Why Japan Is Every Motorcycle Enthusiast’s Dream Destination
Japan might just be the world’s best-kept secret for motorcycle touring, and Big Bike Tours is here to show you exactly why this incredible country should be at the top of your riding bucket list. Picture this: you’re cruising through a landscape where ancient temples peek through morning mist, mountain roads twist like dragons through emerald forests, and every corner reveals another postcard-perfect view of Mount Fuji. This isn’t just a daydream – it’s what awaits you on a Big Bike Tours Asia adventure through the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japan truly stands out as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we at Big Bike Tours are here to show you some of the best spots, routes, and experiences it has to offer. Imagine riding through Japan on a winding, dragon-shaped road, passing through some of the most fascinating and picturesque destinations the country has to offer. With 70% of the country covered by mountains, perfect roads, abundant nature, delicious cuisine, and exceptional safety, Japan is a true paradise for motorcycle enthusiasts who crave big bike touring adventures.
The Magic of Japanese Mountain Roads
What makes Japan such a motorcyclist’s paradise? Start with those legendary mountain roads that snake through the countryside like ribbons of asphalt perfection. With 70% of the country covered by mountains, Japan offers perfect roads through abundant nature, creating an unmatched riding experience that combines technical challenges with breathtaking scenery.
The famous “dragon roads” of Japan aren’t just marketing speak – they’re real routes that have been carved into mountainsides with the precision and artistry you’d expect from Japanese engineering. From Tokyo you cannot go wrong with planning a ride to Izu and around Mount Fuji. Even 3 days you can experience a lot and in as little as 4-5 days you could ride the Japanese alps in Nagano and Mount Fuji and Izu. These roads offer everything from gentle curves perfect for touring to heart-pounding switchbacks that will test your skills.
Cultural Immersion Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
But here’s where Big Bike Tours Asia really shines – we don’t just show you roads, we open doors to authentic Japanese culture that most tourists never experience. On top of all the incredible riding, Japan boasts a unique culture that stands out not just in Asia, but across the globe. And there’s no better way to explore it than on a motorcycle, with the freedom to go wherever the road takes you.
Big Bike Tours embodies the spirit of Omotenashi – the philosophy of Japanese hospitality that goes beyond service. It’s about anticipating guests’ needs and paying attention to every detail, ensuring your motorcycle tour in Japan experience is seamless and unforgettable. This isn’t just customer service; it’s a cultural art form that transforms your journey from a simple tour into a genuine connection with Japan’s heart and soul.
The Golden Triangle and Beyond: Must-Ride Routes
Japan’s Golden Triangle encompasses ultra-modern Tokyo, the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji and Hakone, the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, and the incredibly preserved old town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps. This classic route forms the backbone of many Big Bike Tours Asia adventures, but we take it several steps further.
Mount Fuji: The Iconic Centerpiece
No motorcycle tour Japan adventure is complete without experiencing Mount Fuji up close. Mount Fuji offers multiple roads that reach various heights, with the Subaru Line from Lake Kawaguchiko reaching 2,305m above sea level. The views from these mountain roads are simply spectacular, offering perspectives of Japan’s most famous landmark that few tourists ever witness.
The routes around Mount Fuji’s base provide some of the most rewarding big bike touring in all of Asia. Riding the base of Fuji stopping at the lakes to the north west for the famous Fuji views then time permitting ride routes 300,409,36,358 in a loop creates an unforgettable day of riding with constantly changing vistas.
The Japanese Alps: Where Roads Meet Heaven
The Japanese Alps region offers some of the most challenging and rewarding big bike touring experiences in the world. These mountain roads wind through pristine wilderness areas where you might encounter wild monkeys at hot springs, ancient shrines hidden in forests, and traditional villages that look like they’ve been frozen in time for centuries.
Why Choose Big Bike Tours Asia for Your Japanese Adventure?
Safety and Professionalism First
Big Bike Tours offers tours guided by professional road captains, mechanics, and tour guides with certified first aid training. Safety isn’t just a priority – it’s woven into every aspect of our operation. Japan already ranks as one of the world’s safest countries, and when you combine that with our meticulous attention to detail, you get a riding experience where you can focus purely on the joy of the journey.
