The Japan Long Haul: Bicycle Touring From Tokyo to Hokkaido
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2024
- MY JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE: www.cyclingabo...
Japan is a bit of cyclist's paradise! It's geographically gifted, the people and culture are intriguing and the food is incredible. We cycled around 2500km over a month to experience Japan by bike and see whether Hokkaido is all it's cracked up to be.
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MUSIC: Bluestaeb DJ Set - • Bluestaeb • DJ Set • L...
GEAR LIST: 12kg total (www.cyclingabo...)
ROUTE: Tokyo to Hokkaido (ridewithgps.co..., Hokkaido Loop (ridewithgps.co...)
CAMERA: Panasonic V700
THANKS: Curve Cycling (www.curvecycli...), Aevon Trailers (www.aevon.fr)
I used to film for Lonely Planet TV, NatGeo docs etc. Your FREE content is as good if not better. Great stuff!
That's a great compliment. Thanks!
This is one of the first videos I saw when I considered biking in Japan and it really inspired me. I biked for a month earlier this year and plan to return. The real challenge was staying on the road because there are so many treasures in the small towns and cities that it's hard to get back on the bike!
you should have way more subscribers. This is amazing content!
One day! 😂
Thanks for mentioning MapOut. It's absolutely awesome. Love what you're doing most inspiring Great videos!
MapOut is probably my most used app... I'd be *lost* without it. 😂
That's a really interesting video with lots of amazing shots from around Japan! Thanks for your tips. I could feel you when you were cycling in the rain and bumped into the road closure...!
Glad to see you found a bear problem solution. Nice to see you travelling with a friend. I love imagining cycling with you. Your videos are awesome!
What a cool video and such an epic adventure. You must have had a lot of fun. You inspired me to do a little bike trip during my one year stay in Japan but I still have to think of where. Cheeers guys !
Your video is really inspiring. I love when the older couple invited you in for tea. Aloha worldwide.
They were super friendly and just talked to us like we knew what they were saying. :)
I live in Japan and cycle all over. Dude you captured it.
Great video guys, Japan was already pencilled in for a bike trip but has just been added to the must do list.
Very nice footage.
You make beautiful quality bike touring vids.
I really enjoyed watching. Inspiring!
Can watch this again and again
I think this is my favorite video of all time
One of my favourite videos
What an exceptionally well put together video. Thank you so much for sharing. I really enjoyed watching!
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
0:30
Japan is not exactly a bicycle friendly country but the people still keep riding.
Bicycle lanes are nothing more than a paint on the road, same as in the US. There are bicycle trails but they are mostly for recreational cyclists(and to get rid of the bicycles from the regular streets made for cars), they just build it and wait for the bicycles to come "If we build it, they'll come.", basically no practical use. It won't get you anywhere.
People around the world should start thinking how they build the bicycle roads to replace the cars.
Outside Western Europe, I don't think there are many other places with as many cyclists as Japan! The Japanese seem perfectly happy riding slowly on footpaths without much cycling infrastructure. As I wasn't in much of a rush, I didn't mind either.
"I don't think there are many other places with as many cyclists as Japan!"
Don't tell the Chinese that. Or the Indians, for that matter.
For sure approve your music choices for these vids 🤙🏽
4:18 were you guys wearing your used cycling pants in the onsen?!
We have been bike touring to Japan multiple times. Agree that Hokkaido is great for cycling. When biking in Hokkaido you can stay at rider houses. Rider houses are a network of low cost places to stay for motorcyclists and bicyclists. Also when in the back areas of Hokkaido, they recommend using a bear bell on bikes and when hiking to scare bears..
On the main island, southern Japan has great cycling too. Yamaguchi prefecture has many bike roads and paths closed to cars.
Rockbarcycling
Hey your cycle travels are jawdropping, more extreme than anybody else's. Please can you give a little more description of things while cycling, As a viewer, I would love that. E.g. the sauna type pool, would love to know what that was... I know it's a little more talking but that can make a huge difference for the viewers. Best always!
Thanks for the feedback. Will see what I can do! (But also trying to keep my films not too long)
I grew up in Japan, and didn't even know that Hokkaido has such a beautiful places!!!
You guys are like top gear but on bicycles lol great stuff!
With a big budget cut! 😂
Cool. I did a similar trip a few years ago ---through Nagano, Niigata, and up the coast by the Sea of Japan to Wakkanai, the northern tip of Hokkaido. The locals along the way were great!
Everyone was lovely. :)
Bear Spray and loud horns work... Put loads of jingle bells on the bike.. You evidently surprised it.. They don't like humans and will avoid them if they know you are coming.. Make noise / music / bells / airZound horn work great.
Great vid- found your channel thru cycling about. Look forward to more!!
Wow what a change of pace your video is compared to all the other weeboo packed youtube content I have seen. really interesting :)
Thanks Pillokun!
Pillokun say weeboo again,,,
Underrated channel ❤
Great job at the Bear Repellant SoundClip hahaha
0:55 LMAO how did a SSIO beat end up in this
There is no better song then "Nuttööö" for the beginning of a cycling video.
diggah dachte ich auch hajahah
Amazing video, just found your channel.
