As expected, Japan is a huge contrast to Thailand (and the rest of the world for that matter). It is unbelievably unique… technologically and culturally so advanced, yet so simple and laid back. It’s a place we’ve come to love and feel at home in.

Due to the delays with shipment of the bike, we were forced to spend a couple of nights in Fukuoka. Luckily it’s a city with a good vibe and tasty ramen (Japanese noodle soup).

We found a cheap room at a ‘business’ hotel for US$50 a night (with TV nd free internet). That’s very cheap by Japan standards. But way too much for our budget of US$30-40, so we had to get on the road ASAP…

While waiting for the Africa to arrive, we visited the Japanese Automobile Association (JAF) to get our Carnet (CDP) authenticated and be issued with some paperwork (in Japanese) explaining that we are only transiting Japan on a foreign registered bike with foreign number plates. Something the police can question sometimes.

The bike finally arrived on the third day and we spent most of the afternoon getting it out of the crate and re-assembled.

The customs and JAL cargo staff were very helpful, even arranging for fuel which had run out about 10m outside the cargo warehouse
BTW, fuel in Japan is US$1.50 per litre.

Negotiating our way out of Fukuoka was easy and we were soon making our way over the bridge onto the main island of Japan - Honshu. We have decided to stay off the expressways, as they are ridiculously expensive and not the way to explore the countryside. Instead we’re tracking along the north coast of Honshu (also known as the San-in coast) famed for its rugged coastline and laid back atmosphere.

We spent our first night ‘on the road’ camped among some rice patties. It had a great waterfront view, free ‘air-conditioning’, ‘attached’ toilet and cost US$0…

The next day we met some Japanese surfers - Toshi and his girlfriend Emi…

Again the coastal scenery was spectacular…