Last Minute Japan Tips!

[Minh]

Reading Grant's recent blog post about visiting Nitto reminded me that i'm heading to Japan next week!   

Any last minute tips anyone would like to suggest, i already have a visit to Blue Lug--need to pick up a few things that would be too expensive with shipping!  

I was hoping to make it to Circles in Nagoya, but didn't work out with our schedule.  Happy to take any and all suggestions!

[John Rinker]

Hey Minh,

Well, lucky you! Japan is a real treat in so many ways, and it is a very lovely country in which to cycle. Where will you be going and how long will you be in Japan? Will you have your bicycle with you?

If you can get to Kyoto then I'd suggest a late-night cycle tour through the Gion district. In addition, an early morning cycle tour of the 'Five Mountains'- the five main Buddhist temples of Kyoto- was something I very much enjoyed doing.

If you get to Kyushu, and find yourself in Kagoshima, there's a really great ride around Sakurajima- a very active volcano a short ferry away.

There's a million things around Tokyo (not helpful, I know), but you'll be there at a very beautiful time of year weatherwise. Hakone is a cool day-trip where you can hike, enjoy a beautiful outdoor sculpture museum and indoor Picasso exhibit, and dine at the Gora Brewery- a Nobu restaurant.

As you may have read in Will K's musings on Tokyo, it is a wonderful city in which to ride a bicycle.

Enjoy! John

[DamonLee]

Hakone! I can second that. It is wonderful up there. The special train you take up there. The museum. A wonderful place to visit.

[Frakern]

If you have your bicycle with you, I would suggest going on the Shimanami Kaido (https://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/). You can also rent bicycles from there if you're not taking your bike. 

[John Rinker]

Yes, Frakern, I forgot about that one! This is a beaufitul ride! Here are my tracks and some photos from this farewell tour of Japan: GaiaGPS tracks and photos

Cheers, John

[William Watson]

I know this isn't helpful in a pinch, but I love the program Cycle Around Japan on NHK. Every episode is a cyclist on a 3/4 day bike trip around different areas of Japan stopping to visit different natural scenery and locals. Very soothing and interesting. Only problem is now I'll need to take about two years to visit all the amazing different places via bike. 

Have a great trip,

Will in MPLS

[Timothy Harwood]

Absolutely fanastic place to cycle.

3 months upcountry on the Bleriot is the highlight of my cycling journey.

Enjoy!