honda motorcycle factory tour japan

Visit Japan’s Big Four Motorcycle Museums

The Big Four Museum Tour. Welcome to Japan and our virtual walk around of Japan’s Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki motorcycle museums.

Japan’s Motorcycle Museums

Japan’s bike boom in the ‘60s was so loud it nearly wiped out both the British and American motorcycle industries with one punch.

Japanese production skyrocketed. Their rapidly advancing technology, innovative design and affordable price tags continuously obliterated overseas competition until they crumbled, leaving only four manufacturers standing – the Big Four: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki.

The two-wheeled titans still dominate today’s markets, selling millions of motorcycles worldwide every year. Japanese bikes are now so intrinsically woven into British motorcycling’s fabric that we forget their roots.

So, we visited each of the Big Four museums for a peek at their humble beginnings, pivotal machines, legendary race bikes and eclectic mix of exotica.

Visiting Japan’s motorcycle museums is like walking around a bank of jewels, these machines are exquisitely preserved slices of history, and here’s the best of the bunch…

Honda Motorcycle Museum

As the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, King Honda takes the Big Four crown and has the most impressive castle (museum). And it’s not just hiding away in some back-alley trading estate either. Honda lovingly built the museum in their Twin Ring Motegi race track facility. Spend a tenner to enter the grounds and you can stroll round the museum for free.

Like a sweet cake, the museum is brimming with layer upon layer of deliciously preserved treats. Walk through the front door and you’re met by the stunning 1959 RC142. It was the first Honda to compete in the Isle of Man TT races, where Naomi Taniguchi took the bike into sixth place, won Silver Replica and helped Honda win the Manufacturers’ Team Award in their first ever race.

Keep going and it just gets better with specials like Honda’s first auxiliary engine powered bicycle and their first ever motorcycle – the D Type. It’s not all meticulously preserved old-school show pieces though. Head upstairs and you’re met with a prestigious HRC line-up, including rows of Freddie Spencer’s and Wayne Gardner’s bikes, two-stroke GP machinery, a selection of RC212Vs, Dakar racers, off-roaders, Formula 1 race cars (including Sir John Surtees’ car), scooters, tourers, sports cars and even lawnmowers! Hundreds of beautiful motorcycles are shown off under spotlights, all delicately wrapped in gorgeous paint. Honda’s Collection Hall is seriously impressive and a must-do pilgrimage for motorcycle lovers.

Did you know…

Soichiro Honda built his first bike in 1948 by strapping a modified WWII radio generator engine to a bicycle to help his wife on her long bicycle rides for the weekly shop. He ended up buying a batch of them to sell on and quickly sold out. So, he began developing his own engine instead – the Honda A-Type. Honda bought a small factory and set up shop, calling it Honda Motor Company…

Yamaha Motorcycle Museum

Nippon Gakki (now known as Yamaha Corporation) was originally a musical instrument manufacturer. During WWII, the firm built aircraft propellers and the end of the war had to put its metal work machinery and expertise to use elsewhere, deciding on the motorcycle business in 1955. The YA-1 was the company’s first bike, its director, Genichi Kawakami, created Yamaha Motor Co. as a spin-off and set to work in a small wooden factory with 150 employees.

The YA-1 was immediately entered into and won Japan’s two most prestigious races. Kawakami knew he was onto a winner, cemented Yamaha’s place as a formidable newcomer in the motorcycle scene and pushed Yamaha into the forefront of sports models like the YDS-1 (nicknamed Japan’s first sports model).

Yamaha’s pristine museum is set-up to showcase its sporting lineage. Mint racers line the three floors with a complete timeline of proud YA-1s all the way up to Rossi’s YZR-M1. And to top it off, the pianist on the centre piece Yamaha piano complete with mini orchestra playing Mozart’s Seventh Symphony is a nice touch.

Suzuki Motorcycle Museum

Michio Suzuki started up a loom company in 1909, and like Honda, started building clip-on bicycle engines after the War. And, like Yamaha, was late to the game with its first motorcycle in 1953 – the Diamond Free.  The firm’s museum showcases its beginnings in the looming industry all the way through to its first motorcycle and car manufacturing facilities.

Kawasaki Motorcycle Museum

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries museum is an eye-opener… but not for its bikes. The motorcycle section is tiny compared to what else the firm showcases. While Kawasaki is the oldest of the Big Four, (dating back to 1878) it was the latest to join the motorcycle scene (in1962). The firm has always been rather busy manufacturing a long list of heavy goods, including: planes, trains, industrial robots, spacecraft, submarines, ships, tankers, helicopters, defence equipment, energy plants and so on. Luckily, they managed to find time to squeeze in the original H1, which shot Kawasaki to success… literally.

