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Wanna be famous??

*Vagabond* Scouting Trip 2006:

Hokkaido,Japan!

Rider Houses, Hotsprings and Beer Machines

Ride 8 days in the most motorcycle-friendly
place in the world!!

June 3rd - 10th, 2006

...off the beaten path in Japan...

-Meet riders from all over Japan!

-Enjoy epic winding mountain and coastal roads!

-Bathe in Japanese natural hotsprings!

-Ride along the Sea of Japan!

-Tour to places few foreigner ever go!

-Experience Japan's "Last Frontier"

Japan: The size of California with half the population of the USA.

Hokkaido literally means "north", "ocean", and "way", but conjures up images as the "last frontier" to all Japanese. It makes up 20% of Japan's landmass, yet only has 2% of the country's population. It is the only island which has its own native culture, the elusive Ainu people.

Hokkaido is wild: don't be surprised to see salmon in its streams, and foxes and deer along the mountain roads. It even has a wild population of Hokkaido bears!

To the Japanese Rider, Hokkaido is the ultimate motorcycle destination: long, winding roads with few stop lights or towns. The countryside is dotted with spectacular volcanoes and surrounded by stunning coastline. During the summer there is an enormous exodus of motorcycle riders from the heavily populated southern main islands to Hokkaido. They seek nature, open roads and freedom. Don't be surprised if you pass over 300 motorcyclists per day!

To meet this influx of riders, Hokkaido has developed a unique system of "Rider Houses" throughout the island. Catering specifically to motorcyclists and bicyclists, Rider Houses offer affordable accommodations to non-fussy adventurists. Prices of these Rider Houses range from free to around $15 per night. They usually include common or private tatame rooms. Many times, a dinner or some type of appetizer or hot bath comes with the room price.

Those seeking Rider Houses in Hokkaido make no reservations! They simply show up at these establishments, socialize, sleep, and get up and ride to the next Rider House the following day. When you ride up to one, you will find up to 30 motorcycles parked out front! Don't be surprised when you are drinking and sharing motorcycle tales with an all-Japanese audience! These places are unique and are rarely visited by foreigners.

Pictures of Riding in Japan

Sapporo's entertainment district, Susukino

Sapporo is Hokkaido's capital. You will find this city, with its broad boulevards and spacious central park strip, to be inviting and even relaxing! We will start and end the trip here.

If you choose to arrive a day early on the 1st of June, join me when we tour the Sapporo Brewery - Japan's oldest! We will also enjoy a night on the town in Sapporo's entertainment district!

Itinerary:

June 1st: Thursday

Recommended arrival date!

June 2nd: Friday

Please arrive NO LATER than the evening of June 2nd, in Sapporo, Japan, for the Welcome Dinner. Accommodations TBA (expect to pay around $70 per night, double occupancy).

*I highly recommend that you arrive a day early, on June 1st, to make the time/cultural change much smoother. Enjoy the day of the 2nd, walking the city, and if interested, you may join me on the tour of the Sapporo Brewery - Japan's oldest!!

Phil will meet you at the airport on the 1st or 2nd of June.

June 3rd: Saturday

Bike pick-up and rider orientation. We will be picking up the bikes in Sapporo, and head right out of town to the countryside. Our itinerary will be completely open, so be ready for anything!!

June 3rd - June 10th: Saturday

We will be making up our itinerary day to day, based on where the group wants to ride. I lived on Hokkaido for two years, and have been to every corner...so I have some great suggestions. We will have enough time to go to all four corners of the island and then some!

The only commitment we will have is to turn in the bikes by the end of the day on the 10th of June.

We will have a Farewell Dinner the night of the 10th. We will be staying in Sapporo the night of the 10th.

June 11th: Sunday

Fly Home! Remember, you will be picking up an extra day if you are flying east!

Pictures of Riding in Japan

Information:

Tour Price Includes:
- 1 Guide on a motorcycle
- Full-time Japanese translator (Phil)
- Special version of Alaska Rider Tours T-Shirt and Hat
- Copy of Alaska Rider Tours Video taken during the trip

Tour price does not include:
- Alcohol
- All meals
- Toll road fees
- Gas
- Alternative Tours
- Motorcycle Rental
- Tips
- Motorcycle Rental

Tour Guide Fee: $500 per rider

This will be the deposit and balance of the tour.

Please fill out and send in our Registration Form with a $500 deposit to secure your spot!

Group size:

4 Participant Minimum
10 Participant Maximum

Motorcycles:

All motorcycle used on this trip will be late models for this all-paved itinerary.

Kawasaki:
ZRX1200R
ZEPHYR1100
ZEPHYR750
ZR-7S
W650
ZZR400
ZRX
ZEPHYR
EPSILON250
ZZR250
BALIUS-II
KLX250
ELIMINATOR 250V
ESTRELLA-RS

All motorcycles for this trip will be supplied by a local dealer and are dependent on what is available at that particular time!!

There is absolutely no guarantee regarding the model of your motorcycle. You must be open to riding a variety of styles and sizes of motorcycles to participate in this trip! Many of the motorcycles used on this trip do not exist in North America or Europe!

Rental Fees: Expect to pay around $120 per day for a motorcycle in the 401-750cc class, and around $140 per day for a motorcycle larger than 750cc. Prices include insurance.

Travel to Sapporo:

*The best way to get to Sapporo is by flying to New Chitose Internationa Airport, located just over an hour from Sapporo by train. Chitose is fairly easy to get to. You may either fly directly from Seoul (Incheon) on Korean Airlines, or transfer from Kansai International Airport near Osaka, or from Haneda Airport in Tokyo. If flying into Tokyo, you will be required to transfer from Narita International Airport to Haneda Airport. It takes over an hour of travel, between the International and Domestic Airports.

The easiest and most affordable way to get to Chitose is through Korean Airlines.

Riding in Japan:

- Be prepared to ride on the LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!

- An International Drivers License is required to rent a motorcycle in Japan.

- No visa is required for tourists staying less than 90 days.

- Weather on Hokkaido can vary dramatically. Be ready for humid sunny days and cold rainy days. Temperatures may vary from 40 to 85 degrees F.

-Bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat for the Rider Houses!!

-There may not be saddle bags on your rented bike. Please bring some soft luggage, or bungees for strapping down your backpack.

-The roads in Japan are very narrow and twisty.

-Travel with plenty of cash. Most transactions in Japan are done in cash, though credit cards are fast becoming more popular. Be prepared to exchange at least $1,500 cash per person to cover meals and other expenses during the tour.

-There is generally no tipping in Japan. At restaurants, it is included in the bill.

Before you Book this Tour:

Be prepared to:

-Eat traditional Japanese foods including sushi, sashimi and a variety of other exotic plates.

-Ride a late-model motorcycle that you have never heard of!

-Ride on the left-hand side of the road.

- Ride on a Scout Trip: things may not go as planned! be prepared for adversity and inconvenience!

Pictures of Riding in Japan

Your Guide:

Japan is a difficult country to travel in, without the ability to communicate!

Years ago, I spent two years teaching English on Hokkaido. I am fluent in Japanese, personable, and have considerable motorcycle experience in Japan. As translator, I will make it possible for you to talk freely with the locals! You will see and do things in Japan which are rare for foreigners. As your guide, I will make sure your trip to Japan is unique, educational and unforgettable!!

-Phil Freeman

To Book This Tour:

To secure a spot in this years' Hokkaido Tour, please fill out and send in our 2006 Registration Form with a $500 deposit.