Lecturer cycles from Tokyo to Kyoto
One of the best things about traveling in Japan is the fast and convenient Shinkansens. These ‘bullet trains’ get you from Tokyo to Kyoto in as little as two hours and 20 minutes. Or you could, like 34-year old Gabriel Camelin, a video and photography lecturer at Silpakorn University, do the same trip on your bicycle. The route through the mountains is 570 kilometres and can be done, if you’re as brave and fit as Gabriel, in just seven days.
Where did the idea for the trip first come from?
Gabriel: I went to Japan two years ago and took the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo. The idea of a cycling trip came to me this year after a couple of friends did their first long bike tour. Cycling from Tokyo to Kyoto became an obsession.
How did you research the trip?
Gabriel: There’s a lot of information on the Internet, as cycling from Tokyo to Kyoto is pretty popular, but it’s mostly about the road which follows the coast. I was more interested in reaching Kyoto through the mountains via the Koshu Kaido and Nagasendo roads. It was a challenge because I found no information in English about this.
How long did it take to plan the trip?
Gabriel: I did most of the planning at the last minute. I flew with Nok Scoot and paid for 20 kilogrammes of checked-in luggage, and there was no extra charge for the bike. I used a professional bicycle bag, which was pretty heavy to carry around, and not really convenient if you have to walk a long distance.
Did you need to physically prepare?
Gabriel: I’m not a very athletic person but I cycle to work every day. I think it’s a good idea to prepare yourself a bit, especially to shave off a few kilos before going. What I was not prepared for is doing a lot of uphill cycling. I was dreading it, as I had no experience, but I survived in the end.
What was the route and how did you decide on it?
Gabriel: I wanted to see Mount Fuji before going on the main road. It added a few kilometres to the trip but it was a form of pilgrimage for me, as my girlfriends’ remains are there. Then the idea was to go through the mountains. I tried to avoid using the main roads as much as I could, so I used the GPS mapping application Komoot. It really simplified my planning.
How far did you plan each day?
Gabriel: I calculated the elevation, the distance and also landmarks I would want to see each day. The distances varied but on average I was doing around 80 to 90 kilometres a day.
What problems did you have?
Gabriel: I got a few punctures, usually in the middle of nowhere while going uphill. The weather was not very pleasant and it rained from time to time but I still consider myself lucky. Bear marks on the trees sometimes gave me the creeps but luckily I didn’t meet any bears.
What were the highlights?
Gabriel: I saw Mount Fuji on my first day. It’s a very impressive sight when you pass by the rice fields and you suddenly see its familiar shape. Passing through small old wooden villages on the Nagasendo road and following the Kiso River was also thrilling. Closer to Nagoya I spent the night in Magome. It’s a famous spot for hiking and perhaps the most beautiful village I saw on my trip. I also really enjoyed Inuyama, a town on the Kiso River with a beautiful castle and really nice main street.
