Japan
 

I'm heading off to Japan for four weeks in Late August/Early September. At this stage I'm looking at doing Hokkaido from north to south, and doing a route through the alps on Honshu, basically between Tokyo and Kyoto, but I'm still looking at options here. Do those who have toured in Japan before have any suggestions or advice on this plan, or any other possibilities? How are the trains in Japan (I've heard various things about them, but I'd like to hear about someone's experience)? Are there any things I should be aware of that people don't normally think of? Are there any things along the way that I should make double sure I don't miss?

Google wadachi cycling. Sora has been all around japan and he has some good links/japan specific info.
Also the TCC (Tokyo cycling club) forum has lots of good info.

I'm doing a 4 week tour starting Monday in fukuoka and ending in Tokyo.
Stealth camping the whole way.

I might have some more insight for you when that's done.

ya, they drive on the left. Watch out for that one!

I don't know if these will help you but here are 3 links to information about bike touring in Japan.

Ray

Hi,

I did. Please update thread in 2 weeks - don't have the next days to post. Forget trains with a bicycle in Japan

Thomas

I cycled from tokyo to kyoto in 2006. We went north from tokyo to Nikko, and then continued through the mountains to Nigata. We took a ferry over to the island Sado and circled the island for a day. We then took a ferry back to Nigata and followed the coast until Tsurugu ( or somewhere near there) and then headed south to kyoto.

We were really happy with the route we took. Nikko is awesome, there is a huge temple complex there that we spent 5 or 6 hours exploring. North of Nikko you get into the mountains, which are really beautiful. Nigata is boring, but the island Sado is really cool. There is a big mountain in the middle with some spectacular views from the top. Riding the coast was nice, until we had to head south to Kyoto, where we ran into a lot of traffic.

Unfortunately I didn't document our exact routes, otherwise I would provide them.

We took a train from the airport to get into tokyo where are first ryokan was. The airport is about an hour away from the city. We were able to get our boxed bikes on the train, although I don't remember how and I'm not sure if they really allow it or not. I think for most trains in Japan you need to put your bike a blue bag that they sell there.

Learn some Japanese, most people don't speak any english.

We stayed in Ryokans almost every night. They are everywhere, and they are fairly cheap. A few times we had to stay in business hotels, which are more western, more expensive and often suck.

Hope some of that helps!

Edit:

Here are our photos up on my friends Flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8960987...7594194324103/

http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Neon-Sun-...3258638&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/Sun-My-Eyes-Two-Wheeling-East/dp/0751530182/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273609495&sr=1-7

A friend of mine literally wrote the book on Cycling Japan, so I need to put in the good word for that. And the Bicycle Culture Museum in Tokyo (right across from the US Embassy) distributes a booklet of "cycling terminals" throughout Japan, which is basically a network of hostels for cyclist. Almost entirely in Japanese, fwiw.

Hi,

regarding the routes: the route suggestions on http://japancycling.org/ are good. But it's possible to cycle nearly any road in Japan. There's a lot of traffic but not dangerours. On the http://japancycling.org/ site you'll find a link to the mapples maps. Buy them in advance and plan your route. We looked to the sites we wanted to see and created a route.

There's a big differences between cycling in Honshu (more culture) and Hokkaido (quiet). We cycled 3 weeks in Hokkaido and then took a ferry close to Kyoto and cycled then to Osaka.

Trains: you have to dismantle and pack your bike completely (remove tyres, racks, steering, etc.) and pack it proberly. With your normal luggage you are immobile. At big station you have to carry your luggage 1-2 km from the platform to the exit. Trolleys are not provided! so take a plane or ferry.

Things you normally don't think off:
1. Language is a porblem. PCs with interent are available. you can use an online translation programm (e.g. google) to get some things managed.
2. The people in Japan don't start a conversion. You have to be active. It would be an idea to use couchsurfing for some nights to get in contact with the people
3. In big cities (eg. Kyoto) bicycles are towed away if they aren't parked properly
4. Don't go with your bike to Tokyo. It's huge - real huge (was there this week) - not a good place to cycle.

I don't know your interests so I can't say what you'll miss. For instance if you like tempels Kyoto and Nara are great. I visited 11 world heritage sites in 2 days.

Thomas

Funny ... I just picked up a "Teach Yourself Japanese" book from the used bookstore. :D

It's never a mistake to learn something...