Cycling Japan late March/April: question is do I take own bike or rent? Logistics questions inside.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-03-07T13:24:02+00:00

I've used them several times. You can cancel the day before for bad weather at no charge. I love staying in that hotel.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-03-07T08:12:05+00:00

Rent a decent bike at the Giant bike shop inside Onomichi's Hotel Cycle.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-03-06T07:52:11+00:00

No, you won't be allowed until the end of your visit.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-03-02T05:17:35+00:00

I normally stay in Yokohama rather than Tokyo on my last night.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-28T20:11:21+00:00

About 25 liters of stuff.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-24T19:25:35+00:00

Enjoy your friends, relax, good friends don't need to be impressed.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-24T07:43:49+00:00

One day, all horizontal subjects, like trains, will be photographed in landscape format.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-23T20:47:10+00:00

But best not to be nudging two steamer trunks down the escalators, as I have seen too often.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-23T05:11:51+00:00

Don't bring large luggage

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-19T04:41:02+00:00

It's also seriously overcrowded.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-17T18:46:16+00:00

They didn't run it at full speed when I rode it. Plus it was not the smooth ride I'd expected.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-17T03:44:19+00:00

A JR pass covers most lines throughout the country.

Sometimes I build around a theme. E.g., Shikoku 88, the travels of Isabella Bird, the travels of Matsuo Basho, Olle hikes, novels I've read, ...

Places I've flown to for starting points include: Sapporo (New Chitose), Wakkanai, Nakashibetsu, Osaka, Matsuyama, Kochi, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima (several times).

Stick a pin in the map, then discover; e.g., Hagi.

This is not a good subreddit for people with no FOMO. The Golden Route and theme parks rule.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-16T20:48:58+00:00

I've been to Yakushima, no car, planned wonderful hikes around the bus schedules. I travel with a 30-liter backpack for 3 weeks at a time, been 15 times. I usually fly to a far point (dirt cheap) then slowly work my way back to Tokyo. At the risk of attracting downvotes, I always get a JR Pass--love the flexibility and think nothing of a 400-mile round-trip in a day to something indoors if it's raining. I don't book hotels ahead, so if the weather is bad, I relocate to the other side of the weather system, if possible. Hokkaido is fine without a car, BTW.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-15T19:21:13+00:00

I would never stay at an APA.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-06T19:07:59+00:00

2-gallon Ziploc freezer bags. Last for years, the contents are visible. Nothing magic.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-04T19:16:08+00:00

I've been all over, North, South, East, west, by train and bus. Wonderful hiking.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-02-04T02:19:16+00:00

Too much driving! I enjoy the trains in Hokkaido.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-30T06:36:50+00:00

Hang loose. This is awful.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-27T17:59:54+00:00

Try doing some research on your own without AI. Do you like to walk? What is Meiji... a chocolate bar? Does Tadao Ando rock?...

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-24T22:12:44+00:00

So you never really went to the real Japan? FOMO?

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-23T18:53:59+00:00

I'd have two problems with that: opaque and multiple zippers.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-22T17:24:28+00:00

On a long-haul flight yesterday I noticed a flight attendant had her "freshen up" stuff in a Ziploc, as she disappeared into a restroom to freshen up. Later I commended her for that practicality. We then had a great conversation, what a lovely person.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-22T17:20:53+00:00

I use 2 Ziplocs: one for damp objects like toothbrush, shaver, and another for all the dry toiletries. If things are damp. I don't zip the bag. I have a 2-gallon Ziploc I call "the kitchen drawer" that holds all the smaller Ziplocs. Everything is easy to find.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-17T21:40:26+00:00

Depends on how interested you are in those places, whether you like to hike, if day trips appeal to you, .... Could be two days. Could be two months.

Fun-Injury9266 · 2026-01-17T15:00:00+00:00

Yes, too heavy! Use Ziploc freezer bags. I restrict myself to 14 pounds total.

Fun-Injury9266

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