Can I ride bicycle on Japan ALPS road in winter?

[wjkim81]

hi!

I will start japan cycling tour on the first week of February.

I`m checking cycling route.

I consider cycling route is as below.

1. Fukuoka - Tokyo(include Japan ALPS) : by cycling
2. Tokyo - Aomori : by cycling
3. Aomori - Hokkaido : by ferry
4. Hokkaido : by cycling
5. Hakodate - Maizuru : by ferry
6. Maizuru - Fukuoka : by cycling

I worry about Japan ALPS road. Can I ride bicycle on Japan ALPS road in winter?
For reference, sometimes I will camp out.

Please let me know if my cycling route is abnormal.

[katakanadian]

I'm jealous of such a long bike trip! I have no experience with the Alps in winter. I know I drove from Nagoya to Gunma in early December in the first snowstorm of the season and the roads were littered with cars in ditches. I wouldn't want to tour in winter in a snowy region though others have done it.

How long are you touring for? Will you have a long enough visa? If you are starting in early February then I would suggest heading down to Okinawa first then by the time you travel up Kyuushuu, western Honshuu, and Shikoku the Alps will have had more time to clear up in spring.

[wjkim81]

Thanks for your reply.

I have a visa for 90 days.

My cycling route length is about 6000 km. as you know, it`s long bicycle trip. also it`s tight schedule.

If i`m staring Okinawa first, i will expire visa.

In the worst case, ALPS road except from cycling route. instead, i will choose Tokaido route.

Anyway, thanks for your advice.