Tom Gibb had fulfilled his dream of living in Japan, but was too busy teaching English to make the most of it. The remedy: an epic solo tour on his cheap and cheerful charinko. It was the summer of 2005, before smartphones put maps, translation apps and instant communication in every traveller’s pocket.
 
Ferry power took him to the far southwest of the country. Could pedal power bring him back in time for the autumn term and an important dinner date? And would he actually talk to anyone along the way or retreat into his shy Englishman’s shell?
 
That summer, Tom explored everything from the smouldering volcanoes of Kyushu to the rocky wilds of Chūgoku, and from the pilgrims’ trails of Kansai to the suburban jungles of Kantō. He was stalked by sword-wielding samurai (possibly), initiated into eastern mysticism by a sensei from Swansea, and almost hospitalised by a hot curry – although not from eating it. He battled a typhoon, stormed a castle, communed with primates, raced with professionals, and was accosted by any number of inquisitive old geezers with missing teeth and impenetrable accents. And wherever he went, people treated him with incredible kindness and hospitality.
 
Tom began his journey as a cycling nerd who could barely pump up his tyres, and as an enthusiastic language student who had trouble reading a street sign. But the journey would change him in ways he had never envisaged.
 
So, roll up your right trouser leg and get in the saddle for this funny two-wheeled adventure through Japan.