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In the short time we’ve been here, I’ve learned just how much more I enjoy riding my motorcycle through this country than most other places. Why’s that? Well, despite an unfortunate lack of single-track (for safety reasons, of course) the roads are fantastic.
And, because motorcycles are readily available, food and rest are convenient, and the highways corkscrew throughout the epic landscapes. I’d like to introduce you to Japan. She is a kind beauty that boasts a smattering of steep mountains, deep wide valleys, sparkling waterways, efficient agricultural plains, sprinkles of stone deities, and color - lots of it.
A place where modern meets antiquated head on. Where the streets are littered with kimonos and wooden sandals - a stark contrast to the abundance of short-sleeved, white collar business folk wandering about.
Knee-high socks, cartoon road signs and flamboyant demonstrations of damn near everything are the product of a highly innovative, incredibly respectful, vastly considerate, frightfully obedient population of... craftsman. The Japanese seem passionate about anything they find interesting or deem “honorable” – travel being one most prized.
I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a bike from a friend, but we still needed one more for Justin. Based on how long we planned to be in Japan and how often we planned to ride, we decided to rent a bike from Apexmoto, a small shop about an hour-and-a-half outside of Tokyo.
Smaller rental shops like these tend to have a solid range of transports to choose from (including many killer bikes which we don’t get in the U.S.), and the owners are real people that you’ll meet on-site. This helps for any negotiation about the rental, plus they can give you great insight on where to go, what to see and, when you’re lucky, which food to eat.
The same sort of people who rent you a ride can also help you hunt one down at auction. And they’ll speak English while doing so (a plus for many ‘Westerners’). A list of options for the forthcoming auction will be provided, and you’ll be asked to pick your favorites.
The auction scout can make suggestions, describe to you the condition of the bikes, then bid on whichever one you desire. This will continue until you have the one you want. It’s a fairly easy process if you have the money to spare.
You’ll have to go through a few more hoops - registration, insurance, translation, etc. - but it can be well worth the effort to have a bike of your own. That, and before heading home, the motorcycle could be sold to the scout, or to some lucky military recruit fresh off the boat.
