If there’s one travel trend I’ve noticed gathering pace over the past year, it’s cycling tours.

And if your social media feed looks anything like mine, you’ll have noticed Japan is fast becoming one of cycling’s hottest destinations.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, the Asia-Pacific region is now the world’s fastest-growing cycling tourism market, with Japan’s cycling tourism sector alone forecast to be worth $US16.4 billion ($23.5b) by 2033, growing at an annual rate of 11.4 per cent.

It makes sense, as Japan has quietly built itself into one of the world’s great cycling destinations.

With more than 80 million bicycles in circulation and an extensive network of well-maintained bike paths linking cities, coastlines and rural regions, the country almost seems purpose-built for exploring on two wheels.

What’s more, many of Japan’s best rides are gentle, scenic and designed for ordinary travellers who’d rather linger over lunch than achieve a new personal best.

Take the Shimanami Kaido, an 85km route linking six islands across the Seto Inland Sea. It’s often listed among the world’s great cycling rides, not because it’s the hardest, but because almost every kilometre offers another excuse to stop somewhere like a fishing village or a citrus stall, for a seafood lunch or simply take in another expansive ocean view.

Elsewhere, cyclists can roll beneath Mt Fuji on guided electronic bike (e-bike) tours, cruise along the striking blue coastline of Wakasa Bay or even ride directly on the hard-packed sands of Chirihama Beach, with the Sea of Japan lapping just metres away.

JNTO executive director Naoki Kitazawa says improved cycling infrastructure and growing interest in active, wellness-focused holidays are driving the trend.

“We are incredibly proud of the investment in cycling infrastructure and the fact cyclists feel safe and welcome in Japan,” he says.

“Travelling on two wheels offers a slower way to experience Japan’s diverse landscapes and seasonal beauty, letting visitors avoid the crowds, head further afield and immerse themselves in regional history and culture at their own pace.

“We are also seeing health and wellness trends fuelling the popularity of cycle tourism, with people today focused on maintaining active lifestyles and choosing travel experiences that include physical activity.”

For me, the appeal is something simpler. Travelling by bike means moving slowly enough to notice the little things like a family-run ramen shop, a quaint roadside fruit stall or the picturesque backstreets of a rural town.

Those are the moments you’d never otherwise experience from the window of a bullet train.