Motorcycle Touring Japan

Guide to Motorcycle Touring in Japan
~ speaking or reading Japanese optional ~

Japan is an amazing destination to go motorcycle touring. Outside the mega cities there are scenic roads and breathtaking views to experience.  

You could go on a pre-packaged tour, but travel companies charge over $10,000 for two weeks in Japan. Finding the best roads to ride, shops to rent from, and places to stay would take hours of research. 

The information that’s available online is often a personal travel diary and not always up to date or fact-checked. And to access information in Japanese you would need to study full-time for at least 52 weeks to get basic proficiency. 

The Guide to Motorcycle Touring in Japan helps you plan and prepare for your next adventure. It will show you how to see more and have an authentic experience in Japan. 

 Table of contents 

 Planning  

• Where to go

• When to go
• What to bring
• What to budget for
• Where to rent a motorcycle

Rides by region  

• Hokkaido
• Touhoku
• Kanto
• Chubu
• Kansai
• Chugoku
• Shikoku
• Kyushu  

 On Arrival   

• Customs procedure
• Arriving at Narita International Airport
• Arriving at Osaka - Kansai International Airport
• Arriving at Fukuoka - Fukuoka Airport
• Arriving at Sapporo - New Chitose Airport
• Arriving at Nagoya international airport
• Buying motorcycle gear
• Staying connected
• Essential apps

 On the road  

• Types of road
• Expressways
• Rules of the road
• Navigation
• Traffic Signs
• Stickers on cars
• Bike fuel
• Body fuel
• Taking domestic ferries
• Accidents
• Traffic violations and fines
• Earthquakes and tsunamis

 Accommodation   

• Camping
• Youth Hostels
• Rider Houses
• AirBnB
• Love Hotels
• Business Hotels
• Ryokan/Onsen

About the author

I have been travelling to Japan for over 20 years, and have lived in Nagasaki and Tokyo. After graduating with a Master of Arts in Japanese Studies from Leiden University, I started my career at Sumitomo. I also worked at Hitachi and the Japan External Trade Organisation. The Honda CB400 has a special place in my heart.

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