September 5th to 8th: Osaka to Nagoya

Once again i find myself with an internet terminal to use, but no ability to upload pictures. Besides the usual summary here is my guide to eating on a budget in Japan. In my case its usually a matter of filling myself for cycling than eating good stuff. And apologies to my Muslim friends, but i dont think any of this is Halal.

Yoshinoya: Beef Bowl 380JPY/ Pork Bowl 330JPY (both Regular): good for breakfast and for something more filling consider adding a half-boiled egg (60JPY) or just ordering 2 bowls (660JPY). The Large bowls (480JPY) are not good value. Free flow green tea. 24 hours.
Sukiya: Beef bowl 390JPY/ Beef+Unagi bowls 640JPY: The beef isnt as good as Yoshinoya but theres more variety overall. Set meals go for 400-500JPY (usually rice+miso soup+main dish). Free flow iced coffee. 24 hours.
Matsuya: Beef Bowl 350JPY/ Pork Bowl 320JPY (Regular): Better value than Yoshinoya and there's a bowl of Miso Soup with every order. Free flow water and sometimes green tea. The yakiniku set for 640JPY is yummy.
KFC: If you have a 1000JPY budget than the current promotion is good. 5 piece chicken and 2 packs of fries for 990JPY. Very filling. No drinks though.
Mr Donut: A good place for breakfast meals. Lots of donuts going for between 100-200JPY each. 3 or 4 would be sufficient. Free iced water. If you go midday-evening there's sometimes a 100JPY sale for some of their more expensive donuts.
Royal Host: A bit expensive overall but try them for breakfast. A 3 pan-cake, hotdog and egg set goes for 500JPY. Softdrinks, coffee, orange juice etc are free-flow so it makes up for the cost. 24 hours
Joyfun: My personal favourite. Assorted sets go for 399-499JPY and there's free flow of many beverages. Add a side for 199 (Yakitoris, fries, cheesecake) to eat your fill. 24 hours.
Convenience stores: You can find one at almost every corner. Bentos go for 430JPY and sandwiches for 210JPY. No drinks. 24 hours.
100-YEN Shops: You can buy cup noodles for 105JPY (w/tax) and a 1-litre drink for the same price as well. Only good if you have hot water.
SPECIAL MENTION: The 250JPY store in Kyoto. All bentos go for 250JPY and i had 2 big chicken drumsticks for 180JPY. Best value meal i had so far.

September 5th: Osaka -> Kyoto (35km)

My lonely planet guide lists Kyoto and Tokyo as the only 2 MUST visit cities in Japan. Frankly i didn't enjoy my pass through of Kyoto. The exact reasons i do not know but i couldnt wait to leave (spent my night in a net cafe again) the next morning at 7am.

September 6th: Kyoto -> Suzuka (75km)

Today's ride was simply the best i had so far in Japan. Beautiful roads and mountain once i left Kyoto. Weather was 24 degrees at some point and it was fantastic day for cycling. Suzuka is a lovely town as well. Probably if you ask me which place i would want to settle down in Japan i would say (so far) either here or Moji. The ryokan i stayed in was a great experience too. Big clean tatami room and shower areas. The hot bathtub was simply heavenly after the shower! And i forgot to mention but right across the street are 2 gigantic shopping malls so yeah..it was really GOOD.

The lady-owner of the ryokan did not speak English but was extremely accomodating. She gave me a free Onigiri breakfast (even though i did the breakfast rates the day before), gave me a litre of Green tea and a towel and ice pack to wrap around my neck to protect from the sun. I have to give top marks for the entire experience in Suzuka.

September 7th: Suzuka -> Nagoya (55km)

Nagoya is the 3rd largest city in Japan behind Osaka and Tokyo. The streets running from the station has some impressive buildings: JR Central Towers, the largest train station (by floor area) in the world and HQ of Japan Railway Central; Nagoya TV Tower, oldest TV tower in Japan; Midland Square, 5th tallest building in Japan and HQ of Toyata International etc. Good 'sightseeing' if you're a big-city fan.

I'm staying in a dorm with 2 other guys and guess what? One of them is a cyclist touring Japan as well. He's also from Yokohama, which makes him the 3rd person from that area i've met and talked to on the road. Either Yokohama is some cycle touring central or people just can't wait to leave that city. Guess i'll know when i reach there.

September 8th: Nagoya

My dad and younger brother are flying over to Nagoya tomorrow for a 1 week holiday. So i'll be taking an extended break from my cycling trip and touring with them (by train or rented car) around the area to Mt Fuji and maybe Nagano/Tokyo. I'm not really sure how to plan this because of my bicycle but things will work out somehow i guess.