planning a month long trip

We're planning (and currently saving the money) for a month long trip to Japan.

The plan is to start in Hokkaido and work out way south. No concrete plans as yet.

We'd like to go from ryokan to ryokan and avoid western style hotels as much as possible; we're a pretty hardy lot and are quite used to roughing in in the Canadian parks and camping etc... not to overlook that we're a pretty spartan lot at home too...

What's the general opinion on the best time of year to go?

b.moddo

The site that seems to be helpful for you.

A Japanese free campground distribution map.
キャンプ場口コミサイト
A Japanese net cafe search map.
ふわりみ
A Japanese convenience store distribution map.
地図検索 | コンビニまっぷ - コンビニ検索：【コンビニまっぷ】
A Japanese domestic long-distance ferry boat link
http://www.jlc-ferry.jp/
A Japanese domestic short distance ferry link
http://www.interq.or.jp/white/ishiyama/guide2.htm
A Japanese navigation search
http://www.navitime.co.jp/

Best time of year may depend on what you want to see and do. Help us out. Perhaps spring or fall because summer in mid-Honshu is stiflingly hot and humid. Got any preferences for or against certain weather?

I'm actually okay with hot weather. But I imaging fall in Japan would be lovely, as would spring. I suppose I'm pretty easy going vis-a-vis the weather.

I'd like to see the smaller places. Stay at inns, stay; if possible, off the too well beaten track that gaijin like me tend to tread. Though, I must admit I'm not your typical sort when it comes to being a gaijin/tourist.

Now I'm wondering if this has been helpful...

b/.

It is the best season of the Hokkaido trip in the summer.
Because there is not the rainy season, Hokkaido is good for a trip in July.
July is a season of the rainy season, most of the other areas are rainy.

Many Japanese student groups travel in bicycle or walk.
There is a Free rider house in Hokkaido.

Generally when a traveler takes a trip to the south from the north in Japan,
Normally from the Soya cape of Hokkaido to Cape Sata-misaki of Kagoshima.
It is 2,700km of the Cape Sata-misaki ¨ Soya cape at the shortest distance.

The correct course
From Rebun-tou Island of Hokkaido to Iriomote-jima Island of Okinawa