Japan

There are plenty of campsites. The northern island of Hokkaido has a relatively large number of campsites. Campsites are sometimes cheaper than European campsites, but do not have hot showers. Prices vary between 500 and 1000 yen (3.5 and 6.5 euros; 1 person and 1 tent).

Youth hostels cost about € 25 per person per night including meal. Sometimes they are fine, but sometimes you find a chilly concrete colossus; you can get your own room.

Ryokans are something between a B&B and a hotel. They are traditional with the tatami, the sloefkes and the wonderful Japanese bath (Onsen).

Camping in the wild is very well possibly. In Hokkaido, there are still wild bears around. Wild camping is therefore not recommended on (parts of) this island. For other parts, a few of the best spots can be found at:

• Lookout spots for tourists (often with toilet)
• Old roads that have been replaced by brand new roads offer opportunities
• Along rivers
• Parks / playgrounds / sports fields (often with toilet)
• Camping in the mountains: watch out for "landslides" when choosing a spot
• Next to rice fields, in the evening after sunset no one comes (further plus point there is always water at hand)
• Abandoned temples / shrines (in urban areas); Maintain respect for Buddhism, don't leave a mess!

The maximum traffic speed is 50 or 60 km per hour on the national motorways, but car and truck traffic hardly adhere to it. Cycling on the motorways (expressways) is prohibited. These roads are well signposted from the regional and national motorways and are marked green on the traffic information signs. In large cities there is a bicycle ban on some motorways (fly-overs) to relieve the traffic in the city. Please note, prohibition signs for cyclists are clearly recognizable and the warning texts are also in English.

On the island of Honshu, the traffic on the national highways is present during the day, but does not pose a danger to the cyclist because of the many narrow cycle and pedestrian paths on the left or right side of the road. For your own safety, you cycle on the constructed paths, because the roads on the island have hardly any asphalt verge or hard shoulder and are narrow for large passing trucks! Take into account increasing irritations, because the cycle path ends or is on the other side of the road. In urban areas you will encounter many pedestrians and oncoming traffic on a bicycle, or stationary cars taking up part of the path. The low curbs or the many traffic lights prevent you from developing a good cycling pace in the big cities. Despite the traffic on the regional roads of the island of Honshu is considerably less, the advice is to cycle as much as possible on the paths laid out for cyclists and pedestrians. If a cycle path suddenly stops, look around you and do not lose the orientation point of the cycle route to be followed. The Japanese have thought about cycling along the national highways, because there are many tunnels and flyovers for cyclists and pedestrians.

On the other hand, the island of Hokkaido is bicycle-friendly, if you leave the urban areas. The paved roads are in good condition and often have well-paved shoulder strips. The coastal road 231 between Rumoi and Atsuta has many tunnels with a length of more than two kilometers. Do not give space to the car and freight traffic behind if oncoming traffic is approaching and make sure you are visible! There are refuges in the large tunnels where you can temporarily stop to allow traffic behind to pass.

Tip: Always take a bicycle cover or a special bicycle bag to transport your bicycle. Many airlines hardly sell bicycle boxes outside their home base or only sell to their own customers. At Kansai International Airport (Osaka), you can buy a bicycle box (lxwxh = 177x23x102 cm).

Osaka-Kansai airport is bicycle unfriendly. The airport is located on an artificial island off the coast of Osaka. It is connected to the main land by a 5 km long bridge. You are not allowed to cycle to the airport on the highway (= toll road). You are not allowed to take your bicycle unpackaged on the train, bus, taxi or boat. The-lonely-push-biker cycled the national roads (25 and 26) from Shinosaka (Shinkansen station in Osaka) via Osaka Namba to KIX within three hours (approx. 40 km) and he only cycled in the overcrowded urban areas . He packed his bicycle in a bicycle cover and was allowed to transport the bicycle on the train from Rinku Town to Kansai International Airport. This was only allowed if it was properly packaged and the staff gave an agreement, otherwise he would not get through the entrance gates of the station!

The train station in Rinku Town is 7 km from KIX. From this station there are no more stops to the airport and towing the bicycle to the platform is only 100m incl. Escalator. If you step at other train stations (eg in Osaka), you can tow your packaged bicycle over a great distance and then pick up your luggage. Help from the staff cannot be taken for granted. Every day many Japanese and tourists pass the train stations in the big cities, making it difficult to get your bike on the overcrowded train. Travel to small stations outside the big cities and outside peak hours, the trains are less busy and there is always room for the bike.

Narita Airport is about 70 km from Tokyo. Cycling to Tokyo is very easy, because there are quiet cycle paths through rural areas over dikes (Jim 2008)

Ferry: "They do not sell bicycle boxes at Narita terminal 2, the only exception is Continental Airways, they only sell to their own customers. Tip in Narita village there are bicycle shops, which are 7 km from the airport. Here you can ask for boxes, but then you have something to drag. You can already pack the bike in the box in Narita village and from there by train to the airport (250 Yen)."

Nagoya is a practical airport if you want to visit Kyoto and the south.The Comfort hotel in the airport itself is ideal and inexpensive.

Japan is overcrowded and so you better skip the endless kilometers of urbanization by train. A folding bicycle in a baby carrier is ideal for Japan. Before you leave, ask for a railway pass that you can no longer buy in Japan. It is quickly cheaper than buying tickets.

In Japan, they can be difficult about taking a non-foldable bicycle on public transport. The bicycle must be completely disassembled and put in a special bag.

The bicycle can be taken on the Shinkansen (bullet train) or local train at no extra cost. No extra costs, but uncertainty whether it will work. You have to take your bike apart and put it in a special bag. Get pedals and steer off. Pack your bike in a pannier or bike cover and find Shinkansen's rear train set. When commenting from station staff, the language barrier helps to get the bike along. Always indicate that you are bringing your bike packed and also show this to the staff. After approval you buy a normal train ticket and surcharge ticket (express service for Shinkansen). There is not much space in the Shinkansen, so travel outside rush hour (07: 00-10: 00 and 16: 00-19: 00). There is space to place the dismantled bicycle behind the last row of seats or the rear aisle of the last train set. Train layout is clearly indicated on the platform by Japanese Railways. Another option is to send the bicycle separately via the Shinkansen. JR offers this possibility. Make good agreements!

There is simply no room for the bicycle on long-distance buses between Kyoto and Tokyo.