Touring & motorcycling - Essence of Japan

The essence of Japan

Duration

18 days - 15 nights

Distance

2 500 km

Meal

15 bkf, 12 meals

Riding

14 days

Price

price from 4 564,00 € /pers

Quote

The essence of Japan,

Programme and highlights

Between tradition and modernity, technologies and manga stand alongside formalities and spiritual traditions. A few hours from the urban bustle, the campaign offers marvelous sceneries and special moments. Tea plantations through the dormant volcanoes and thermal springs, the landscapes will delight your imagination. From Tokyo to Hiroshima, on selected routes for bikers, you will cross the mythical Japanese archipelago.

Riding over Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge

The tea plantations with view of Mount Fuji

Walking arround the sacred island of Miyajima

Exploring the historic center of Kyoto on foot

Enjoying a free day in the heart of the megalopolis

Discovering the enchanted Byôdô-in temple

Staying in traditional Japanese lodgings

Experiencing the legendary Japanese etiquette

The impressive castle of Himeji

Enjoying Japan's highly refined cuisine

PROGRAMME EXTRACT, "The essence of Japan"

The whole 17 days programme is available on request, Or here, in french

Day 3

HAKONE

130 km / 3h00

Load luggage into the support vehicle and pick up motorcycles mid-morning. After a quick briefing, experience riding through the world's largest megalopolis for the very first time. Ride over Rainbow Bridge and take in the views of Tokyo Bay.
After lunch at mid-way, arrive in Hakone, a town clinging to the side of a mountain that is renowned for its hot springs. Enjoy an evening Japanese meal, donning a Yukata, and make the most of the ryokan's hot springs called "Onsen".

Ise-jingū, motorcycle road trip to Japan with Air Moto Tours

Day 5

IGA

170 km / 3h15

This morning, for 40-minute crossing we will board a ferry, that will take us, to Mount Asamagatake which offers a splendid view over all the bay below and, to Ise, in the Mie prefecture, famous home to Shinto shrines. Let's stop for a few hours, to explore Ise Jingu Shrine and, to stroll through the neighborhoods and Ise’s lovely passages of what was once the essential step of merchants. Through winding roads towards Iga, we will reach our hotel before sunset.

Ritsurin-kōen, motorcycle road trip to Japan with Air Moto Tours

Day 7

TAKAMATSU

150 km - 3h45

This sacred site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to almost 120 temples and monasteries. Freely, discover some of them in a part of this morning before we leave for Shikoku island and an about three hours’ ferry cruise crossing the Kii Channel. Have some rest on this time. Arrival late afternoon at Takamatsu. We will be staying in the heart of the city and be able to take advantage of some karaoke during the evening.

Day 9

IZUMO

180 km / 3h00

Departure by ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima. Besides Ootorii door flanked middle of the see, made by wood in camphor and red vermilion lacquered, throughout your walk on the island, you will discover the Itsukushima sanctuary and its pavilions that seem to float on water; an island of an extreme beauty. Have a free lunch. Early in the afternoon, by beautiful mounting roads and charming Japanese villages for more than two hours, ride towards the Japanese Sea at the other side of Honshu. Free evening and dinner.

Kiziomi Dera, motorcycle road trip to Japan with Air Moto Tours

Day 11

KYOTO

235 km / 5h15

Enjoy a local breakfast. Departure for a long ride, fabulous countryside and winding roads to Kyoto’s outskirts. At mid-way have lunch in group.
Arrive at mid-day tothe Kinkaku-ji and its stunning garden. Called Golden Pavilion, it is the most visited temple in Japan Let yourself get swept away by the beauty of the building covered in gold leaf and take in the glorious reflections from the side of the lake. Spend the evening and enjoy a meal at a traditional ryokan where you will be able to make the most out of Japanese hospitality, hot spring and culinary delights.

