Anybody been to Tokyo?

[Elbasso_5]

Yeah, so I've been stuck here in Texas for the last 3 years trying to get somewhere out of the states (mostly this state). My wife was checking my military info and saw that we had to outprocess. So now I'm going to Japan!! Anybody a military vagabond or just happened to visit? Any concerns or advise?

[A2rider]

Advise: Take tours of all the motorcycle plants!

[eidian]

What's great about Tokyo is that you can get anywhere via subway or bus; I took the subways only because the signs are in English also. It's really neat in the subways because it's a whole city down there--you can eat, shop, play video games, drink...anything and never have to go above ground!

For the sights you definitely have to go to Akihabara, the electronics capital of the world. So much electronics packed into a small area that you're going to be on sensory overload for at least a half-an-hour upon entering the city! It took my wife that long just start making sense of what she was seeing there. Then there's Shinjuku and Shibuya (the shopping), Aka-saka (the temple), Harajuku (the "hip" kids with the fashion that Gwen Stefani likes to sing about), the Emperor's Palace (can't enter but it's amazing to see from the outside). There's a lot more but if you see those places first, you'll learn about the surrounding cities also.

Have fun!

[Elbasso_5]

Awesome. I've always wanted to live like a troll. I've heard about Shibuya and I think I'm gonna have to imagine it's not there. If my wife ever finds out what it's like, we'll be broke in a heartbeat. I'm really stoked about going since I'm a bit of a game nerd. Not too bad, but it's still crazy to think about it. Thanks for the tips.

[cjp91068]

I haven't been there but it's on my list of places to visit before I die.
But I do have a friend that moved back to Osaka.
She's glad to be back home and back in school last I heard.

[W-P Bill]

I've spent many years in Japan, born/raised/stationed in Japan, even lived in Tokyo for a year with only a Harley for transport. What do you need to know?

Military, Tokyo, are you USAF going to Yokota? Or a journalist going to Hardy Barracks?

[W-P Bill]

While Akihabara is indeed the electronics Mecca of Japan, Ueno is the motorcycle Mecca. Imagine about two city blocks of nothing but motorcycle shops.

[Elbasso_5]

Originally Posted by W-P Bill

I've spent many years in Japan, born/raised/stationed in Japan, even lived in Tokyo for a year with only a Harley for transport. What do you need to know?

Military, Tokyo, are you USAF going to Yokota? Or a journalist going to Hardy Barracks?

Yes, I'm USAF and going to Yokota. My uncle used to be stationed there and it was the only place he ever wanted to go back too. Some of the guys here are none too happy about me going. One of them was supposed to go there but got diverted here. I'm living proof people. It is possible to leave this base. I can't imagine two blocks full of motorcycle shops. All we have here is a HD place and a Honda shop that only sells ATV's. I got a couple of months to get worked up about it, so I'd better slow down.

[A2rider]

Please take pictures and post them up. And welcome to the forum.

[gdhugh]

One of my biggest regrets was to not get to see that part of the world when I had the chance. You gotta do it while you can. Good luck, have fun and be safe. Sounds exciting as he!! to me.

[W-P Bill]

HEY! THIS IS MY 1000TH POST! COOL! Anyway...

Well, while technically Yokota is part of the Tokyo Met, it is actually somewhat in the sticks. Its gonna take you about an hour to an hour and a half to get to Tokyo proper. On the good side, Yokota is fairly close to some good motorcycle roads in the hills. No need to transit for a couple hours of traffic choked roads to get to to them. Charlie Gary used to be stationed at Yokota, perhaps he'll pop in with some Yokota specifics. Worth a PM, anyway.

The most important decision to make regarding motorcycles is whether or not you want to bring the bike home with you. If you do want to bring it home, then you are limiting yourself to the new Harleys you can buy via military sales, or older Japanese bikes over 750cc. Otherwise the bikes won't meet EPA and FMVSS requirements and you'll end up getting them impounded.
Even if they do meet those two specs, depending on what state you return to, getting them registered and on the road can be a paperwork nightmare.

I strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity to ride some of the bikes that are unavailable here in the US. Ever ride a two stroke 400cc sportbike? They are an absolute blast, and pretty cheap on the used market. How about a four stroke 250cc 4 cylinder bike? I'm not steering you to smaller bikes, just that those two come immediately to mind as representing something you can't find here in the US. Otherwise I'd have to break it down to specific models.

Oh yeah, large displacement bikes are limited to I think 100hp (Japanese standard, slightly different from US hp rating) so getting a bigger bike doesn't automatically mean huge power. A 750cc oughta work for anything in Japan anyway.

One reason to stay with an over 400cc bike is that some of the best mountain roads are off limits to bikes under 400cc. Purely a structural impediment to discourage riders w/o going to an outright prohibition. However, that might be old news, I understand its gotten somewhat easier for Japanese riders to get an unlimited (over 400cc) license, so perhaps this no longer applies.

Speaking of licenses: Since you're going in under the Status of Forces Agreement, you don't have to worry about the very strict Japanese license requirements, you get yours through the USAF. In 1996, you had to have a US license and watch a video tape to get a car license. For a bike, you had to have proof of a MSF course within the past year, then arrange for a riding test with one of the USAF examiners. Depending on the base commander's whim, you may have to take a MSF course specifically blessed by the Yokota base commander and conducted onboard the installation. Better to take the MSF course here in the US before you leave, and if you have to take it again at Yokota, no big deal. Better to have the MSF card and not needing it instead of needing the MSF card and not having one.

[Elbasso_5]

I really have no problem with Tokyo being i little bit out of the way. I've never really lived around a big city, so it's really going to be a change of pace.

Since you seem to be full of wonderful information, mabe you could answer this for me Bill. How about if I brought my bike over there? I've got a 1999 Ninja 500R. Do you know if there are any restrictions on bringing a bike from here to there, or do I need to get rid of it. If I don't need to, I won't. My wife and I talked about this already and determined that we've put enough time and money into it that either one of us would hate to see it have to go. Maybe after a while it would be cool to get another, but I'm gonna try to stick it with this one.

I'm not sure about the license restrictions, but they (supervisors), had me worrying about being limited to one automobile plate. I've taken the MSF course and had my license duplicated with a motorcycle endorsement on it. If they don't make me take the MSF, I'm sure there's a ERC I'd have to take. That's how it is here at Laughlin anyway. I still have all proof and certificates from the class too. Oh, and congrats on the 1,000 post Bill.

I'm really surprised I got reassigned there. Everyone is really happy I got it, but really jealous since most of the guys here have been in a year longer over here than I have. I'll keep haveing questions, so don't expect to abandon this thread. Thanks guys.

[maximum_babe]

When do u expect to be going to Tokyo? They hv some mighty cold winters. Expect a bit of snow too at certain point in winter.

[W-P Bill]

Originally Posted by Elbasso_5

How about if I brought my bike over there? I've got a 1999 Ninja 500R. Do you know if there are any restrictions on bringing a bike from here to there, or do I need to get rid of it. If I don't need to, I won't.


I'm not sure about the license restrictions, but they (supervisors), had me worrying about being limited to one automobile plate.

You can probably get your bike shipped over and back as a part of HHG, but you'll have to check with the proper office at Yokota (Provost Marshall, perhaps) to see how much of a hassle its going to be to get it inspected and registered for use on Japanese roads. The process differs from base to base. Yokota should be pretty easy, but you never know.

Spare parts may be an issue, chances are what is a 500 in the US is a 400 in Japan. Or, they may not sell it at all. Due to the differences in m/c license requirements (under 50cc, under 400 cc, unlimited), the 500 is a really unpopular class. The thinking is, since you went through all that effort to get your unlimited m/c license, why bother with a bike only 100 cc above 399cc? Also the 500 is a vertical twin, right? 500cc or even 400cc vertical twins are rare as hens teeth in Japan, you may find the closet match is actually a 250 cc version.

Once again, I suggest you take the opportunity to ride in Japan some of the bikes you cannot ride here in the US. Couldn't you store the 500R at a relative's house or something?

Oh yeah, the total vehicles restrictions. Yup, something else to check with PMO or your sponsor. When it first started out at Yokosuka Navy Base, it was one 4-wheeled and one 2-wheeled vehicle per license holder, I've since heard that's been necked down to one 4-wheeled and one 2-wheeled per household. I have no idea if the same holds true for Yokota.

