Hyde from Singapore - Kanagawa

SHOUNAN SUMMER RIDE

Went back to Kanto for summer vacation where I was staying in Yuigahama, in Kamakura, for 3 days. Decided to rent a bike from Rental819’s Fujisawa Outlet for 2 days in the Shounan area. It was my first time riding in Japan and was very nervous about it, since I had not rode a bike for ages. Takamatsu-san of Fujisawa Outlet was very helpful and detailed in briefing me about riding in Japan, and in order to regain my riding confidence, he advised me to test ride/ familiarize with the bike just outside the alley of the driving school for 3 rounds and without knowing, I just took it off to the main roads from there.

I have chosen Honda VTR250 for the start since I wasn’t that ready to take control of a 400CC bike. If you are a fan of V-Twin engines or “Mini Ducati”, this bike is one of the considerations. 

After catching a movie and dinner at Tsujido’s Terrace Mall Shounan, it was already dark. I decided to take a relaxing night ride along the Shounan’s coast to Enoshima to chill-out, before ending the day back at my hostel.

Day 2 was a day trip to Miura Peninsula. Had simple breakfast outside a 7-11 convenient store after setting off from my hostel.

 

First stop was visiting the late X-Japan’s guitarist, hide. Wasn’t much of a trouble getting there as I have been in the Shounan area couple of times.

After paying respect to hide, headed further south to Jougashima, the most southern end of Miura Peninsula. This is actually one of the reasons a bike is needed, because there is limited public transport getting here from Misakiguchi/ Miura Kaigan stations. Brought my Pikachu along as my traveling partner. For nature lover, you wouldn’t regret coming to this isolated corner of the peninsula.

It’s all about fresh seafood at Misaki Port. Had lunch at one of the Shokudou around the fishing port area in Jougashima

Had a short exploration around the fishing port area in Jougashima after lunch.

While on the way back to Kamakura from Jougashima, stopped by several places which are worth visiting for. The first, being Arasaki Park. Which is well known for one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s scenic spot. 

From Arasaki Park, decided to take a photoshoot for the bike at this special spot. This particular alley which was facing the sea, was being used by renowned singer-song writer YUI in her music video, “I Remember You”. 

Setting off from Hayama town, I stopped by Shichirigama Beach for a rest, before the last run of the day. It is one of my favorite spot in Shounan and I had always come here in the past by Enoden. It is also a stage for the famous Japanese movie “Taiyou no Uta” starring YUI and Tsukamoto Takeshi

Shounan is also well known for its beaches. The Southern C at Chigasaki is a landmark for it. Not the first time here, but the first time with a bike in front of the C. With the kinen shashin at Chigasaki, I returned the white stallion back to Fujisawa Outlet with a fulfilling Shounan Summer Ride. I told myself:　今度、ここに帰ってくる時、「県を越える旅」をしようぜ。

HYDE

FROM SINGAPORE

RENTAL PERIOD: 2017-08-09 TO 2017-08-10 @ FUJISAWA OUTLET

Vanessa and Camillo from Italy - All Japan

Dear Rental819,

I write to thank you. My husband and I had a very good experience in Japan. Our trip was wonderful without problems. We want to thank  the guys of Rental819 shop in Narita Airport, they were very kind and professional with us.

We hope to come back in Japan next year for visit the north of the country...by motorcycle..of course!

hope to write you again next year.

Kind regards,

Vanessa and Camillo

Emma and Tim from New Zealand - Honshu

On the spur of the moment, Emma and I rented a Yamaha FJR1300AS from Rental819 in Ikebukuro for several days. The booking process was remarkably easy, and I was really impressed at how we were forwarded plenty of information in advance about the rental process, road rules in Japan, and the bike itself (including a PDF of the FJR1300 user manual!).

Picking up the bike was very straightforward – we chose jackets and helmets, checked over the bike, paid the rental fee, packed the panniers, and got on our way. I had initially been concerned that a Japanese rental company might not have appropriately-sized gear, but the shop had several viable options.

Over the course of seven days we covered about 1500km. To give an idea of how far you can comfortably travel, our route was:

Day 1. Tokyo-Hamamatsu (250km)

Day 2. Hamamatsu-Nagoya (115km)

Day 3. Nagoya-Kyoto (130km)

Day 4. Rest

Day 5. Kyoto-Katsuyama-Kyoto (400km)

Day 6. Kyoto-Nara-Nagoya (200km)

Day 7. Nagoya-Tokyo (350km)

We had initially planned to do the trip by train, but the rental fee, toll fees, and fuel costs added up to be only marginally more than that of two JR rail passes.

When we booked the bike, I hadn’t been aware that June/July is a ‘rainy season’ in Japan. We were lucky enough to have pockets of excellent weather; whenever we got caught in the rain, though, it was relatively safe to soldier on, given that Japanese roads are extremely well-engineered, and drivers seem to be reasonably level-headed.

Other visitors to Japan will be oblivious to the existence of the small towns, farms, and landscapes that we were privileged enough to ride through. The Shinkansen might be convenient for intercity travel, but nowhere near as fun as a bike, and can’t get you in to those out-of-the-way places that can make a vacation unique.

