Well, I'm having the local bike shop pack the bike for me, so it'll probably have some giant "Trek" or "Specialized" logo all over it (which will make it tricky to "disguise".

Those thin plastic "suitcases" of the sort that blankets come in might do the trick for whatever I can't stuff into the spare space in the bike box.

Thanks for the replies!

...not the bike (got that all boxed up), but the actual luggage? I don't want to bring a suitcase full of my bike bags and other things, as then I'll have to drag that around. The bags are small and numerous enough to be awkward on their own. A second cardboard box maybe (that can be disposed of and replaced without much issue) at the destination?

...kind of like how we'll be packing them for the flight over?

Rinko? We don't have any plans for train travel, but still.

A friend and I will be bicycle touring in Japan for the month of October (fly into Tokyo, probably ride over to Fuji and back? He's making it up as he goes).

Do you know what their, eh, policy is about using hammocks? I'd much rather use my hammock tent if it won't be an issue.
Also, do you know of any rules or regulations that are unique to Japan? The word on the street is that bicycle bells are required.

Surveyed!

I've never understood where you put the brake/shifter/other cables hanging off the front of your handlebars when you strap things to them like this. Don't they get mashed back against the neck of the bike? I have hydraulic brakes, and am concerned about kinking the hose (so I just use a front rack).

I have a bear bell on my bike - it's one that normally straps to a walking stick, but I put it on one of my front forks (behind, so it wouldn't catch anything), which lets it pick up all sorts of vibration. There are no smooth patches of trail where I ride, and if I'm going so slow to cause it not to ring, I'm going slow enough not to catch anything off guard. Prior to getting the bell, I'd see bears basically once a year: have only seen one in the three years since (and it was off in the distance running away from me). This doesn't prove that it works, but dang if it doesn't make a ton of noise. We have these cute "little" brown/black bears here... if I was in Grizzly country, this might be a different story.

...have only seen a lion once while riding.

Nice!

the encounter started with a collision between bear and cyclist and that the cyclist had been traveling at a high rate of speed

Dude... that must have been a blind corner (which is where I invariably see bears myself). How sketchy is that?

The .GPX file seems fine - I opened it in Nat Geo's Topo. Do you have GPS Babel? Indispensable, this: it should be able to convert it to whatever you need.

I picked up some thing with chunks of memory foam in it that you roll into a small cylinder when you pack it; it's comfy and light (although not as small as that little thing when it's rolled up).

they were able to bite me through the back of the hammock

Dude, what kind of bugs were those? Alternately, what sort of material is your hammock made of?

As has been mentioned, you don't need level or smooth ground, so the camping is very low impact, and they fold up into a compact little ball, so they're easy to pack on your bike. They also seem easier to set up than a regular tent, and are cleaner. I've been using an older model Clark's Jungle Hammock and I love it.

I'm good, but thanks for the offer! 

I've only had one headlamp that attached to my helmet, and it came with a little custom clip; I think most of them do?

I just wanted to let anyone else with an old NiteRider Trail Rat 2.0 light know that Batteryspace.com made a custom replacement battery for me for $35 configured and wrapped to fit in the original battery container (part number CU-J1219, product ID 10232). You will need to handle wiring it to the existing cable (the cable polarity is described on the back of the original charger if needed), but compared to getting those friggin' secure hex bits out, that's the easy part. The best part (other than breathing new life into these things instead of tossing them - they're quite bright) is that you can also get a smart charger for these cells, so the battery charges faster, and you don't have to estimate charge times on the fly. In addition, since I was cutting the cable from scratch, I was able to make the cable the perfect length for putting the battery in my preferred nook in the bike frame (the stock cable was too short for this). 

Watercamper makes a fine point though: having a separate storage space for wet gear is a good idea; being able to get to it on the fly to take advantage of a dry spell is just bonus points.

Does it have to go on your handlebars? Can/have you used the space in your frame triangle?

I'm surprised more people don't use hammock tents for bikepacking? I use an old Clark's Jungle Hammock, and swear by it (you don't need to find level, smooth ground, there are no rigid frame members, it folds up into a light little ball, it's very low impact, and at least for me, I never bike where there aren't ample trees).

Is that a mini, portable wood stove?

-bell (legal requirement for Japan)

Good to know! I'm preparing for some bike touring in Japan (Tokyo-ish area, coincidentally) later this year. What's a good resource for that sort of information?