Trans-Japan

[Simon_m]

Hi there, just started thinking about a possible new adventure for me. Cycle the length of Japan. Wonder if anyone has done it. I would rather do it with a company van supported, than self contained. But after a brief search, i have yet to find a company. Hope to hear some thoughts and ideas.

 

[Oldhippy]

There are a couple of good books on this but can't remember the names. I'll look later. As someone who lived there for a good few years and @Andy in Germany will testify you will be showered with help, food and accommodation there. You can camp in temple grounds for free too. Just remembered Josie Dew did a book on travel by cycle there. Beautiful country, fabulous kind people who will bend over backwards to see you well in my experience.

 

[Simon_m]

There are a couple of good books on this but can't remember the names. I'll look later. As someone who lived there for a good few years and @Andy in Germany will testify you will be showered with help, food and accommodation there. You can camp in temple grounds for free too. Just remembered Josie Dew did a book on travel by cycle there. Beautiful country, fabulous kind people who will bend over backwards to see you well in my experience.

thanks. found lots of info on line now for self contained, but was looking for the lazy way to do it, by being van supported.

 

[Oldhippy]

You will find yourself awash with help without a van support I think. Be aware, Japanese mountains make Cornwall look flat in comparison.

 

[PK99]

Hi there, just started thinking about a possible new adventure for me. Cycle the length of Japan. Wonder if anyone has done it. I would rather do it with a company van supported, than self contained. But after a brief search, i have yet to find a company. Hope to hear some thoughts and ideas.

A friend did it a few years ago. Unsupported with a friend.

They have done s few oddballs. End to End Italy. CtC USA. All unsupported and finding accommodation on the way.

His description.
South : Sub tropical and hot

Tokyo: Croydon on steroids. They gave up trying to cycle and took the bullet train through the city.

North: Tundra.

 

[Andy in Germany]

 

[raleighnut]

Gotta be done on a Raleigh with Campagnolo groupset and a Brooks saddle, ideally with Carradice Panniers and Schwalbe Tyres

 

[Andy in Germany]

There are a couple of good books on this but can't remember the names. I'll look later. As someone who lived there for a good few years and @Andy in Germany will testify you will be showered with help, food and accommodation there. You can camp in temple grounds for free too. Just remembered Josie Dew did a book on travel by cycle there. Beautiful country, fabulous kind people who will bend over backwards to see you well in my experience.

@Oldhippy do you know of any large scale paper maps, or maps for cyclists in Japan? I appreciate you can use a phone, but I prefer paper for planning.

 

[Oldhippy]

I don't sadly but I'd be surprised if they weren't a thing.

 

[Oldhippy]

Japanese Embassy might be a good shout @Andy in Germany or email a Tokyo tourist office perhaps?

 

[Oldhippy]

An actual map is so much better to open up on a table top for scale I think.

 

[Emanresu]

Am in the process of planning a trip and this company (OkuJapan) were suggested for a walking trip. They were recommended to me and as members of the various Japanese tour associations, they might be able to point the OP to some named companies.

No issue in communicating in English but the time difference generates a delay in replying.

 

[Simon_m]

Thanks, but like I said, I'm not interested in self supported carrying panniers etc for my cycle trip.

 

[brommieinkorea]

Hi there, just started thinking about a possible new adventure for me. Cycle the length of Japan. Wonder if anyone has done it. I would rather do it with a company van supported, than self contained. But after a brief search, i have yet to find a company. Hope to hear some thoughts and ideas.

I just came back from cycling the width of Honshu, the main island, east to west. No real support, but I mostly stayed in hotels. So you don't have to take camping gear. I landed at Narita and rode to Kitakyushu and back, with a three day detour to do the Shiminami Kaido. I used a Brompton so that I could easily take trains if needed ( very few trains), and smuggle the bike into my room nightly. Max Mapple atlas is available via Barnes and Noble online, but you'll need to translate it. Spent 80 days, rode 1889 miles, through countless tunnels and over hills.

 

[Simon_m]

I just came back from cycling the width of Honshu, the main island, east to west. No real support, but I mostly stayed in hotels. So you don't have to take camping gear. I landed at Narita and rode to Kitakyushu and back, with a three day detour to do the Shiminami Kaido. I used a Brompton so that I could easily take trains if needed ( very few trains), and smuggle the bike into my room nightly. Max Mapple atlas is available via Barnes and Noble online, but you'll need to translate it. Spent 80 days, rode 1889 miles, through countless tunnels and over hills.

cool, just back from Japan myself, tourist holiday with out bike. Amazing country, quite and safe roads. Defo want to go and ride there. Very hillly and steep lol. sounds like you had fun.