Wireless (wi-fi) connections are not as readily available as you would expect in such an advanced country but wifi access can be found at 95% of Seven Eleven's; Apps on an iPhone or android will work without signing in, however browsing the web you need to make an account but no conformation is sent to your email so make up an email address and you will have 60 minutes of use.
Note: if you cannot read kanji make sure translate is working in your web browser. Google Chrome seems to work best.
The Japanese people can be friendly but are hesitant and somewhat nervous around foreigners, they are likely to tell you that they don't speak English but likely they will know more than your Japanese if it is to be as poor as mine.
The Japanese are extremely courteous on the roads to a point where it is damn right irritating. Generally they drive tiny hatchbacks but will sit driving behind you for hundreds of meters until they find the opportunity to pass leaving a line of backed up traffic behind them. They have more than enough room to pass you but for whatever reason will not overtake despite their cars are half the width of the lane. These are normally older people and women.
There is nothing you can do to avoid this and was my main pet peeve especially when cycling on main roads.
Cycling through neighborhoods is not so bad as the roads will be empty, I don't know where everyone disappears but you are not likely to run into anyone at times during the day, This will get you off the main roads and perhaps stumble upon a nice park or even camping spot away from the loud traffic.
Camping is possible pretty much anywhere, no one is going to disturb you and is not illegal. Just be aware of wild animals ie. Wild boars and Bears (Japanese alps)
You will find the people in Kyushu friendlier and more open minded than the 'ants' in and around Tokyo. From my experience the further southwest I went the more smiles you received from people seeing a fully loaded bicycle.
Garbage bins are hard to come by and I found that only the convenience stores had bins so carry plastic bags for waterproofing important documents and gear and to store your garbage for disposal. Everything you buy comes in a plastic bag (except supermarkets where you have to pay for them).
Japan is not easy to do cheap, fruit especially is very expensive and if you thought rice was cheap here, it is not.
Do try the plump Japanese grapes, all my childhood I wondered why artificial grape flavor tasted nothing like grapes, here though they taste exactly like the artificial flavor.
Supermarkets offer precooked noodles for cheaper than the dried 2-minute ones but you will need to add a stock cube to the mix and vegetables to bulk it up and make it flavorsome; pasta and pre packaged pasta sauce can be reasonable too.
Nothing is spicy here and I wasn't able to find a decent chili sauce so bring your own if you like a little spice in your food.
Tunnels are dangerous, loud and frightening and occasionally they do not have much of a shoulder to cycle on, I recommend taking the scenic bypasses, these roads will not be well maintained but will offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Be warned too, take it easy on the downhill at times because you may take a sharp corner and find debris or very slippery algae on the road (I fractured a rib).
You will be taking ferries between islands and the extra cost of taking your bicycle is good and always available (car ferries only).
Treat yourself to sashimi and other amazing foods here I especially recommend 'Uni' Sashimi which is sea urchin - one of the best things I personally have ever eaten.
Also if you have money to spare tantalize your taste buds and experience Kobe beef (in Kobe) it is world renown for a reason.
Don't freak out, heated toilet seats are common here and does take some getting use to and when you leave you wonder why we don't have them in the western world.
Also play with the buttons beside the toilet, they control a variety of things that you will only experience in Japan.
Bring a good sleeping bag, I cycled in the autumn with inadequate sleeping gear, the coasts are fine but to really enjoy Japan go up in the mountains where you might have a secluded road to yourself but the altitude difference can bring on a chilly night.
Japan's road network is great for touring on skinny tires as I found that 98% of the roads I cycled on were paved, use a good map or GPS navigation system it will prevent you from cycling up the side of a mountain only to find a dead end, however if this is something you want to do - go for it!
Onsen's are Japanese bath houses which generally tap into thermal vents from beneath the surface which is ideal to soak your tiresome muscles in and of course bathe; they are not expensive at around ¥300 a pop for a maximum of two hours.
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