Entering Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
 

We plan to fly into Sapporro, Hokkaido with our bike mid April 2015. Believe a Carnet de Passage is necessary but wondered if anyone had entered this point of entry with just the C5014 document? Our plan is to ride South and catch the ferry to Sth Korea and after a ride there another ferry to Vladivostok for our Russia/Mongolia crossing to Europe. We generally 'err' on the side of caution and will get the CDP if there could be problems but the dollars saved could be better spent in the country we ride rather than on local bureaucracy. Any tips appreciated. Cheers K & C.

As far as I know, C5014 can only be used if you enter by ferry (i.e. you and your bike are on the same boat). I actually asked customs in Wakkanai where the ferry from Sakhalin arrives, and the person there told me that they would require a carnet if a vehicle is shipped separately in a container, etc. So, I doubt that it will be possible at Sapporo airport.
While Narita airport near Tokyo sees one or two motorcycles a year, I have never heard of anyone using Sapporo (Chitose) airport. So, don't expect the process to go very fast. You may have to tell them to call Narita and ask how they do it.
Don't forget to take your carnet to the automobile federation (JAF) for authentication. Customs will likely require it. There is an office in Sapporo, but contact them in advance.
Oh, and be prepared for a chance of snow in April! It doesn't snow often in April, but it is a definite possibility.

In case that you entering Japan with carnet ...you mast fax the carnet to the JAF office 10 days before for approval so that way they haw you in a system upon arrival ...then whole procedure is about 45 min. long as I went try that last year at Fukuoka JAF office.

Entering Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan
 

Thank you for the replies.

Our shipping agent has not replied as to the feasibility of this entry as yet.

The Faxing of our CDP to the JAF office is very helpful advice. Have tracked down the website but they only have phone number, no fax, may have to find a Japanese speaker and call to get this.

Cheers

K & C

The opposite: Fax but no phone number
JAF For Visitors Bringing Vehicles with Carnet de Passages en Douane

Many thanks for the link, Chris of Japan.

Cheers

K & C

I assume you are looking at Sapporo because you want to ride Japan from top to bottom.
If your agent will not do Sapporo, you can do Narita Airport (which serves the Tokyo area) and then take the ferry up to Hokkaido (north island). Ferry port is about 3 hours from the airport.
Ferry rates start at about US$220 for person and motorcycle. (@Jan. 2014 exchange rate)
MOL Ferry Co., Ltd.
Shipping rates can vary greatly, so Narita + ferry may actually come out cheaper. You might want to ask your agent to check rates for Narita too.

Traveling to Japan April 2015
 

Done some homework and now will organise to fly the bike into Tokyo (Narita) airport rather than Sapporo. We will have approx 4 weeks traveling in Japan, leaving by ferry to South Korea (Shimonoseki to Busan) hopefully. Has anyone had experience with taking a motorcycle on this ferry(Kampu Ferry)?

Any suggestions about accommodation, roads, attractions etc would be appreciated.

Thanks
Carol & Ken

You commented on the thread by harthel2011 about the ferry, so you have already read the most recent information available. I'll ask my friend who knows some Korean riders who use the ferry frequently. Send me your e-mail address and I will forward your information on to those who can be of more help.

Where do you go after Korea? If Russia, the ferry from Sokcho to Zarubino is not running any more I believe. You have to take the one from Donghae to Vladivostok.

Traveling to Japan April 2015
 

Thanks Chris for your reply, I will PM you with my email address. Things can change overnight so I wasn't sure if I had the most up to date information on the ferry. I had read that a few people had trouble getting the bike on, something to do with not being a resident of Japan or Sth Korea and not having an address.

After Sth Korea we will catch the ferry from Donghae to Vladivostok. I had heard that the other one was not operating. We plan to enter Russia early June and travel across with a detour through Mongolia and exit by September.

Thanks
Carol & Ken