Japan - day 0

Well, the holiday went off with a flying start! You know, because of the plane...

The morning has gone well so far. Packed the car with my colourful luggage...

And off I went to the airport, through security (no issues with luggage, thankfully), and onto the plane, after spending 50 millions years in Pret A Manger choosing a sandwich. Why do they have to have so many?!?! Cousin Josefin would still be there now (doesn't matter when you're reading this, it'd still be true)!!

Having decided to get out of my comfort zone a bit I made conversation with my seat-neighbour on the flight from Birmingham. He was reading a book by a Japanese author, it was too interesting to not discuss. At the end of the flight he said it was excellent, but that his favourite by the author is IQ84, or something (a series of three books, the third being mediocre compared to the first two, but still good). I asked him if the translations of the books were better than Google Translate. He assured me they were.

I have taken on a new persona, as demonstrated by my personal tradition of a mocha frappucino at Copenhagen Airport.

They appear not to have any cinnamon swirls here, which is a little disappointing, but I did see a Raspberry Cheesecake Muffin that I may have to try. The guy who served me at Starbucks has a great beard, just for info. He couldn't place my accent, asking if I was American, and confessed to being good at figuring out if someone was Scottish or not by their accent but that was about it. I knew from his accent that he was Swedish, but I didn't pursue the matter, as I had already told him I was from England, and admitting to another nationality would inevitably cause awkwardness. I find it easier that way, before they start speaking Danish to me.

Right, I'm off to get that muffin and walk round the airport at a brisk pace for the next hour and a half to burn it off. Because that's how I roll. And don't start blaming me if I make unnecessary purchases while I'm doing it, I'm in an airport for goodness' sake, it doesn't count!! I've already bought a new cover for my ipad...

That's the red thing. It's attached to my ipad so I can't take a proper picture of it.

I want to take pics of everything and everyone, but that mig be a bit weird, and would eat into my muffin- and walking-time. Over and out.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Japan - routes

3 days from now, I'm going to be on a plane to Tokyo. This is VERY exciting. If all goes according to plan, I will pick up by bike in the luggage hall, and then take it approximately 850km west, to Imabari on the island of Shikoku. From there I will spend 11 days riding it back to Tokyo, with a birthday-weekend in Kyoto. On my way, I will be searching for sites to do Hanami - blossom-viewing. I have planned these routes myself, and am hoping I won't get too lost...

My first night will (hopefully) be spent in Hotel Sunrise Itoyama, and from there I will take a route over the Shinanami Kaido bridge and on to Soja.

April 1 - 147km (91 miles)

Interactive map: http://www.strava.com/routes/184679

After a night in the tent, which I haven't yet attempted to put up, I will head over the Kibi Plain and onto Himeji.

April 2 - 120km (75 miles)

Interactive map: http://www.strava.com/routes/184695

From Himeji, I will make my way to Kyoto, where I will spend 3 nights, including my birthday on Saturday 5 April.

April 3 - 147km (91 miles)

http://www.strava.com/routes/184741 

Once I've exhausted all the Karaoke bars in Kyoto, I will make my way to Yoshino, the most spectacular place for Hanami in the whole of Japan, home to 30,000 blossom trees (give or take a few).

April 7 - 85km (53 miles)

http://www.strava.com/routes/184666

 Then, on 8 April, I will embark on an epic bike ride to Toba, where I will get the ferry across to Cape Irago.

April 8 - 105km (65 miles) - over mountains

http://www.strava.com/routes/183454

From Cape Irago I will cycle to Toyohashi, where I will cheat a little and get the bullet train to Fuji Station.

April 9 - 42km + 54km = 96km (60 miles)

http://www.strava.com/routes/200611

From there I will cycle to a camp site on one of the Five Lakes to spend the night.

http://www.strava.com/routes/202967

Then I will cycle round each of the Five Lakes before heading to Hakone, which is full of hot springs, to relax my weary muscles.

April 10 - 92km (57 miles)

http://www.strava.com/routes/204688

Then finally, on 11 April, I will make my way to Tokyo. If I have the legs for it, and the traffic isn't unbearable, I might make it all the way on the bike. Otherwise, there are plenty of train stations so I can easily hop on a train. But look how flat it is once you come off the mountain...

April 11 - up to 112km (70 miles)

http://www.strava.com/routes/235465

Then I'm spending three nights in Tokyo before heading back to the UK. Easy peasy. Perhaps I'll post stuff on here about my journey. Perhaps I'll be having too much fun, or spending too much time mending punctures. Who knows?!