maximum number of participants is 6. Is it possible to have more than 7 participants?
- It is possible depending on the date of the event, please contact us.
- Is the fitness level of the tour suitable for people who are not athletic?
- If you are not confident about your physical strength, we recommend using an electric bicycle (E-Bike).
- Can I bring my own bicycle?
- Yes, it is possible. We will need to know the details of the type of bike you are bringing in. Please make sure that your bike is well maintained. If you bring your own bike, you will receive a discount of 2,000 yen off the tour price.
- Do you still do tours (rentals) if the weather forecast is bad?
- In case of bad weather (torrential rain, typhoon, snow, icy roads), we will contact you by 19:00 the evening before the tour. In the case of light rain or showers, we will continue the tour.
- Is it possible to participate alone?
- It is possible! It will be more expensive, but our guide will be happy to show you around even if you are alone.
- Can I take pictures during the tour?
- Yes, please take pictures. However, it is very dangerous to take pictures while riding a bicycle, so please do so when you are stopped
- Do I have to make a reservation to attend?
- We ask that you make a reservation at least four days in advance, but we may be able to accept reservations up to the day before, so please contact us.
- How far can I ride an electric bicycle (E-Bike)??
- Depending on the three driving modes and the weight of the rider, the Sugar Drop, Little Bee, and Glitter can travel about 20km to 50km, the Hurrier about 35km to 60km, and the Jetter 50km to 80km. The battery rarely runs out when on a tour.
- Do I have to make a reservation to attend?
- We ask that you make a reservation at least four days in advance, but we may be able to accept reservations up to the day before, so please contact us.
Rental Bicycle
- Where is the rental shop?
- The rental shop is at Trekkling in Okutama
Google Map - Is it okay for beginners?
- Yes, it is. Even if you are a beginner, we can provide you with a bike that fits your height. Apart from road bikes, all our bicycles can be ridden by beginners. We will explain how to handle sports bicycles (brakes, gears, etc.) before you ride, so don’t worry.
- Do I need a navigation system or map?
- If you are participating in a cycling tour, you don’t need it because there will be a guide. If you are renting a bike, we will provide you with our original cycling map, so you don’t need it. There is a smartphone holder available as a rental option for a fee (500 yen).
- Do I need a helmet?
- For safety reasons, we require cycling helmets to be worn. Helmets are available for rent on the day of both cycling tours and bike rentals (free of charge). If you have a cycling helmet, please bring it with you and you will receive a 500 yen discount off your rental fee.
Please note that if you do not wear a helmet, you will not be able to use our cycling tours or bike rentals. - Is there a specific area that I can cycle in?
- We have 4 courses, but we may not be able to respond to problems outside of the courses we have set (e.g. flat tire, dead battery on electric bicycles (e-bikes)). We recommend that you bring a puncture repair kit or simple tools beforehand if you are going to leave the course and ride longer distances (please refrain from riding on sidewalks and mountain trails).
- What’s the difference between a road bike, a cross bike, and a mountain bike?
- Road bikes are designed to be ridden at high speeds and require a forward leaning posture, making them difficult to ride unless you are an experienced rider. Cross bikes are designed to be ridden on the street, so their posture is similar to that of a basic bicycle (Mama-chari) and can be ridden by beginners. Mountain bikes have the same posture as cross bikes but have larger tires and are more resistant to rough roads. The courses we offer are mainly on paved roads, except for some unpaved roads, so any type of bike can be used.
- What’s the difference between an e-bike and an electric assist?
- E-Bikes are designed and built specifically for sports riding (high speed, long distance, etc.). Electric assist bicycles are designed for practical use in the city, such as traveling short distances, carrying luggage, etc. They are not suitable for sports riding (high speed, long distance). For those who want to ride long distances and long hours with ease, we recommend an E-bike.
- What should I do if I get a flat tire?
- Our bicycles are routinely serviced and inspected, but in the unlikely event of a flat tire while riding, please call us immediately! We will deliver and replace the bike for free. The same applies to other mechanical problems.
If you do not call us after you get a flat tire, you will be responsible for the actual cost of the damaged tube or other parts.
You will also be responsible for the cost of any parts damaged if you fall off the bike. - Is it possible to rent a bike for more than two days?
- Yes, you can. You can use this service if you make a reservation in advance. The more days you book, the more discount you get.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation of reservations
- If you wish to cancel your reservation, please contact us by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the date of use.
If you cancel on the day of the event without notifying us, you will be charged the full amount of the fee. However, in case of rain or inclement weather, we do not charge a cancellation fee if you contact us even on the day of the event. Please be sure to contact us.
In the event of unsafe weather conditions (typhoons, warnings, etc.), we will contact the customer who made the reservation to cancel the rental. In such cases, no cancellation fee will be charged. - For group visitors
- Please note that we do not accept tentative reservations for groups.
If you are considering a group of more than 10 people, please make a reservation after the number of participants is confirmed. If you wish to change the number of participants, please do so at least three days prior to the date of your reservation. If you change the number of participants after this date, a cancellation fee may be incurred.