Mr. and Mrs. B.David from U.K. - Hokkaido

Mr and Mrs. B.David rented a Yamaha FJR1300AS with side panniers, top case and GPS from Rental819 Shin Chitose Airport in Hokkaido and toured the northern Island for one week. Upon their return they sent us the below e-mail with some beautiful pictures. Thank you!! :)

Our trip in Hokkaido was absolutely beautiful. Great location, views, people, food and biking roads! Really loved it. Rental819, provided us with excellent service and very friendly support. Thanks for all the help in planning. I attach a few pictures.

Thanks again and looking forward to our next trip in Japan!

Sami from Finland - All Japan

I just want to thank Rental819 for helping us to arrange our trip in Japan. 

Everything went well and we are very happy with the roads, scenery, people and basically everything in Japan.

We managed to visit all the places we intended to, so from that point of view the trip was also a success. Our total traveled distance was around 7500kms in 18 days as we spent one full day of our 19 days  in Fuji-Q :)

The bikes were working perfectly and it was really a good fun.

So thanks again for your help, I will definitely recommend your company to anyone traveling to Japan!

With kind regards,

Sami

PS: Find attached photos from the top of Fuji ountain and Matsumoto Castle 

Matthew from Canada - Motegi Moto GP

I am back home after an excellent weekend. I still can't get over the noise of the Moto GP bikes... 

I wanted to thank Rental819 again for all their help and advice with choosing a shop and a bike.  The Ducati Hyperstrada was really nice and comfortable on the highway.  Everyone at the shop was pleasant, and we managed to get back roughly in time.

Next year we will definitely use Rental819 again if we are going back to Motegi Moto GP.

Sincerely,

Matthew 

Alexandra from New Zealand - Mount Fuji and Izu Peninsula

  
An Adventure of a lifetime... (ok, until next week)! Two days, one hot ass Ducati Monster 696, 30 years of experience and a road. Ohh yeeeeeeaaaahh baby! Riding a motorbike around Japan has been a driving force of me getting onto bikes in the first place, so this achievement has left me grinning like a little fluffy furball.
 

Starting off with the best motorbike rental outlet in JAPAN- with over 100 shops, and English speaking staff, I rated them the best equipped and well suited to me as an English speaking foreigner wanting a two wheeled adventure. With super slick, new, high performance machines, competitive pricing and comprehensive insurance, lets have a big drum roll for the superstars at RENTAL819!!

   

HANDS DOWN SUPERB TO DEAL WITH. Special mention going out to Adrian, Yosuke & Kohsuke at Ikebukuro and the mechanic from Hatogaya who setup the GPS and Ducati :) They helped me put together a route on Garmin navigation, sort out the highway toll charges, get kitted out in spunky Dianese moto-gear, book a Ryokan and Onsen AND get a brand new 2015 Ducati Monster 698.

I tossed up between the new Yamaha MT-09 and the new Ducati's, but settled on the Duke for a few reasons. Experience had taught me about getting into all sorts of little situations can be more cooly navigated when you are not having to fight your machine. On motorbike trips there are always adventures inside the adventure!! Gravelly side roads, multiple short notice u-turns, possible inclement weather, steep inclines and the fact that I was doing this solo, were all thoughts that helped me on my decision. Plus I was keen to try out the new Ducati's engineering.

Weather in April in Tokyo is a mixed bag. One day sunny and 23 deg, the next, 3 and snowing!!! I even checked to see when the full moon was (I bet $$ on this trick and always book my snow adventures around this date as it brings clear skys and reliably settled weather) but alas it was a new moon. SO I stuck my finger in the air, waved it around a bit, missed the weekend and landed on the 23rd/ 24th.... and ca-boOOM- I was blessed with THE BEST you could get. Warm, sunny and ab-so-lutely-bloody-purrrrfect.

Riding in Japan is magnificent. The road charges are expensive, and I advise you carry lots of change in a handy to access pocket- because your going to need it at the toll routes. Most windy runs have mirrors on the corners, which is pretty neat. The highways are superb, well policed and there are speed cameras (that shoot from the front...  ^=^ ......)... but with your wits about you and good decision making, you can have a blast! 

I pulled on all my skills and resources, absolutely can't even put in words how much fun I had, and HIGHLY recommend you come and play RIGHT HERE.  ^=^

To read the full article check her blog:
http://www.moenamoxham.com/blog/2015/4/26/rental819-ducati-and-amagiso-ryokan-

Evo from Hong Kong - Kyoto

It was a really good experience to rent a bike from Rental 819 to explore Kyoto! When I decided to rent a bike for my Kyoto trip, I searched on internet, I found Rental 819, and started to contact their agent. They replied me extremely fast! And sent me all the information that I needed! Unfortunately the first day I arrived to Kyoto it was raining, I had no choice but to cancel the booking.

Luckily the weather was good on the next day, so I sent an email to reschedule my booking in the morning. They were really helpful and confirmed me very shortly! And I really had a good time with the Kawasaki W800 in Kyoto! I really appreciate about the service they provided! I am sure that I will choose Rental819 in the near future when I visit Japan! Thank you so much :)

PS: I also bought a shoei helmet in the shop! The price was really reasonable!

Evo