I cycled from the Yuni campsite up to the foot of the mountain (arriving at Hokuroku parking) and parked my bike there. I'm sure it happens, but I've never had anything stolen in the 6 years that I've been living/travelling here. That includes usually only locking my bike to its own wheel (so it would be easy to lift if anyone wanted to steal it).

I just followed the coastal road for most of Hokkaido. It's pretty obvious because there aren't many roads up there.

I prefer having a stove but it's definitely doable without, especially in summer.

That's great. Enjoy!

It took me 6 days. If you like the link in the description you should be able to see my map. You can also see approximately where I stayed each day (you may have to toggle on the "Japan places" option when you open the link).

I was living in Japan until July, switched to a tourist visa, but then visited home for 6 weeks from August until October. So I came back on another 90 day visa. It is also possible to extend the tourist visa for an extra 90 days if you do want to stay up to ~6 months. (Depending on your nationality)

That's great! Hokkaido is amazing for a bike trip. The trip from this video was actually in 2019. I'm not travelling right now, but I'm also thinking about another trip this year, maybe just a month or so. I hope to get another long one sometime in the future too.

Thanks a lot! Good luck with your future cycle trips!

I just wore ordinary sports shoes, but some of my friends wore cleats. I guess it's just a matter of preference.

Hey, I didn't see this comment until now somehow! Chris' books are great. I'd read his blogs in the past but I had no idea he was on my route until he showed up at the right time to help me fix my bike in Baja California. 😂 I had an amazing time cycling with Chris, Dea and all the others we met along this section of the trip.

You can't get it at a train station but maybe an outdoors shop. I got one from Montbell. I think it cost around 7,000 yen and is only about the size of a water bottle when packed up.

Thanks! Good luck with your trip!

Michael's Oasis covers are amazing! Cool, good luck with your trip!

Thanks! Good luck with your trip next year.

Wow, I hadn't heard about the Yellowstone rains until I saw your comment. Good luck with your Hokkaido trip next year! It's a great place for cycling.

For the whole trip not just Hokkaido

It was around 3 months total. Maybe a little more.

@@CiaranRawlinson Thank you for the answer. I was thinking about doing the Hokkaido cycle trip in early November (I mean october), so I can see the autumn foliage. Do you think that would work, or is it too cold then?

Or which month would you recommend the most?

@@jari4493 My trip in this video was in August. Even then some of the mountain passes were cold, and you need to be prepared for the weather like we had going over Shiretoko Pass. I wouldn't attempt this trip too much later in the year. Maybe September. Mid-September is when the Autumn leaves start in Hokkaido. My next video in the series was from Sapporo to Hakodate in mid-October and it was getting cold then. I'm not sure what the northern parts are like then. This is a good site that might have some useful information for you. hokkaidowilds.org/keeping-safe-while-hiking-in-hokkaido I can't advise much because I've only experienced Hokkaido only those two sections of my trip, but definitely make sure you're well prepared for whenever you do it. Good luck!

I thought the traffic was ok. Some roads are narrow but the drivers were pretty careful.

Wow, just checked that out. Looks amazing. Might have to try some of it if I get the chance!

Thanks!

Thanks a lot. Yeah, it's great to be back here!

Yes. I'm living in Kansai area now but haven't been to Hokkaido since my trip in 2017. Enjoy your trip!

@@CiaranRawlinson Thank you. I got my plan up to Toyama station. Now I have to plan up to Aomori. And then plan for Hokkaido. I heard the Russian restaurant in Wakkanai has closed. I was hoping to have a meal there.

Hi! Glad you've enjoyed them. I made it to Panama and finished my trip there, deciding to leave South America for another time. So I'll get a few more videos of the rest of my trip made this year. I recently moved back to Japan to teach here again so I'll hopefully get a few short trips here soon too.

@@CiaranRawlinson awesome man! you are an inspiration!

Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully 2022 is the year when things get back to normal and the borders reopen. 🤞

Thanks a lot! It's four years since I left, but I'm finally moving back to Japan next month so I'm looking forward to cycling there again. Hopefully it won't be too long until it's open for tourism too!

@@CiaranRawlinson Good luck with the move back!

Very, very soon (hopefully)! It's >90% done but I keep procrastinating. And guess what. You'll be in it!