How to Visit Japans Motorcycle Museums

Honda Collection Hall Stars: 5 Where: Motegi. Click here for the exact location. Entrance fee: £10

Yamaha Communications Plaza Stars: 4 Where: Hamamatsu. Click here for the exact location.  Entrance fee: Free

Suzuki Cultural History Museum Stars: 3 Where: Hamamatsu. Click here for the exact location.  Entrance fee: Free

Kawasaki Good Times World Stars: 2 Where: Kobe. Click here for the exact location. Entrance fee: £5

Read more on motorcycle travel in Japan

Thanks for checking out our Motorcycle Travel in Japan Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in Japan that we recommend you read next. 

• All Japan Guides
• Asia Guides
• Paperwork for Motorcycle Travellers in Japan
• Motorcycling in Japan

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Motorcycle Travel Blog Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Part 1

Japan Paperwork Guide for Motorcycle Travellers

What’s Motorcycle Travel like in Japan?

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Motorcycle Travel Guide: Japan

2 thoughts on “visit japan’s big four motorcycle museums”.

Thank you for this excellent article on the Big 4 Motorcycle Museums. I will do my best to see as many as I can in a few weeks when I visit Japan.

Hi Martin, Thanks for your comment and I’m really glad to hear you found this article helpful! And that’s brilliant to hear you’re off to Japan – what a beautiful country! My favourite was the Honda museum – so don’t miss that one! Please report back on here with how you got on 🙂 Cheers and all the best, Andy

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HONDA The Power of Dreams .cls-1,.cls-2{stroke-width:0px;}.cls-2{fill:#c00;}

Japan honda motor co., ltd. kumamoto factory.

Kumamoto Factory occupies a vast 1,651,056 m² site.

Kumamoto Factory, located at the foot of Mt. Aso Setting the standards for Honda’s production facilities around the world, Kumamoto Factory produces the Super Cub series for the domestic market.

Kumamoto Factory, located at the foot of Mt. Aso in Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto, began operations in January 1976 as Honda's fourth production facility. Super Cub series production was transferred from Suzuka Factory in 1991.

Located in a nature-rich environment, the sprawling 1,651,056 m² (about 36 times the size of the Tokyo Dome stadium) site is Honda's only production facility for motorcycles in Japan. The site is also actively engaged in environmental protection and energy conservation measures, such as no emissions from the source, effective use of valuable resources, and appropriate waste treatment.

On the premises are the Honda Safety & Riding Plaza Kyushu (HSR Kyushu), where visitors can enjoy full-scale road racing and motocross activities, and the Traffic Education Center Rainbow Kumamoto, which provides practical safe driving education. It is extremely rare for a production plant to have such full-scale motorsports and safe driving education facilities.

The plant produces motorcycles, ATVs, and power products. In FY2018, Kumamoto Factory produced approximately 260,000 motorcycles, 40,000 finished power products and 450,000 engines.

Kumamoto Factory has three complete vehicle assembly lines, and a cell line. It produces large models such as the Gold Wing, CRF1000L Africa Twin, CB1100, and CBR1000RR, mid-sized models such as the Rebel 500 and CBR250RR, and even moped scooters such as the Giorno and Tact.

Of course, the current domestic Super Cub series, including the Super Cub, Cross Cub, Super Cub Pro, and postal delivery versions, are produced at the Kumamoto plant.

The commemorative model of the Super Cub, which reached a total of 100 million units produced worldwide in October 2017, is also produced at Kumamoto Factory.

Kumamoto Factory has been producing the Super Cub series since 1991, and currently produces Super Cubs for the Japan domestic market. (Photo from 2017 when the plant produced Little Cubs.)

The 100 millionth Super Cub rolled off the line at Kumamoto Factory, and a commemorative ceremony was held on October 19, 2017.

Kumamoto Factory has been producing the Super Cub, Super Cub Pro, and Cross Cub series for the domestic market since 2017.

Super Cub 50/110 - Perfect for business or pleasure

Super cub 50.

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1860×695×1040㎜ ■Curb weight: 96kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 49㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■Maximum output: 3.7ps/ 7500rpm

Super Cub 110

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1860×695×1040㎜ ■Curb weight: 101kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 109㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■Maximum output: 8.0ps/ 7500rpm

Cross Cub 50/110 - Popular leisure models

Cross cub 50 (kumamon version).

