Two Wheels, Four Islands, Endless Roads

Japan wasn’t built for cars—it was built for motorcycles.

While tourists crowd onto bullet trains and rental cars navigate congested highways, the real Japan unfolds on smaller roads. The ones that snake through mountain passes, hug coastal cliffs, and connect villages that time seems to have forgotten. These are the roads I ride, and these are the stories I want to share.

I’m James, a New Zealander who’s called Japan home for 15 years. My ride is a Yamaha DragStar Classic 400—a reliable cruiser that’s carried me through countless adventures across the Kansai region and beyond. This blog documents those journeys: the routes, the discoveries, the meals, and the moments that make motorcycle touring in Japan something truly special.

Why Japan is a Rider’s Paradise

If you’ve never considered touring Japan by motorcycle, let me change your mind.

Japan offers an almost perfect combination for riders: well-maintained roads, stunning scenery at every turn, an incredibly safe environment, and a culture that respects both the journey and the machine. Whether you’re carving through the twists of mountain passes, cruising along coastal routes with the ocean stretching to the horizon, or navigating quiet rural roads where rice paddies meet forested hills, every ride becomes an experience.

The infrastructure supports riders beautifully. Rest stops (michi-no-eki) dot the countryside, offering parking, facilities, local food, and often spectacular views. Convenience stores appear with reassuring regularity. Gas stations, while less common in rural areas, are still manageable with basic planning. And unlike many countries, drivers here actually notice motorcycles and give you space.

But what truly sets Japan apart is the sheer variety packed into a relatively small space. Within a single day’s ride from Osaka or Kyoto, you can experience coastal roads, mountain passes, rural farmland, historic temples, and modern cities. The seasons transform these landscapes completely—spring cherry blossoms, summer green, autumn colors, and winter snow create four distinct riding experiences on the same routes.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog exists to share the practical, the beautiful, and the delicious aspects of motorcycle touring in Japan.

Touring Routes and Tips: I document the roads I ride with honest assessments. Which routes reward you with stunning views? Which ones look great on a map but disappoint in reality? Where are the best photo stops, the tricky sections, the places worth the detour? I share GPS coordinates, road conditions, seasonal considerations, and the kind of practical information that helps you plan your own adventures.

Hidden Discoveries: Some of the best experiences come from getting slightly lost or following a sign you can’t quite read. I share those unexpected finds—the clifftop shrine, the mountain onsen, the viewpoint locals love, the festival that just happened to be running when I rolled through town.

Restaurant Reviews from the Road: Riding builds an appetite, and Japan delivers. From family-run soba shops to seaside grills serving the day’s catch, from mountain lodges with hearty comfort food to tiny ramen joints that locals queue for, I review the places I actually eat. Real experiences, honest opinions, and recommendations worth stopping for.

Road Stories: Beyond the practical information, these rides create stories. The unexpected rainstorm, the kindness of strangers, the moment a road opens up into a view that makes you pull over just to appreciate it, the mechanical challenges, the small triumphs. This is where the personality of motorcycle touring comes through—the why behind the where.

Join the Journey

Whether you’re a rider already exploring Japan, someone planning their first motorcycle adventure here, or simply curious about what it’s like to experience this country from two wheels, I hope this blog offers something valuable.

Riding Rising Sun isn’t about extreme adventures or exotic destinations. It’s about the accessible magic of getting on a bike, choosing a direction, and discovering what Japan has to offer beyond the guidebook highlights. It’s about the freedom, the food, the scenery, and the simple satisfaction of a good day’s ride.

Grab your helmet. Let’s explore Japan together.

James
Riding a Yamaha DragStar Classic 400
Based in Hyogo Prefecture
15 years in Japan and still finding new roads