Welcome to secret  of Japan

 Now it's finally that time again.  We can follow in the footsteps of the samurai, geishas, ​​sumo wrestlers, the breathtaking nature, the symbol of Japan - Mount Fuji, the hot springs, the incredibly good food and, what you can hardly imagine, a fantastic country for motorcycling,  embark

 In 16 days we will visit many interesting and well-known cities.

Tokyo, where we starts and heads south.  The first highlight is already waiting for us there - Mount Fuji.  Coming back to the coast and taking the ferry, we then change direction to the north-west behind Kumano.

 Kyoto and Himeji are other destinations not to be missed.  Before heading back to the Japanese Alps, we return to the coast of Nanao.  It will be up and down, we will ride motorcycle dream roads before we reach Tokyo again.

 Are you all so excited too?

 Then join our blog on this fantastic journey.

 We look forward to having you with us

 Your tour guides

 Michaela, Angela and Adrian

Leaving Tokyo

What an exciting feeling !!! You know you are in the biggest metropol city in the world and you know you are going to ride out of it on a motorcycle. To be fair, it was not as difficult as it sounds. The highway leading south started almost right after we left our hotel in Tokyo. 

Sunday traffic was not that bad but we had to deal with some accumulating road construction traffic. Soon after we found ourselves cruising towards one of Japan's most popular mountain roads, the Mazda Hakone Turnpike. Not very much going on for a Sunday. I guess the weather today wasn't the average Japanese motorcyclist's favourite. We were happy about it because we had the almost empty road to ourselves.

At the end of our riding day we were chairlifted up Mount Omuro. A normaly green mountain. Just now the grass hasn't yet been growing back after their yearly burning down of the old grass.

An early arrival at our tonight's hotel allowed for a relaxed boot beer chat

Finding your way around in Japan - at least we got to the coffee place

Afraid of tights? No issue here

Self-explanatory

The helmet menu

The secret mountain 

Today we can see what we couldn't see yesterday because of clouds - the holy mountain of Japan - Mount Fuji.

We start with a bright blue sky, a bit windy but the temperatures are good.

On the Nishi Izu High Road, 900 m high, we find a perfect road for our motorcycles.  Here we can already catch a first wow look at the Fuji.

We continue on the Hakone panoramic road and Ashinoko Skyline, 23 km of the finest asphalt and curves that a motorcyclist can't get enough of.  And again and again the Fuji appears.  We could stop every few meters for an even more perfect photo.

 We actually wanted to go up Mount Fuji as well, but unfortunately it was closed due to snow.  We'll try the other side tomorrow.  And will report.  Stay tuned and excited.

 Until tomorrow

 Angela and Michaela

This picture was neither painted nor edited

Today, we leave the area of Yamanakako and to see Mount Fuji once more from its south side, but also for the last time on this tour. However, we happily trade it in for some of the nicest mounain roads here in Japan. Once you are in the mountains you are fully immersed in the surrounding forests with the smallest roads spiraling you up on top.

What a fantastic day for riding a motorcycle! Sunshine, not too cold, great roads and at the end of the day a nice hotel to rest.

Garry and Yvonne from England at the "Love Bell"

A picture says more than a 1000 words

Ferry ride and magic forest

 Today we start in two groups towards the southernmost point of Cape Irago.  It remains exciting at the port until the end whether all motorcycles get on the ferry, as only limited places are possible.  Everything goes well, everyone comes on two ferries.  With a bit, for me , too much swell, we arrive at Ise Bay after an hour.  Wonderful motorcycle roads are waiting for us there.  We start with the Pearl Road panoramic road and then drive into the enchanted forest.  You just wait for the fairies and elves to come out from behind the trees.

 At lunchtime we have a great place for our lunch.  Our cook was so enthusiastic that she almost got on the motorbike and rode with us.

 In the late afternoon we all arrive at our today's accommodation - wow - nothing is missing here.  From the shuttle to the bungalow, to the private onsen, to the mega dinner and nightcap.

