Trans-Japan

[PlanningforJapan]

Did you ever do this cycle? My wife and I are going to be doing somethign similar later this year. Would be great to know your tips!

 

[Oldhippy]

I haven't but Japan is a fantastic place for cycle touring. People are beyond kind,scenery is truly stunning. Camping is free, ryokans (spelt wrong i think) Japanese b&b's are excellent.

 

[Simon_m]

Did you ever do this cycle? My wife and I are going to be doing somethign similar later this year. Would be great to know your tips!

hi there, i am still planning it for 2027. Been mapping the route. Got no idea if i can take the time off work as it is prob going to be 6-8weeks

 

[brommieinkorea]

hi there, i am still planning it for 2027. Been mapping the route. Got no idea if i can take the time off work as it is prob going to be 6-8weeks

6-8 weeks won't cover much, but would still be a blast.
Tips: 1. Don't take the train before 1030 or after 1600, it ain't rocket science but some tourists think getting a stupid early start will improve things.
2, Camping isn't everywhere, and the free campsites aren't free they're merely public.
3, There is currently an anti-bike/train thing going on, so be aware of where you park. I wouldn't try to bring a Brompton into a restaurant or other business in Japan, even bagged due to the often tight passage ways etc...
4, All Shinkansen platforms have an elevator. If you're lugging your folder and a bag or two this is a real help, but you have to find it.
5 Ignore the netwits who say you need to register your bike, this only applies if you have a Japanese address.
6 Flying into Narita is usually cheaper than Haneda, but Narita is 40 miles from Tokyo, Haneda is Kawasaki adjacent which means just immediately south of Tokyo Either way a hotel right next to the airport for the first 2 days is a splendid way to deal with jet lag.

 

[Simon_m]

6-8 weeks won't cover much, but would still be a blast.
Tips: 1. Don't take the train before 1030 or after 1600, it ain't rocket science but some tourists think getting a stupid early start will improve things.
2, Camping isn't everywhere, and the free campsites aren't free they're merely public.
3, There is currently an anti-bike/train thing going on, so be aware of where you park. I wouldn't try to bring a Brompton into a restaurant or other business in Japan, even bagged due to the often tight passage ways etc...
4, All Shinkansen platforms have an elevator. If you're lugging your folder and a bag or two this is a real help, but you have to find it.
5 Ignore the netwits who say you need to register your bike, this only applies if you have a Japanese address.
6 Flying into Narita is usually cheaper than Haneda, but Narita is 40 miles from Tokyo, Haneda is Kawasaki adjacent which means just immediately south of Tokyo Either way a hotel right next to the airport for the first 2 days is a splendid way to deal with jet lag.

hi there, thanks for taking the time to respond. afraid none of it is helpful to my specific trip, I wont be camping, I wont be taking the train with ny bike and 8weeks (maybe 9 with less miles each day), should get me from the bottom to the top as I have mapped 24 days so far from Capa Sata up to Takayama which is 3weeks with days off - just over 1,000 miles. All this, if I can actually get the time off work to do it of course. Might all be a pipe dream. but the route is being made, so who knows.

 

[brommieinkorea]

hi there, thanks for taking the time to respond. afraid none of it is helpful to my specific trip, I wont be camping, I wont be taking the train with ny bike and 8weeks (maybe 9 with less miles each day), should get me from the bottom to the top as I have mapped 24 days so far from Capa Sata up to Takayama which is 3weeks with days off - just over 1,000 miles. All this, if I can actually get the time off work to do it of course. Might all be a pipe dream. but the route is being made, so who knows.

The train is a nice bailout if you need it. I'll just assume you've figured out how to get hotels for the duration.
Coming from the UK you won't need the time to adapt to driving on the wrong side of the road...Japan still has some weird stuff going on though. All of my experience is east to west across Honshu, with a folder. One other thing, due the anti-train/bike thing, if you need to bring your bike inside anywhere you'll need it bagged.

 

[Simon_m]

Hi there,
yes i guess the train can be, if there is one about. I have to get to A - B each day, no ifs or buts as the hotels will be booked in advance. Even if it means having to walk 60miles with the bike in the pooring rain lol.
yes it is going to be weird and out of comfort zone, but thats what i am looking for. As long as I can eat and drink and get from start to finish each day, that is my goal. hopefully no bear attacks, lost luggage, accidents, landslides etc which will mess up my pre-planned route. Yep a whole list of things can go seriously wrong with this trip for sure. I will defo be contacting hotels to ask about the bike rules in each one, hopfeully I can just bring it in if it is clean and dry. May need to carry a bag juts in case yes.
Got to get bike box from airport to hotel, and then ship the empty box to the final hotel.
so many ifs and buts and maybes, or what ifs. It may not even happen but busy planning it. taken a break as planning French trip for spetmeber.
have a good week