On your next visit to Japan, I recommend renting a scooter and in this post I’m going to show you why…
First, I am a seasoned riders. I have traveled with my motorbike almost everywhere and love the freedom, power, and independence of Japan’s pristine natural areas.
There’s an app you can download to get more information here.
There are a few different classes of bikes:
- 50cc - speed under 35 mph
- 75cc, - speed 45 to 60 mph
- 125cc - speed 90 mph
- 250cc, - speed 100…maybe
- 400cc…- 100 and beyond.
- 2000cc - Time travel
For the sake of simplicity I will only talk about bikes under 250cc.
Warning: I do not condone shooting videos while riding a motorbike! And, I do not condone lawlessness in any way.
Gear I use when riding: Half helmet chrome German Army style, beach sandals, shorts, and a tank top.
Bike Gear: Chrome hand grips; purple LED backlit displays, chrome mirrors with fire flames.
Engine: 50cc High spec primary gears; all racing parts modified, racing tires and high performance muffler with blue high beam head light!
Cruising along on a beach road near Enoshima!
For the tourist, you’ll most likely be renting a standard motorcycle, scooter, or electric bike. Big bikes are too cumbersome and are only good for long distance travel. I recommend scooters and big scooters if you are travel zone is under 100km - two prefectures width in distance. For the 50cc it only cost 500 yen / $5 to fill your gas tank and will mostly likely give you 25 km/liter!
[video]
Night cruising.
Many scooters have trunk space, so if you are a photographer your camera lenses can go right inside the trunk and you can carry our tripod on your shoulder. Gas and parking are very cheap for a scooter, however, for a full size motorcycle it is not as cheap and parking is difficult.
There are two major routes you need to remember here in Tokyo. Route 15 Daichi Keihin and route 1! <= : ) Both roads will take you across two prefecture, both Kanagawa and Tokyo without having to use any major highways - FREE! Most scooters park like bicycles at convenience stores and are easy to fit in small spaces.
The biggest benefit to having a 50cc is if you life along the coast! Most of Japan’s coastal routes are beautiful and offer great opportunities for fresh ocean breezes and great sunshine. A car is simply not worthy of Japan’s roads. Only the scooter can offer such great open air experiences.
