Our Japan Three Island motorcycle tour features the best riding of the three main southern Japanese Islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku.The route is laid out to avoid city traffic and focuses on open country roads, elevation changes, and stunning coastal riding. Be prepared to not see foreigners the entire motorcycle trip, as we will be staying at some places only the locals go. Dinners and breakfasts during this tour are included in the tour package, and are most appropriately describes as world-class cuisine: ornate and decadent. With the exception of one night, all lodging includes natural thermal hot springs. These are traditional Japanese “onsens” and are a great way to unwind after a day in the elements. Get ready to ride past steaming volcanoes, through lush forests, along clear running rivers and rugged coastline. There is a style and elegance about the Japanese that can only be experienced to be appreciated. This ride coincides with fall colors.

Road Conditions: This tour features 100% paved surfaces. Of all the motorcycle tours we offer, the roads are some of the best pavement we encounter in all of our tours. Get ready for fun, mountainous roads full of twisties, many tunnels and stunning coastal riding.

ARRIVAL DAY

DAY 1 - Arrive in Okayama, Japan. Some riders may arrive late today, so our Welcome Dinner will be tomorrow night. Stay in Okayama, Japan.

DAY 2 - Okayama, Japan to Tsuyama, Japan: To help riders adapt to the time change, we have designed a rest day, focusing on a tour of Okayama, and transfer to Tsuyama, where our motorcycles await. There are lots of things to see and do in Okayama while you may be catching up on jet lag. We will lead a group visit of 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. We will transfer to the small town of Tsuyama. Welcome Dinner this evening. Stay in Tsuyama.

DAY 3 - Tsuyama to Arifuku Hot Springs: The riding starts today! We'll pick up the motorcycles and head 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 village, tucked away in the countryside and known for its healing properties. Stay at Arifuku.

DAY 4 - Arifuku Hot Springs to Chinsui Hot Springs: Experience riding you never thought existed in Japan. Today, we’ll travel south through the backroads of Honshu Island and ride past stunning vistas along the Sea of Japan. Half of today’s riding is along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and the other half is through the mountainous 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. Stay at Chinsui.

DAY 5 - Chinsui Hot Springs to Hita: 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 heavily forested stretches of road with hundreds of twisties. It’s a blast! We’ll cross over to the 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. Stay in Hita.

DAY 6 - Hita to Aso Caldera: Another day of world-class riding. We will start the day by visiting a unique vintage BMW restoration shop. After that, explore the volcanoes, backroads and small towns of Kyushu. We’ll also make a side-trip to the Iwashita Museum – an amazing collection of hundreds of motorcycles from around the world (including the 1600cc Amazonus!) Stay near Aso Caldera.

DAY 7 - Aso Caldera to Kitaura: Ride around the rim of one of the largest calderas in the world at Aso-kuju National Park. This mountainous area has many volcanoes and one of 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 head for the coast and stay right on the ocean with a forest canopy as a backdrop. Stay near Kitaura.

DAY 8 - Kitaura to Shikoku Island and Misaki Peninsula: Then we’ll take a ferry from Kyushu Island to Shikoku Island. This afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the roads at the tip of the Misaki Peninsula...fascinating and fun! We’ll feast on seafood in a little fishing town on the Misaki Peninsula this evening. Food is literally carried straight from boats to the kitchen to your table. It doesn’t get any fresher than this! Stay on Misaki Peninsula.

DAY 9 - Misaki Peninsula to Oboke: We’ll ride across the island of Shikoku to the Kuzaribashi area where we’ll ride through more than 60 tunnels before lunch! Ride where only the locals know. This is by far the best day of riding. Twisties, mountains, tunnels, LOTS to see! Stay near Oboke.

DAY 10 - Oboke to Tsuyama to Okayama: We’ll ride back to Tsuyama on the island of Honshu and turn in our bikes after crossing some of the largest suspension bridges in the world. We will tranfer back to Okayama. Our farewell dinner will be in Okayama, where we’ll picnic near an idyllic lake surrounded with vibrant fall colors. Transfer to Okayama. Stay in Okayama.

DAY 11 - Day in Hiroshima: Take a high speed bullet train and visit Hiroshima for the day from Okayama. Check out the Peace memorial, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum We will be happy to escort you there! *This activity is included in the tour package. High Speed Train tickets, guide, transportation to and from train stations, all included.

DAY 12 - Fly Home or keep the dream alive. The next motorcycle adventure vacation awaits!

DEPARTURE DAY

• Hotel Accommodations
• Premiere Welcome and Farewell Dinners
• Professional MotoQuest Guide(s)
• Support Vehicle
• Support Vehicle Driver
• Staff Trained in First Aid with Satellite Phone
• MotoQuest Swag Bag
• Photos Taken on the Trip
• Automatic Enrollment in Global Rescue

• Airfare
• Meals on the Road
• Gas
• Alcohol
• Alternative Tours
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• National Park Entrance Fees