Hey everyone,
I'm embarking on my first-ever bike touring adventure next year, and I couldn't be more excited! My plan is to journey through Japan, starting from Kansai Airport and ending at Haneda Airport, all with my trusty Brompton bike. Since some routes might be impossible to bike, I'm considering using trains for those segments.
I've opted for the Brompton C line because of its compact size and the ability to fold it up when taking trains. However, as a newbie to bike touring, I'm reaching out to the seasoned travelers here for some tips and advice.
I haven't decided yet when or which season I'll be traveling, but definitely not in winter. So, any insights regarding the best time to travel would also be helpful!
- Have any of you booked accommodations ahead of time, or do you prefer going with the flow?
- Are there any challenges I should be aware of beforehand?
I've also attached a picture of a map I drew with some tentative routes marked out. They might change laterally, but it gives a general idea of my planning.
Any advice or insights you could share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!"
by Zealousideal-Loan568
3 Comments
Know in Japan, you have to have a bag for your bike to get on trains. Also, there are certain rows that you should book if you get on a bullet train that allow you to have your bike on it (Google it, forgot which ones).
I just completed a tour from Seoul to Tokyo, partly covering what you are planning: https://www.komoot.com/collection/2670367/-seoul-to-tokyo-by-bike
I did not enjoy Kyoto and Nara because both places were completely overcrowded with tourists. I had a day off from cycling there and stopped doing sightseeing because it was terrible. I instead cycled through the city which was pretty good.
The Shimano cycling museum in Sakai (south of Osaka) is really nice and I enjoyed the visit there a lot.
If you cycle into Tokyo, there is a long distance cycle path through Tokyo’s west. I used to live in Tokyo and that path is the best way in and out of the city by bike. It’s the long straight stretch that you can see from my GPS data.
Capsule hotels are great. They are cheap, you can charge your stuff, wash your clothes, and take a bath. Make the most of Japanese bath houses and hot springs (Ofuro/onsen). They are everywhere. I would often set up my tent and then cycle a kilometer or two to a nearby bath house. The most relaxing thing after a full day of touring!
I rode from Kagoshima to Hakodate last year. Japan is a great country to start bike touring. There’s always a convenience store, vending machine nearby. It’s very safe, people are very eager to help. Experience becomes better with every bit of Japanese you can speak. It’s not needed though.
I just booked 1 day in advance. You could probably also do it on the same day too, if that feels too much like a commitment.
Summer is too hot. Spring or fall is ideal. Try to avoid the Japanese public holidays, because accommodations will be very expensive (if they’d still be available).