CYCLING THROUGH JAPAN
TRAVELING JAPAN BY BICYCLE FROM CAPE SATA TO CAPE SOYA
The Research
When I first started the route planning, it seemed easy enough. Start from Point A and finish at Point B. However, it soon became apparent that there would be a lot more research needed to plan the trip smoothly. Winging it can only take you so far. Reading blogs of cyclists who had already done the route was very helpful. There were also several websites dedicated to cycling around different areas of Japan (I will list them below for your reference should you be interested). It was also recommended that I purchase a book for touring motorcyclists called Mapple. After long hours spent in front of the computer doing research, it soon became apparent that I would need to pay attention to the following issues:
The Geography- 72% of Japan is mountainous...that means a lot of hills, and a lot of tunnels. If you have been to Japan, you will notice that tunnels are everywhere and even the bullet train tracks go right through mountains. I don't mind climbs, but it is best to avoid routes with lots of tunnels and windy narrow roads for safety reasons.
The Weather- This year especially, Japan is seeing an unusual amount of snow. That means that most of the higher elevation routes may be inaccessible. So my route plan is avoiding high mountain passes and I'm delaying my arrival to the northern area of Japan until as late as possible. Since I will be exposed to the elements, this is probably my greatest concern.
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The Roads- The roads in Japan are narrow. Although I've read that drivers are more accomodating to cyclists there, it is probably best to stay away from populated areas like Tokyo and Osaka. Once you leave the populated areas though, the roads are friendlier to cyclists. As mentioned above, there are many tunnels in Japan, so the longer ones do need to be avoided.
The Distance- How far you are going to travel everyday is pretty difficult to figure out. I am aiming for an average of 50 miles a day. I feel like this distance is pretty easy to achieve with a nice riding pace. During my trial run from home to Carlsbad, it took me around eleven hours to cover approximately 90 miles. I was able to do it, but it wasn't pleasant. Bottom line, know your limits and riding style. With a faster bike I could probably cover 90 miles a day, but with all the weight and considering how long I am going to be riding I think 50 miles average is a nice pace.
The internet can be your best friend for free research and experience helps. Do an overnight cycling trip around your area and get the feel for it. Below are just some of the references used during my research:
A Singaporean Cycling Across Japan
Bike Camping in Japan-on a shoestring