I probably won’t be able to post for a while after this, I leave for the first leg of the tour tomorrow. I’m going to take a train to Wakkanai tomorrow. I will spend the day after making sure everything is in order and stocking up food and anything else I realise I have forgotten once I pack my panniers. There is a free campground 3km from the city which is where I will base myself. While camping in a campground isn’t quite as adventurous or romantic as wild camping, the opportunity to meet other travellers is wonderful and getting first hand advice on the road ahead invaluable. I know at the very least I’ll be able to post again when I get back to Sappro in about a week. Gambate!
don't hurry the journey 
がんばって！。。。from Cian ^_^
It begins.
How long did the train take from Tokyo to Sappro? Was it a bullet train? Did you need the bike bag for this train journey too?
Best of luck for the week. Can’t wait for the next installment.
It took about 10 hours to get to Sapporo from Tokyo. It was only a bullet train for part of the journey and yes, you do need a bike bag to transport your bike on national trains. The hardest part was making transfers with my big heavy bag, my bike and my rucksack with my pannier racks strapped to it.
good luck on your journey granddad