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JAPAN explored by bicycle - my best experience from ... ( March 30. ~ June 28. 2006 )

Enjoy 250 selected pictures out of total of approximately 8000 photos that I took during 90 days of travelling...

After several months of planning, I finally flew on 30th March 2006 from Munich via London to Narita International Airport
(about 80 km away from Tokyo). I took with me my bicycle (aluminium mountain bike / 11.5 kg), rucksack,
digital camera and some experience from earlier (shorter) cycling tours in Japan

I was able to carry out my tour of JAPAN as I had planned it, except for some small changes because of weather-conditions.
When I returned to Narita Airport my cycle computer showed 3500 km - For three months German tourists do not need a visa
to visit Japan. During cold and rainy weather-conditions I packed my bicycle in a special bag and travelled some parts of my journey
by train. Bicycles must be carried in a bag for train-transport in Japan, so a minimum of luggage is very helpful

From the end of March until the middle of July - Cherry Blossom - is very beautiful in Japan ( Hanami / Sakura ).
There is a "blossom-front" travelling from south to north like the rainy season does every year (tsuyu) later on.
I therefore tried to adapt my journey-timetable to this phenomena

Save packing of the bicycle is very important to avoid trouble after arrival in Tokyo - you must inform your airline-company about
the weight and dimensions of your "sports-gear" when buying your ticket. If your total luggage-weight is less than 23 kg, no extra
charge is payable to carry your own bicycle with yous

From German airports ( only ) you have to pay a fee of 50 Euro to take your bicycle with you

All my stuff for the next three months ... a small tent, air-mattress, small sleeping-bag, special-bicycle-bag, camera, maps, diary, headlamp, travelling-guide-book, rucksack with clothing etc. I avoided mounting panniers on my bike because of the narrow roads and extremely narrow tunnels. Carrying a total weight ( bike included ) of not more than 22 kg I was able to travel about 100 to 130 km per day without too much strain ... and still had some time left to look around, take photographs ( my passion ) and enjoy the trip.

First impressions of Shinjuku / Tokyo