Tomer's Website:	Japan Trip, Spring 2002

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Vocabulary	Home	Calender	Map	Japanese	Links

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Post Trip and Advice

So, you plan to do a bike trip in Japan...

Here is some advice and observations I've made about Japan, some of which I've noticed are echoed by others. You may also wish to read the accounts of others (some of which are located in the Links page).

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About Japan: Roads Laws Tunnels Gutters Money Exchange Sentou

Advice: Bicycle Equipment Camping Language Letters

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About Japan

• Roads
  Roads are generally narrow, and traffic is generally heavy. They do have extensive sidewalks, and although they are safer than riding in the street, they can be annoying for a number of reasons. For instance, they are usually bumpy (lots of driveways, etc.), and within a city they are congested with pedestrians. I ride in the street almost constantly, except occasionally when I'm in the center of a city, or when conditions become unsafe.
• Laws
  I have never been able to get definitive statements about the bicycle laws there. From what I understand: If there is an accident involving a bike and a car, it is generally considered the car's fault. Bicycles don't belong in the street, but instead on the sidewalk. Riding in the street is not illegal, however, and the police will not give you a ticket (they may just motion you to get on the sidewalk, if that).
• Tunnels
  Japan is a very mountainous country, and you will experience many tunnels. Tunnels can range from an extremely unpleasant, scary, and narrow tunnel where there is almost no room on the side for bikes, to having your own bike tunnel, sometimes with two lanes! Some tunnels have dedicated sidewalks for bikes and pedestrians, which you may have to cross the street to ge to. Most tunnels are relatively well lit, but it can't hurt to use a rear bike light, especially if there is no sidewalk.
  • Example of a scary tunnel.
  • Example of a friendly tunnel.
• Gutters
  Because Japan has a intense rainy season, and because it is so industrialized, you will find that the roads have extremely good drainage. Of course, this means that there are gutters running the length of most roads and highways. Sometimes they are covered, and unfortunately, sometimes they are not.
  • Example of an average gutter.
  • Example of the gutter of death.
• Money Exchange
  Although Japan used to be relatively inconvenient for exchanging money, it is getting easier and easier with time. Japan is a cash-oriented society, with people carrying upwards of $500 worth of cash in their wallets not being unusual (I feel unconfortable carrying more than $60 in San Francisco!). Because of this, credit cards are accepted only in larger stores and department stores. Japanese banks generally do not support foreign ATM/cash cards. This is slowly starting to change, but the most convenient change in the recent past is that almost all ATM's located in Japanese post offices now accept the major foreign bank systems (Plus or Star or Visa cards). On this last trip I did not bring any traveler's checks or cash, I just used my ATM card to withdraw money from post offices, where ever I went.
• Sentou
  In Japan, public bath houses are in most towns, and even villages. They are extremely cheap (2 or 3 US dollars), and provide showers as well as hot tubs; an excellent end to a day of cycling. Most are not co-ed. If you are uncomfortable with nakedness, my advice is leave that fear behind in your own country.

Advice

• Bicycle Equipment
  It's probably a good idea to bring whatever you need. Do not expect to be able to find good bicycling gear, or any, in most cities in Japan. Obviously the larger cities, like Tokyo, will probably have a decent, although extremely expensive, selection. However, out in the "countryside" (Nagasaki, Takeo, Saga) it took me 5 days and a few towns just to find a shop with an adult-sized bicycle helmet. Bring your gear: bike, rack, paniers, pump, spare tires and tubes, bike tools, etc.
• Camping
  Japan is far from cheap. If you wish to save money, one of the best ways to do so, without sacrificing fun, is by bringing a tent and camping. There is little or no empty space in Japan, since usable (aka not mountain) space is in short supply. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult finding a place to pitch a tent. The best way to go about it is by finding a not-so-noticeable place, and pitching the tent near or after sundown, and taking it down in the early morning. There is no need to ask people if you can use the tent, just do it, as curtiously as possible. My favorite places were parks, beaches, and next to abandoned or closed businesses. When people were present in these locations, I sometimes did ask if I could camp there, and in general I received positive responses.
  • Accounts of cycle-camping in Japan by Rodger Grigsby and Bill Macher (also on the Links page)
  • Okinawa camping info at japanupdate.com.
  • Example of an abandoned building where I pitched my tent.
• Language
  As with visiting any country, it is always more fun for you, and the nationals, if you learn a little of the language. In Japan it is pretty easy to impress the locals, just by wielding a few easy phrases. Taking the time to learn a few simple greetings pays off. Almost everyone I crossed paths with in the countryside says "konnichiwa" when they pass you by.
  • Kids Web Japan's Language Lab teaches basic phrases, and has audio files so you can hear how they are pronounced.
  • Some interesting Japanese phrases that will be sure to entertain your new friends/enemies.
• Letter-writing
  If you are like me, you love to send postcards and letters to people (whether they appreciate it, or just think you are rubbing your lovely vacation in their face, is up to them!) This can become an expensive task depending on how often, or how many people, you write to. This cost can be defrayed, however, by using what you find, instead of purchasing lots of expensive postcards. I'm not advocating that you don't support the people who are trying to make a living with the tourist trade, but... well, maybe i am. Anyways, if you are looking for cute stationary and such, this is country to find it, whether that's at a Sanrio type store, a 100-yen shoppe, or getting free fliers from the local travel agency.
  • A letter I wrote to Jen using some paper from a travel agency (the black rectangle is where I cut the paper so I could fold it so it would fit in an envelope)

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This page created by Tomer Gurantz
Content last modified 29 Aug 2002