biker in japan

Touring Japan soon . Got my my 2022 Japan cycling tee-shirt made. Still in the planning stage at the moment. Not sure yet what date I'll head out the door, but hopefully within the next 2 weeks.
I'll try to add to this post as I travel.

Got to Okinawa last year. Now up to Hokkaido.

dgodave

Awesome. So you already live there? What route are you planning?

I toured Kyushu back in 2019 and Japan is an amazing place to cycle and tour.

biker in japan

Hi Dave
Yes, I live in Yamaguchi-ken . South Japan. Actually they call it west Japan.
This is my 3 rd attempt to make it to Hokkaido and then come down the Pacific Coast to Shikoku and back to Yamaguchi.
I'm still in the planning stage but I will bike along the China sea side up to Ishikawa. To save time, since I already got that far last year ( had to turn back, covid restrictions) I'll be hopping the trains on and off. It will save me a good 45 days doing it that way. I sight see when I go. This is a journey to see Japan and not only cycling my way around Japan but to enjoy the lifestyles and culture of different sections of Japan.
I think that is cool that you cycled Kyushu . Hope it wasn't in the summer . LOL Last year I got to Okinawa in August and , really it was too hot to even go camping. So I caved in and booked a hotel. Only 36 bucks a night with buffet breakfast. I do want to get back there and see Miyakoshima. An island off Okinawa.
Stay in touch on this thread as I'll update and maybe you'll see my progress, hopefully all positive side.
Japan still is not allowing tourist in so I won't be seeing hardly any foreigners cycling up north. Cycling here as a foreigner as you have found out is that the locals are please to chat and help you out.
Take care.
Here's a picture of my bike. ( if I can find one )

This is my bike loaded to travel all Japan, but this year I bought a lighter tent so hopefully the load will be lessen.


My coffee cup. Only cost 100 yen.

Dudelsack 

I see your picture there on the wall…

biker in japan

What picture is that?

dgodave

For sure I will watch this thread. I really want to return to Japan and bike tour more. I also hopped on trains here and there. You can see my route about halfway into this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...an-kyushu.html

I started on May 1, so the weather was pretty nice.

biker in japan

That seems so exciting. I'm not really active on this forum. But it sure is informative. I'm waiting now to hear back from the US Embassy about some paper work regarding the IRS. Something I was unaware of WEP. Once I find out what to do then I'll start my journey.

imi

Hi, I’m planning on touring Japan hopefully in late summer/early autumn.
Can anyone recommend which type of cartridge gas is most readily available?

I have screw on valve (primus), one click (camping-gaz), and old-skool puncture stoves… or is it better with a Trangia stove (denatured alcohol)?

Thanks!

waddo

Primus.

imi

🙏Thanks!

dgodave

Primus sucks

imi

Huh? But having a stove with the wrong kind of valve for available cartridges kind of sucks too, neh? 😉

dgodave

imi

^^^ hah! Hadn’t heard that one! dgodave

waddo

Just to let you know, finding fuel is not that easy, even when you are in towns. The best bet is a "Home Centre." They are giant shops and usually have flowers/plants outside in the growing months. If I were you I would buy as many as you need when you find some so you don't have to hunt later on.

biker in japan

sorry I mislead your post at first glance.
true that picture will definitely get on the wall. Cape Soya , Hokkaido , Japan

Been wanting to this for sometime and now I'm going.

biker in japan

If you are looking for something very compact check this out : https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Iwatan...%2C401&sr=8-35
You can buy the fuel at most any convenient stores for a bit over 200 yen or go to Donkey Hotei and buy 3 for 269yen .
I use it all the time and gives me more room in the panniers. Comes with a water proof hard shell case.

imi

Thanks for the tip. I read the description: ”Container insertion/ejection method: push and turn (half rotation). ;Gas type: Iwatani Cassette Gas Junior, Iwatani Cassette Gas, Iwatani Cassette Gas Power Gold.”

Do you know if this is the same as the ”Easy-Clic” valve found on Camping Gaz stoves?

biker in japan

I'm not familiar with Camping Gaz stoves. But what I mention is compact and for most basic cooking and boiling needs it serves it purpose. For cycling as you noticed it is the number one seller. I should have bought it 7 years but didn't know anything about it. Got it last years and its great. If you are packing in your panniers it doesn't take up much room at all. The cannisters are about 100 yen a piece but at 7-11 you can expect to pay about 267 yen per can. Rip off, so go to Cosmos or Donkey Hotei. I guess you are in Japan?

Oh you just push in the cannister and turn the knob on about 1/4 and flick the switch and it lights up . Don't turn it full blast when you start it though, it will scare the heck out of you.LOL

biker in japan

Tomorrow l start my tour.
This goes on my bike.

biker in japan

Got to Okinawa last year. Now up to Hokkaido.
Hi folks.
I'll post an update on my tour of Shimane, Tottori, Kyoto, Nara and Mie prefectures. Need to somehow figure out how to put the pictures on my computer from my Android phone.
Stay tune.

polymorphself 

biker in japan curious whether you're a native or not? If not, how did you end up there? (I ask having lived in Japan myself, right outside of Nagoya).