Kyoto Geisha, motorcycle road trip to Japan with Air Moto Tours

Day 13

GIFU

180 km - 4h15

Make your way along the stunning mountain road with breath taking views of Kyoto to reach Hikone castle. Constructed at Edo time between 1603 and 1622, the palace is part of Unesco World Heritage and represents a strong symbol of the feudal Japanese system. Have lunch with the group. Visit the castle and surrounding area before heading towards your next evening stopover in Gifu. Free time to enjoy an evening diner and the nightlife in the city.

Suwa, motorcycle road trip to Japan with Air Moto Tours

Day 15

KAWAGOE

200 km - 4h15

This last day will lead us to KosuFarm through the beautiful mountain roads to finally arrive in Tomioka. This quaint village is home to a former silk mill complex which came about thanks to a business collaboration between France and Japan at the end of the 19th century. It is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discovery and guided tour. Return to the suburbs near Tokyo for nightfall.

Days 16 & 17

TOKYO

80 km / 1h30

Motorcycles drop off during the morning. A metro pass will be given to you so that you can get about on the Tokyo Metro and explore the places you want to see in famous areas such as the incredible Shibuya, Shinjuku, the Mecca of skyscrapers, Harajuku the temple of fashion and Japanese youth, Kagurazaka and its French Quarter or many other places still desirable. For our last dinner, we board a yakatabune for a 3-hour ride along Tokyo Bay. Departure for Paris at the end of day 17.

Road-book

2 500 km

Price & Practical information

price from 4 564,00 € /pers

PRICE INCLUDES

Only Group package

From Paris, return flights on regular airline & airport taxes,

Reception at the airport and all transfers,

Accommodation in standard or higher quality lodgings, based on two people sharing,

All local taxes and meals according to the detailed programme,

Visits, tolls and ferry crossings provided for in the programme,

Metro day pass for the last day of free time spent exploring Tokyo,

Administrative formalities for the pilote's driving license in Japan,

Rental of a motorcycle in category 1 and unlimited mileage,

Expected fuel and a fully comprehensive motorcycle insurance,

A French/Japanese-speaking motorcyclist attendant,

Transportation of luggage and mechanical assistance,

A road book delivered before departure.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

All packages

Cost of administrative formalities for entering Japan,

Transport to the point of departure,

Meals not included in the programme (lunch ~ ¥1,000 & dinner ~ ¥1,500),

Payment of all or part of the excess in the event of the motorcycle getting damaged,

Rental of additional equipment for the bike and the rider(s),

Comprehensive, cancellation, repatriation, medical assistance & third-party insurances,

Personal expenses, travel-related costs during evening free time,

Drinks are not covered in the programme,

Luggage weight excess & everything is not listed in the programme,

Driving offences.

OUR FORMULAS

FREEDOM RIDE from 4 564 € /pers.

We reserve YOUR FLIGHT TICKET, BOOK THE BIKE and ACCOMMODATIONS. TO YOUR OWN RHYTHM, MANAGE YOUR DAY.

GROUP from 6 435 € /pers.

WE CARE FOR YOUR FLIGHT TICKET, YOUR BIKE, YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS, YOUR LUGGAGE AND WITH OUR ATTENDANT, YOU JUST NEED TO ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THIS TRIP.

EXTRAS & TRAVEL INSURANCES

Bike	Cat 1	Cat 2	Single room	1 481 €
Couple	None	521 €	Cancellation insurance	3,0%
Single	1 1191 €	2 096 €	Extended insurance	4,0%

REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

Formalities: For foreign citizens (No French), please refer to the authorities of your country for more information.

Access: Unless otherwise provided, participants must be over 25 years of age and be the holder of a valid driving license for over three years.

Accommodation: If available and unless an explicit request is made, participants registering alone may share a twin room in order to avoid having to pay an additional charge for a single room.

Price validity: The prices are applicable at brochure's publication and for the coming season. They may be revised according to the regulation in force. Air Moto Tours reserves the right to cancel the tour or request approval from the customers to readjust the variable cost if the number of participants on the tour should not be reached (see brochure).

Payment conditions: 30% down payment of the total amount of the service per person - Balance to be settled 45 days prior to departure.