colin
Well-known member
So first big tour of the year. From Tokyo, went out to western Honshu (the biggest of the 4 major islands of japan).
Took me a few hours to create the report on my local site, will try to add some more pics of the roads here, too. Bit different from many places, I'd imagine. This will be long.
I joined up with a friend near Osaka (Eric) who was taking a couple of his overseas friends around Japan....one's from Germany (Walter), the other South Africa (Ryan). Had some time, so went along.... We went through several 'kens', or prefectures (basically a state). Touring most around: Tottori (鳥取県), Yamaguchi (山口県), Hiroshima(広島県), Ehime (愛媛県), and Okayama (岡山県) kens.... overall 3500+ km.
Here is the overall route from Tokyo (others came from Kansai)
Getting out there (Day 0) was a hike from Tokyo. I left around 11a.m. Tried to get out at 10, but, well, I had to pack stuff up.
Got everything ready, FJR was serviced, cleaned, lookin' good! Starcom had some issues with the microphone, so went old school earplugs/iPod. oh well. Bought a new Mont Bell waterproof bag as well, on the seat. Got this one to be able to hold a tent, etc. Trying to avoid using panniers since squeezing through traffic is majorly slowed with them on.
Day 0 route:
Stayed at Hattoji International Villa.
Eric here on Cooking Duty.
Quite a cool place, big, neat bath.
Left to right: Ryan, Eric, Walter, Tim, Our Hero (me :cool_sunglasses: ) Gabby was there, but was taking the pic..... Tim and Gabby showed up for the weekend portion of the tour.
Drinks, fire, pretty chill.
Took me a few hours to create the report on my local site, will try to add some more pics of the roads here, too. Bit different from many places, I'd imagine. This will be long.
I joined up with a friend near Osaka (Eric) who was taking a couple of his overseas friends around Japan....one's from Germany (Walter), the other South Africa (Ryan). Had some time, so went along.... We went through several 'kens', or prefectures (basically a state). Touring most around: Tottori (鳥取県), Yamaguchi (山口県), Hiroshima(広島県), Ehime (愛媛県), and Okayama (岡山県) kens.... overall 3500+ km.
Here is the overall route from Tokyo (others came from Kansai)
Getting out there (Day 0) was a hike from Tokyo. I left around 11a.m. Tried to get out at 10, but, well, I had to pack stuff up.
Got everything ready, FJR was serviced, cleaned, lookin' good! Starcom had some issues with the microphone, so went old school earplugs/iPod. oh well. Bought a new Mont Bell waterproof bag as well, on the seat. Got this one to be able to hold a tent, etc. Trying to avoid using panniers since squeezing through traffic is majorly slowed with them on.
Day 0 route:
Stayed at Hattoji International Villa.
Eric here on Cooking Duty.
Quite a cool place, big, neat bath.
Left to right: Ryan, Eric, Walter, Tim, Our Hero (me :cool_sunglasses: ) Gabby was there, but was taking the pic..... Tim and Gabby showed up for the weekend portion of the tour.
Drinks, fire, pretty chill.
