Japan Cross 2022: 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Hiragana Reference

sound	A	I	U	E	O
vowel	あ	い	う	え	お
B (H")	ば	び	ぶ	べ	ぼ
BY(H")	びゃ	none	びゅ	none	びょ
CHY(none)	ちゃ	ち(Chi)	ちゅ	none	ちょ
D (T")	だ	ぢ (JI)	づ (ZU)	で	ど
G (K")	が	ぎ	ぐ	げ	ご
GY (K")	ぎゃ	none	ぎゅ	none	ぎょ
H (none)	は	ひ	ふ (FU)	へ	ほ
HY(none)	ひゃ	none	ひゅ	none	ひょ
JY(S")	じゃ	none	じゅ	none	じょ
K (none)	か	き	く	け	こ
KY(none)	きゃ	none	きゅ	none	きょ
M (none)	ま	み	む	め	も
MY(none)	みゃ	none	みゅ	none	みょ
N (ん)	none	none	none	none	none
N (none)	な	に	ぬ	ね	の
NY (none)	にゃ	none	にゅ	none	にょ
P (Ho)	ぱ	ぴ	ぷ	ぺ	ぽ
PY (Ho)	ぴゃ	none	ぴゅ	none	ぴょ
R (none)	ら	リ	る	れ	ろ
RY (none)	リゃ	none	リゅ	none	リょ
S (none)	さ	し (shi)	す	せ	そ
SHY (none)	しゃ	none	しゅ	none	しょ
T (none)	た	ち (chi)	つ (tsu)	て	と
W (none)	わ	none	none	none	を
Y(none)	ゃ	none	ゅ	none	ょ
Z (S")	ざ	じ (ji)	ず	ぜ	ぞ
sound	A	I	U	E	O

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

The New Corona Virus Etiquette in Japan (from NHK News)

Reference: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1079/

“new social behavior.”

Avoid the three Cs:

closed spaces,
crowded conditions, and
conversations in close proximity.

Deploy:

social distancing,
face masks, and
constant hand washing.

Pray for better, reliable testing and vaccine.

Basic measures

1) Maintain physical distance from other people.
2) Wear a mask.
3) Wash your hands.

Maintain a distance of at least one meter (two when possible)
between other people.
When going out, opt for outdoor activities. Try to avoid indoor
venues and stores.
Avoid standing in front of others when having a conversation.
When outside of your home, wear a mask when indoors or having a
conversation, even if you have no symptoms.
Wash your hands with soap for at lease 30 seconds as soon as you get home.
Wash your face.
Change your cloths and take a shower as soon as possible.

※It is especially important to be aware of your condition when meeting with high-risk people, such as those with chronic illnesses and the elderly.

Preventive measures for travel

Avoid traveling to and from regions where cases are still growing.
Avoid traveling back to your hometown. Try to refrain from traveling entirely;
only go on business trips when necessary.
Take notes on where you go and who you meet in case you get infected.
Before traveling, be aware of the situation regarding the virus where you live
and where you plan to go.

Daily preventive measures

Frequently wash and sanitize your hands.
Adhere to coughing etiquette. Cover your mouth.
Always keep rooms ventilated.
Maintain proper physical distance from other people.
Avoid closed, crowded, and close-contact settings.
Monitor your condition. Take your temperature every morning. Rest at
home if you have a fever or are displaying symptoms of cold.

Everyday guidelines

Shopping

Shop online when possible.
Visit stores when they aren’t crowded. Go by yourself or in a small group.
Pay cashless so you avoid contact with the cashier.
Make a list of what you need beforehand in order to minimize your
time in the store.
Avoid touching items on display, such as samples.
Maintain physical distance when in line.

Public Transportation

Refrain from talking.
Avoid peak hours.
Walk or ride a bike when possible.

Dining

Order takeout or delivery.
Sit outside if possible.
Prepare individual portions. Don’t make large dishes for people to share.
Sit side-by-side, not facing each other.
Don’t talk as much as usual. Focus on eating.
Don’t pour drinks for other people. Don’t share glasses or silverware.