Thank you!
Excellent content and killer soundtrack.
Thanks! I love the music for this video too.
Nice bar tape. Inspired me to order some black and white camo tape for my grey bike.
Hello. I am a cycle commuter from Tokyo.
I came across your video and enjoy every episode. I was going to suggest to come to Japan someday but you already have!
Please visit the southern part of the country next time!
I've cycled all through the south too! From Kyushu island to Tokyo. 🙏🏼
CYCLINGABOUT Oops. Sorry! I am glad to know. That is amazing! I am planning to ride back to my home in Tokyo to my hometown in Kyushu after covid - hopefully spring 2021. Your video is the inspiration to my adventure!
@@joshkozono That's awesome, good luck!
Looks like a great trip, Rikuzentakata, Hachimantai, Matsuo love iwate.
I love the choice of music 😃
Nice, that's a pretty awesome bike touring trip you're on.
Thanks! It was great
You should try there Nakasendo Highway from Kyoto to Nagoya, these old post roads are living history.
Wow..man you rock....Love from India
Thanks so much!
Mega tour, mate
A trailer on a bicycle!!!🙀 some have it and some sections don’t have the trailer ! Bears attack in Japan !
Inspiring!!
Also did you soak in the foot bath? 😅
I like how you mentioned Hokkaido is much the same as the rest of Japan - we have everything you described in Yamanashi! Plus lots of fruit farms and history and I think less wild bears? Not sure on that front - we still sell bear bells in the stores. Did you ship the trailer to Japan or pick one up here? What made you guys decide to use one?
The trailer was brought from Australia on the plane. I decided to use it because I had never been on a long trip with one - so I was able to share my experience on CyclingAbout.com.
Awesome. There's something really unique about Japan. I'd love to go there sometime. Great Video!
Thanks! You should definitely visit! :)
Прикольный прицеп, хотеть!!😮
Awesome trailer, take my money!!😮
ho nah! f@*king aye mate! just subbed, found the channel through feed suggestions. was wondering if there was a cycle VLOG with cool blokes wondering the samurai land. bloddy good video. CHEERS!
Yeww. Thank you, Mr Green Cyborg. 😎
Very interesting. Do you like using lights (rear and front)? You should place some. Be more visible.
Wow, so cool. Looks like you guys had a great adventure. Thanks for sharing. Curious to know about your bikes. All the best, Rob
Here's my bike for Japan: www.cyclingabout.com/japan-long-haul-bike-and-trailer-setup/
Flynn used a Curve Grovel V2 with SRAM Force 1x11 gearing and Fulcrum 650B wheels.
Hokkaido was hit with a few huge typhoons summer 2016 that wiped out roads, so it's no wonder those paths were littered with trees.
For sure!
Great video!!nice trip!!thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Paco!
I´m freaking out with your trip, absolutely amazing, actually you are awesome!
Thanks so much!
Man this video makes me so excited to do this myself
I'm stoked to hear I can help with both the inspo and how-to. 🤘🏼
an epic adventure. thank you for sharing.
This is a very impressive tour video! Excellent!
Thank you!
So many great routes here in Japan. Wish I had more time to enjoy them, and yeah it's easy to get lost.
Time to make some time! 😉
Great stuff, thanks for sharing.
I'm working on routes for a tour when we next visit Japan: what was the name of the App you were using?
Excellent Bear deterrent as well. As you apparently didn't have any more bear trouble, it clearly worked.
It's call MapOut. I've got an article about its features here: www.cyclingabout.com/mapout-best-smartphone-mapping-app/
Can you tell me what brand/model trailer I see in your video? Also, why did you go with that model and what applications do you particularly use it for (touring, grocery runs, etc.)?
Best Regards,
Chad
San Antonio, TX (and bicycle commuter)
Hi Chad. It's an Aevon KIT L80. I'm currently testing trailers for my website CyclingAbout, and this is the first on my list. I picked it because I wanted to see what it was like to tow a seatpost-mount style, rather than the usual axle-mount. I also liked the idea that it had suspension, and that it folded right down for my flights. Sign up to the CyclingAbout emailing list, or Facebook/Instagram if you'd like to follow my journey with trailer testing! Alee
Great video and inspiration!
Any tips on how to deal with the bear? Sounds like a close shave!
My goodness! I believe that onsen is what the Japanese call “ashiyoku” (or something like that) or foot bath in which they only dip, well, their feet.
I bet you had to be the first, if not the only, one ever lying in there.
😂
Cool funky shirts! :D
Reppin the MapOut! I've been a fanboy & doing the same since you showed me! Thanks again!
Yesss!
Possibly the best mapping service available on iOS
Great video! Japan is on our list of places to go now. Currently in Cambodia, so could be soon.
That's awesome. I really enjoyed exploring the temple ruins all over Cambodia, it felt like I was on a movie set! Find a way to go cycling in Japan, you'll love it.
loved the video. Well done guys!!
