Hokkaido Bikepacking on a Brompton folding bike 北海道サイクリングツアー

[@ryfn9239]

Hi Gianni, so happy you've uploaded another great video. Inspired by your adventures, I finally bought a Brompton few months ago. Last month I set off to Korea for my first overseas cycling trip peddling along a few cycling paths across the country for a month. It was every bit as enjoyable as I imagined it would be when I watched your videos. INext week I'm going to Taiwan to circumnavigate the country. Europe will be next comes spring. I'll be sure to give you a shout if I see you on the road! Happy and safe riding!

[@BromptonTraveler]

You have done a lot of touring already! I struggled deciding between Hokkaido and Korea four rivers but I opted for Japan as I always wanted to visit Hokkaido and speak a bit the language! Glad to hear you are enjoying your bike.

[@terrysallbikes]

Love all your videos photography is always beautiful, but now better than ever and great to hear your commentary 👍🚴

[@BromptonTraveler]

Most kind Terry! Wishing you wonderful rides on your Brompton.

[@Winter_Maverick]

Thank you taking the time to film and share with us

[@BromptonTraveler]

That is part of the fun! You are welcome

[@mithuharjani3620]

Hello Giovanni, first of all, I am glad to see your videos again, it has been a wonderful trip with images and music, as always very well selected, I hope you continue traveling and publishing these beautiful trips, and I also tell you that I bought my Brompton Electric 3 months ago and I am enjoying it very much, greetings and hope everything goes well for you, until the next trip 😊👍🚴👏👏👏💫✨

[@BromptonTraveler]

Many thanks! Nice to hear you finally got your Brompton and I am wishing you many joyful hours spent on it. Cheers

[@SadaoMiyamoto]

So glad you go to cycle around Hokkaido. Even though I live in Japan, it is one of the places I have been contemplating to visit but never put into action. You inspired me to go ahead and do this, probably next summer. The tunnels are really scary though.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Sadao san, Hokkaido is wonderful place to cycle, you will have a great time. Tunnels were at times long but they look more scary than they are. They have a raised pavement on both sides sometime a bit too narrow to cycle safely so I walked but some are wider and allow to safely ride away from traffic. They are not great fun as they are long but I found them mostly near Hidaka, in other places they were shorter and sometime were open to one side. Also with better planning and being Japanese you probably you can plan a route without any long ones!

[@stephenschuit7880]

Magnificent! Looks like you just completed this trip in September and having it up already, is impressive in itself. I respect the prowess of your language skills and I think the folks you met greatly appreciated it. I've walked the Nakasendo Trail through the western mountains of Honshu, so I really know what you mean about the hot tubs coming at the end of the day and how magical that experience is. Speaking of magic, every time I visit Japan there seems to be some of it in the air--whether it's waking up to a snowy morning, or observing how everything seems to have its place in Japan. And as a Brompton adventurer (me too), you bring a whole special veneer to the watching experience. Thank you for allowing us to join your ride through Hokkaido.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks for the comment Stephen, much appreciated. In fact I got back mid October and did work on the editing straight away :) Travel is about discovery and new experiences and, especially for non Asians, Japan can provide plenty of those as it is so much different than pretty much anywhere else. Hot tubs are thoroughly missed already! :) Cheers

[@twowheelsintokyo7039]

A wonderful place to ride. I went in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic, when there were almost no tourists. A Brompton would not be my first choice, but then again, a simple machine makes the experience more interesting. I rode across California on a Moulton Stowaway with a 2 speed hub, which meant a lot of pushing it up hills. I'm riding a Moulton again, but with a full range of gears. I hope to take up up to Hokkaido next summer, riding here in Tokyo is much less fun.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Agreed. Brompton can be a slower ride but I feel can bring lots of advantages when touring in places, especially like Japan. Getting to where you want to ride and taking transfers on buses and trains is much easier there with a folding bike. I only ride Tokyo on mamachari!

