3 Island Japan Tour 2008

3 Island Japan Tour
Chugoku/Kyushu/Shikoku Japan
March 29, 2008 - April 6, 2008 *Complete!

This tour is a world-class journey. Experience riding you never imagined existed in Japan and ride to places few foreigners ever go. Immerse yourself in a culture rich in history and shrouded in mystery. Ride north through the Japanese Alps, along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and circle through three islands in some of the most breathtakingly exotic surroundings of the world. Cherry blossoms will be in bloom; a yearly, though short-lived natural phenomenon that transforms the landscape into an idyllically magnificent setting reminiscent of ancient Japanese art.

Visit ancient temples. Enjoy epic, winding mountain and coastal roads. Bathe in traditional Japanese natural hotsprings. Explore backroads and small towns. See steaming volcanoes. Eat traditional Japanese foods and prepare to be pampered. This tour is ideal for couples – all accommodations are first rate. Join us for a hand-picked motorcyclists dream ride and have the time of your life.

NOTE: This tour features all paved roads.

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Tour Information

Tour Price Includes:

Tour Price Does Not Include:

Notes:


Money: Japan is a cash society: do not rely on your credit card or ATM machines for cash! Bring enough Yen with you, or change it at the airport when you get there. It is best to exchange your dollars for Yen PRIOR to arriving in Japan! However, bring a Credit Card for a damage deposit authorization at the time of rental bike pick-up.

Pack light! Traditional Japanese robes are provided every evening at all of the hotels and travellers' lodges. Just prepare for clothes during the day.

Internet Access: They are a bit behind the times on this one... NO INTERNET is available during the week.

Motorcycle License Required: All riders must get an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement. Make sure you get your motorcycle endorsement on it! To get an International Driving Permit, proceed to your nearest AAA.

Passport Required: A passport will be needed. Make sure your passport is current and will not be expiring within six months of the tour date. If it is, it is best to renew it before going on this tour. No visa is required for up to three months of travel in Japan for United States citizens.

Tattoos: Tattoos are considered taboo and related to organized crime to the older generation. You may get looks or comments in the baths. Don't worry about this too much, as the younger generation is starting to make it more popular. If you are concerned, simply put a piece of tape over your tattoo, and go bathing.

No Showers? There are NO SHOWERS in the hotel/travel lodge rooms! You must go down to the common baths. We will send everyone information with the DO's and DON'Ts in these traditional baths before the tour. To bathe in Japan is to experience a rich cultural tradition that you will come to love!

Tips: There is no tipping in Japan.

GPS: GPS coordinates are available for all Garmin users.

Etiquette:

Itinerary

3 Island Japan 2008

Itinerary

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Day One:

Arrival in Okayama, Japan

Welcome to Japan! Most will be arriving late, so we'll hold the welcome dinner on the next night. All accommodations are included in the tour price.

Sunday, March 30, 2008
Day Two:
Free day in Okayama/Welcome Dinner

There are lots of things to see and do in Okayama. Visit the famous and historic Black Castle of Okayama and walk around town. Other sights include the Korakuen Garden (one of Japan's official Three Great Gardens) and the Okayama Oriental Museum. For those interested, we can go to a bike shop and see the downtown shopping area. Welcome dinner and orientation at one of Okayama's finest restaurants.

Monday, March 31, 2008
Day Three:
Bike Pick-Up and Ride to Arifuku Hotsprings
About 95 miles
The riding starts today! We'll be taking a bus one hour out of town to the rental location to pick up the bikes. Then, we'll ride north through the Japanese Alps and along the coast of the Sea of Japan to our evening resting place: a 600-year old, completely natural historic hot springs resort, tucked away in the countryside and known for its healing properties.

