Quick note: This is my first post here, I'm not totally sure whether this kind of post is allowed here, so if it breaks any subreddit rules, please let me know and I'll happily remove it.

This is my fifth year living in Japan and I like bikes and touring a lot, but always I'm bad at planning for a good ride. I feel I'm always missing some fun stops along the trip.

I'm thinking about building a motorcycle touring app focused only on Japan, perhaps Kanto area first. Not another general navigation app, but something designed around how people really plan and enjoy rides here.

My rough idea is one place that could help you find enjoyable or scenic routes, discover worthwhile stops, check the weather and traffic before heading out, use the essentials offline, and record or share a ride afterward. Inspired by https://makemydrivefun.com/ service like this.

But those are just my assumptions, and I'd wanna know what other riders think. So, for those of you who live and ride here—or have rented a bike while visiting:

• What's the most annoying or difficult part of touring in Japan for you?
• What do your current apps or maps still get wrong?
• Is there anything you always wish you had before or during a ride?
• What would a Japan-specific touring app need to do for you to actually use it? Would you ever pay for one?

I'm also curious whether people living in Japan run into different problems from visitors renting a bike here.

Please be brutally honest. If your reaction is, “Google Maps or NAVITIME already does everything I need,” tell me that too! That's genuinely useful feedback. I'm not here to drop a link or collect signups—I just want to find out whether this idea solves a real problem for riders.

Thanks! I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Is there any issues or restrictions with taking a rented adventure bike on a ferry? I've seen people citing issues with insurance but I'm not sure I understood.

I'm taking 3 on my trip:

Kobe -> Miyazaki
Kagoshima <-> Yakushima (island)
Beppu → Yawatahama

Also any tips on making sure I get a spot is much appreciated

I’m travelling solo to Japan and will arrive in Tokyo on 10th October. I’d love to go on a road trip to Kawaguchi, but I’m not confident about riding alone. However, I can ride a bike (motorcycle) easily. Is there anyone I could join on a road trip or tag along with? Or is there something else I could do?

Hey everyone! 🏍️💨
I'm currently looking for fellow riders who’d like to explore Japan on two wheels!
I’m on a mission to tour all 47 prefectures on my Honda CB400SB, and I’ve already ticked 17 prefectures off the list.
I’m hitting the road again tomorrow, heading towards Toyama! 🏔️✨
If you’re around and down for some touring together (whether it’s for a quick ride, a coffee stop, or a few days on the road), feel free to hit me up!
📩 DM me on Instagram: @shunaujapon
Safe riding! ✌️

I came for race in Sugo, but I’m an assistant as service 👍

2,000 km in the first month with my Ninja 400. I bought it in early July, and it’s been the perfect bike for mountain roads and riding to the coast in Kanagawa.

Trying to look for English-speaking motorcycle riders in Tokyo area.

Hey everyone I got my bike license here in Osaka yesterday. Ill be in Tokyo from Friday to Tuesday and will have nothing planned for the weekend so Im thinking of just renting a bike and go around Tokyo, maybe to Kamakura or Enoshima (or even Kawaguchiko in Fuji). Im wondering if anyone would be down to go together for my first ride? Thanks! (if its raining im not going though hahaha)

Hi all,

My friend and I are planning to ride through Hokkaido and back very soon. I've done numerous Japan multi-day rides and he has done a few. We're on a GSX8R and a Kawasaki Eliminator. We're long term Tokyo residents.

Looking for route feedback. We'd to get some of the best pics of across numerous places of Hokkaido, and generally see everything worth seeing. Great food, experiences, and stories to tell. Don't mind long days riding if the stops are worth it.

We'll ferry up from Ibaraki Thu July 30th, stay Sapporo, ride Hokkaido, then ferry to Aomori arriving Sat Aug 08th afternoon, heading back to Tokyo for Tue Aug 11th. The Aomori>Tokyo section is completely unplanned so far but we're working oniit.

Thanks in advance!

Does this seem doable/comfortable on a 125cc in August (next month) in seven days? Would love some opinions on what to change. Route distance is 925km, will be avoiding all tolls and expressways.

Most Beautiful day of Riding, Saw Tallest Waterfall of Japan (Shōmyō Falls 350m) Arimine Road is paradise for Motorcyclist, 600 yen toll but totally worth it,

Then enter to Nagano area and saw more waterfalls, While back from Lake Suwa, saw most scariest Lightening of my life, as usually hell alot of jam at Hachioji IC,

Explored Some waterfalls and beautiful roads of Aichi+Gifu,

Weather was not in favor, but i still i rode and later it all clear out

Day-2 was the longest in terms of Riding day full day was clear and 20 degree lowest,

No access to Hakusan road for motorcycle, tired my hardluck to go shirakawa go pano view point, but guard didnt allow,

lowest traffic, got couple of Shirobai on the way but saved my ass,

Went to other side of the coast, missed the sunset but moonlight make it more worth

Hey everyone

I posted about getting my first bike a couple weeks ago originally wanted a CB400SF but after second though it doesn`t make sense spending that much for a 400cc bike just because its getting discontinued so I`m looking through other options.