[@Bokooda]

Another amazing adventure Gianni. Your talks to camera (along with the excellent drone and camera footage) gives a real insight to the location and area you're cycling through. Thank you for sharing another journey. 🙏🏽

[@BromptonTraveler]

So kind, thanks a lot! Will keep the drone footage ( until I lose it that is! ) and will keep talking! Cheers

[@MiriamKennedy]

What a wonderful trip Gianni and you made it look so easy! A treat as a viewer to see Japanese features that are so far from our culture. Hokkaido had such diverse landscape to thrill and inspire and those Onsen must have been heaven after a day in the saddle 😎 Your Japanese was so impressive too!! So good 😊

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks Miriam, Japan is a fascinating country with a culture and customs that are different from pretty much anywhere else! Onsen are heaven!

[@grahamatsea3575]

Not sure why its taken me so long to catch up and watch this tour of part of Japan but a great insight into a wonderful country. The campsites were so peaceful . You're language skills are excellent, congratulations on being able to chat in so many languages. Really enjoyed seeing your tour.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks! I hit the road right at the end of summer season, which if at all possible is a must anywhere in Japan. Go in peak season or national holidays and those large empty campsites are probably packed to the brim and not as pleasant as I have found them. Safe and easy country to travel! Thanks

[@basho66]

Just wonderful and an inspiration as always. I walked the 88 temple pilgrimage in Shikoku last year and have such warm memories of the kindly country folk. A European tour starting next week but plans/hopes for a long Japan tour in 2025. Thank you Gianni!

[@BromptonTraveler]

I suppose your nickname gave it away! 88 temples is something I would love to do one day...that must have been such a wonderful experience. Thanks!

[@1uniqueislander968]

Amazing journey! I miss Hokkaido, my very first solo bicycle touring country in August 2018. Now that I'm a Brompton owner I look forward to revisiting and exploring more of Hokkaido's natural beauty and scenery as well all of Japan. ❤🇯🇵🚵

[@BromptonTraveler]

Have fun! You picked a good place for your first tour. Brompton is a great bike to visit all of Japan as you can easily pack it and transfer it to the best locations if you don’t have the time to ride all the way ;)

[@davidberrecloth4841]

Wow,you got this one uploaded fast,excellent work the opening and closing frames are superb Gianni 👏👌.Very impressed with your grasp of Japanese BTW 😯.Shazammed some of the great music to add to Spotify not heard any of that before.I have discovered a few Japanese KZbinrs recently that have subtitles and gained a new found appreciation for the country.Whether I ever go is in doubt but to experience it with you vicariously was a treat as always.Long may you continue Gianni,really enjoyed the movie 👌🚴‍♀️👏🙏

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks for the encouragement, it’s a fascinating country for sure and although Hokkaido is a little different than the rest of Japan, it is a very enjoyable place to ride.

[@peterforde9513]

Gianni, Loved yet another wonderful adventure. I was so impressed with your Japanese language fluency; I gather from your comments that you lived there. I was, terrified of the road conditions and especially the tunnels; you were not in Norway anymore. The Japanese hospitality entices me to add this country to my bucket list. Could I survive on only English? My one request is that you include information on your journeys into and out of the countries you visit. That is often the greatest logistical problem in planning an adventure. Thank you. Peter Forde

[@BromptonTraveler]

Hi Peter, I have never lived there but work for a Japanese company and have been visiting the country frequently. Very hospitable and welcoming people and can be done just with English. Of course that means a bit less interactions but more misunderstandings and plenty of opportunities for a good laugh. For those travelling from Europe Hokkaido means an extra domestic flight, usually from Tokyo to Chiitose airport which is on the outskirts of Sapporo, the main city on the island. The island is easy to navigate on a bike with good facilities all around and not that expensive once there.

What a great journey! That drone shots are stunning! I like the scenes that you explain how is going your travel. Thanks a lot for sharing it!

