Japan ??
 

Hey folks;

Currently on a UK to Oz ride, we'll be getting to Oz end of Feb/ early March and aim is to finish up in Perth (not sure how long that will take from Darwin following the east coast).

We might have a bob or two left over and have started considering Japan around April/May 2014 as it looks stunning and would be nice to catch the spring there.

Has anyone shipped a bike out there from Oz? I not that fixated on about riding my own bike (3 - 4 weeks) so I had a quick look at rental rates and they're a bit obscene at £60 a day (long term). I know Japan is pretty much Western Europe prices for everything but I can take my bike to the EU for £60 on a boat lol. Also having to ship it back makes it a pig in terms of expense so renting/borrowing would much more convenient.

Or does anyone know of any reasonable rental companies?

Or any kind HUBB'er that would lend/rent us their bike or a spare one or a mates one for 3-4 few weeks (two up riding but I'll ride anything as long as it can climb hills two up) ?

I wouldn't want to risk the capital to buy and sell so that's not really on the cards. Would be lovely to take the Africa Twin back to the motherland like but not sure how expensive it'll be to ship and temp export to Japan and then ship back to Oz... eurgh...

Korea is on the cards too but not 100% decided yet. Will depend on funds.

Many thanks in advance and have fun,
Oli

Also Japan advice will be much appreciated too...

I'm in Japan right now and I've been here for 2 months. A few things I have learned.

-RoRo shipping is going to be the cheapest. I am using K-line to get to Thailand.
-As a foreigner, You can't get a prepay sim card or a prepay cell. The shortest contract I could find was 6 months at about $30 a month. Normally not having a phone isn't a problem.. but for 2 weeks I tried to set up shipping over email with no luck. The companies just don't seem to reply if you don't speak Japanese.
-Sign on to Gaijin rider. Many people will try to help you. It would be a good place to look for a bike. Gaijinriders

If you are going to be in Korea anyway, you can take a ferry to Japan. Leaving japan is where you will have to ship the moto.

If you rent, it would probably be cheapest to try to find someone who will loan you one person to person. There is no such thing as cheap rental in Japan!
In addition to Gaijinriders, try sending a message to World Touring Network-Japan.
If you bring your own bike, you will most likely need a carnet. Temporary import without a carnet is only available if you enter by ferry (i.e. you are on the same boat as your bike).
If you do bring your bike to Japan, you might as well just ride the bike back to the UK via Russia!

Thanks for the info guys. Yes we do have a Carnet as it is required for Iran, Oz etc.... It wont be a case of riding back to the UK as we're planning to settle in Australia for a few years, and are considering Japan & Korea as a bit of a cherry on the cake to finish off with (if we can sort out reasonable rentals). Could also do them separately as they are not far (relatively) from Australia.

Many thanks once again for the links and info,
Oliver

Japan
 

I saw this thread and it's answered a couple of questions I had about bringing a bike into the country.
Am I right in saying that arriving via ferry from Russia or S. Korea is OK without a carnet?
Somebody also mentioned RoRo ferries. Is there any way of getting me and my bike on a ship form Japan or S. Korea to either The Philippines or direct to Oz? Ferry or freighter, either will do. If I have to air freight us both which of the two countries would be best to leave from?
Thanks,
Geoff

Geoff,

Technically, you can arrive by ferry without a Carnet. I know it has been done from Russia. Last time I checked (and it has been a few years), the ferry companies from Busan, Korea to Shimonoseki and Fukuoka, Japan wanted you to have a carnet unless you are Korean. You might be able to negotiate if you show them the law:
http://www.customs.go.jp/kaisei/zeik...U-S46k0849.pdf

Here is the form to fill out (I think you need to fill it out two copies).
http://www.customs.go.jp/kaisei/yous...m_C/C5014a.pdf
Someday, I will put up my collection of temporary import documents copies I have collected from travelers over the years. A stack of past examples is even more convincing (Japanese bureaucrats love past examples and hate being the first to make a decision on something). In the meantime, here is one already on the HUBB:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...029#post442610

As for ferries to the Philippines or Oz, they don't exist.
There is Ro-Ro freight to Oz, I believe. I think Höegh Autoliners is one shipper who does it. Not sure, though. In any case, you will have to take an airplane, though.

Hi Chris.
Thanks for the reply.
I'll almost certainly have a carnet as I'll need one for Oz, NZ etc. I'll have a look through the links you've posted and see what's what.
Thanks very much for the very useful info.
Geoff

Geoff;

With regards to shipping from Russia to Japan give snoah (posted on this thread) a message. He shipped I think from Russia to Japan (2-3 months ago) then to Thailand (where I met him).

Hope you manage to sort things out,
Oli

Car ferry Busan to Japan
 

I am riding around the world and my bike is in Busan South Korea. I need help finding a car ferry from Busan to Japan. Each ferry line says their route from Busan to Japan is "foot passengers only". There has to be a car ferry from Busan to any city in Japan that will accept me and my motorcycle. Please help me find one!

Scootpilot,
Kampu Ferry runs from Busan to Shimonoseki and carries vehicles.
KAMPUFERRY
Camellia Line runs from Busan to Hakata (Fukuoka) and also carries vehicles.
https://www.camellia-line.co.jp/english/
I am not sure where their offices are in Busan, though.
They may not want to take vehicles from countries other than Korea and Japan, so you have to be persistent.
While not required for entry by ferry, a Carnet may be helpful if you have one.

So, scootpilot
Did you ever find a solution? Three weeks have passed since I posted the information you needed.
If it didn't work, we need to know! Otherwise, we will give the next person the same incorrect information!