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Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

Am moving in to Chiba in two weeks and want to buy a scooter....

What can you tell me about the area.

1. What nightlife is there around ? Are there specific foreigner bars ?

2. Are there any nice beaches ?

3. How much is a 125cc scooter (I payed around $2000 in Korea) and are there any special insurance, parking rules.

I have done as much research as I can and understand that it's fairly quiet.

So if you live or have lived in the area, please let me know what you know.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

I'm moving to Yachiyo, near Chiba.

Regarding the motorbike licence, as I have held my licence for 15 years now I have been able to ride upto a 125cc in Korea.

I have an international driving licence.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

Sorry, but you didn't answer my question. What kind of international driver's license do you have? Unless it is specified that you can operate a motorbike then you will not be able to ride run here over 50cc.

By the way, I am not familiar with Yachiyo. Sounds like a bed-town to me, though. Regardless, it won't take you too long on the train during your days-off to get to the beach. It doesn't appear to be one of the hot surfing spots that I know of, however.

hagakuri · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject: It's not bad.

Hello...

Yachiyo aye? It is not a bad place to start your new adventure in Japan. I could think of a million other places that would be on my "less desired" list. It is a pretty relaxed and laid-back town. People are friendly, markets are small and personable, but it is by no means rural.

Nightlife? Hmmm. There are hundreds of small local places that you will quickly find on your own, or will be shortly pointed to by your fellow expat teachers in the area. Probably the closest place of any real size would be in Narita at the Bardge. A lot of flight attendants make their way there when they have a stopover at Narita International. You can easily make your way their via subway..

Your other alternative would be to catch a train to the City.. meaning Tokyo-to. It is only about 65-80mins away and then you're in a whole new nightlife ballpark.

The area is good because you are far enough away from metro Tokyo to avoid all that goes with it, but close enough to go to it if you want to be in it.

Your IDL should be fine - just go to AAA somewhere in Tempe or Glendale or wherever before you come out. They will even post date it for you. For example if you want it to start in May 05, you could go to AAA today and just have them write on the front May. They are pretty cool about it. If your AZ license is motorcycle endorsed or if you have an AZMDL then you are all clear. If you are coming over from Korea.. well then this really doesn't apply.

You can find a second hand 125cc very cheap. Used transportation is cheap, cheap, and cheap. But why would you just want a 125? There are no cc restrictions in Japan like in SE asia and maybe Korea. Riding around on a 125 in Japan, would get you looks like if you were riding around in a Yugo in AZ, or a 50cc in Korea... Get something that fits you.

Hope this helps you.