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks a lot Josep, will keep the explanations going then!

[@stephanemicard]

Great to see you again! Home sweet home my wife is Japanese and I love this country!!! I love Brompton too, I use it also in Japan. Everything is so safety!!! Great video Gianni, thanks a lot.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Indeed! Interesting, safe, amazing food and nice landscapes. Makes for an ideal destination when thinking about a next bike ride.

[@peterheasman8883]

Thanks Gianni another inspirational video 😊

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks a lot for watching!

[@tetsu640]

Wellcome to Japan! やっと来てくれましたね。

[@BromptonTraveler]

将来的にはもっと日本を訪れたいです。 乗るには素晴らしい国です。

[@WanderingWelshGirl]

I love your videos, and your language skills never cease to amaze me 🤯

[@BromptonTraveler]

Glad you like them! Being born in Italy one is forced to learn languages in order to survive!

[@bytesabre]

Good to see you back, I recently used your touring tips to make a multimodal tour with my Brompton, Eurostar and European Sleeper from the UK to Chaos Communications Camp in northern Germany, hope you keep on inspiring others

[@BromptonTraveler]

Great to hear! Hope most of them worked out for you :)

[@M4ster0199]

Nice to see you again Gianni. Love your bike travelling

[@BromptonTraveler]

Many thanks!

[@harry-sanaround604]

Bear bell on your foot is a good idea. I may use bell(suzu) on top of spring with clip available at Japanese fishing shops.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Took until the end to figure it out!

[@JedzedsLadies]

Another very enjoyable and inspirational video, Gianni. I’ve been watching them as I’ve been reading your second book of travels. I hope there’s many more to come and your adventurous spirit continues to thrive. Out of interest, I like the handlebar grips you use. Which ones are they?

[@BromptonTraveler]

Many thanks! If at all you get a chance, do review the book on amazon as it helps making it more visible. Grips are Ergon GP2 and are indeed a useful upgrade to the bike. For a little extra weight you get more comfort while riding as they allow for shifting hands position, and slightly change the body position as you ride. I highly recommend them. On a M type handlebar Brompton if I remember they need to be slightly trimmed but any bike shop will be able to do it for you when fitting them. Link is here www.ergonbike.com/en/product-details.html?a=griffe&s=gptouring&anr=42410028

[@JedzedsLadies]

@@BromptonTraveler Thanks Gianni. Just reviewed so it should be on the Amazon site soon

[@BromptonTraveler]

Most kind! Appreciated.@@JedzedsLadies

[@justmartyking]

Great video as always! I really enjoyed this one in particular. I am planning a visit to do the Shiminami Kaido next year. I am curious how you traveled with your Brompton to Japan. Do you use a bike box when traveling and if so where did you leave it while you were out on the road? Keep the videos coming and stay safe out there.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Hi there and many thanks! I have plenty of videos showing how I pack my bike. A quicker answer is that I mostly use a Dimpa soft bag from IKEA.

[@warwicklong2726]

Another excellent adventure!!

[@BromptonTraveler]

It was most enjoyable. Thanks!

[@Chetisimo93]

Very interesting video. I wanted to ask after so many tours have you had to change the main frame hinge pins ?

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks. Never changed that but I have used 2 Brompton over the years. Both were/are still in good conditions.

[@alanpage8911]

Where the small wheels take you is always impressive. Ta for the video.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks a lot!

[@peterbedford2610]

Great stuff. Some of those tunnels are too close to cars for me

[@BromptonTraveler]

Yes they are, not ideal although fairly safe with raised sidewalks.

[@peterbedford2610]

The Japanese auto drivers do seem to be very safe and respect cyclists.

[@luiseduardobaraldicardarel7064]

Oi Gianni, é sempre muito agradável assistir aos seus vídeos e bastante inspirador, eu tenho duas bikes aqui no Brasil, uma dobrável e a outra comum, é sempre bom pedalar. Parabéns pelos vídeos.

