Request Info on Touring in Japan

[RSB]

Greeting all - -
     I'd like to hear from anyone out there who has experience touring in Japan. I ride a Bike Friday and I'm starting to consider a three month solo tour of Japan with trailer/suitcase.
     Thanks,   Richard

[Damian]

I spent a month solo touring on Shikoku this past spring. What would you like to know specifically? Are you familiar with the resources at http://www.japancycling.org/? Have you read the Japan touring journals at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com?

[RSB]

Thanks, Damian - -
    I'm in the process of bookmarking like crazy. I've also got four books coming from Amazon.
    At this point my first question is: what do you consider the best (or better) time of year to tour Japan? Is the weather N to S gradient so different that a cyclist would like to avoid historically wet, cold, foggy, hot, etc., times of the year in certain parts of Japan?
     Any ideas are welcome.
     More later as I get smarter on Japan.
       Richard

[Macbeth]

Japanese publishers Kodansha actually print a pretty cool book on touring japan. Printed in english and japanese in the same book. Hard to find, but really good. If you can't find it give me a shout and I'll find mine and give you some more details.

Adam

[RSB]

Thank you, Adam.
     I just ordered the book "New Japan Solo" from Amazon. It's about 12 years old but it should be a good start for me.
     I appreciate the heads up.
               The best to you,
                       Richard

[Macbeth]

Was just tidying up my bookmarked pages and came across this too mate, not sure if it helps.....

 http://javageno.blogspot.com/2008/11/tips-on-cycling-japan.html

[Galloper]

Josie Dew has written a couple of books about touring in Japan, Land of the Neon Sun is one , can't remember the name of the second.   Great books and well worth reading.

[mdxix]

Did you end up touring in Japan? Where did you go?

Three tours I am planning to take:

Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage (order the map book at http://www.davidmoreton.com/)
Tokaido trail Kyoto to Tokyo (http://www.japancycling.org/v2/cguide/part5/)
Hokkaido (http://www.japancycling.org/v2/cguide/part3/)