 Then good night everyone and tomorrow the trip through Kyoto is on the agenda.

 let's see how that turns out.

Stephen und Stefan 

Valerie and Jeff

Robert 

Kurt aus der Schweiz 

Garry und Yvonne 

Today, we dedicate our time to the Buddhism. In the morning we leave Kumano's coast line and our beautiful hotel to ride up to Koyasan. The spiritual place is located amidst the forests on top of Mount Koya. The first Temple was built in the year 805 by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most significant religious figures. Over the years, more temples were added and together they represent today's center of the Shingdon Buddhism.

After Koyasan we continue on a beautifully curved road back down to the valley and soon after are headed towards the highway. As it doesn't make any sense to ride on the roads between the two gigantic cities of Osaka and Kyoto, we quickly enter the highway, to reach our hotel at Lake Biwa. Here we will stay for the next two nights to sightsee Kyoto.

Despite the rain, most of the group went to sightsee Kyoto, today. On this tour, our hotel is located outside the city. So we took the train to get to downtown Kyoto and then went to see the Bamboo Forest, the attached Zen Garden and the Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Temple.

Today the sun is shining again, our joy of getting back on a motorcycle grows with the view out of the window. We're in two groups, but we'll see each other again soon.

The goal today is to reach Himeji early.  To visit the castle.

One group starts with a fantastic warm-up on the Hiei toll road.  What a curve festival.  We manage the challenge through Kyoto, a city of millions, with ease.

Our second group drives through the forest with very narrow roads.

At the coffee stop we meet again briefly.  We reach our destination and take the castle in our possession.

It is also called Fortress of the White Heron. A masterpiece of wood whose functionality and aesthetics can be seen from anywhere in the city.  We climb seven floors.  And the garden with its cherry blossom trees tricked us.

Today we go to a beautiful place where many people are left speechless.  We're on our way to the Northwest Coast, still in Hyogo Prefecture.  On the way to Mikatagoko the 5 Lakes via the Rainbow Line.  We park our motorcycles to enjoy an ice cream with a small sea lift to the breathtaking viewpoint with a 360 degree view.

Today we will experience two absolute opposites.  The oasis of calm and excitement with lots of fun.

 But first we start slowly with a visit to the Eiheiji Temple.  This was built in 1244 and is made entirely of wood.  The soothing atmosphere of this beautiful temple is enhanced by the creek that flows through the courtyard.  After our lunch stop, the only thing left between us is the passage from Kanazawa.  We are aiming for the only navigable beach in Japan.  Chirihama Nagisa Driveway.  What fun over 6 km, we roar over the solid sandy beach, enjoy the sea, pure freedom.

What fantastic weather is waiting for us today for our rest stop.  We drove once around the Noto Península.  Again fantastic roads are waiting for us.  There is also some culture.  We visit a workshop where we are shown how the wood is processed into really beautiful tableware in the Japanese tradition. A good opportunity to buy souvenirs.

 Also we find a great place for coffee stop and a lunch.  It was a really nice day of driving.  Before the rain greets us tomorrow.

Unfortunately it is true.  It's our last day of riding, heading back to Tokyo.  And heaven weeps with us.

 Due to the heavy rain in the morning, we didn't drive through the woods, but we made good progress on the large roads.  So that we could take a little more time for today's highlight.  If you are a motorcyclist in Japan, it is considered good manners to visit the Motegi Twin Circuit and the Honda Collection Hall Museum.  Everything Honda has ever built can be seen here.  Including the Moto Gp machines of all the great racers.

 With a heavy heart, we jump onto our motorcycles one last time to devote ourselves to the challenge of Tokyo traffic.  With bravura ease we reach the hotel where we started 15 days ago.  What time has flown.  What fantastic memories we have with us!

 We would like to thank all our guests for your trust, the great time, for only small incidents and a lot of funny moments.  And we look forward to welcoming you again soon on another trip.

 Angela, Michaela and Adrien