[@BromptonTraveler]

é sempre bom andar de bicicleta! como está o Brasil para o ciclismo? adoraria visitar um dia!

[@clementihammock7572]

Finally, glad you did it. 😘 pick up some useful camping gears, Japan got the best thrift second hand shops.

[@BromptonTraveler]

So true! I do visit Book Off when having a chance!

[@vincentnnyc]

the street in hokkaido looks very bike friendly, not that much cars on the street. i would love to bike there one day!

[@BromptonTraveler]

You should! I was there end of September to mid October and it is just the end of season with worse weather but quieter roads and campgrounds. I suppose summers might be busier.

[@tdgdbs1]

Most of Japan is bike friendly due to the culture of respect and humble, even in bustling Tokyo; you'll find kind gestures. I've cycled through most of Asia, Central/South America, Northern Europe; and found that the US is the worst.

[@onekensakebook2967]

I'm glad to know you've visited Hokkaido Japan! And you were a lucky guy because you could witness lake Mashu under a fine weather. It's very rare for us to see fine weathered lake Mashu. At the lower point the weather was fine but when we reached to the overview point, the cloud covered lake Mashu. You must be a very blessed person. Btw, when and how did you master Japanese？

[@BromptonTraveler]

I heard lake Mashu’s weather is temperamental! For me was the oppisite. I left Teshikaga on a hopeless gray morning but it did open up as I climbed and overall I believe to have been lucky with weather. Japanese is far from fluent but something I have been studying and practicing a bit over the years…

[@minivelotrip]

Welcome to Japan! I think it was hard to cross Bihoro Pass with a bicycle loaded with luggage. It's amazing that you can speak Japanese too.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Bihoro, and most roads in Hokkaido had quite gentle grades so it was not too hard. Japan is a wonderful place.

[@peterbedford2610]

Is there a place where all the Onsens are listed? I think it would be great to lol lan a trip to have one at the end of every days ride.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Yes you can find free campsites and onsens on this map www.experienceniseko.com/news/an-interactive-map-of-free-campsites-and-onsen-in-japan

[@erikl.1860]

Nice video. Japan is definitely on my list of countries I want to go bike touring. What months would be best to go to Hokkaido? Thanks.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Despite its latitude Hokkaido gets very cold winters and can have snow even in spring and autumn. Because of this, most visit in summer but if you want it a little quieter just before summer or right after, as i did here, is a good time.

[@erikl.1860]

Thanks!

[@uravaavoom2972]

You are my inspiration

[@BromptonTraveler]

Way overrated but thanks!

[@ethomas2084]

Love your videos. They're inspiring. I've done a couple of long trips with my Brompton. I'm surprised by your Japanese speaking. How many languages do you speak? I saw you speaking Italian, English, Spanish (?). How did you learn so many languages?

[@BromptonTraveler]

French is another although I barely scrape it around in spanish! Being italian you quickly learn that nobody else speaks your language!

[@MariusMustermann-rk2lb]

Awesome Gianni :) Japan will be next year on the list ;)

[@BromptonTraveler]

Great to hear. You will enjoy it.

[@roosjansen8800]

Bedankt

[@BromptonTraveler]

Most kind! Danke schön.

[@davidtam9573]

Hi there How did u learn Japanese. .? Amazing video. Will u do more video around japan

[@BromptonTraveler]

I have been working for a Japanese company and learnt it over the years. In the future when I have more time to travel I plan to cycle the whole country but that is a couple years away all going well!

[@tdgdbs1]

What is your gearing? I'm thinking of a 44T front chain ring for the hills but don't want to sacrifice the speed of the 39T. I've already lower to 48T but still not able to tackle some hills, I am an above average cyclist.

[@BromptonTraveler]

I have the 44T which I find mostly fine unless on very steep gradients where I do walk at times which I don't mind at all. IT all depends on your strength and fitness level.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Looks a very scenic place to ride. Free campsites! You speak fluent Japanese? Are Japanese drivers dangerous as I couldn't make out why you chose to ride on the opposite side of the road inside the tunnels?

