FAQs

Motorbike touring is a type of travel where individuals or groups use motorbikes to explore different regions, often over extended distances and periods. We think the best way to experience Japan is by touring on a motorbike - it’s a unique and immersive way to travel which offers an unparalleled feeling of freedom. Explore diverse landscapes and experience the journey itself as an integral part of the adventure. With its excellent quality of roads, exhilarating mountain passes, scenic coastal routes, and incredible history and culture, there is no better country than Japan to tour by motorbike.

Japan offers incredible motorbike touring options, and we’ve got that covered for you! Whether you would like to come on a guided tour, or go on your own with our unguided itineraries (which are free by the way!), we’ve put in the time to design itineraries that cover the very best Japan has to offer. We’ve taken into account distance, terrain, weather and attractions to ensure you get the most out of your time, whether that be with us on a tour, or heading out on your own with the help of our maps and suggestions.

Starting in 2025, we’ll be running our Fuji Explorer tours departing from Tokyo. Highlights include exhilarating rides on Mount Fuji itself, stunning coastal routes along the Izu Peninsula, and thrilling journeys deep into the mountain forests. You'll also skirt the majestic Japanese Alps, visit the historic castle town of Matsumoto, and step back in time along the Nakasendo trail.

From 2026, ride with us on our Volcanic Voyage around the magical southern island of Kyushu, or conquer the three tallest mountain ranges in Japan on our challenging Mountain Strider tour. For those wanting to immerse in nature, come with us on our Wilderness Expedition tour and ride the vast expanse of the northern island of Hokkaido with its untouched landscapes, serene beauty, and diverse wildlife.

Most of our routes are suitable for motorbike riders of all levels. There is no off road riding, so as long as you can ride on roads and highways you’ll have a great time!

Our Mountain Strider, offered from 2026, is a little bit more intense and would suit those thrill seekers with a little more experience.

Japan has 4 distinct seasons. It’s also a very long country, which means different parts of Japan experience the seasons at different times, from tropical Okinawa to the wide expanses of northern island Hokkaido. Winters can be very cold with snowfall over most of the country. Summers can be steaming hot with a rainy season covering large parts of Japan in June and July.

We’ve planned our tours to take all of this into account, offering the best and most comfortable conditions possible for your motorbike tour experience in Japan.

Citizens of most countries can visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa. This includes citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and most European countries. Double check with your government travel advisory before you travel to make sure!

Japan’s roads are very high quality and drivers are typically careful and courteous. However, it’s always important to wear the right protective gear, obey local traffic rules, stay alert and be aware of road conditions. Prior to starting out on your tour, we’ll run you through the local rules and regulations so we can all have a safe ride.

During the tour, if you are feeling fatigued or need to pull over for any reason, either our front riding tour guide or our support vehicle will look out for any signals that you need to stop and communicate that to the rest of the crew.

Our crew use quality intercom systems to ensure we can respond quickly and provide assistance when required.

When it comes to touring Japan with Shogun Motorbike Adventures, choosing the right ride can make all the difference in ensuring your journey is an unforgettable adventure. We have a wide range of bikes available that suit every rider, but we encourage you to prioritise comfort as we want to make sure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Ultimately, the ideal touring bike is one that seamlessly integrates with your personal style and promises a smooth, comfortable journey on the open road.

If you have your own motorbike gear you can bring that with you to Japan. Wearing gear that is familiar to you is a good way to ensure your comfort. Just make sure that your gear, particularly your helmet, meets Japanese safety standards (if your helmet has the marks “PS(C)”, “S” or “JIS”, it’s good to go!).

If you would prefer, you can hire gear for a reasonable price - just let us know and we’ll add it to your package for you.

We'll send you an email once you book with us detailing everything else you may want to bring with you. Don’t worry about packing too light - our support vehicle will carry all of your baggage for you, so you can focus on the ride!

The bikes that are on offer on Shogun Motorbike Adventures are fully checked and serviced prior to each tour commencing. Just show up, hop on and head off with us on your tour.

Want to tour Japan but don't want to ride with us? That's totally okay - we love Japan so much that we want everyone to experience it on 2 wheels. That's why we're offering free guidebooks for each of our tours. Visit the tour page for the tour you're interested in and grab your free guidebook so you can head to Japan and hit the road!

We would love for you to bring your partner!

If they ride a bike please reach out to us and we can offer their tour at a discounted rate for twin share. If you would like them to come on as a pillion passenger please confirm with us to make sure we have enough pillion spots left on your tour.

Our routes range between 100km to 300km per day and incorporate stops such as lunch, sightseeing and other breaks when needed. A typical touring day will commence around 9am and will typically end by 5pm at the latest with stops in between. Check each tour's page for specific information about distances for each tour.

All participants on our tours receive an electronic tour guidebook, viewable on any smartphone.

The guidebook will have the complete itinerary, with useful information, tips, hints and suggestions for each day. It will also have map links that can be used in Google Maps.

The guidebook provides an enriched experience for you on your tour, as well as ensuring no-one gets lost should the group get split up.

Our support vehicle will be right there to take care of you. Our crew is first aid trained and carry a first aid kit at all times. The crew will have the ability to contact medical services straight away if necessary. For your protection, it’s mandatory that you have travel insurance that covers motorbike riding.

On the road we will ride together in a group, one rider after another. The lead tour rider will be riding up the front of the group with everyone else following behind. Our support vehicle will also be following at the back of the group. the tail end of the group. For your safety, please try to stick within this formation on your tour.

If you’re on a guided tour with us, we’ll take care of any breakdowns or mechanical issues. We have a support crew that are within reach throughout the country, and they will get your issue fixed or bring out a new bike so you can carry on your tour.

To ensure your comfort, we have a support vehicle with us at all times so you can hop in and catch a lift to the next stop or next accommodation where your bike can meet you later. This ensures you don’t miss out on anything!

Enjoy a blend of Japan's rich tradition and modern comfort with our included accommodations. From the night before the tour begins to the final evening, all accommodations are covered, providing a seamless experience. Relax in charming ryokans, complete with tatami mats and onsen baths, and unwind in contemporary hotels that offer all the amenities. This unique mix allows you to experience the best of both worlds while exploring Japan on two wheels.

Most ryokan accommodation will include breakfast and dinner. Ryokan rooms may or may not have an ensuite toilet and sink, and onsen baths may be shared and gender segregated. You can also expect Japanese style sleeping arrangements with futons on tatami mats. This may be different to what you are used to, but staying in a ryokan is an authentic Japanese experience not to be missed!

You'll have your own room each night. At some Ryokans there may not be ensuite toilet and sink, in which case those will be shared. Onsen baths may also be shared and gender segregated. However, accommodations in Japan have some of the highest cleanliness standards of any country, so while facilities may be shared you can be rest assured that they will be spotless!