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1840×720×1050㎜ ■Curb weight: 100kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 49㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■Maximum output: 3.7ps/ 7500rpm

Cross Cub 110

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1935×795×1110㎜ ■Curb weight: 107kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 109㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■Maximum output: 8.0ps/ 7500rpm

Super Cub 50/110 Pro - 14-inch wheels, large front basket and rear carrier

Super cub 50 pro.

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1860×720×1050㎜ ■Curb weight: 108kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 49㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■ Maximum output: 3.7ps/ 7500rpm

Super Cub 110 Pro

■Dimensions (L x W x H): 1860×730×1065㎜ ■Curb weight: 111kg ■Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC 1-cylinder ■Displacement: 109㏄ ■Fuel Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection ■ Maximum output: 8.0ps/ 7500rpm

Cub factories and customers from around the world

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Kyushu On Two Wheels: Discovering Japan’s Best Motorcycle Routes

A s a land where the giants of motorcycle manufacturing—Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki—reign, Japan’s rich motorcycling heritage is no secret. Yet, in the world of motorcycle tourism, a burgeoning global phenomenon, Japan harbors an untapped paradise. This hidden treasure? Kyushu Island.

Kyushu emerges as the quintessential motorcycle touring haven in Japan. It offers a year-long rider-friendly climate, roads that promise exhilaration at every turn, and a landscape that shifts from sprawling open roads to serpentine mountain passes and breathtaking coastal views. With attractions like the Honda Motorcycle factory in Kumamoto, elite race tracks, and private museums dedicated to the two-wheeled marvels, Kyushu is not just a journey; it’s a rider’s dream come to life.

But there’s more to it than just the thrill of the ride. Motorcycle tourism stands as a gateway to deeper, more intimate explorations of Kyushu’s countryside, potentially revving up the local inbound tourism sector. Our mission? To validate the hypothesis that investing in and promoting Kyushu’s motorcycle tourism is not just viable, but essential. Together, let’s throttle up and explore this less-followed path. Prefer to watch a video? – here’s our video report .

A Quick Introduction: I’m Nick Szasz, the CEO/Publisher of fukuoka-now.com. Joining me on this exploratory ride are my life and business partner, Emiko, and our close friend Asaf, a seasoned rider with decades of experience and thousands of kilometers in Kyushu under his belt.

Our Expedition: We embarked on a meticulously planned 2-night, 3-day motorcycle tour across the northern expanses of Kyushu. Setting out in early November, we found Kyushu draped in the crisp embrace of autumn, the prelude to a vibrant display of fall foliage. Scroll down to see our exact route.

Choosing the Steed: To fully immerse in the experience of an international rider, I parked my beloved Moto Guzzi V7 II at home and headed to Ricoland Fukuoka. More than Kyushu’s largest motorcycle gear hub, it’s a haven for motorcyclists. Here, international riders can seamlessly transition from their flight into Fukuoka to the freedom of the road, luggage and all. Fukuoka Airport is literally within sight, a manageable walk, and a cheap cab ride away.

If you complete all necessary rental processes beforehand, you qualify for perks like a complimentary airport shuttle and an ultra-convenient early morning self-checkout, starting as early as 5 am. Whether renting on the spot or reserving a bike online, the choice is vast: over 100 bikes ranging from nimble mopeds to large displacement models, both domestic and international.

For our test tour, we aimed for a mix of comfort and practicality, choosing the versatile Honda X-ADV750. To complement our journey, we kitted out with optional hard bags – side and top boxes, ensuring ample space for our gear. I’d never ridden such an automated bike before. It took some getting used to, but it was ideal for two-up touring. Emiko reports “comfy seating and good visibility,” so a win for sure!

We dropped by the day before, completed the necessary paperwork, got acquainted with our ride, and received a special QR code for an effortless departure the next morning. It was a relief to have everything squared away beforehand, setting the stage for an adventure where the only focus was the open road ahead.

Kickstarting Our Kyushu Odyssey at Ricoland Our journey began at the well-positioned Ricoland Fukuoka Airport Store . Conveniently situated near Fukuoka’s Urban Expressway, it allowed us to quickly escape the dense urban concrete.

Taking advantage of Ricoland’s Early Morning Rental Service, we effortlessly self-checked out using a private QR code, even before the store’s doors officially opened. My bike, meticulously prepared, was ready and waiting for me. Ricoland, with its spacious and modern amenities, provided everything we needed for a smooth start to our trip. This included separate male and female changing rooms, lockers, and restrooms, as well as showers for a quick freshen-up. These thoughtful touches make a significant difference, especially for riders arriving from overseas.