Entertainment, Sports etc

Visit parks when they aren’t crowded.
Exercise at home.
Maintain proper distances when jogging with others. Do so in a small group.

Parties and ceremonies

Avoid dining in large groups.
Don’t participate if you have a fever or are displaying cold symptoms.

At work

Work from home or arrange with colleagues to stagger hours at the office.

Work in spacious rooms.
Hold online meetings. Exchange business cards online.
Ventilate rooms and wear masks when having in-person meetings.

The panel has also called on various industries to come up with their own guidelines. It suggests that dining establishments and retail outlets, among other businesses, should deny entry to those with suspected symptoms and frequently disinfect their facilities.

Sunday, 10 May 2020

Cycling in the Mount Fuji area

https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/

https://exploreshizuoka.com/cycling-in-shizuoka/?fbclid=IwAR0ALmCM2qNNI9v3xgh5HJ8j09rPdW_ohnDe0uLi7oG6avr2EdFIi3Qw48Y

Sunday, 3 May 2020

Camping sites in Japan

Link

From Tom Watson

free camping, https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer…, http://app.ioverlander.com/countries/places_by_country,

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer… not all free but I used these maps often on my last trip. can not figure out how to add https://camp.tabinchuya.com/en.html - it is full of cheap and free campgrounds. Now some one can edit out all the non camping places

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Trip postponed to 2021 due to WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC COVID 19

Well it is with a heavy heart but a healthy set of lungs that I write this.

Recreational travel has been banned between Canada and the USA at least until the end of April 2020 but you know, likely it will be longer since the pandemic is predicted to reach its peak in the USA over the next 2 weeks.

People traveling from the USA ( I was to be travelling via Washington) have to go through a 14 day quarantine once in Japan. This probably applies to Japanese returning, likely they are not allowing any tourists at all.

Just today, the Japanese Government began declaring states of emergency in several prefectures:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200406_34/

So considering all of this, there was really no alternative but to set my sights on next year, likely the fall. With that as the next target, my plan would be to follow the same route.

Of course, I have to survive until then! Who says I'm not optimistic?

Good luck everybody. Wash your hands, and keep them out of your face. Wear your masks, maintain your physical distances, … and most recently, get enough sleep, and use your saunas (hydrotherapy boosts your immune system)

Monday, 2 March 2020

Shimanonami Kaido basic plan

Tobishima Kaido...route from Imbari to Hiroshima

http://www.cyclonoie.com/tobishimakaido-e.php#tobishima1

The Offical Route Map

Route PDF....http://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/
http://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/

Reference Page

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1MC-ztoJgHZM-VXkcfHZpCbxjKVs&hl=en&ll=34.24012135526618%2C133.08927999999992&z=11
Shimanami Kaido Google Maps Detailed
1. cross over from Onomichi by ferry to the ferry terminal in Mukaijima

2. Stop at Iwashijima, a small island next to Mukaijima
3. Onomichi
4. Innoshima (lunch Inkoto (okonomiyaki))
5. Ikuchijima, Setoda area

6. cross the Tatara Bridge to Omishima,the third island (40 km to Imabari)

7. overnight at Miyaura area (or not)"Guest house OHANA", "TOMARIGI Hostel" and "NAGISA"
8. Arrive at Hakatajima, the second island.

9. Miyakubo area
10 Oshima, the first island

11. Kurushima-kaikyo Bridges to Imabari City

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Gzu-TkZ0uCWoAS9qjkNtaIhfKL0&usp=sharing

