Japan

sumimasen - the most useful "phrase" in Japanese ever.

That jamboree looks really fun! Can't wait for the write-up!

Mid-July to August is literally the worst time. You will sweat buckets and there is nothing you can do. Liberally apply sun cream, drink LOADS of water and electrolyte drinks (Pocari Sweat and Aquarius), stay in the shade and A/C where you can.

Loose-fitting shirts: bring loads. Shorts. Slip-on shoes. A good hat. Sunglasses.

You will have an amazing time anyway, though - Japan is amazing. Even if the novelty is wearing off after spending 3 years here now...

Just started a new group on Facebook related to stuff going on in Japan to do with steel framed bikes/shows/rides of all kinds. Feel free to join/keep up to date here-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/343855105752196/

Joined!

I have two tickets for this - http://hyperjapan.co.uk/
I can't make it.
There are only a few hours left, it finishes at 6pm but if anyone can make it, theyre yours for free.
PM me your email address.

Got back from Japan a few days ago. Did a lot of skating and all my Japanese skater buddies said the fixed 'movement' out there is over sadface

Yeah police saw an end to that.

Sharing experiences about visiting framebuilders in Japan?
Anyone?

Underground Bike Parking

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/bicycle-parking-reinvented

A longshot, has anyone done this? Looks awesome http://www.shikokupilgrimage.com

That looks phenomenal...

Trying to plan a may trip to Japan and this sounds like a brilliant idea, albeit cut down to a week or something. Now I just need to see how to spend the rest of the month...

wow!

Restarting this thread, I'm bring me and my bike to japan in march, does anyone know if you can take bikes on the bullet trains?

Yes, they go in luggage compartment so they need to be in bike bags.

Thanks Tibbs!

Is there no way I can bring it without the bike box?

just buy a more portable bike bag, I keep banging on about this, but took travelling bike round the world with pipe lagging and cable ties in the ground effect tardis, which was easy enough to transport, and not too heavy when I wasn't stuffing it full of clothes as well..
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/tardis-compact-bike-bag

took it on the bullet train with no fuss, just another piece of luggage, albeit slightly larger than everything else.

Also if you're going to be using the bullet trains you want to get the JR rail pass, which is valid for 7, 14, or 21 days, you can buy over here and then get it validated over in japan to use during your stay..

http://www.jrpass.com/how_to_use_the_japan_rail_pass

One of those big laundry bags works. As long as it's in a bag with handles.

What you could also do is take a proper bag with you on the shinkansen, then just mail it to your next destination by takuhaibin which is very cheap maybe a fiver even.

Pretty much all bike shops have bike bags there for about 3,000 yen, no protection but strong enough and I could put it in my rucksack when not cycling. I only ever took off the front wheel too - nobody seemed to mind.

Make sure to get your bike packed before you go onto the platform - I missed a train because I hadn't taken the wheel off and they insisted I couldn't do it on it.

Otherwise have a great, very jealous

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I'm heading out there on a tour in May - probably going to get the bullet train at some point so this is handy info.

Riding (roughly) Hiroshima - Kyoto via Shikoku, then probably train to Fuji, few days in the mountains around there, then on to Tokyo.

Intend to camp for most of it but need to buy a shitload of gear that I am unlikely to get be able to test properly before I go :/

When are you in Kyoto? I'll be back there with my bike in the last 10 days or so of the month.

Oh Cool! Be rad to meet up if the schedules work :D

I'm starting in Hiroshima on the 9th then riding to Kyoto - will likely only be in/around Kyoto for a day or so before heading up towards Fuji then on to Tokyo. Meeting a non-cycling mate in Tokyo so aiming to be there around the 22nd/23rd.

Or at least that's what I think will happen! I haven't planned my route in any detail yet.

Am heading out for some cycling around Japan in March, Flying to Fukuoka on 12th of March then flying out of Tokyo 17 days later, not sure whether to head down into Kyushu then over into Shikou then up by Omishima then onto Toyko, or to mainly cycle up Honshu. Or to spend more time on Kyushu, any route advice appreciated!

Sounds rad! These may or may not be helpful, but a bunch of blogs on cycling/touring that I found:

https://janheine.wordpress.com/?s=Japan
http://www.bikes-n-stuff.com/japan-by-bicycle-a-trip-of-a-lifetime/
http://cyclingtips.com/2014/10/roadtripping-japan/
http://www.shikokupilgrimage.com/

.

Shame - sounds like it won't work out, but I'll let you know when I have exact dates for you. I'm guessing something like 20-30th May at this point.