Osaka to Yokohama Solo Cycling Adventure - March 2013
On March 15th, 2013, after months of preparation, I took my Japanese road bike on a bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station and set out to return to my home in Hiyoshi, Yokohama over the next 11 days.
This was my first cycling trip over 30 miles, and I knew the mental battle would be the toughest part, but my good friend Naofumi Murata helped me prepare everything from gear and technique to sightseeing and reading a Japanese map. I had no set plans of where I would stay each night, but rather estimated each morning how far I could get that day and reserved various youth hostels, guest houses, business hotels or even manga cafes when necessary. In any case, I had to be home for a placement test the morning after my set return date :P
Spring was just starting so there were various cherry blossoms everywhere along the way, but that also meant there was cold and heavy rain on some days. Each day was a completely different and incredible adventure, as I never had much idea of what to expect. I met and made various friends along the way, who's company I really couldn't have done without and who I know will remain good friends for years and years to come :)
It's kinda hard to keep up with the pics, but this is roughly where I was each day:
Day 1: Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Castle, bike 61 km to Nara Park
Day 2: Various shrine, temples, and sightseeing destinations in Nara, including the largest Buddha statue in Japan, bike to Kyoto (90 km)
Day 3: Kyoto - Nijo Castle, Kitatenmangu, Ryoanji Zen Temple and Rock Garden, Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion), Ginkakaji (The Silver Pavilion), The Philosopher's Path, The Higashiyama District Hanatoro Event, Kiyomizudera Night Illumination, The Gion Geisha District, Yasaka Shrine, Tenruiji Zen Temple, stay another night in Kyoto (34 km)
Day 4: The Shrine of 1,001 Buddhas, Lake Biwa (heavy rain), Omihachiman Youth Hostel, (71 km)
Day 5: Lake Biwa Log Cabin restaurant Chalet, Okishima Island, Hikone Castle, Ogaki Business Hotel (93 km)
Day 6: Nagoya, Osu underground shopping district, Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture Manga Cafe (110 km)
Day 7: Takeshima Island, Takeshima Aquarium, Orange Park, Strawberry hunting, Experimental Tangerine Farm, Gamagori Hot Spring, Hamanako Lake (90 km)
Day 8: Wake up late with a flat tire, then bike all day to the Backpacker's Furyu Guest House in the Shizuoka mountains (95 km)
Day 9: Oden village with new friends, first cherry blossom sightings, strawberry hunting, Miho Beach (famous for views of Mt. Fuji), 600 year old oak tree forest, green bean picking, stay another night in Shizuoka (0 km)
Day 10: Miho Beach again, climb the youth hostel at the top of the notorious Hakone mountains (120 km)
Day 11: Rain and a flat tire upon descent of Hakone mountain, Hakone Yumoto gift shops, and successfully arrive in Hiyoshi (100 km)
Songs (In order, which I do NOT own the rights to)
Sunshine by Matisyahu
Teardrop by Jose Gonzales
Free by Donovan Frankenreiter ft. Jack Johnson
Roll If Ya Fall by Barefoot Truth
Island in the Sun by Shwayze and Cisco
Stand by Me by Ben E. King
Best Day of My Life by American Authors
2 Atoms in a Molecule by Noah and the Whale
Welcome Home by Radical Face