1. cross over from Onomichi by ferry to the ferry terminal in Mukaijima
2. Stop at Iwashijima, a small island next to Mukaijima
3. Onomichi
Onomichi is hilly port town, cats here,Lots of cafes and grocery stores
Onomichi is the one of the places you should visit in your Japanese Tour.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1MC-ztoJgHZM-VXkcfHZpCbxjKVs&hl=en&ll=34.24012135526618%2C133.08927999999992&z=11
4. Innoshima (lunch Inkoto (okonomiyaki))
Crossing the Ikuchi bridge, from Innoshima island. West side of Innoshima is nearly flat but east side has lots of ups and downs.
Fishing, agriculture, citrus called "Hassaku" and pyrethrum flowers, and shipbuilding
5. Ikuchijima, Setoda area
6. cross the Tatara Bridge to Omishima,the third island (40 km to Imabari)
Omishima bridge" is the oldest bridge on the Shimanami Kaido. This bridge also has a bikeway separated from the road.
Take a break at the "Tatara Shimanami Park" Note: Oyamazumi Shrine" - Samari weopons and armour.
7. overnight at Miyaura area (or not)"Guest house OHANA", "TOMARIGI Hostel" and "NAGISA"
8. Arrive at Hakatajima, the second island.
Hakatajima is an island the outer circumference of about 20km, with a population of about 8,000, famous for its salt production called "Hakata Salt".
shipping, shipbuilding and shrimp farming are popular. Sanwa is the most famous ramen shop in Shimanami Kaido.
located in Kinoura,the biggest town on Hakatajima island. Also visit Okiura Beach.
9. Miyakubo area
10 Oshima, the first island
Oshima is an island the outer circumference of about 34km, with a population of about 8,000. The west coast is best. The
coastal route on the east side of the island has many ups and downs and is suitable for advanced riders.
The road between Kurushima kaikyo bridge and Rose park is smooth with ocean views. The southwest coastline route of Oshima island,
from Kurushima-Kaikyo bridge to Rose park is flat.
"Mt. Kiro Observatory Park (Kirosantenbo Park)" mountain is about 300m
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1MC-ztoJgHZM-VXkcfHZpCbxjKVs&hl=en&usp=sharing

11. Kurushima-kaikyo Bridges to Imabari City
The first bridge "Kurushima-kaikyo bridge" connects Oshima island to Imabarli, it's the longest bridge (4km) on the Shimanami Kaido.
"Nagahama Beach" a beautiful beach on Oshima island. The beach appears just before the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge

Wednesday, 19 February 2020

RISK, ISSUES, DEPENDENCIES, ACTION ITEMS, MITIGATIONS, DECISIONS

https://www.pushbikegirl.com/wild-camping-safety-tips-shared-by-6-experienced-solo-female-cyclists/?lang=en&unapproved=3350&moderation-hash=24c992df9616801b55d129b7aaeec57f#comment-3350

Item	Risk	Issue	Description	Dependency	Probability/ Severity	Action/ Decision
#	Y/N	Y/N	Stuff	Stuff	Stuff	Stuff
1	Yes	No	Currently the CoVID19 is a risk for the Japan trip but not an issue. Japan is hosting the 2020 Olympics in August so they have big fish to fry so to speak.	WHO/ GOJ declarations - sustained community spread has been reported in Japan	Low/ High Low probability of death, but potentially serious in 2% of cases plus it is highly infectious: Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties; if the virus worsens, it can develop into pneumonia, kidney failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome or lead to death.	Verify cancellation priviledge, develop contingencies Monitor New Feeds 1. Item 2. WIKI 3. Japanese travel advisory: still safe to go
2	Y	N	Go to Japan, and contract Corona Virus/get sick	Protective mask, hand washing, disinfectants, stay clear from crowds There is also an opportunity: this is the most dramatic drop in traveler traffic [in over 30 years which will drive down prices and increase availability of accommodations]	Low/High Global Affairs gc.ca/japan CDC Atlanta	see a doctor only if I have a fever of at least 37.5 deg C for four days or more and have breathing difficulties or lethargy.
#	Y/N	Y/N	Risk of contractionwhile in Japan	Current assessment of COVID19 in Japan	Global Pandemic Infection Curve	Stuff

UPDATE: 2020 04 01
Passengers arriving from the U.S. are requested to stay at the location designated by a quarantine station chief for 14 days and to not use public transportation in Japan.

Clean hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty. It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

(BACK TO MAIN PAGE)

"For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low...current global circumstances suggest it is likely that this virus will cause a pandemic. ' CDC

Test Kit
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/coronavirus-testkit-sample-5.jpg

Safety concerns for the solo traveller

Generally safe in Japan but the culture is unique leading to people doing often unpredictable but generally innocuous things.

Tips for the solo traveller