With every detail taken care of, our engines humming in anticipation, the vast and inviting roads of Kyushu beckoned. It was time to rev up and immerse ourselves in the motorcycling nirvana that is Kyushu. Let the adventure begin!

Embarking on Kyushu’s Winding Roads Our early start paid off big time, allowing us to dodge the traffic and hit the urban expressway toward Dazaifu. Before long, we were carving through lush mountain roads and farm fields en route to Akizuki.

The ride to Akizuki was an hour of pure joy, taking us through stunning country views. We cruised through a quaint old castle town, often referred to as ‘Little Kyoto’, before arriving at the historic Akizuki castle ruins. This place offers something different in every season – cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and a riot of autumn colors. Note to self: aim for the ‘sakura’ season next time!

Our next destination was Hikosan, a mountain both sacred and revered. En route, we discovered the Koishiwara Dam Freai Park, a new addition near Koishiwara Dam Lake that opened in April 2022. Located right off National Route 500, it features a well-designed riding skill course – perfect for practicing S-curves and cranks.

Sitting about 1,200 meters high, Hikosan straddles the Oita and Fukuoka Prefectures. The roads in and around are mostly tight twisties – quite a workout indeed. You can take a cable car up to Hikosan Shrine from the parking lot for even grander views.

Then, it was off to Yabakei in Oita, another top-notch touring destination. Riding through small canyons with steep cliffs was nothing short of epic. We were so immersed in the experience, we regret not taking photos. Whoops!

Even in the heart of these scenic mountains, there are fine places to eat. It’s tempting to ride non-stop, but trust me, stopping at spots like these for a bite is an adventure and discovery in itself. Who would have thought you could find such a high-quality meal in the deep countryside?”

Restaurant Sardinas – Location: 1476 Oshima, Yabakei-machi, Nakatsu City, Oita – https://www.restaurant-sardinas.com/ – Heads up: Better to reserve in advance

Riding through Kyushu’s twisty roads was more than just clocking miles; it was a full-on journey into the heart of Japan, where every corner revealed something new. And this was only the first day!

After a relaxed lunch, we were back on the road, this time touring the Kunisaki Peninsula and heading towards our overnight stay. The area, dotted with mountain temples and trails, is an ideal spot for both motorcycle and bicycle touring. Don’t miss the local produce stands along the way. We picked up some Ajimu wine at a farmer’s market in Ajimu, perfect for unwinding at dinner.

Our accommodation for the night was unique— a private house run by an organic farmer who had relocated from Kanto. Interestingly, the father used to work in the motorcycle industry, making for some great bike-related conversations. Plus, having a mechanic nearby was reassuring. Then there’s Fusako-san, an English-speaker with experience working for a major brand in Germany. After a tour of their fields, we were treated to a fantastic dinner and breakfast, all made with organic veggies grown on-site.

DAY 2: A Ride from Kunisaki to Aso The next day began with a refreshing morning walk in Kitsuki, a charming former castle town. Following Akizuki the previous day, Kitsuki was our second castle town experience. Here, a full-size replica of the original castle stands, offering stunning views of the sea and coastline.

Our journey then took us towards Beppu, renowned for its abundant hot springs. We visited Myoban Onsen, one of Beppu’s eight major onsen areas, famous for its traditional ‘yunohana’ hot spring minerals and delicious hot spring steamed puddings. It’s a popular spot, so arriving early is advisable.

Our next stop was the eagerly anticipated ‘Iwashita Collection,’ a veritable treasure trove featuring an extensive array of prized motorcycles, classic cars from around the world, and Showa-era retro gems. They boast over 600 motorcycles from every corner of the globe, with about 200 on display. Mr. Iwashita, the curator, plans to add around 100 more bikes to complete his collection.

A highlight is the unique Ducati Apollo L-type 4 cylinder (1260cc) – the only one in the world, valued at a staggering ¥200 million. The collection also includes a range of historic Honda models, some of which are among Soichiro Honda’s first commercial models. Allow for at least an hour to scratch the surface.

Iwashita Collection – Location: 645-6 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita – https://iwashitacollection.jp

After immersing ourselves in the rich motor history of the region, our appetites were whetted for a hearty meal. The Aso area, known for its cattle grazing, is synonymous with ‘Akaushi’ beef.

