Japan

I cycled the shimanami kaido in an epic none stop journey from Hiroshima to Matsuyama - fixed. It killed me. But was bloody beautiful! Totally recommended. Just take the night bus down to Onomichi if you dont want to do the extra bit from Hiroshima. And then get the ferry from Matsuyama back to Osaka/Kobe. Sorted!

200miles. Lovely coastal roads for most of it- and not a tourist in site.

That's a good effort Pete.

I'll invite you into the group we have for Kyoto group rides.

These mothers ride, trust me, get involved! am always jealous when I see yiur ride pics.

These mothers ride, trust me, get involved! am always jealous when I see yiur ride pics.

Hah, thanks! If you ever find yourself back in the area, do give us a shout.

And bring muffins, please.

Think I'll next be back in 2014 or late 2013, will definitely give you a shout!

Sweet, I should be here until at least March/April 2014. :)

Or ride around Lake Biwa. Easy enough to get to on the train from Kyoto/Osaka. Put the bike bag/spare clothes in a locker at the station. The north east corner is quiet and beautiful, and perfect for a spot of skinny dipping

I'm going to Niseko for 10 days of skiing on Saturday, Sapporro for a day (for the Ice festival) then Tokyo for 3 days. Any locals have anything good to do in Tokyo? I've been before when I was 15 and done stuff like the Meiji and Tsukiji, looking for local tips! Anyone been to the Kinfolk Lounge?

Damn, just gonna miss you in Niseko. Heading up there for a few days on 11th. Would have been fun to meet another LFGSSer while skiing (not that I can ski for shit, mind you, but you have to start somewhere).

I cycled the shimanami kaido in an epic none stop journey from Hiroshima to Matsuyama - fixed. It killed me. But was bloody beautiful! Totally recommended. Just take the night bus down to Onomichi if you dont want to do the extra bit from Hiroshima. And then get the ferry from Matsuyama back to Osaka/Kobe. Sorted!

we rode the first 20k or so from imabari and then turned back because we were going along the north coast of shikoku, but it was amazing. part of a three week 1500k amble from kyushu to tokyo. photies here and here if anyone's interested

Anyone in Japan who could post something on to me? There's an awesome saddle bag I'd love and they won't post. :(

Tenso

Anyone in Japan who could post something on to me? There's an awesome saddle bag I'd love and they won't post. :(

Yeah, can do.

That would make me super happy, cheers Dude. WIll pm you shortly.
Rep'd all the same.

Got a trip to Japan booked for May. I used to live there in 2007 so I'm so excited to be going back for the first time!

Flying into Tokyo, then heading up to Hokkaido to check out the national parks (sleeper train up there is 1 possibility), down to Kyoto, on to Nagoya (where I lived) to visit friends and 5 or so days back in Tokyo before I fly home.

Keen to watch some Keirin racing and get some cycling done for sure.

Just under 3 weeks in total (includes 3 days in Honkers on the way out). Hoooooray!

You live in Kyoto Jadias?

I do, yep.

Thinking of spending a month or two in Japan in the summer.
What's it like to travel there alone? I've never travelled alone before and it's both appealing and daunting in equal measure.
I have heard that it is extremely expensive, what sort of money could one scrape by on? I'm looking to spend my time fairly evenly between the countryside and the city.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Its not extremely expensive, one of the great things I noticed was the uniformity of pricing. A bottle of water in a ski resort costs the same as one in Tokyo, unlike here where you pay £5 for one in a cinema.
You will notice a severe drop off in the level of English once you travel out of a city centre, so basic phrases and a book are pretty necessary.

I am going to be travelling alone for most of my trip, sorethroat. I am at an advantage having lived there before, but when I first went in 2007 I did a lot of weekend trips on my own and found it to be absolutely fine.

and I echo chw0112, it isn't crazy expensive. the exchange rate has changed since I was there though, and I am expecting to notice it.

Japan on your own is awesome. Opportunity to meet people and also ability to try communicate without english is a great and fun challenge. Quite rewarding!
You can get by, i.e. eating seaweed triangles from Seven Eleven - YUM!

Wow thanks for the speedy responses.
What's a realistic sum to be taking for two months? I literally have no idea. It's been many years since I travelled outside of Europe.

Look at airbnb for some bargains in the cities. some capsule hotels are quite nice, and hostels are usually great places to meet people.
if you can, budget for a couple of nights in a ryokan. amazing experience.

I'll be looking at my budget for a month soon and weill let you know what I am planning on spending.