Premium Equipment and Support
We don’t mess around when it comes to motorcycles. Big Bike Tours provides well-maintained motorcycles for a smooth and thrilling ride, maintained to European standards by professional mechanics. Each tour includes well-maintained motorcycles, comfortable accommodations, dining experiences, and stunning cultural and natural attractions. We only use fully serviced motorcycles exclusively for our tours – no rental bikes or worn-out equipment here.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
Group sizes are kept small (10-12 riders) for a safer and more personal experience. This isn’t a cattle drive where you’re just another helmet in the crowd. Our intimate group sizes mean personalized attention, flexibility to adapt routes based on group preferences, and the chance to form genuine friendships with fellow riders from around the world.
The Perfect Balance: 70% Riding, 30% Cultural Discovery
What sets Big Bike Tours Asia apart from other motorcycle tour companies is our perfect balance of riding time and cultural immersion. We’ve learned that the best motorcycle tours Japan has to offer aren’t just about covering miles – they’re about creating memories that last a lifetime.
Premium Accommodations: From Ryokans to Luxury Hotels
Experience traditional Japanese hospitality in authentic ryokans where you’ll sleep on tatami mats, soak in natural hot springs (onsen), and enjoy multi-course kaiseki dinners that are works of art. Tours include comfortable accommodations, dining experiences, and stunning cultural and natural attractions. We also include luxury hotels in major cities, giving you the best of both traditional and modern Japanese hospitality.
Culinary Adventures on Two Wheels
Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi and ramen, though you’ll certainly enjoy the best versions of those too. Our routes take you to local eateries where you’ll taste regional specialties that most tourists never discover. From fresh seafood in coastal fishing villages to mountain vegetables prepared in ways that will surprise and delight you, every meal becomes part of your adventure.
Exploring Japan’s Hidden Island Paradise: Shikoku
One of the most exciting aspects of Big Bike Tours Asia adventures is our inclusion of Shikoku Island – a hidden gem known among motorcyclists as having some of the world’s best riding roads. Riders can ride to Shikoku Island – a hidden gem known for its motorcycle paradise roads. This island, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, offers an authentically Japanese experience with fewer crowds and more genuine cultural encounters.
Shikoku’s winding coastal roads provide spectacular ocean views, while the interior mountains offer technical riding challenges through ancient pilgrimage routes. The famous 88-temple pilgrimage circuit has created a network of roads that connect sacred sites, mountain villages, and scenic viewpoints in ways that seem designed specifically for motorcycle touring.
Seasonal Magic: When to Experience Japan by Motorcycle
Spring Cherry Blossom Season (March-May)
Cherry Blossom Surge: Visitor numbers in March and April 2024 for the popular cherry blossom season reached over 3 million each month. Spring brings the famous sakura season, when pink and white cherry blossoms create tunnel-like canopies over riding routes. The weather is perfect for big bike touring, with comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall.
Summer Adventures (June-August)
Summer offers the longest days and warmest weather, perfect for extended riding sessions. While it can get hot, the mountain roads provide natural air conditioning, and the seasonal festivals throughout the country add cultural richness to your journey.
Autumn Colors (September-November)
Fall might be the most spectacular time for motorcycle tours Japan. The autumn leaves create a natural light show as you ride through forests painted in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. The weather remains comfortable, and the harvest season means peak freshness for local cuisine.
Winter Charm (December-February)
While not traditionally considered riding season, Japan’s southern regions and coastal areas remain accessible and offer unique winter experiences, including hot spring visits that feel especially rewarding after a day of cool-weather riding.
The Big Bike Tours Asia Difference: More Than Just a Ride
Award-Winning Excellence
Big Bike Tours has received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2014, recognizing our consistent commitment to providing exceptional experiences. This isn’t just about getting from point A to point B – it’s about creating transformative travel experiences that change how you see the world.
Local Knowledge and Connections
Our guides aren’t just skilled riders – they’re cultural ambassadors with deep connections throughout Japan. They know which mountain pass offers the best sunrise views, which local restaurant serves the most authentic regional dishes, and which hidden shrine offers the most peaceful moments of reflection.
Comprehensive Included Services
When we say our pricing is fully inclusive, we mean it. Big Bike Tours Asia tours include all accommodations, most meals, motorcycle rental, fuel, insurance, professional guides, support vehicles, and entrance fees to cultural sites. Pricing for tours is fully inclusive, with no hidden fees, offering good value for money. No surprise costs, no hidden fees – just pure adventure.
