Not somewhere most of us would think about riding ... which would probably make it all the better

http://japanese-odyssey.com/

Now that's looks fun

That could make my bucket list, but stil number 1 is cycling in New Zealnd, just need the money! Oh well.

Toddles off to check flights on Skyscanner...

Looks like something I should do really, what with my mum being japanese and only 1 relative left out there...

I think this would be a brilliant trip,
Little wiki on urban camping is well worth a quick read.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Urban_camping_in_Japan

"The police are the only people who are likely to wake you up. Usually though, the police do not really care about you camping: they will care more about controlling your identity to check if you are not illegally living in the country........ If they see you sleeping during the night, they will most likely wait until morning to tell you to leave."very civilised

Spent a few weeks in Japan a couple of years ago, would love to go back & do something like this. It really is an amazing country, very traditional at heart even with their reputation for modern technology.. Very few people speak any English even in the big cities & good luck trying to work out any signage!

I used to live in Japan a few years age. Only for just under a year like.

Its a fantastic country. Fantastic people.

As mentioned, good luck with signs in rural areas and finding someone english speaking outside of the major cities will certainly be lucky. However, it wont matter. People will bend over backwards to help you.

I bivied in the countryside without issue, I also was taken into someones home for a meal and given somewhere to sleep even though we couldnt communicate. The hardest thing would be to get someone to understand you didnt need help. I've even just slept on the floor in a pedestrian square in the middle of Shinjuku as I missed the last train. There were many people sleeping there waiting for the first train, the police were in attendance to make sure everyone was safe

Best thing to do would be to get some cards written up with things on to show people. Like one saying "Thanks for your help, I'm in a cycle race and intend ride further this evening" and " can you help me to find somewhere to buy food please"

I fancy this, but cant go this year. Next year maybe.

FLV wrote:Best thing to do would be to get some cards written up with things on to show people. Like one saying "Thanks for your help, I'm in a cycle race and intend ride further this evening" and " can you help me to find somewhere to buy food please".

When I toured Europe I had a great little book that had cartoon picture's which you could show people. It had chapters that covered medical problems, food items, camping, eating out etc. Great for traveling through different countries with different language's. Saved me a great deal of hassle in Germany when I lost my bike lock key in a supermarket, showed them a picture of a key and mimed searching, had my key back in minutes.

There was an advert a year or so ago where a tourist to Japan had taken shots with his mobile phone of a toilet, train, bus, etc and used those to ask directions - makes sense

Ray Young wrote:

FLV wrote:Best thing to do would be to get some cards written up with things on to show people. Like one saying "Thanks for your help, I'm in a cycle race and intend ride further this evening" and " can you help me to find somewhere to buy food please".

When I toured Europe I had a great little book that had cartoon picture's which you could show people. It had chapters that covered medical problems, food items, camping, eating out etc. Great for traveling through different countries with different language's. Saved me a great deal of hassle in Germany when I lost my bike lock key in a supermarket, showed them a picture of a key and mimed searching, had my key back in minutes.

I took one of those to Japan, It was very helpful, along with knowing a few words. A fella in Tokyo almost exploded with joy when I said dinner was delicious in Japanese!

Be careful of the quality of the translations. I ended up with a plate of Chicken Gizzards once.

I ended up with a plate of Chicken Gizzards once.

I order this in France all the time (goose gizzards), bloody lovely on a dressed salad

Dave Barter wrote:

I ended up with a plate of Chicken Gizzards once.

I order this in France all the time (goose gizzards), bloody lovely on a dressed salad

We've already established you're a bit weird

johnnystorm wrote:
Be careful of the quality of the translations. I ended up with a plate of Chicken Gizzards once.

I ate much worse, including the horned turban

Much of the time I used to just point at other peoples dinner that looked good

Oddly, I can understand japanese pretty fluently (providing it's not too complex), speak the very odd little word, but can't read a word of it or speak really. It was very strange when in Japan about 10 years ago + that my mum would speak in japanese and I'd reply in English without either of us batting an eyelid - but everyone around us being confused

I do fancy going...