Picture: Motorcycle Touring Japan Here is a great video by Anthony Roman that shows what it 's like to take delivery of a new motorcycle in Japan and ride it home in the traffic. Hat tip to Anthony for being so prepared to film this memorable event and such excellent video quality, thanks very much! A great feeling. Having a motorcycle in Japan gives you great freedom.
It brings back the memories of when I bought my bike in Tokyo and rode it home in traffic, ecstatic and also a little unnerving with the volume of traffic and the amount of mental awareness you need to ride in Japan. As there is so much activity going on all around you, pedestrians, other bikes, scooters, trucks, passenger cars, courier bikes, road signals, speed limits, what is ahead, what is behind, changes, road conditions, how cars just stop sometimes with indicators sometimes with no warning. Best wishes on your new bike and safe riding
To capture what it's really like when you tour Japan by motorcycle with film is very difficult so its refreshing to see a series of videos that captures a true essence of what it's like from the riders view.
This series of videos about a road trip undertaken in Japan in 2014 is great viewing.
The video quality is outstanding and the meticulous camera angles and editing that show each part of the trip are exceptional.
Enjoy the nineteen bilingual videos in the series that detail a 16 day journey across Japan!
A very humurous and fun way to see what its really like when you camp and ride in Japan.
Congratulations to kawamotoeizou for an excellent series of videos
The launch of the new iPhone 3G has been set up as a battle, much like Captain Perry and the Black ships. Will the iPhone change Japan and open the mobile phone market up? Today in Tokyo, we visited two locations. The Roppongi store and the Softbank display at Yodobashi camera in Akihabara to get a feel for how customers were reacting. What we found were many excited customers eager to line up, wait in the heat and purchase the phone.
Japanese customers line up at the Softbank store in Roppongi, Tokyo 11/7/2008
We interviewed two customers who lined up and secured a phone. Steve, 29, from San Francisco "Apple have created a technology playground". As a frequent business traveller he was looking forward to use the phone to receive emails, use the internet and at last be global. Matthew, 32, from the United Kingdom, said he was looking forward to " synchronize his life" with the new iPhone. A feature that gives the new phone a point of difference to current Japanese models.
Recently NTT Docomo announced that they would soon release the "Blackberry" to personal users on August 1st. It seems the pressure from Apple's iPhone launch has already got players changing their thinking?
The Japanese media picked up the launch. NHK 7 pm news featured the new iPhone as a story, displaying how the phone work using the touch screen which was seen as the most different feature compared to current Japanese phones.
Only time will tell if iPhone will impact the buying habits of Japanese customers mobile phone users but one thing for sure it has created a buzz and excitement.
The real key it seems is if the new phone can be used easily by Japanese customers who currently use their thumb to access features and type emails on their current phones. If the Apple iPhone can do this quicker, simpler and in line with what current users feel comfortable with some say they may have a real winner.
For foreigners in Japan who want to own and use an iPhone the terms of use seem a little restrictive according to a Japan Probe post
The "show off" factor will certainly be an important part of the introduction. It really depends on how many hip salarymen try to impress their co-workers in the office with the new gadget and what their reaction will be. If the office talk reveals the new iPhone is more convenient.Watch out!
Video: Apple iPhone 3G in Tokyo, Japan 11/7/2008
Back in 2005 it was hard to find an Apple ipod shuffle in Tokyo, you had to hunt them down from Japanese importers. Major Japanese chains in Tokyo initially didn't stock them and store salesmen wrote them off as poor quality, unreliable and focused on poor battery life.
But in less than two years the familiar white headphone cords began appearing on subway trains as the word spread and Apple took over Japan with portable digital music players. Apple stores in Tokyo and on Osaka's Midosuji dori soon became cool places to hang out on the weekend and if you could find a space in side the store you could see the Japanese fascination with your own eyes. The same kind of fascination photography, cameras and motorbikes had years before.
Apple's appeal in Japan is hard to pin down in a single concept but words like cool, unique, creative, independent, freedom, personal and simple, come to mind. Japanese customers love variety.New items will always get a look at but success is a different story.Brand, reputation, service and convenience all play an important part in the total package.
“ inspiring… I just wanted to get on a bike and go…particularly liked the costing …that allows me to accurately budget for the trip. Great hints on how and where to buy a bike" Shane Byrne
Review #2
"this guide offers great knowledge and reference points for anyone wishing to experience a new culture and create life long memories" Mark Dulhunty
Review #3
"I enjoyed the first chapter and felt the passion the author has for the country and its culture. I'm almost convinced that riding around Japan is the best way to see the country"Clare Berghofer
Review #4
"Great work Peter, well constructed and written. Makes me wish I knew how to ride a bike!"David Hobson
Review #5
"Very insightful on the best way to travel around Japan on a motor cycle" Scott Evans
