I started a new thread and moved some posts, as this debate (?) was getting off the Sakhalin ferry topic!


Regarding getting in and out of Tokyo:
Even if you are on a budget, I recommend taking the expressway (toll road). Taking surface roads, you really can spend 2 hours in stop and go traffic before you reach somewhere you can ride more than 5 minutes before hitting the next red traffic light. 1 to 15 dollars worth of tolls will get you far enough away that you are moving more than you are stopped.
The Metropolitan Expressway at the center of Tokyo, however, can be confusing as hell. Even being able to read and write Japanese, I sometimes get confused as to where I am going! And there are very few places to pull over and check the map there.

Routes in Japan to avoid include Highway 1 between Tokyo and Nagoya: Traffic is hell and there ain't a whole lot to see. Highway 6 on the Pacific coast is probably in bad shape as there was a bit of a tsunami last year (understatement of the decade?). Going to or from Hokkaido, don't ride the entire way on Highway 7 on the Sea of Japan (that would be East Sea to you Joe!:confused1: the scenery is mostly the same all the way.

Disclaimer: The opinions above are my own and may or may not reflect the real situation or tastes of anyone other than myself.

__________________
Japan touring information

I fully agree with Chris and Guy!

Yes, Japan can be expensive, yes the weather can be somewhat shi...y, but touring in Japan is GREAT!

I've lived here for more than 20 years now, riding bikes to all kind of places,including 2 trips to Hokkaido. I accomodated RTW bikers twice so far and they were full of praise concerning their "Japan-experience".

It always depends on what you want to do, when and where.

__________________

My god ,, you guys are more sensitive than Japanese about Japan. Gee,,,
I never said riding Japan is sxxxty ,, in fact I praised it's beauty profusely.
Why do you think I have gone there more than 60 times ,,

All I am emphasizing , watch the weather, while riding in Japan ,, you will be miserable ,, caught in several days of non stop rain,, after all Japan does have one of the highest rainfall average,,

Once I went to a small village up north from Tokyo to a small riding club ,, they gave me a great horse and six of us,, went for some 5 miles parallel to the beach then turned left and through a narrow path in the huge bamboo field some 6 meters high ,,we full galloped some 80 meters ,, then ,, at the end of this bamboo tunnel ,, as we bursted out into the bright open ,,, vast Pacific and white sand ,, (rarity in Japan) clear blue sky ,, took the horses in the sea ,, and back at the stable ,, did some jumping ,, drank saki ,, sushi ,, great time was had by all .. Then there was a time ,, on a Shinkansen ,, met a woman professor at the Keio University ,, who insisted that I stay as her guest at a ryokan in Kyoto,, full moon it was ,, dinner was served in our room with a view of flowing water,, moon over it ,, and the fish served in Pompeii position ,, and her gentle of whisper of itai ,, itai ,, all night.

On other occasion to Japan,,,I was drunk dancing like a madman ,,, at Mugen in Roppongi ,,ended up meeting a German fashion model ,,spent a year with her and set up a house in Shibuya , near Tokyo daigaku,, still 3 days out of 7 ,, it rained in Japan...

Peace Gaijin Japanese brothers,,,

I think your comma key is stuck.

Anyway, no one's being "sensitive" here. I just wanted to make sure your earlier negative comments don't turn people away from touring Japan and having great experiences there like you and I have had.

Stay classy,
Guy

__________________
1997 Honda X4 ・ 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure ・ IBA #42657

I agree re: it being expensive and about the weather but the I lived in Japan for 6 months about 10 years ago in a beautiful place called Takayama in Gifu and loved it!! Will be going back as part of my RTW trip with my husband can't wait

I agree completely -- I had just assumed anyone heading out of Tokyo would be taking one of the expressways!

But of course, someone who's just visiting and doesn't know what the surface roads around Tokyo are like are like might be tempted to try them instead. That would be a mistake.

__________________
1997 Honda X4 ・ 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure ・ IBA #42657

Just realised ,,,the place,, where I went riding ,, north of Tokyo,, mentioned above is the Fukushima ,,where ,,the recent nuclear fiasco took place. Very sad to think such a beautiful place,, now desolate.
Fukushima is famous for horse farming.

Last week ,, a delegation of a village near there came to Korea,, to negotiate with Junra province,, about whole Japanese village migrating here.
Junra is old Baek Jae Dynasty,, in 1100s ,, artisans from this region of Korea went to Japan to build and make things, in Japan,,hence Japanese always and still has affinity for this particular region of Korea.
Hmmm ,,,,,,,,,,,,, it will be very interesting as to what Korean government will decide on.