[@BromptonTraveler]

Thanks! Japanese is not fluent but enough to communicate. Drivers are generous especially in Hokkaido as I think they are more used to cyclists than elsewhere. Some tunnels were really long and the sidewalk too narrow to ride on it. Not something without risk but i felt safer riding the opposite side on straights as you see the lights of incoming traffic grom very far and hear when traffic is approaching from behind. I took care to jump back on sidewallk whenever that happened!

[@daelra]

I've yet to go to Hokkaido. I'll have to stick it on my list now. Excellent video. Next trip out there for me is to do the Shimanami-Kaido route as soon as I can afford to get back out to Japan. I'm wondering whether to take my own Brompton or hire one out there for the trip. Did you find you had any difficulties with etiquette with the bike folded? In the UK , a folded Brompton is bascally luggage. I heard it still counts as a bike on trains and things unless you put it in a bag.

[@BromptonTraveler]

A folding bike makes things way easier in Japan as they always want you to put it in bags in order to be accepted on buses and trains. Ferries are the only exception. Shimanami Kaido must also be nice and Kyuushuu island in general must also be a good ride. As you know with a Brompton you hardly need to mention you carry a bike as it fits well in a regular bag.

[@leechinhuat72]

I am quite amazed as to how you could speak Japanese

[@BromptonTraveler]

It is not as good as it sounds. I have been working several years for a Japanese company and studied it in the past.

[@lukassonntag1301]

Hi gianni as always great video. How come that you are able to speak japanese so well?

[@BromptonTraveler]

I have been working for a japanese company for over ten years and visit the country quite regularly.

[@tamaras5524]

Thank you for the beautiful video. How difficult would it be to bike tour Hokkaido with no Japanese language skills?

[@BromptonTraveler]

It is not difficult in my opinion. Plenty of campsites in Hokkaido and if you need hotels you will find them easily in English on sites like booking.com. I have toured in places where I didn’t speak any of the language and what you mostly miss is the ability to interact more with locals but otherwise you find always a way to get what you need even if it is only by gestures! Otherwise one of the most safe countries you can visit with plenty of facilities to get food, water and for everything else there is always google translate!

[@funguy2627]

how riding the brompton for long distance? Is it uncomfortable after a while or when bad road conditions?

[@BromptonTraveler]

It is a very comfortable bike to ride. Slower downhill bu not too bad when on flat or uphill. Less gears option. Bad roads are not ideal with small wheels and you have to be extra careful when there are potholes or rocks.

[@user-nd9pr7iq8c]

Gianniさん✨This is FUKUSHIMA. Did you remember me? I registered and following you after returning home yesterday. Thank you for letting me know. I’m looking forward to watching your videos.😊

[@BromptonTraveler]

Hello Fukushima san, I hope I remember yesterday!!! Thanks a lot and hopefully will be seeing you sometime soon. All the best to you!

[@jwzhang23]

Where ur next trip? Love to join!

[@BromptonTraveler]

Scandinavia!

[@Adventure8Ride]

Hi. enjoyed watching your bike travels. I am still working on what bike will work for me on my very first bike tour or bikepacking. I am currently riding a Smartmotion XCity 24 WHL - ebike, 1 x 9-speed (do not know isiong 2 x at all). I am 4' 11 ¾" so I really need to be comfy/confident on the saddle, lol. Just getting used with my ebike and been riding it as a normal bike for a year now. I learned to dismount properly to raise the saddle for proper pedalling height. I just found out that ebikes not allowed to board on the plane...thus the reason on my continuing search. Did you change anything with your front chain ring, gear shift, or any other specs to manage steep hills? In short as well, your bike check pls. Thnx.

[@BromptonTraveler]

That is one issue with e-bikes…I suppose renting one on location is a possibility if one can afford it…

[@mohdhafizanhafizan9590]

How do u bring drone to japan?

