Michael from USA - Honshu

The bike was in perfect condition (Honda NC750X). I made about 1,600km: from Tokyo to Fuji, few lakes and passes around the mount, then to Kofu, Takayama and Kanazawa through the small winding roads and passes. From there I rode to Kyoto and then back to Tokyo, sidetracking to the Izu peninsula and it's mountain and coastal roads.

It is incredibly easy to ride in Japan, the roads are excellent, the drivers are unbelievably polite and careful and everyone drives responsibly. Did not see any car accident too.

Few advices: My trip happened in November 12 - 22. It is getting a bit cold in the mountains especially after 3 - 4 pm. Need to dress appropriately or ride in the warmer part of the year. The foliage time was mostly over in the mountains too. I have not booked any hotels in advance - just rented it from my phone over the Internet at the end of each day where it happened to be. Had always been able to find something in vicinity of 10 miles for $30 - $80 /night except Tokyo and Kyoto. Well, it is possible that in season the situation with the hotels can be different.

The country is beautiful and the food is great, plus a lot of interesting places everywhere. Between the few English road signs and the google maps on the smart phone (plus Bluetooth head phones) I had no problems finding my ways. I do not speak or read any Japanese at all. 

Joe from USA - Honshu

We had an excellent motorcycle trip in Japan. The BMW R1200RT we rented was like new (2,100 km) and the staff at Rental 819 BMW Yokohama were friendly and helpful.

We rode about 1,700 km making stops in Chichibu, Yuzawa, Kanazawa, Norikura, Kofu, and Shuzenji. The highlight of the trip was riding the area around Mt Fuji as we rode from Kofu to Shuzenji.

We hope to ride in Japan in the future with friends from the USA and will definitely rent from Rental 819 again.

Aloha, Joe

Bryan from Australia - Tokyo & Kyoto

During a recent trip to Japan, at the last minute I decided I would like to ride a bike for a day. With only little more than a days notice, the helpful team at Rental 819 was able to hook me up with a sweet MT-09 and a helmet and send me on my way for a day of adventurous Tokyo riding. With the help of my trust compass and the setting sun, I had a ball of a time getting used to the amazing Japanese way of life on the roads.

Then a few days later when I was in Kyoto I decided to ring up the 819 crew once more and this time get a bike for three days, so I could sample some of the sights and tackle some of the twisty stuff around Lake Biwa.

I was not disappointed! This time with a little more warning, I was able to walk into the Kyoto store and steal away with a ZX14-R (that I fell in love with) and had the most fantastic time of my whole trip. The roads around Kyoto and Lake Biwa are like a bikers Disneyland. Breathtaking. And the crew at Rental 819 was able to make it happen for me.

I will definitely be hooking up with them again next year when I travel the length of the gorgeous island of Japan in 2015.

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