ADVrider - Japan 6 Days

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- - Japan 6 Days (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488424)

Living in congested, cramped Tokyo, I thought it would be in the best interests of mental health to ride up to the Tohoku (Northeast) region of Honshu the main island of Japan for 6 days and see what is going on up there.
I hope to ride on roads best suited for my motorcycle as much as possible: The brilliant Honda Varadero XL1000V. That means avoiding tight twisting roads which Japan is famous for. Riding tight twisties for 8 hours a day on a heavy bike is not what I will be looking for on the trip.
I will ride a loop from Tokyo up to Iwate Prefecture and back trying not to cover the same roads twice.
I have never been up to the Tohoku Region before, so I am totally up for this.
Here is a picture of what I will be escaping from:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture526.jpgThis is an intersection about 10 minutes from where I live. There are no less than 16 lanes of traffic passing through this intersection. It is apparently the busiest in the whole country.

The gear that needs packing. I do not have a GPS system, so it's old school paper maps for me.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture514.jpg
The Vara and myself fully-loaded!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture520.jpg
Outside my apartment. The June rain is still lingering.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture521.jpg
My girlfriend, Mercédès seeing me off. Her family has a house in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture. I will rendezvous with her at the house in 2 days time.
As her name, Mercédès suggests, she will take the train. Sensible option.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture519.jpg
Sayonara!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture522.jpg

Friday morning up bright and early. I didn’t sleep well the night before, I was too excited, anxious, nervous, scared….. I wonder what it must be like for people actually embarking on a really epic journey around the world the night before?
I live on the west side of Tokyo and need to ride up to the north side and pick up the Tohoku Express that runs out of Tokyo and right up to the northern regions of Honshu. I head to Sendai which is about 400 km and takes approximately 6 hours.
A great run up the expressway with light traffic. I take the Vara up to speeds that would take a lot of charm and explaining to wangle my way out of a speeding ticket/ suspended license.

Stop en route for some lunch. Only bike in the parking area. Haven't seen another bike on the freeway yet today which is very rare.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture535.jpg

Noodles for lunch.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture534.jpg

Nice bike parking sign Kanji thingy.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture529.jpg

Get up to Sendai at around 2 pm.
http://<IFRAME height=350 marginHeight=0 src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Tokyo&daddr=Sendai&hl=en &geocode=&mra=ls&dirflg=d&sll=37.186579,140.361328 &sspn=3.124295,4.779053&ie=UTF8&ll=37.169072,140.3 50342&spn=2.57991,1.30258&output=embed" frameBorder=0 width=425 marginWidth=0 scrolling=no></IFRAME>
View Larger Map

Over 7 hours riding the Varadero and not a single ache or pain. Sublime machine. Thirsty though. It burnt its way through a full tank of 25 litres and then some. I forgive the bike's drinking problem because it's such a comfortable beast.
The toll on the freeway from Tokyo to Sendai was about 5,000 yen ($50). 

Not a lot to see historically for the traveler in Sendai. The place was totally destroyed in WWII. About 50 km up the coast is Matsushima (Pine Island) though. This is a bay dotted with over 250 islands all covered with twisted pine trees. Matsushima is considered one the most beautiful places in Japan. I figured I'd go take a look and see what all the fuss is about before searching for my hotel in Sendai.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture574.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture540.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture542.jpg

Bridge to Godaido Hall of Worship. This is part of Zuigan-ji temple that I intend to visit tomorrow. 
There are some very beautifully carved animals under the eaves and on the supports for the roof. 
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture547.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture551.jpg
The interior of the hall is said to be very beautiful housing 5 statues of Buddhist figures. You would have to wait around a while to see inside though because the hall is opened only once every 33 years!

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture553.jpg

This looks like a nice crib. I was tempted to knock on the door and see if they would let me crash on the floor for the night.
I like their style.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture554.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture557.jpg


After asking half the population of Sendai for directions, I finally find my hotel.
The Japanese like to be vague.

Me: Excuse me, do you know where this hotel is?
Vague Dude: Oh, that one. Yeah, it's over that way.
Me: Over there?
Vague Dude: Yeah, pass some buildings and then turn right.
Me: Very helpful.
Vague Dude: Indeed.

Very clean business hotel. 4,000 yen ($40) for the night.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture581.jpg

Treated myself to a nice soak in the bath after a long day's ride.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture586.jpg

Then outside, lo and behold a steak house materialized before my very eyes. I'm there!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture587.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture588.jpg

And in a flash I was back at the hotel and before you could say boo to a goose, I was in the arms of Morpheus and sleeping like a new born.

This trip would be nothing less than complete if you don't wait the 33 yrs to enter that old temple!

Nice! Love to see more of Japan, thanks for the glimpse :thumb

:lurk

Extremly interesting to see Japan. Gods spee and safe riding! :norton

Hi, I'm planning to go to Sendai around autumn. I live in Ibaraki, so I'm planning to go up the coast and come back on the highway. Looking forward to the rest of your trip. Cheers,

After hearing so much how expensive Japan is it's nice to see you can get a room for $40. Keep the pics and commentary coming!

Fantastic, thats one place I have always wanted to ride and even live in. More pics pls!

NipponDero touring! Love it! :clap

Good to read ride reports from Japan. Look forward to reading more and seeing LOTS of pictures. Thanks
mcc66

I am dying to go to Japan myself....more pics please!!!!

Quote:

Hi, I'm planning to go to Sendai around autumn. I live in Ibaraki, so I'm planning to go up the coast and come back on the highway.

Emijah, I hear ya. Riding in Autumn is just brilliant. October is defintely one of the best months to be on a bike here. Look into the Rikuchu Kaigan run. Route 45 that runs north out of Sendai.

Thanks for your encouraging comments and interest everyone.

Brilliant! A Honshu roadtrip in progress! And on a Varadero. And some Bashu moments. Love to hear about the bike, handling, etc; and photos! Are you hopping up to Hokaido? Perhaps some Haiku for ADVing? Drive safe and have a great trip man!