Tuesday, April, 1, 2008
Day Four:
Arifuku Hot Springs to Chinsui Hot Springs
About 125 miles
Experience riding you never thought existed in Japan. Today, we’ll travel south through the backroads of Honshu Island and ride stunning vistas along the Sea of Japan. Smell the sea and see the land – half of today’s riding is along the coast, the other half is on the interior. We’ll be staying at a hot springs resort town in the mountains as cherry blossoms float in the air and koi fish swim in a stream below your window.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Day Five:
Chinsui Hot Springs to Kurakawa Hot Springs
About 210 miles
Fairly long day of riding on this day. We’ll ride some fantastic roads, see many temples and old farm houses. We’ll be riding the roads of the “real” Japan – the Japan most foreigners never see. We’ll ‘Ride the Dragon’ – a long stretch of road with hundreds of twisties. It’s a blast! We’ll ride south to the island of Kyushu, the most Southerly and Westerly of Japan’s four main islands. Kyushu is known for its friendly, festive locals and is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese civilization. Toward the evening, we’ll stay at a nationally-renowned Kurakawa hot springs. This particular hotspring is very special and very high-end, with some guest houses dating over 350 years old. Even members of the Royal Family have stayed here!

Thursday, April 3, 2008
Day Six:
Kurakawa Hot Springs to Yufuin
About 130 miles
Another day of world-class riding. Explore volcanoes, backroads and small towns of Kyushu. Ride around the rim of the largest caldera in the world at Aso-kuju National Park. This mountainous area has many volcanoes and the world’s largest caldera basin, with a circumference of about 55 miles. The Aso area also has a magnificent view of Aso-Gogaku Five Mountains, including meadows and the active volcano, Mt. Naka-Dake. We’ll stay at a hot springs resort under the shadow of volcanoes, overlooking the town of Yufuin, where the rhythmic ringing of temple bells can sometimes be heard.

Friday, April 4, 2008
Day Seven:
Yufuin to Shikoku Island and Misaki Pennisula
105 miles
Today, we’ll make a side-trip to the Iwashita Museum – an amazing collection of hundreds of motorcycles from around the world (including the 1600cc Amazonus!) Then we’ll take a ferry from Kyushu Island to Shikoku Island where we’ll feast on seafood in a little fishing town on the Misaki Peninsula. Food is literally carried straight from boats to the kitchen to your table. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!

Saturday, April 5, 2008
Day Eight:
Misaki to Kazurabashi
180 miles
We’ll ride across the island of Shikoku to the Kuzaribashi area where we’ll ride through more than 60 tunnels before lunch. This is by far the best day of riding. Twisties, mountains, tunnels, LOTS to see! After a superb day of riding, we’ll be stay at a top-notch hotel that provides a tram-way to the uppermost outdoor pools overlooking the valley. Absolutely breathtaking.

Sunday, April 6, 2008
Day Nine:
Full Circle (Farewell Dinner)
About 70 miles
We’ll ride back to Okayama on the island of Honshu and turn in our bikes after crossing some of the largest suspension bridges in the world. Our farewell dinner will be in Okayama, where we’ll picnic near an idyllic lake surrounded with blossoming cherry trees in full bloom. This will be our day to relax, kick back, chat and say our goodbyes.

Monday, April 7, 2008
Day Ten:
Flight Home from Okayama, Japan.

Tour Dates: Tour dates are subject to change in the event of accommodation restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances and limitations. In the event of a date change (usually only by a day or two), riders will be notified, and reasonable assistance and reimbursement will be provided.

Pricing

3 Island Japan 2008 Pricing

Tour Rider with Single Occupancy: $6,950.00*
Tour Rider with Double Occupancy: $5,750.00*
Non Rider/Passenger: $4,700.00

*Price includes rental of a 400CC bike.

Please call 800-222-1994 ext. 402 or email us for more information or to register for this tour.

Deposit

A $1000.00 deposit is required to secure a spot on the tours. The deposit will go towards the final tour price.

Full Payment

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received more than 60 days prior to departure for a full refund. Cancellations received less than 60 days from departure will receive a 50% refund. If your reservation is filled by another rider, a full refund less the deposit will be issued. After 60 days, deposits are NOT refundable, but ARE transferable to a different party or to a later date (subject to availability). We strongly suggest that riders purchase traveler's insurance prior to registering for a tour to help off-set any costs involved in the event of a cancellation.

Tour Dates

Tour dates are subject to change in the event of accommodation restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances and limitations. In the event of a date change (usually only by a day or two), riders will be notified, and reasonable assistance and reimbursement will be provided.

Map

Japan 2008

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