We stopped at a family-owned ranch restaurant renowned for its Akaushi steaks. To our delight, they even added some extra cuts of ‘yakiniku’ specially for us bikers. The meal was a hit, enhanced by appetizers made from local vegetables and the restaurant’s warm hospitality.

With full stomachs, we then headed towards our next highlight – the crater of Mt. Nakadake in Aso.

A quick tip: Always check the official site in advance to confirm access to the crater, as it sometimes closes due to excessive gas emissions. Standing at the edge of an active volcano crater offers an exhilarating experience, a true connection to the planet’s raw energy.

Waking up inside a caldera is an extraordinary experience, one that defies capture by any camera.

The best part of rising early? The luxury of traversing empty roads and soaking in unbeatable views. We savored every moment.

We had already journeyed along some of Kyushu’s most iconic routes – the Yamanami Highway and Milk Road, and now we were gliding along the celebrated Green Road.

Kenny Road Part of this road is named in honor of the legendary 500cc motorcycle racer, Kenny Roberts. Along this route, there’s a rest stop with a covered shelter offering breathtaking views of the caldera. The sweeping roads, the wide-open vistas, and the feeling of riding in the footsteps of Kenny Roberts – it was pure awesomeness all around!

Our journey then led us through Kumamoto City and onto the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki. This scenic route, with Mt. Unzen, an active volcano, as its centerpiece, offered a visual feast, especially when viewed from the ferry – a 60-minute ride, or just 30 minutes on the high-speed boat.

In the heart of the peninsula lies Unzen Onsen, a historic retreat for Europeans during the late Edo period and Japan’s first national park. The roads from Shimabara Port to Unzen are a biker’s dream, curving and dipping through breathtaking scenery.

A must-do is walking through the steaming, sulfur-scented ‘Unzen Hells’ – an otherworldly experience.

From Unzen, we crossed Isahaya Bay and followed Nagasaki Prefectural Road 207 along the Ariake Sea.

Our route then took us along the picturesque Tara-dake Orange Seaside Road, winding through mountains towards the Yutoku Inari Shrine, which draws millions of visitors each year.

Our final objective? To catch the sunset in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture, before returning my bike to Ricoland in Fukuoka City. We adhered to our plan, resisting tempting detours, and arrived at the Itoshima Peninsula.

The view at Futamigaura, with its iconic Meoto Iwa (husband and wife rocks) and the pristine torii gate of Sakurai Shrine, was a fitting culmination of our journey – the sunset there was nothing short of magical.

From Itoshima, it was a 45-minute ride back to Fukuoka City, cruising along the urban expressway towards the Fukuoka Airport International Line’s nearest interchange, ‘Enokida’. The final stretch of our journey was a blend of satisfaction and anticipation – reminiscing about the roads traveled, yet eager to conclude our adventure.

As we pulled into Ricoland to return my motorcycle, a sense of accomplishment enveloped us. With tanks full and engines cooled, we had completed our 690 km, 2-night, 3-day expedition. It was a journey that showcased a slice of northern Kyushu, from the serene beauty of calderas and rustic countryside roads to the thrilling heights of active volcanoes and the mystical allure of ancient shrines.

Kyushu, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, had proven itself not just a destination, but a biker’s haven, offering experiences as diverse as the roads that wind through it. As we handed back our keys at Ricoland, we were already planning our next adventure, knowing that the roads of Kyushu would always call us back for more.

Itinerary (as of Nov. 2023)

DAY 1 From Fukuoka to Kunisaki in Oita Prefecture 07:30 Gathering: Ricoland Fukuoka Airport Store 08:00 Departure: 35km 09:00 Akizuki Castle Ruins 09:30 Departure: 40km 11:00 Mt. Hiko 11:45 Departure (Via: Yabakei) 12:45 Lunch (Yabakei) Restaurant Sardinas 13:45 Touring Kunisaki Peninsula 17:00 Check-in: Farm Stay “Organic Farm Stay”

DAY 2 From Kunisaki in Oita Prefecture to Aso 08:30 Check-out & Departure 09:00 Kitsuki Castle 09:30 Departure: 26km 10:15 Myoban Onsen 10:45 Departure: 26km 11:45 Iwashita Collection 12:45 Departure 13:00 Lunch (Ubuyama Village) Farmer’s Restaurant Yama no Sato 14:00 Departure 15:30 Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater Area (Motorcycle Entry ¥200) 16:00 Departure 17:15 Check-in (Aso Area)