[Elbasso_5]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

When do u expect to be going to Tokyo? They hv some mighty cold winters. Expect a bit of snow too at certain point in winter.

Well........tehcnically I'm not really supposed to say when I'm going. But yes. It will be pretty chilly to say the least. It will be a big difference in the fact that my blood has thinned out since being in Texas and deploying to Iraq.

[Elbasso_5]

Originally Posted by W-P Bill

You can probably get your bike shipped over and back as a part of HHG, but you'll have to check with the proper office at Yokota (Provost Marshall, perhaps) to see how much of a hassle its going to be to get it inspected and registered for use on Japanese roads. The process differs from base to base. Yokota should be pretty easy, but you never know.

Spare parts may be an issue, chances are what is a 500 in the US is a 400 in Japan. Or, they may not sell it at all. Due to the differences in m/c license requirements (under 50cc, under 400 cc, unlimited), the 500 is a really unpopular class. The thinking is, since you went through all that effort to get your unlimited m/c license, why bother with a bike only 100 cc above 399cc? Also the 500 is a vertical twin, right? 500cc or even 400cc vertical twins are rare as hens teeth in Japan, you may find the closet match is actually a 250 cc version.

Once again, I suggest you take the opportunity to ride in Japan some of the bikes you cannot ride here in the US. Couldn't you store the 500R at a relative's house or something?

Oh yeah, the total vehicles restrictions. Yup, something else to check with PMO or your sponsor. When it first started out at Yokosuka Navy Base, it was one 4-wheeled and one 2-wheeled vehicle per license holder, I've since heard that's been necked down to one 4-wheeled and one 2-wheeled per household. I have no idea if the same holds true for Yokota.

Someone had told that I could get it shipped with HHG's, but I still have no clue where to begin. I've still got to turn stuff in before they can get me started trying to get over there. That's what I don't like about this place. Anytime you need something done it never happens since about 3/4 of the places close to "train".

To be quite honest, the bike JUST came from a relative from Florida. A gift from my wifes' brother to get me started. I haven't even ridden the thing yet, and I already feel like I can't part with it. It's stuck in my head that "this is MY baby"!! I imagine when it all comes down to it I'll have to leave it here anyway. I don't know if the bike could last that long in storage. I'll be out of the states for at least a few years.
That would be a real pain to have to get stuff to fix it shipped to Japan, if they DID send it there. Most of the time overseas is seen as a bit shady. I don't know what restrictions I'll have yet. I have no sponsor and I can't get much else done until this RIP gets turned in, so I'm at a stand-still till at least tomorrow.

You'll have to excuse my ignorance if the thought of actually having to BUY a new Japanese bike doesn't exactly thrill me. It may have to do thought once things are all said and done, however. I'll see what happens between now and next couple of hours. Peace.

[Seadog1967]

Did I hear Yokosuka Navy Base
Boy it's been umm 40yrs since I was there. Probably changed a little. LOL Loved japan back then. Always wanted to go back. You'll love it there.

[W-P Bill]

Here's a good website to get you started.
Yokota Air Base - Newcomers Information

Found this excerpt from a document about vehicle safety.

23. Two Car Maximum. The “Two Car Maximum Rule” is in force while stationed at Yokota AB. This rule is one four-wheel vehicle registered per licensed driver, maximum of two four wheeled vehicles per household. Motorcycles do not count against your vehicle limit. Waivers to this policy are accepted for cause.

24. Motorcycle Training. Specialized training is required to operate a motorcycle in Japan and at Yokota AB. Personnel desiring a USFJ License to ride a motorcycle on or off base must contact the 374 AW Safety Office prior to operating or registering a motorcycle. Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses are offered through the Yokota Safety Office. Contact 374 AW/SEG at 225-7233 for further details.
Source document: http://www.yokota.af.mil/shared/medi...070417-044.doc

Sounds like the 374AW/SEG would be a good place to call for info. The DSN prefix for Japan is 315, by the way.

[krjohnson]

When crossing the street, look to the right. They drive on the opposite side of the road. Have fun.
KJ