it´s getting serious-going to Japan
 

Hi folks,

first let me introduce myself.
My name is Herbert 53 years old and soon to be unemployed :thumbup1:
My ride is a heavily modified ´89 Beemer R100 GS (i.e. Motor made by F.Lottmann, Munich :thumbup1: )

no questions about gear or riding...I´ve made some test rides from my home in Karlsruhe Germany to south of France, Spain, portugal and Marocco, and the mods will be finished in a nick of time. I´m doing most of the work myself.
And had some major issues last year in south of Spain...

I´m starting to plan the route.
I´ll probably start end of march (either 2015 or 2016), don´t know how things might change during winter.
the financing is set up and no problem.

I don´t want to take it the hard way, as I think there will be enough adventure on my way, no need to look for it.:innocent:

My plan ist to start end of march and be in Japan 1st of august, as I meet up with my wife.
We are both martial artists (my wife is a Kyudo teacher-jap. Archery-Heki style, I´m doing Aikido - aikikai style, we´re both 3rd and second Dan - hopefully 3rd Dan soon).

As I want to sleep outside whenever possible my questions are:

is ist possible to sleep outside in Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, Sachalin?
I´m concerned about robbers and wild animals.

Which way should I take ?
It´s not a problem for me or the bike to ridel 10 h if necessary.

what places not to miss?
I´d like to go via Moscow, Baikal, Ulaan Bator, Sachalin to Hokkaido.
any other suggestions?
I would really like to get hints and tips what not to miss, as I have been to many places and missed some really nice spots.
Please feel welcome to share your thoughts.
THX in advance for your participation !

Really?
 

Herbert, your having found the need to state your skill levels in martial arts, I can't help but wonder if this is a serious question...:confused1:
There are probably way more chances of your experiencing an incident down at your local bar than being eaten by a wild animal.
Be at one with Nature and go and enjoy it- it is fabulous- our planet has some amazing sights to behold- certainly one of the reasons I enjoy travelling.
... and if you were to meet a 'wild animal', (which is more likely to be a drunk russian truck driver) from what you say, you should be able to dispatch it/him with ease. Just take with you the 'bear' necessities!

(note for Ted- I'm innocent!)

Hi,
O.K. I mentioned the martial arts, because I will train and teach on my way whenever it´s possible (which I didn´t mention, sorry for that). And may be there are more martial artist on the road or here on hubb to meet and get tips for training.
I didn´t mention that to show off, sorry if it sounded so.
And even if one is skilled in martial arts, one is not undefeatable and better avoid unsave areas. I just wanted to mention...maybe a bad idea...

What´s the bear necessities? Around here we don´t have bears and neither bear stuff...and I don´t have much experience with wildlife
thanx for explaining.
i.e.about the east boarder of Ukrainia I know it´s better to avoid...

Hey Kurvenfieber
I just did the trip you're about to make and not once I was stopped by the police (apart from normal road blocks and borders), not once had I anything stolen and never did I feel unsafe (robbers, wild animals,..).
Obviously there's a difference between feeling unsafe (people not leaving their houses in Europe not to be infected with ebola) and being unsafe (held at gunpoint or so), but with the martial arts I'm sure that your standard of unsafety is higher than mine and I really believe I never was close to danger in any way.
Anyway, you can sleep outdoors anywhere (actually, if you want to experience many places like Mongolia, Sakhalin etc you should grasp every opportunity to camp if you like camping). There's a lot less wild animals around than you think and most often they are afraid/avoid you.
On Hokkaido there are some bears, but there are still plenty of good camping spots. Paying and free. Myself I camped in the 'wild' 2 weeks all through Japan only sleeping once in a hotel because :rain: . Even from UB to Vanino (where many people don't find camp spots) I camped every night. Obviously not always with a scenic view.
I'm a huge fan of Sakhalin, so happy you're considering that route. Check my blog if you want for a taste of it (Japan update still to come :-) ). Actually I learned a lot from all the blogs, Horizons and ADV. But don't forget common sence. I met many travelers who forgot to think for themselves once in a while, in stead of just believing.
Anyway, exciting times for you! Enjoy them! jeiger

Hi Antonio,
I´ve read your blog in one toke!
Nice!!
I might take almost the same route, not knowing yet.
Depends on tempererature/weather an d time I will have.
I really would like to see Turkey and Iran, the Stans will be a plus too.
and of course the PHW and Mongolia.
I don´t have any more concerns about camping, as I´m sure to meet people to travel with.
thx for sharing, let me know about an update (Japan!!)

In Hokkaido it must be nice to ride the bike, and as my Aikido Master tells me, plenty of teachers !!
I´m really looking forward to the trip !!:thumbup1:
All problems I was thinking of dissolved over night, it´s a mere question when I start, no more excuses!!

Hi Herbert

well after an aborted departure last April due to a loss of sight! I am planning to head east again next April. Given the recent middle eastern turmoil my plans are turning more towards heading via Turkey and the "Stans" , through Russia to Vladivostock towards Japan as well.

Lots to think about, but most of it I plan to not plan too much! (if that makes sense) Paperwork and the like I think can mostly be applied for en route and then it doesn't tie me down to being at specific points on specific dates, which is just how I like it.

Although I have looked into it much yet for the re-planned route wild camping is as much a part of the trip as the journey itself for me. :thumbup1:

hi mark,
well, that´s about what Iplan to do.
But still, not knowing wheter to go via the stans or russia.
I think the stans will be more interesting.
Still don´t know.
as I know since this week I will be starting a year later...still have to work.
But I´ll follow your trip, will you set up a blog and report?

the link in my sig is to the blog I set up , but having been busy working and other stuff there hasn't been much to update recently.. intend to update it more as time goes on

If you are planning to enter at Hokkaido from Sakhalin, you better go in 2015. The ferry is supposedly going to be discontinued after 2015 (not making enough money). The other option would be the overpriced DBS Cruise Ferry from Vladivostok.

Oh...fuxx...I will start only in april 2016, as I learned I will have more work to do until July 2015, to start in July won´t give me enough time to arrive in Japan on 1st of august, when my wife will join me.
As she is a teacher she won´t be able to leave work before...
Is it certain that ther won´t be any chance to enter Japan via Hokkaido?
Thanx anyway for the info!

Nothing in life is certain. But the news sources I have seen say service will be discontinued after the 2015 season unless Wakkanai City comes up with something like $500,000 in subsidies annually. Currently, the service is being subsidized by Wakkanai City, but they don't want to fork out that money any more. There is always the chance of hitching a ride on a fishing boat, but I am not sure how customs in Japan will view that. They certainly will not give the exception to needed a carnet that is available when using an international ferry. Ask again next winter, and I will see if there is any change in the situation.

Thanx again for your answer, I´l check and connect to you !
My favourite Sake ist made there (in your home town of Nagano..) , MASUMI KARAKUCHI KI-IPPON from the Miyasaka Brewery ,-)
I love it!
Have a good time!

Thanks, next year I´ll start, just building the rest of the R100 GS, for the last test ride to Portugal and back to Germany.
Making also plans to cross China on my way back to Laos.
although it´s still more than a year, I`m already really excited.
a long time to looking forward !!!

well, now it´s really serious :-)
 

It´s almost a year ago that I´ve posted about my travel to Japan.
Meanwhile there were a lot of changes in plans, just to be at the same point a year later.
I´m starting on 4th Apr.16 from home, the ferry to greece is booked for the next day. Some of the dojos I will visit are alread contacted, the invitation from Russia and the visa is ordered, the Carnet will follow in 2 weeks.
Insurance is made too...
And my blog is active again, follow me on:
KurvenfiebersReisen