Did this route yesterday. Here are the details for anyone wanting to try it.
To Narita:
Airport Limousine bus from any of the main hotels (3,000 yen). Airport buses will take bicycles for no extra charge if they are in Rinko bags. Go from a hotel because they are much less crowded than say a bus from Shinjuku.
Exiting the Airport:
Not as difficult as some suggested. Just follow the signs for Narita Town.
Which Route?
On the map, Route 296 (from Shisui to Funabashi) seems like a lovely short-cut that allows you to avoid Chiba City. In reality, Route 296 is longer, and it's the narrowest road in Japan, and it's crowded with Sunday shoppers travelling 4k by car to buy things they don't need. I'd suggest taking Route 51 all the way down to Chiba City and up along the coast until you reach Route 14. That way you could even stop at Inage Beach. I took Route 296.
Lunch:
Try to find a Choushi Maru restaurant (ĸ»Ò´Ý). Choushi Maru is a revolving Sushi place. Choushi is a port town on Chiba's Pacific coast, and all Sushi served at this Chiba-based chain is transported directly from there. Don't be put off by the farmers-dressed-up-for-Sunday-dinner atmosphere of the fashionable clientele: the Sushi is first-class.
Photo Opportunities:
The Welcome to Japan sign as you come out of Narita Airport? Farmers working in rice fields around Sakura? The narrowest road in the world? The combination of souped-up cars, gaudy colours, and brilliant mullets? Nah. Not a good trip for the discerning camera.
Length and Time:
The sign on Route 51 just outside Narita says: Tokyo 67k. Maybe this is true if you take Route 51. I took the "short-cut." And cycled for 94k. Pedalling time was 4h15m. A longish daytrip.
Nostalgia Value:
Strong for East Tokyo emigres like me. Without nostalgia, though, it would be just ugliness. Saitama may be the worst place in Japan, but urban Chiba runs it close.
A return to Nishi-Funabashi, Moto-Yawata, Ichikawa, the Ichikawa Bridge (police presence still there), the Ichikawa Fire Station, Koiwa, and Route 14. Back to the land of Ito Yokado.
Overall:
An easily executed Rinko, and a good day of exercise, but dangerous-ish manoeuvring in constant backed-up traffic. Not for the easily stressed or those suffering from road rage.
What Drivers Suddenly Said:
"I saw you on the road. You're fast." -- Local farmer parked outside 7-11 in Narita Town.
"Where are you going? Really?? Wow, great. I myself went to Enoshima once." -- Man on delivery moped stopped at traffic lights, Funabashi.
"Fix my fucking mirror. Bikes are not supposed to be on the road." -- Young gentleman with mullet hairstyle and metallic blue sportscar, Route 14, Shin-Koiwa
I did a similar ride to Fujiyoshida and it was hell. All slightly uphill and heaps of traffic. I remember stopping at a convenience store at the end of the ride and not being able to stop giggling.
Posted by: Roland at November 30, 2005 3:13 PM | Permalink to Comment