Japan is a motorcycle touring heaven! That may sound like a big statement, and there are many other great touring destinations around the world, but for those of us lucky enough to have ridden here, we know very well just how good Japan can be.
First and foremost for any serious riders are the roads. Japan has a fantastic network of very well-maintained roads. Moreover, Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a large group of tectonic plates that are crashing into each other, pushing the land up out of the sea and creating a wild archipelago of mountains, volcanoes, and hot springs. The result for fellow riders is a motorcycle wonderland of winding mountain roads, spectacular views, and a hot spring bath at the end of every day’s ride.
I’ve been riding in Japan pretty much since I arrived in 1999. In that time, I have ridden all over the main islands, and some of the minor islands, many times over – and I still enjoy it immensely! However, age is catching up with me, and it’s getting harder to ride too far for too long. So, it seems like a good time to summarize my riding experiences in the land of the rising sun and share them with fellow riders who might be interested in touring Japan – before my sun sets for good.
The plan is to release a topic on motorcycle touring in Japan on a monthly basis. My real job keeps me too busy to allocate too much time to this project, but if you have any questions, feedback, corrections, or suggestions, then please let me know. I would appreciate the feedback, and any interaction is sure to help me engage with the project more.
Let’s go!