Japan tour: Southern Islands

[wideeyedwandering]

Looking to pick brains of someone who has experience of touring Rykuku Islands of Japan, specifically.

Other experiences of touring Japan South to North with a tent from Jan to July EVEN BETTER.

Experience of doing this AND WWOOFING THE BEST.

This will be part of a larger 6 month trip moving steadily Northwards finishing in Hokkaido in July.

Plan is to cycle/wild camp (where possible)/warm showers/WWOOF along the way.

Japanese Pod101 is being worked through steadily...

But I'd really like to chat with someone who has some experience of our planned itinerary.

brad
http://www.wideeyedwandering.com

[simonhill]

I haven't toured in the Rykuku Islands, but have in the SW islands of the 'mainland'.

A bit of a write up here.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=92289&p=851135&hilit=Japan#p851135

I am happy to talk about cycling in Japan.

You could also try posting on the Lonely Planet site, a few of the regulars have cycled in Japan, but I don't think any have been to the Rykuku. Maybe me next year??
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/ ... -your-bike

Also try Crazyguy, a friend who cycled Japan recently has just written up her trip.

[colin54]

Not cycling related as such , though there is some cycling related content, but the first part of an excellent documentary about travelling in Japan on foot for a year .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyLu3brxxEs

Buy DVD or download here :-


http://www.japanlandonline.com/

Recommended

[TonyR]

Looking to pick brains of someone who has experience of touring Rykuku Islands of Japan, specifically.

Just to point out they are the Ryukyu Islands or Nansei Islands. The main island is Okinawa which has a massive American military presence so English will be understood but it may not be the best choice otherwise. Elsewhere you will find the vast majority do not have any practical English.

The main challenge you will have is navigation - rural road signs are often only in kanji and unless you can read/pattern recognise, they can be difficult to pick out from adverts. Be prepared for even quite major roads being unsurfaced in rural areas. Drivers are very good towards cyclists and Japan is very safe. Be prepared though for it to be very hot and very humid (and very wet!) especially as you get towards June/July.

If you've not read it get Josie Dew's book A Ride in the Neon Sun for an excellent account of cycle touring in Japan.

[Paulatic]

Don't bother taking an umbrella they are clamping down on cycling with one.
http://road.cc/content/news/160474-poli ... g-cyclists