hitchhiking

[claytonian]

I want to hitchike from my town down to Nagasaki and back via route 207. I'm wondering if one simpy does the old thumb signal to get rides. Anything else that might be handy to know is appreciated.

[Ewok85]

Buying a bus ticket would work alot better - I'm not sure that hitch hiking happens in Japan :(

[misa.j]

Maybe in extremely rural areas, where people are unbelievably generous... although, I have never seen a single person hitchhinking in Japan before.

[HelloKyoto]

I knew of one American who hitchhiked quite a lot in Japan, if my memory serves me correct.

There's even a book about it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569472343/102-5543665-3530541?v=glance

[GaijinPunch]

Better plan. Get a bicycle, get out on the freeway, and pop the tire, and maybe warp the wheel (where it can't be repaired), then try to get a ride. You're probably more likely to get a good night's rest and a meal than a ride though.

[Windy]

Excellent hitching country-

Hitching is sometimes faster than the bus. Don't know anything about route 207 though. Don't bother with a sign. smile of course, and try to look slightly embarassed/meek/non-threatening.

[Kara_Nari]

Yeah, I plan to hitchike through Japan too, in March next year. I will have to look into purchasing that book. I had a friend also from New Zealand who hitched through Japan, and he worked in a Surf shop somewhere.
Im quite a confident person, who doesnt get easily threatened by people, however I am female... I realise there is some degree of danger involved, but Im a risk taker. When your times up, thats it buddy.

[yukio_michael]

Hitch Hiking is strictly for hippies, loners, murderers and the band The Sonics, buy a bus or Rail pass... if you buy the rail pass, you have to buy it before you get here, d'OH!

[Kara_Nari]

Do you have a problem with Hippies and Loners?
I happen to think that it would be far more interesting (yes maybe life threatening also) to travel the roads, walk until you get tired and so and so forth.
I dont think I would want to get a rail pass anyway, not enough time to get your moneys worth, I like to take my time, if I like a place, I will stay, if not, I will move on. Yeah maybe I am a hippy at heart, but I dont think I look like one. Feel like a loner at times, but there is nothing wrong with spending time with yourself.
But thankyou for putting me into a 'category' much appreciated, im sure other hitch hikers will be grateful also.

[yukio_michael]

Ahhh I didn't even read your post, I was responding to the original one... I just don't know if hitch-hiking through Japan is logistically possible, ...if you want that sort of experience, I suggest going to Shikoku, and going on the walk through the temples, I've read of people staying with welcoming folk along the way... it will take you a good while to do and you'll see some amazing scenery to boot.

I still don't like hippies... a fact I cant seem to convice people of here in Japan, but oh well thats me, I'm old enough to have seen the real thing growing up... No problem with being a loner, but where did it get Syliva Plath or Anne Sexoton... it all ends in tears, but these things usually do...

No offense... so don't take it so hard, it's just the internt and all...

[Kara_Nari]

Hah, must just be the 'loner' coming out in me haha. Cant stop those damned tears.
Thanks for the advice too, that sounds really nice. Dont think I can squeeze it into this trip though... the big 2 days. However, maybe next spring would be nice.

[yukio_michael]

I too am still trying to get to Shikoku one of these days, from where I live now in Usui (near Chiba/Sakura), if you cant take the time, (me neither) there are busses that run through the temples.... good luck, wherever you may go!

[blade_bltz]

Who's seen the movie 学校四：１５才? It's a corny coming of stage movie about a kid who runs away from home and hitchhikes from Tokyo to Kyushu, and takes a boat to Yakushima to see some ancient tree from the Jomon period. One of the people that picked him up was a female truck driver whose daughter ended up developing quite a crush for our hero 15才. Anyway, as unrealistic as that movie was, I can never again hear the phrase hitchhike without thinking of this movie.

Good luck on getting to Nagasaki by whatever means you decide best.

[Kara_Nari]

Sounds like a fun movie.
Kikujiro is another film with hitch hiking, thats what makes it appealing to me. I want to meet the guy with the bubble van and just go wherever. They had so much fun. cept I wouldnt really wanna be sitting in the bus stop for more than a night on a dead country road. Couple of hours waiting is ok.
I've only hitch hiked in NZ, was good fun though, met some unusual people on the way. Best ride was with these two old biker guys driving a hot pink Chevvie hot rod.
Most comfortable ride was in the back of a mail truck, crashed out on all the mail bags.
In Thailand I didnt really hitch hike as such, but did get rides on the backs of peoples motorbikes. Anyway those are different stories.... Oh I do go on. sorry.

[Dutch Baka]

walking, or on a bicycle is an option to.. btw whats the distance? :souka:

i met a J-guy in oz, who hitchhiked in australia, from perth to darwin.. that was a long way up!!!! and he hardly knew any english...