Planning

Route Planning Notes

Daily distance mix:

• 35-40 mile days when staying at onsen hotels (early check-in, relaxation)
• 50-70 mile days when staying at cheap guest houses (flat/rolling terrain)
• 45-50 mile days in mountainous sections with significant climbing

Key Regions to Potentially Pass Through

• Shiretoko Peninsula: UNESCO World Heritage wilderness (near Shibetsu starting point)
• Akan-Mashu National Park: Volcanic caldera lakes, onsen
• Tokachi Plain: Wide open agricultural flatlands
• Hidaka Mountains: Horse ranching country
• Daisetsuzan National Park: Sounkyo Onsen, mountain scenery
• Furano / Biei: Patchwork flower fields, rolling hills (late June is lavender season)

Daily Distance Guidelines

• Minimum: 35-40 miles — onsen hotel days, arrive early for check-in and relaxation
• Standard: 50-70 miles — guest house days on flatter terrain
• Mountain days: 45-50 miles max — when significant climbing is involved
• Upper limit: ~70 miles — absolute max for a big day on flat/rolling terrain
• Day 1 (from Shibetsu): 35-50 miles — first day after train from Sapporo
• Hokkaido terrain is generally gentle compared to Honshu; passes exist but are not extreme
• Wide road shoulders (designed for winter snow) make riding comfortable

Open Questions

• Book first/last night hotel in Sapporo and confirm bike case storage — Dormy Inn Annex, confirmed
• Determine whether to bring own bike or rent — bringing Disc Trucker
• Finalize day-by-day route from Shibetsu back to Sapporo
• Book guest houses and onsen hotels along route
• Buy rinko bag for train to Asahikawa