Thank you, John!
Mate that was actually fucking sick af
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I didn't know there were bears 🐻 in Japan 🇯🇵. That was way scary. 👍☮️🌞🌟🏔🚵🏼♂️🏕🐻
What section of your Hokkaido route did you encounter all of the downed trees? Planning for a Hokkaido tour later this year and am stoked. Thanks for putting all this info together.
Thanks! It was between 315-325km on this GPX file: ridewithgps.com/routes/24715014
But keep in mind, roads are cleared at different times after winter. Some of the roads on this route that were perfect last year might now have trees down, and conversely, the road we had problems with may just be fine!
I love this video!!
さいこう！おもしろい！
Glad to hear!
Awesome,big bear hide in leaf!
You guys so tuff! Im japanese and so i know how japanese rural erea is so hard up and down,so nice!
Thank you! We loved riding in the hard, hilly areas in the countryside.
Epic Trip and Riding! Great Video!
Glad you liked it! 😎
Just for the choice of background music alone I give a thumb up ! Welcome to my country
Your country is such a nice place to travel by bike. :)
Awesome video and edit... 9:47 ??? Pretty different from the foxes that we found cycling here... :)
Hey why did u decide to travel with a trailer? Was it necessary for you? Your mate just had the bags. I currently use the topeak trailer but I thought to switch to the aveon trailer. That's the one you have right? Good shots in the video! I didn't have japan on my list yet. You got me inspired.
The trailer was only necessary because I wanted to see if my road bike could handle the demands of bike touring with a heavy load! I could've easily brought along a bike with some panniers. You're right, my trailer is a Aevon KIT L80. I got it because I liked that the whole trailer could fold inside the drybag. On dirt roads, I barely noticed it was there - I think the rear shock helped.
Amazing Video Guys!
Cheers!
i envy you. i lived in Yokohama for 15 years now, i have a gravel bike and some gears. BUT i dont have time lol
You don't have to pedal faster than the bear can run.. You just have to pedal faster than your friend.. LOL
Awesome, my dream journey
Live your dreams! 🙌
I like those bike shorts.
man that brilliant.well enjoyable views
😎
So cool. Thanks guys :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video!
😀
LOL ur like the cat tried to catch the tail :DDD
Still haven't got it. 😭
Had no idea that there were bears in Japan! Great video, and looked like an incredible adventure!
Looks like fun.
It was!
great video mate
Excellent video! love the style and what a great way to see Japan. I just did a bike trip across the Czech Republic and am hooked. How was riding with the trailer?
Thank you! The trailer was great. It really excelled on the unsealed sections of road in particular and allowed me to take a lightweight road bike along for the ride. If you don't have a touring-specific bike, I certainly recommend a trailer as a way to turn any bike into a touring bike.
I love that there are actually 4 frames where you can see the bear...
Crazy huh! I wish I put photos of the scratch marks on my trailer in this video. The bear has big paws!
Did you also go south bound another time? Would be interested in seeing that.
Yep. Rode the southern section of Japan 10 years ago: th-cam.com/video/vHs5kyLVFdE/w-d-xo.html
Took me way too long to watch this! so super sick!
Glad you got there in the end! Japan is so sick. ✌️
The hills are insane in Japan
Dude that's awesome! I hope I can touring there
Thanks! You should definitely do it!
Awesome stuff, love it. I've been all over Japan but not Hokkaido (yet). What's the name of the volcano you climbed towards the end of the vid ? It's going on my list for next time.
Mt. Me-akan (雌阿寒岳)
Excellent, thanks very much
Awesome adventure, greetings from a new subscriber
Hello and thanks!
How'd you rate that trailer?.....It seems quite workable!?
Very nice video !
🙏
are you using a titanium bike? I'm thinking about cycling around japan, do you think a carbon aero road bike with just a back pack is enough?
Yeah, it's titanium. I think a carbon aero bike will be fine in Japan! Unless you try really hard, you'll be on smooth sealed roads 100% of the time.
The tires on the bike with the trailer looked so thin yet you got through all of that terrain!! Or am I just thinking that because the magic of editing?? Were there any parts where it seemed that the yellow bike with the knobby tires was at an advantage that made you wish you had different tires? I'm curious, sometimes I worry my 25mm tires would really hold me back on uneven terrain..
It's pretty amazing where a sturdy road tyre will take you! I had to be a little careful on the rocky stuff, but overall they did the job. If I were to pick a better tyre size for this tour it would've been a set of 700x40c slicks, however, my titanium road bike maxes out at 700x32.
Really cool!
Glad you liked it!
Beautiful video guys! You should come down to Kyushu there's some incredible roads down here. P.S what's the advantage of using one of those trailers rather than panniers? Weight distribution and wheelies? Cheers!
The trailer allowed me to carry 80 litres on a 9kg road bike - so that was cool! But a trailer is also really good on the dirt sections of our route. There's less strain on the bike, you can run lower pressures in your tyres and you can let go of the brakes more too. :)
Special video!good!
Great video, and I'm a motorcycle guy.