Job Discussion Forums

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

I bought a motorcycle within a month of arriving of in Japan. In my case I didn't really see any reason to wait. If you're going to buy a bike eventually anyway, go ahead and start enjoying it now.
My first bike was a Yamaha SRX 600cc, which was a little small for me, so I sold it and got a Suzuki Bandit 1200cc. I enjoyed the Bandit and rode it for 6 years until I returned to the USA. If I had it to do over I would have ridden something around 750cc since the 1200cc bike was little too much work muscling it around in Tokyo traffic. Just be aware of the costs to drive on Japanese toll roads. I had envisoned myself taking lots of long distance trips with a gal on the back, but found that the costs held me back (still had the gal on the back but only to Inokashira Koen or some other nearby place!). I understand the govt has lowered the price for weekends on the toll roads, but then you have to stressfully split lanes through the traffic jams.
In answer to the OP's question about Japanese drivers, I found them to be extremely cautious and very aware of motorcyclists around them. They will signal every time they change lanes or turn while here in America the average driver seldom signals his intention to change lanes. In fact, I have little desire to ride again back here in the USA due to safety concerns.
One last good option might be one of those 400cc scooters, they're big and comfortable. If I go back to Japan, I think I'll ride one as they are well powered but automatic and easy to cruise around the city with. They're nice to be able to store the helmet or other stuff, since the seat lifts up providing good storage space.

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

I found bike prices to be very good. I had a student whose cousin owned a bike shop. He set me up with a good bike for a very reasonable price, Like used cars, used bikes in Japan are very cheaply priced. My bike was three years old and had only 2500km on it when I bought it. I got it for nearly half the new price.
I rode my bike to work while working for one major eikaiwa that had a policy of employees not riding to work. I just parked around the corner and just didn't mention it to the staff. I am sure they knew, but since I didn't mention it the face saving issue was covered.

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/search.php?searchid=3983550
http://www.gaijinbikers.com/wp/2006/01/18/tips-for-the-japanese-motorcyle-license-test/
http://www.city.nishio.aichi.jp/index.cfm/6,3509,c,html/1845/19.pdf

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

When I was there (99-07) the law was that you could use a international license for up to one year at which time you needed to get a Japanese one. I just kept renewing my international license, which was not exactly legal but always worked for me and for my Japanese insurance company. If you get a japanese license it will need to be based on the size bike you get. 250cc will be a pretty easy license to get, the big bike license is supposed to be a bit more difficult and requires you to be able to prove you can pick the bike up when put on its side.

The laws may have changed so it would be a good idea to check the links that Glenski provided. If you end up in Tokyo, check out "motorcycle city" near Ueno station. Tons of cool bikes especially in the 400cc and under range. You're going to love riding in Japan!

MissJenn610 · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Florida, U.S.A.

Hi! I have a driving question.
(I thought it would be better to post it here, in an existing thread, than to create a new one, since I'm a newb on the forum. But I'm sorry for bumping an old thread!)

I am going to Hokkaido in March. I'll be in Atsuma-cho, a little town about 30 minutes southeast of Chitose.
I know it will be insanely snowy for up to 5 months of the year... so I'm wondering about road conditions.
From the information I've found online, salt/ashes are very rarely used to de-ice the roads, and that plows don't clear the roads and that the roads become pack snow that is driven on.

This is very surprising news to me, and honestly I'm a bit afraid of what the conditions are really like. (I mean, I know people do it all the time, and I'll just have to get used to it, but it's a little daunting to say the least.)
Also, I'm going to have to adjust to driving on the other side of the road (American).
I'd love to hear any stories of Hokkaido road conditions and such.
Thanks!

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

I am from Hokkaido. Cars have snow tires so driving on packed snow is no problem. The Chitose area is very cold, there will still be snow there then. It won't be good for riding bikes!

one thing to be careful about is; there are 3 different motorbike licenses here.
from memory from 0cc to 50cc (??)
from 50 to 250cc (??)
and over 250cc

so if you want to ride a big bike make sure you get the right license

I had a bike back home so go the full "ogata" (over 250cc)
coming from NZ I didn't need to do a driving test, just the paper work

Also it depends very much where you want to live, as I am in Hokkaido and I think motobikes are pretty much unridable in northern Honshu and Hokkaido in winter

I have found the J car drivers to be slightly better than back home in most areas but the slow speed limits annoy me, esp in Hokkaido there are some great long quiet country roads (excellent for touring) and the speed limit is the same as inside a city back home! Go figure

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

I've heard that the tests are extremely difficult...

Since I don't plan on getting more than a 250cc bike if I get a bike in Japan (only if my employer doesn't make me take a car), is the 50~250cc test hard? Chuugata I think it's called...

I thought the lowest level was 0~125cc...

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I ride a 50cc 26 k's to work every dayin 50 minutes.

MissJenn610 · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Florida, U.S.A.

Flyer, thanks for your response.
(I will certainly be driving a car. Bikes scare me haha)

I grew up in the Northeast of America and am used to snow (though I doubt I've experienced anything like Hokkaido snow) and snow tires, but in my experience there isn't much you can do on ice.
I think the lack of de-icing the roads is what scares me the most.
Is ice a big problem for driving... or does it seem to just accumulate snow on the roads?

Are there usually a lot of accidents?

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

well, they do grader the roads, that helps but you are still drivng on sonw/ice. On some dangerous places they put on sand or salt (to melt it) but this is not common.
In March, esp late March, a lot of the roads would have melted, at least in the driving part of it?
Another thing, you drive a lot slower!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

MissJenn610 · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Florida, U.S.A.

Thank you flyer and Glenski! I really appreciate the information! Smile

Wow... I'm going to die... haha. Probably not, but it's certainly unnerving to think about road conditions being like that. I'll just have to get used to it. I'm a very careful driver to begin with, so I'll make sure to definitely go slooow!
I doubt in the extremely rural town I'll be in (Atsuma-cho - pop. 4,900!) that the roads will have anything at all done to them.

I'm hoping that the car I'm provided with will have 4wheel or all wheel drive and snow tires! I'm hoping this is pretty standard for cars in Hokkaido...

Maybe by late-March it won't be so bad... so I can acclimate to a new driving system without the extra hazards. We'll see, I suppose!

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

Most cars are 4WD here but not all. We have 2 cars, one is 4WD and one is not. Most days you are fine without 4WD, the worst times are when its slightly warmer in the day and cold at night (like when you are coming)
because then things melt in the day and freeze again making ice.
When its below zero all day its nowhere near as bad. May sound strange but true.
Just take it nice and slowly at first, you should be OK. But yes, 4WD would be better

ZennoSaji · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Mito, Ibaraki

Two points of inquiry:

#1, In relation to the texting thing, my friend has lived in Okinawa for the last three years and told me that she saw devices that doubled as TVs on the dashboard, and that they were quite common and even more of a road hazard, because people would be watching their favorite Dorama~ while driving down the highway. Is this true on Mainland?

#2, does being a Foreigner (especially American) automatically make the traffic accident your fault?