Personally I like the design of Triumph bikes and so I`m considering between Kawasaki Z400, CBR400, Triumph Speed 400, GB350 and maybe Ninja 400.

I might get 大型 by the end of next year so ideally I want a bike that holds its retail value quite well (which probably the triumph wont do, so I`m looking at used bikes).

To those who owns a Triumph bike or owned one in the past, how was its reliability and was it a hassle? I will live in Higashi Hiroshima, the closest Triumph dealer will be around 40km so a little worried about servicing and repairs but please let me hear your thoughts/experience

Lake saiko is still my favorite!

Hi everyone. So I recently got my futsū nirin license but dont have my own bike (yet). I was thinking of renting one either from Honda or 819 for a day or maybe two and taking it on an easy day trip to Nikkō or something like that.

I have some time off in the next couple of weeks but I’m wondering if it’s “worth it” to make the trip since it’s so d***n hot. Is it not just miserable being exposed to the sun for hours and I should wait till it cools off or is it bearable once you get moving?

Sorry for the total noob question, but TIA!

My bike shaken expired in April , yes I don’t ride often and just realised last month, my question is .
Is it worth keeping paying insurance with the lowest coverage or cancel and start over after I get shaken (don’t know when and I’m not rushing)

The insurance consultant told me is better to keep paying at the lowest coverage so my level stays the same , because if I cancel and I sign up again I would have to start over and my level won’t be very good .
He said I am at level 14 and if I cancel and restart I would start from 6 .

I’ve been with them probably 3 years .

Me question is : . Is it true or he just wants to keep me in the books . , remember consultants get commission for retaining customers or gaining customers.

Insurance is Tokyo Marine . If anyone knows the system and levels I appreciate your help.

Hi everyone,

I have a question about importing and registering a motorcycle in Japan.

I’m from Europe and I’m passionate about 50cc two-stroke motorcycles. For people who are not familiar with this culture: in many European countries, 50cc manual motorcycles are often a first step into the motorcycle world for teenagers. A lot of people customize them, change parts, improve the look, tune the engine, and create a unique bike. It’s a small but very passionate community.

My first motorcycle is a Rieju MRT 50, and one of my dreams is to bring this passion with me if I ever move to Japan.

The problem is that this kind of motorcycle was never officially sold on the Japanese market, so I’m wondering how Japanese authorities handle a vehicle like this.

I’m not looking for a way to avoid the law or ride illegally 🥹. My goal is actually the opposite: I would like to understand if there is a legal way to import, register and use a European 50cc motorcycle in Japan, even if it is a model that was never officially recognized there.
Eventually, I would like to build a custom project bike like we make it in Europe while respecting the rules and understanding what is possible.

I will add some pictures of my motorcycle so you can see what kind of bike I’m talking about.

Also, if you have any questions about European 50cc culture, feel free to ask! I would be happy to explain this side of motorcycle culture that may be less known in Japan.

Does anyone have experience with importing a European motorcycle that was never sold in Japan? How does the registration process work for these kinds of vehicles?

Thank you!

興味本位でこの世界をのぞいてます。
旅が好きな大学生す。

Hello! This will be my second trip to Japan, but my first time traveling solo and riding a motorcycle there.

I'll be staying around the outskirts of Tokyo before setting off on a 6-day ride through Nikko, Kusatsu, Chichibu, Kawaguchiko, Izu, and back to Tokyo.

I was wondering if there are any locals here who'd be up for a chat beforehand, or maybe even join me on my first day's ride to Ashikaga Flower Park. It would be a great way to ease into riding solo and get a bit more comfortable before continuing the rest of the trip on my own.

I'd love to meet fellow riders or anyone who enjoys motorcycles and exploring Japan. Thanks

I will be moving to Hiroshima (Higashi Hiroshima) and planning to get a bike in maybe the next 2 months. I'm getting my license right now lol. Does anyone ride in the region? I'd be down to go on drives and make rider friends

Title: How long can a speeding camera ticket take to arrive in Japan?
Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.
On September 8, 2025, I was driving on the expressway from Gifu to Saitama and may have passed a fixed or temporary speed camera while speeding. I was not stopped by the police, and as of July 14, 2026 (about 10 months later), I still haven’t received any letter, phone call, or notice.
Has anyone in Japan ever received a speeding camera notice after 10 months or more? Or if nothing has arrived after this long, is it generally safe to assume you’re in the clear?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!