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Scouting Trip 2006:
Japan!
Three Island Tour
Ride three islands in 7 days in some of the most exotic surroundings in the world!!
Scouting Trip during Cherry Blossom season!!
April 2nd -April 8th
...off the beaten path in Japan...
-Visit ancient temples!
-Ride along the Sea of Japan!
-Enjoy epic winding mountain and coastal roads!
-Bathe in traditional Japanese natural hotsprings!
-Ride to places few foreigner ever go!
-Experience a culture
rich in history and
shrouded in mystery...
Japan: The size of California with half the population of the USA.
Honshu is the largest of the main islands of Japan. Western Honshu is known as Chugoku, which means "Middle Lands". Throughout the history of Japan, many of the artistic and cultural influences from Korea and China came to Japan through this area. Because of the rugged mountains, the north coast has a distinct remote nature to it. Rugged coastline, sparse population...this is where we are headed for the first leg of the trip! We will be riding the scenic coast of the Sea of Japan!
Kyushu is the third largest of the main islands of Japan. It is famous for its volcanoes, hotsprings and friendly locals. Bathe in traditional hotsprings and ride around steaming volcanoes!
Shikoku is the forth largest of the main islands of Japan. Shikoku means literally "four countries" and is known for its ancient temples and remote villages. Rugged mountains and clear flowing rivers crisscross the island. You will love riding these country roads!!
Here's the Map!
We will start and end the trip in Okayama.
Motorcycle Tours in Japan!!!
Itinerary:
Day One:
April 1st
Please arrive NO LATER than the evening of April 1st, in Okayama, Japan,
for the Welcome Dinner. Accommodations this evening are included in the
tour price. I highly recommend that you arrive a day early, on March 31st,
to make the time/cultural change much smoother.
*The best way to get to Okayama is by flying direct from Seoul (Incheon). There is one flight every day from Seoul to Okayama. Book through Korean Airlines.
I will be arriving on March 31st, and will see you on the flight! Feel free to spend the day with me, in preparation for the tour in Okayama!
Day Two:April 2nd
Bike pick-up and rider orientation. We will be taking a bus 1 hour out of town to the rental location this day. The riding starts today!!
Ride from Okayama through the Japanese Alps towards Shimame Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan Coast.
*Note* Mr. Hirata is currently pre-running the course. He is scouting out the best hotsprings and roads. A detailed itinerary is soon to follow!
Day Three: April 3rd
Ride to the island of Kyushu. Stay at Hotsprings Resort in the mountains.
Lodging:TBA
Day Four: April 4th
Explore volcanoes, backroads and small towns of Kyushu.
Lodging: TBA
Day Five: April 5th
Explore volcanoes, backroads and small towns of Kyushu.
Lodging: TBA
Day Six: April 6th
Take a ferry from Kyushu Island to Shikoku Island. Stay at traditional B and B (Ryo-kan) on the Misaki Peninsula.
Day Seven: April 7th
Ride across the island of Shikoku to the Oboke Spa, located in a gorgeous steep valley.
Day Eight: April 8th
Ride back to Okayama. Turn in bikes. Farewell dinner in Okayama.
Day Nine: April 9th
Fly back home.
Information:
Tour Price Includes:
Airport to Airport Service!
- 401cc to 750cc Street Motorcycle Rental
- 8 Nights Accommodations
- No less than one meal a day (most hotels include 2 meals)
- Taxi fees (in Okayama and to and from the Motorcycle
Rental Pick-up area.)
- Ferry passage from Kyushu Island to Shikoku Island
- Premier Welcome and Farewell Dinners
- 2 Guides on motorcycles
- Full-time Japanese translator (That's me!)
- Staff support driver
- Printed Tour Itinerary
- Three books on Japan and one road map of Japan
- Support Vehicle (hauling luggage and non-riders)
- 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 lunches and most dinners on the road
- Toll road fees
- Gas
- Alternative Tours
- Tips
Tour Price: $4,400 per rider
Non-Rider: $3,500 per non-rider
Group size:
4 Participant Minimum
10 Participant Maximum
Motorcycles:
All motorcycle used on this trip will be late models and street-oriented.
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 make and 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!
Upgrades are available!!
750cc and up street-oriented motorcycle: add $200
BMW 650cc : TBA
BMW 1200cc and 1150cc GS and R model: TBA
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 in Japan can vary dramatically. Be ready for humid sunny days and cold rainy days. Temperatures may vary from 50 to 85 degrees F.
-The roads in Japan are very narrow and twisty.
-Travel with plenty of cash. Toll roads will be in the itinerary, and can run as much as $60 per use! 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.
Non-Riders:
This is a perfect trip for couples!!
*Alaska Rider Tours welcomes non-riding spouses and special friends to ride along in the support car! There is plenty of space, so come along and enjoy Japan in your own private vehicle, driven by a local!
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!
Staff:
Masakazu Hirata has traveled the world by motorcycle! He has been lucky enough to ride in exotic places such as New Zealand, Alaska, Norway, Austria and all over Japan. He is a BMW motorcycle fan, and has even been noted in Japan's National BMWMOA magazine for his mechanical know-how! His local experience and knowledge of our route will greatly enhance our ride! He will guide us through the best riding in southern Japan!
Akiko Morikawa was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan. I have worked alongside her, in Alaska, for several years. She is outgoing, energetic, and speaks English rather well. Her love of travel has taken her across the globe! She is excited to host you in Japan as our support car driver!!
Japan is a difficult country to travel in, without the ability to communicate!
Years ago, I spent two years teaching English in Japan on the northern island of 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' Three Island Tour, please fill out and send in our 2006 Registration Form with a $1,000 deposit.
At the time of booking, you will receive several books and a detailed road map of Japan, indicating the route we plan to ride. One book is about hotsprings in Japan. It includes a section about hotsprings etiquette and so forth. The second book is the Lonely Planet with details about our route. The third book is humor and I hope that you enjoy!
Questions?
Please contact us at:
Alaska Rider Tours
PO Box 1392
Girdwood, AK 99587
www.akrider.com
akrider@alaska.net
1-800-756-1990/(907)272-2777
* To register for any of our motorcycle tour or rentals, please print,
fill out, sign and send in our
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