Japan Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
Japan is a phenomenal blend of culture, architecture, stunning scenery and fascinating ancient history. Riding a motorcycle through this incredible country is the best way to explore it and uncover its hidden gems. Here’s some of the best motorcycle tour and rental companies in Japan.
Recommended Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies in Japan.
Please contact the companies listed on this page directly for more information.
Ninja Tours
“Ninja Tours with Rushcorp Motorcycle Rentals provide the ultimate self-guided motorcycle tours in Japan. We have over 30 years of experience and offer fully customized courses for first time visitors who can’t speak a word of Japanese to seasoned motorcycle tourists looking for intense rides. We offer the best way to tour Japan on a motorcycle, with all arrangements and 24-hour support provided in English.“
Services: Self-guided motorcycle tours. All touring packages include booked and pre-paid accommodation with hot springs bathing (dinner and breakfast served), motorcycle rental with insurance, luggage, GPS navigation and a full daily turn-by-turn pre-programmed course optimized for the absolute best motorcycle riding experience. The courses are customized for your skill level by Ninja Tours’ resident master rider.
Luggage forwarding services, airport transfers and guides are optional extras.
Rental bikes: BMW R1200 GS, BMW R1200 RS, BMW F850 GS, Aprilia Caponord 1200, Aprilia Shiver 750, Benelli TRE-K 1130, Ducati Multistrada 1200 S, Honda CB650 F, Kawasaki Ninja 1000, Kawasaki W800, Yamaha MT-07, Yamaha MT-09, Yamaha Tracer 900,
Rental prices: Motorcycles are offered in comprehensive packages that include gear and accommodation. Prices vary dependent on motorcycle and length of tour.
Tour prices: Full tour packages (including everything listed in Services above) start from 76,000 yen/ $710 USD/ £569. Ninja Tours offer a comprehensive range of tour packages. Check their Tour page here to see what’s on offer.
Insurance: Compulsory insurance is included.
Kit availability: Helmets, gloves, jackets, waterproofs and bluetooth headsets are available for an additional cost.
Bike Rental Japan
“We are a small company run by foreigners for foreigners so there are no misunderstandings lost in translation. The Kansai area has so much more to offer in regards to culture, food and natural beauty compared to other areas. It’s the perfect part of Japan to start your motorcycle tour.“
Services: Motorcycle rentals.
Rental bikes: Bike Rental Japan has a fleet of bikes from scooters to adventure bikes including the Suzuki V-Strom 250 and 650, Katana 1000, GSR 250 and 400 and SV 650. You can find a list of their current bikes on their motorcycles page.
Rental prices: Prices vary dependent on the bike and duration of rental. Bike Rental Japan offer a range of budget prices for smaller bikes too, with prices going as low as £15-£30 per day. Check out their motorcycles page listed above for current prices.
Motorcycle tours: Rental Bikes Japan are working on including a number of bike tours, which will be added to their site soon.
Insurance: Fully insured with the legally required rental insurance, however, with an unlimited excess which means you are liable for all damage to the bike regardless of fault. This excess can be reduced to a maximum of 300,000 JPY with an excess reduction insurance of 1000 JPY per day.
Kit availability: Bike Rental Japan have a selection of helmets and clothing to suit most people, but it is subject to availability. If you’d like to use their gear, it’s best to reserve items when booking to avoid disappointment.
Info
Luke Hall and Phil Cathcart
0081 6 4864 2081
sales@ezmotokansai.com
Quick Facts on Japan Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
Budget
Cheap: £20-£50 per day
Mid: £50-£100 per day
Money: Card is accepted but cash is king. ATMs are found in 7-Elevens and Family Marts.
Currency: Yen ¥
Food: Cafe £6. Restaurant £22.
Accommodation:
Plenty of government run free campsites. Paid campsites are £10 – £15. Dorms £22. Business hotel double room £75
When to go
Blossoms: April-May
Autumn: Sep-Nov
High: Apr and May is cherry blossom season and peak travel time. Sights are more crowded, accommodation is more expensive and usually fully booked. Mountainous regions are popular in August.
Mid: Jun-Jul and Sep-Nov. October is our favourite time to travel because of cooler temperatures. Autumn is gorgeous but draws big crowds.
Low: Dec-Mar. Sights are quiet and accommodation is at its cheapest (except ski resorts). Many businesses close over the New Year period (end of Dec to early Jan).
Paperwork
Visa, insurance and motorcycle licence
Visa: Visa requirements are dependent on your nationality. Please visit the country’s government website for visa information.
Driver’s licence: You need a valid motorcycle licence to legally rent a motorcycle or join a tour. If you risk riding without the correct licence, then not only will you be breaking the law, but your insurance will be invalid too.
International Driver’s Permit: An IDP is a requirement for many countries. The UK Gov website lists every country that requires one and which IDP is required.
Insurance: Motorcycle insurance needs to be checked with the rental or tour company. Ask what they offer, what’s included and what the legal requirements are.
