Japan in summary

Just a few words about our overall time in Japan and a few figures from our time cycling. Japan was our home for 5 years so it was a great way to start off our cycle trip. We visited many places we had never been to and saw a different side to Japan. Life on a bike is of course very different to our lives we left behind in Iwamizawa. Not that we weren’t treated well in Iwamizawa, we were, but being on a bicycle and interacting with people was just different. The generosity of complete strangers was overwhelming. We talked to more people, in Japanese, than we did in our daily lives back in Hokkaido. It was just a great way to round off our time in a country we loved.

Days 44 – 52 Cape Sata to Fukuoka

October 7th – 15th Cape Sata to Fukuoka 457km

From the Southernmost point in Japan, we could only go north. We had initially thought we might try to get out to the westernmost point, in Nagasaki prefecture, but we didn’t really have the time to do it comfortably. So instead we decided to meander our way along the south western coast and island hop up towards our final stop in Japan, Fukuoka.

Days 39 to 43. Saiki to Cape Sata, Kyushu

October 2nd – 6th Saiki to Cape Sata 373km

At the end of the last blog post, we were singing the praises of Shikoku. But, I’m afraid after the past week in Kyushu, it has now been relegated to third place in the list of our favourite Japanese islands! (Hokkaido will always be number one, obviously.)

Day 34 to 38. Ikumi to Sukumo, Shikoku

September 27^th – October 1st Ikumi to Sukumo 288km

From Tomoya’s place in Ikumi, we didn’t have far to go to get to Muroto Cape, a large rocky outcrop sticking out from the south eastern corner of Shikoku. It rained through the night and into the morning. We felt maybe a little guilty when Tomoya, Adrian and Clara went out to work in the greenhouses while we stayed in the farmhouse waiting for the rain to clear, but it was nice to stay dry!

Days 29 – 33 Tokyo to Ikumi

September 22nd – 26th. Tokyo to Ikumi, Kochi Prefecture 187km

Three weeks off. We’re back. Our trip to the UK was busy, lots of driving around seeing friends and family, and lots of eating and drinking. Although it was sad to say goodbye again and to leave the home comforts, its exciting to get back to Japan and continue the adventure.