[@BromptonTraveler]

It is not illegal to bring one. They ask you to declare it at customs but like in most countries if it is below 250g it is not a problem.

[@Shihabdeenrecreationalcyclist]

Hi what's the brand model bike computer you are using

[@BromptonTraveler]

Simple Cateye Velo Wireless

[@Shihabdeenrecreationalcyclist]

@@BromptonTraveler will it auto delete date when change the battery?

[@BromptonTraveler]

@@Shihabdeenrecreationalcyclist Yes, unfortunately you have to reset it when changing batteries. All data is wiped.

[@markmark5159]

Good stuff Gianni. I plan to go to Hokkaido on my Brompton in May 2024; I am traveling with 2 Thai guys so will only have around 12 days cycling (they only get 14 days on entry); any particular routes you would recommend for 12 days? Also, we plan to camp every night, what would you say is an average daily spend on food & campsites?

[@BromptonTraveler]

You will have to make up your mind on routes. I have searched mine on www.hokkaidowilds.org but then I have adapted it when I heard suggestion from people I met. Overall my impression is that mountains and National Parks are the best parts of Hokkaido and you find those mostly in the centre of the Island and towards the east. I can recommend Akan Mashu for sure and Shiretoko although I didn't have very good weather when I was cycling there. If you stay in campsites it is dead cheap! Campsites prices ranged from 500 to 1500 yen and sometime they are next to an onsen where you can wash and relax for another 500 yen or so. Food similarly is very cheap if you stick to convenience stores and a little more expensive if you go to traditional restaurants but Japan is very affordable and has great food everywhere.

[@markmark5159]

@@BromptonTraveler thank you - very much appreciated!

[@markmark5159]

Hi Gianni - have you got a map / route that you could please share with campsites that you stayed at? Also, did you fly directly into Chitose or go via Tokyo or another destination? I plan on going in Mid May & all direct flights from Bangkok (I live in Thailand) to Chitose stop at the end of April.....

[@BromptonTraveler]

Hi Mark! I was coming from Europe so I had to take a domestic connection from Tokyo to Chitose. I don't have a GPS route but to give you an idea here were some of the main stops. Chitose- Taki no ue- Hidaka - Shimukappu - Lake Kanayama - Minami Furano - Obihiro - Honbetsu - Lake Onneto - Lake Mashu - Lake Kussharo - Shari - Shiretoko Loop. Campsites are everywhere although you must check if they are open in May. Hope this helps!@@markmark5159

[@markmark5159]

@@BromptonTraveler thank you 🙏 this is very helpful! I will look at creating a similar route from the given main stops highlighted above.

[@blazz573]

Your Japanese sounds good.

[@BromptonTraveler]

It sounds much better than it is! Thanks

[@GWong-lr7ry]

Hi Gianni, I've been watching your videos for a few years now, and I notice that you never bother wearing a cycling helmet or any eye protection to keep out the debris/flies. Do you feel safe on your long road trips without a helmet? Also, what is your usual average speed?

[@BromptonTraveler]

I find helmets not comfortable at all when touring every day long hours and I take the risk. Indoor wear glasses most times; I like clear lenses though , just to keep away the bugs from my eyes. Thanks

[@coretan6749]

Hi may i know what is your height?

[@BromptonTraveler]

I say 1.80 because I hate being 1.79.

[@maengskiretiza1965]

How to be you gianni, i love to that bike packing

[@BromptonTraveler]

Wishing you some great rides!

[@rajeshvadher8359]

👌👌👌👌🌺🙏

[@BromptonTraveler]

🙏

[@bolleolympus]

🌹🌹❤❤🌹🌹👍👍

[@BromptonTraveler]

👍

[@saroscuto]

150 ¥ = Less then 1€. Practically free coffee.

[@BromptonTraveler]

Yes, was being a little sarcastic. But they do tempt you while riding……