I personally will welcome them with an open arm. We Koreans need to learn Japanese sense of order and politeness.

Flying in to Tokyo,, to have a din din with my good Japanese friends,, staying at the Shinjuku Prince , flying back to Seoul next day ,,
If any Japan HUBB ,, would like to meet for a coffee Sunday 10AMish ,,
RSVP seouljoe@seouljoe.com

When I was a young man ,, I flew to Tokyo on KAL first class ,, I was the first one at the exit ,, right behind was an old Anglo man ,, carrying six heavy duty free bags , his back was hunched ,, he had a big straw hat on , with age worn khaki pants and a white shirt ,, geeks wear.
I felt sorry for him so I carried all his bags for him ,, and they were bloody heavy ,, I let him get off the plane first ,,
There were perhaps , 30 some camera men,, flash bulbs going off every where ,,, then they yelled ,, sah rahrence , rahrence ,,,
He was Lawrence Olivier ,, this old man ,, all of a sudden ,, picked up his shoulders ,, blew up like a balloon ,, chest high ,, more than 6 ft tall ,, I behind him,,, carrying all his bags like a houseboy....

It was fun though ,,,
Next time ,, I will tell you about the time I ran into Rod Steiger at Rome Grand Hotel ,, and how we drank the night away, with two lovely La Dolce Vitas....

Don't miss the Tokyo Motorcycle Show that weekend!!
I am going Friday, as the missus wants to go to but has to work on the weekend.
Looks like I will miss you as I gotta get back to Nagano same day, but enjoy your stay in Tokyo.

__________________
Japan touring information

Landed at Narita ,, took the AP limo into Shinjuku ,,
My travel agent tried to rip me off ,, I tore his head off. I have booked at the Okura ,, then my friend Shoji ,, said move it to Shinjuku ,, close to Shibuya, where their home is ,, the travel agent assures me ,, Shinjuku Prince is equal to Okura (Old famous business hotel, with lovely garden ,, double starts at USD 450..) I show up ,, I am right in front of Kabuki Cho ,, the old part of Shinjuku right next to the train station ,,sex clubs ,, seedy part of town,,worse than Frankfurt Haupbahnhoff in 80s,, I passed the new Park Hyatte ,, and all other hotels, which were all fully booked..
The lobby looks and feels like Katumandu Express, in the basement ,, I've paid for Okura. Prince (Whole Prince Group is not what it used to be,, going under at the moment) starts at USD 250 ,, he is paying back the full amount.

Something,, I noticed this time ,, no energy in the streets ,, people's expressions reminds me of ,, post 9/11 Manhattan,, recent catastrophe must have had huge impact in people's psyche.

My friend ,, who is the CEO for an European bank in Tokyo ,, when I've asked him ,, you must have shxxted in your pants many times ,, says he,, many many times ,, keeps extra pairs of underwear and he just bought a new house in Shibuya ,, two years ago ,, it has a lovely garden. Kept saying to me ,, wonder what would happen, to his home.. in the big quake.

His family and mine goes back 18 years ,, from Manhattan,, our kids went to same kindergarten ,, Jr. High ,, and part of high school ,, until I 've moved the family to Monte Carlo ,, right after the Sept. 11,, I knew such thing would happen eventually.

Shoji's wife is a Koreaphile ,, so are many Japanese ,, some 20 years ago ,, Japanese used to give Korean students sxxt for eating kimchi in the building ,, now they all eat kimchi ,, watch Korean soap operas and listen to K-pop ,, two countries getting closer ,, yet , still far away.

We went to Tokyo for an over night ,, to have great food and talk ,, a very interesting restaurant in Minatoku ,, an Italian called Appian ,, they bring in antipasti to deserti ,, and prepares the food right in front of you ,, in a private room.

Then next day ,, Shoji's wife Kurumi ,, cooked for us ,, a Korean lunch cum ,, Latin American seafood salad and Japanese shabu shabu ,,
Champagne flowed so did some great wine ,, and Suntory reserve ,,

I come back to Seoul next day ,, Obama,, Hujintao ,, Medef ,, and 20 other heads of state are in town ,, discussing ,, what else ,, nuclear safety.

Had a great time ,, love Japan.

Appian Main Course ,,,

Attached Thumbnails