Technical Riding Paradise: Roads That Challenge and Reward
Japan’s motorcycle infrastructure is world-class, with road surfaces that would make European highway engineers weep with envy. The mountain roads are engineering marvels that manage to be both technically challenging and perfectly safe, with proper banking in curves, excellent visibility, and surfaces that provide ideal traction in all weather conditions.
The Famous Route Collections
Japan’s numbered route system includes some legendary roads among motorcycle enthusiasts. Routes like the famous “Dragon Road” through Nara Prefecture offer dozens of perfectly engineered curves through forest and mountain scenery. The coastal routes provide sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, while mountain passes test your riding skills with elevation changes that can take you from sea level to over 2,000 meters in a single day’s ride.
Planning Your Big Bike Tours Asia Adventure
Getting Started
The beauty of choosing Big Bike Tours is that we handle all the complex logistics while you focus on the riding. We provide detailed pre-departure information, coordinate airport transfers, handle all motorcycle documentation, and ensure you have everything needed for a worry-free adventure.
What to Expect
A typical Big Bike Tours Asia adventure combines 4-6 hours of riding per day with cultural activities, sightseeing, and plenty of time to absorb the incredible experiences. Tours prioritize safety, adventure, and immersive experiences in local cultures. We’re not trying to set speed records – we’re creating memories.
Group Dynamics
Our small group sizes mean you’ll ride with like-minded adventurers from around the world. Many participants form lasting friendships that extend far beyond the tour itself. The shared experience of discovering Japan by motorcycle creates bonds that are hard to replicate in other travel formats.
Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Gems Only Locals Know
While other tour companies stick to the standard tourist routes, Big Bike Tours Asia leverages our local connections to access experiences that simply aren’t available to typical tourists. We visit craft workshops where master artisans still practice techniques passed down through generations, explore mountain villages where traditional life continues unchanged, and discover hot springs known only to locals.
Authentic Cultural Encounters
These aren’t staged cultural performances – they’re genuine encounters with Japanese people living traditional lifestyles. You might share tea with a monk at a mountaintop temple, learn traditional crafts from master artisans, or participate in local festivals where you’re the only non-Japanese visitors.
The Rising Popularity of Japan Motorcycle Tourism
January 2025 alone saw a staggering 3,781,200 incoming travelers, a 40.6% annual increase to Japan, indicating unprecedented interest in Japanese travel experiences. However, Due to the high volume of inquiries motorcycle tour operators are currently receiving, some have temporarily suspended new reservations, making it more important than ever to book your Big Bike Tours Asia adventure well in advance.
The Luxury Travel Trend
In the second half of 2024, there was a 42% increase in interest in Japan luxury tour packages, reflecting travelers’ desire for premium experiences. Big Bike Tours perfectly captures this trend by offering luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, and exclusive access to cultural experiences, all while providing the adventure and freedom that only motorcycle touring can deliver.
Environmental Responsibility and Sustainable Tourism
Big Bike Tours Asia recognizes our responsibility to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage that makes Japan such an incredible destination. We work with local communities to ensure our tours provide economic benefits while minimizing environmental impact. Our small group sizes, carefully planned routes, and partnerships with environmentally conscious accommodations reflect our commitment to sustainable tourism.
Making Your Japan Motorcycle Dream Reality
No One Offers More Time to Truly Enjoy Each Location
This isn’t a race across Japan – it’s a deep dive into one of the world’s most fascinating cultures. Big Bike Tours provides more time at each location than any other motorcycle touring company, allowing you to truly absorb the experiences rather than just collecting passport stamps.
Ready to Transform Your Perspective on Travel?
Come join us and experience it all! Big Bike Tours Asia offers invaluable local knowledge combined with world-class logistics, safety standards, and cultural access that transforms a simple motorcycle tour into a life-changing adventure. Reach out to us today, and we’ll help you plan your motorcycle tour in Japan – an unforgettable adventure that will redefine your understanding of what travel can be.
Book your Japan motorcycle tour today and ride through history, nature, and adventure! With Big Bike Tours, you’re not just touring Japan – you’re discovering a part of yourself you never knew existed, one perfectly banked curve at a time.
The roads of Japan are calling, and Big Bike Tours Asia has the key to unlock experiences that will stay with you forever. This isn’t just about the destination – it’s about the transformation that happens when you combine the freedom of big bike touring with the profound beauty and culture of Japan. Your adventure of a lifetime is waiting.