You should purchase personal travel insurance separately from your home country before travelling.
Facts
Capital: Tokyo
Country code: +81
Emergency: 119 – fire and ambulance. 110 – police
Language: Japanese
Time: GMT/UTC + nine hours
Land Mass: 377,915 km²
Don't miss
The best motorcycle riding routes and attractions
Hakuba is incredible for biking and known as Japan’s Little Switzerland.
Hokaido is Japan’s wild west.
A Big Four Museum Tour is a must for bike fans.
Kochi and Kumamoto are beautiful places to ride too.
Flying in/out
The best airport to fly into and out of
Tokyo or Kyoto airport.
FAQs on Japan Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
No, sorry. Mad or Nomad do not offer any rentals, tours or services. Please contact the companies listed on this page directly.
This page displays motorcycle rental and tour companies from around the world. We do a lot of research into these companies before adding them and speak to the managers and owners. Many of the companies we have also used in the past or have met the owners while travelling.
While we have collected them all together in one place for your ease, we take no responsibility in your business with them. We’re simply showcasing companies in one easy-to-use place and are not involved with your dealings with them. Any business you have with these companies is at your own risk. We will not be held liable or responsible in any way.
The best months to rent a motorcycle or join a tour in Japan are between March and May and September and November.
Expect Japan motorcycle rental prices to be around £30-£50 per day and tours to start from £500.
Take a video on your phone of the entire bike, do a walk around and film the condition of the chain, fairings, tyres, any bumps, dents and scratches. By doing so, you can’t get caught out and blamed for something you didn’t do when you return it.
Check the wheel bearings, chain, oil, coolant, brakes, clutch and that the handlebars are straight. Tyres need a decent amount of tread and should be suitable for the terrain you’re riding in. Take it for a short test ride and don’t feel pressured or rushed. Go with your gut and if there’s anything that catches your eye, speak to the owners immediately.
This is down to personal preference, where you’re riding and what’s available. If you’re renting or joining a motorcycle tour in the States and you’re going to be primarily on road, then you may want to opt for a big touring bike. If you’re headed to rural or mountainous countries and are going off-road in Central Asia for example, then go for a mid-weight single-cylinder.
We usually find lighter and cheaper rental bikes are better because they’re less stress, you don’t have to worry about dropping them all the time, are easier to fix and more fun.
For more info on choosing the right motorcycle for your trip, have a look at the below guide and also check out the adventure bikes page too.
READ MORE:
We recommend lightweight and comfortable gear suitable for the climate you’re travelling in. If you’re heading to a particularly cold place, then go for Gore-Tex pro laminate.
But, the best all-round option is ventilated, light and comfy adventure bike gear. Take the thermal and waterproof liners out and leave them at home. Take a cheap pair of waterproof throwovers and a compressible down jacket that can be stuffed into a small bag. You can use both items as layering if it’s cold and rainy and they double up when off the bike and will reduce the amount of gear you have to take with you in your luggage.
It’s always better to take your own bike gear over renting or using kit from the rental company. You know your own stuff fits, works and is comfortable – especially your helmet. The last thing you want is to get a few days into your trip and get a headache from a tight lid.
Check out our riding gear article for more info on how to choose the right clothing and the guides section for our recommended kit.
READ MORE:
Contact the rental or tour company and ask what luggage the bike comes with. Your bike might come with soft bags, hard boxes, a top box or nothing at all.
You can often leave the gear you don’t want to take with you on the trip at the rental or tour company’s headquarters. So you can travel on a plane with a larger kit bag and just take the bag and gear you need on the bike.
The type of luggage you need depends on the type of trip you’re on, how much off-roading you’re doing and how long you’re going for.
A good option is to go for a waterproof duffle bag and a pair of Rok Straps as this type of luggage setup can be fastened to any bike’s pillion seat and you don’t need racks. And take an additional small and light rucksack for your important gear (camera, passport etc) so you don’t have to worry about it when off the bike.
For more info on choosing your motorcycle luggage, check out our guide page below.
READ MORE: Adventure Bike Luggage Guides
Companies may offer motorcycle insurance as an optional extra, include it in the price or not offer it at all. This again depends on the country you’re riding in.
It’s worth getting insurance if you can and ask what the excess is as you will usually be liable for damage to the bike.
Motorcycle insurance is separate from personal travel insurance. This is incredibly important and you need to be very careful when choosing your personal insurance policy because the fine print often won’t cover you for bikes over 125cc, renting, touring or using a bike as your main mode of transport.
Check out our Admin section as you’ll find detailed guides on personal insurance, paperwork and safety on the road.
READ MORE: Admin Guides
Read more on Motorcycle Travel in Japan and Asia
Thanks for checking out our Japan Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies post. We hope you found what you were looking for. Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in Japan and Asia that we recommend you read next.
Click here for all our Japan Motorcycle Travel Guides
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know about your Japan motorcycle rental experiences and ask any questions in the comments below.
Please contact the companies listed on this page directly for more info on their rental and tour services.