Author Topic: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please  (Read 217 times)

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Offline Kickstart

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Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« on: January 26, 2025, 11:40:46 AM »
I'm planning a family trip to Japan - and looking for any suggestions on places a vintage Honda motorcycle fan like myself wouldn't want to miss while I'm there.  We'll mostly be visiting Tokyo and Kyoto, a couple nights in Nagoya, and then some day trips from those locatoins.

oh.. I haven't been on the SOHC4 boards in a long while... my apologies!
 
Obviously the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi is on the list (even though it looks like it's kind of a pain to get there from Tokyo - but yes, on the list of things to do).

We're planning on staying a couple nights in Nagoya (to be close to Ghibli Park) - and I just noticed where we're staying is a 15 minute walk from Yamiya750 - so I'm thinking about stopping by. I'm not sure if it's really a place stop by to shop, as it looks tiny on google maps.  Still, I'd love to meet the people working here (or the owner).

Classic Cycle Tokyo and GoodSpeed (in/near the Shibuya area of Tokyo) look like they might be worth checking out if I can fit it in.  As well as the NAPS motorcycle stores.

Probably unrealistic of me to hope for, but I'd love find a place that has old NOS Honda parts for sale - maybe even find some cr750 parts! - but obviously, that's highly unlikely and probably even less likely in Japan then the US.

But, would love some suggestions and places I should check out.  I was trying to see if there were any Japanese vintage racing events, but I wasn't able to find anything.

Interestingly, the Harley Davidson and British motorcycles are popular in Japan, and that's mostly what shows up with I do searches for motorcycle events/places in Japan.

Thanks!
Kickstart


- Chris
75' CB750F Orange flake (rider)
75' CB750F Blue (Project)
75' CB750F Painted black (Project)
No Reserve Racing #171 AHRMA

Online 69cb750

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2025, 11:59:47 AM »
Quote
and I just noticed where we're staying is a 15 minute walk from Yamiya750 - so I'm thinking about stopping by.
Members here have visited Yamiya, they are friendly to visitors.

Quote
Probably unrealistic of me to hope for, but I'd love find a place that has old NOS Honda parts for sale - maybe even find some cr750 parts! - but obviously, that's highly unlikely and probably even less likely in Japan then the US.
NOS parts bring fantastic prices in Japan.

Japan is a civilized place, those that break laws land in jail, not like the usa.

Offline Kickstart

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2025, 01:26:34 PM »
Thanks, I'll definitely stop by Yamiya then.

haha... well, I guess I'll cross breaking laws off my list of things to do :)

Seriously though, I've also heard and read a lot about how safe Japan is (in general), and I'm looking forward to visiting.  We've also been researching customs/cultural differences and we will be doing our best to be respectful and appreciative guests.
- Chris
75' CB750F Orange flake (rider)
75' CB750F Blue (Project)
75' CB750F Painted black (Project)
No Reserve Racing #171 AHRMA

Offline Bigmant

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2025, 01:39:10 PM »
Not a Honda recommendation, but If you can make it here, it may just be the best Italian food you ever have!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQyjPhrALnvMbMYcA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Owner has a long history of working in Italy and then coming back to Japan to make food in some of the best restaurants, and his friend is a full on wine sommelier. Best kept secret in Japan if you have the time.

‘73 CB750 K3 Owned by my father and now me

Build post: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190516.msg2216419.html#msg2216419

Offline Kickstart

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2025, 03:04:25 PM »
That's interesting... Thanks for the suggestion!
- Chris
75' CB750F Orange flake (rider)
75' CB750F Blue (Project)
75' CB750F Painted black (Project)
No Reserve Racing #171 AHRMA

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2025, 03:26:52 PM »
Enjoy and have safe travels…😇
Age Quod Agis

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2025, 06:51:12 PM »
The food is fabulous in Japan, the polite society is phenomenal and I loved my experience visiting for work and playing tourist on weekends while there for a short work trip, 12 days. Today your phone will be great at helping you navigate whereas when I was there in the 90s it was way before smart phones and GPS and navigation apps and translation apps.
Good for you to learn cultural and customs prior to your visit, many do not and their experience is not as rich as a result. Be certain to learn table and chopstick etiquette...  You never want to hear a Japanese person have that sharp intake of breath over your actions...
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline andy750

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2025, 10:10:01 AM »
Definitely stop by Yamiya I’ve been a couple of times and yes it’s tiny but very interesting


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Online Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2025, 12:44:38 PM »
PM member Ichiban. He and his wife travel to JP frequently
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Kickstart

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2025, 04:50:04 PM »
Thanks everyone!

I'll ping @Ichiban 4   - interestingly, I recently learned that ichiban means "number one" in Japanese.

Does anyone know if animalboat is on these forums?

I'm pretty sure I passed by him at the pits in Barber last year or the year before.  I was like, I think he's from Japan.  Wish I said hi.  Cursing my darn introverted self :)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/thg5ibBq8AUqp2S6A

Man, I'd love to see some vintage racing while I was out there... though highly unlikely they race during the hottest and rainiest time of the year in Japan... when' we'll be there (early July)
- Chris
75' CB750F Orange flake (rider)
75' CB750F Blue (Project)
75' CB750F Painted black (Project)
No Reserve Racing #171 AHRMA

Offline BomberMann650

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Re: Travelling to Japan - suggestions please
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2025, 12:45:45 AM »
Kaz at Marumasu Motorcycle Lounge has some cool 750s.

Not sure how far from tokyo or his preference for tourism though.  Try to facebook him 🤷🏼‍♂️