DAY 3 From Aso to Unzen and Itoshima 07:30 Check-out & Departure (Via: Kenny Road) 09:00 Kumamoto Port (Complete boarding procedures 20 minutes before departure) 09:25 Kumamoto Ferry (Motorcycle over 750cc + Driver ¥3,850, Adult ¥1,500) About 30 minutes Or 9:55 Kyusho Ferry (Motorcycle over 750cc + Driver ¥2,340, Adult ¥890) About 60 minutes 10:55 Shimabara Port 11:00 Departure (to Unzen): 19km, 30 minutes Unzen Hell 11:35 Lunch ( Green Terrace Unzen ) 12:15 Departure (to Yutoku Inari): 1 hour 40 minutes + Break 20 minutes 14:15 Yutoku Inari Shrine 14:45 Departure: 2 hours 15 minutes + Break 30 minutes 17:30 Futamigaura 18:00 Departure: 45 minutes + Gas Refill 15 minutes 19:00 Ricoland Airport Store – rental bike return

Ricoland Fukuoka Airport Store

– Operating Hours: Weekdays 11:00-20:00, Weekends and Holidays 10:00-20:00 – Contact: Tel. 092-412-5819 – Address: 2-14-24 Hanmichibashi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka – https://www.ricoland.co.jp/shopinfo/fukuokaairport/ * Rental Service: Rental 819 * Additional Information: Support in English and Korean, duty-free shopping, and free parking for bikes and cars during the rental period. * Open in Mar. 2023

Rental Bike – Costing The rental bike, a black X-ADV750 with full pannier options, was perfect for our needs. The costs broke down as follows:

– Basic Fee: ¥21,120 (24 hours) + ¥14,080 for 2 additional days – Vehicle Insurance: ¥3,520 (24 hours) + ¥1,870 for 2 additional days – Accessories (Top Case and Pannier Case): ¥1,650 (24 hours) + ¥330 for 2 additional days, each – ETC Card: ¥220 x 3 days (for auto-payment on highway tolls) – Total: ¥61,820 (including 10% consumption tax)

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HONDA The Power of Dreams .cls-1,.cls-2{stroke-width:0px;}.cls-2{fill:#c00;}

Date 2018.10.13 sat .

【gate open: 9:00 ~ / event time: 10:00 ~ 16:00】.

The Kumamoto Factory is the mother factory which manufactures Honda Motorcycles for the entire world. This event is welcome to all who use Honda motorcycles.

Thank you for joining us. The next event is planned for October 12 th, 2019!

Donation Report of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Relief

We have donated a portion of the “Cutlet Curry Udon Noodle” sales to Kumamoto Prefecture through the Japanese government. Thank you very much for your contribution.

Donation amount: ¥59,250

Event Overview

The entrance has changed to the Main Gate. Please be sure to enter from the Main Gate.

Honda motorcycle users will be guided through the mother factory of the world’s Honda motorcycle products, the Kumamoto Factory. The production line will not be in operation, but please look forward to a tour program which will show you the different points of the assembly process!

You can test ride various Honda motorcycles. You may also be able to meet and communicate with our product LPL(Large Project Leader for product development) there.

• Gold Wing Tour Dual Clutch Transmission
• CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Type LD Dual Clutch Transmission
• CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Type LD
• CBR1000RRSP
• CRF250 RALLY Type LD
• SUPER CUB C125
• CROSS CUB 110

※LPL of the product listed in red are scheduled to attend. Please note that they may not be present depending on time.

Takaaki Nakagami, who is currently challenging to the Moto GP under Team LCR Honda Idemitsu, will make an appearance. He will speak of his determination for the 2018 Japanese MotoGP, which will be held in the following week, and other subjects you won’t be able to hear elsewhere!

A special talk show with Asuka Futatsumata and Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, both of whom have traveled the world on Honda motorcycles over the course of one year and three months, will be held.

In commemoration of your visit, various memorial photography spots are prepared including photography spots limited to Honda Motorcycle Users.

The exhibit will include many of Honda’s most famous motorcycles. You can be impressed our Honda's craftmanship by exposing historic motorcycles, by mingling with Engineers.

Limited sale of the most popular menu at the Honda Factory cafeteria！

※Image is for illustration purposes.

Homecoming T-Shirts

¥3,780 （Tax Incl.）

Homecoming Key-holders

¥1,620 （Tax Incl.）

Homecoming Face Towels

¥1,940 （Tax Incl.）

Homecoming Pin Badges

¥100 （Tax Incl.）

About event information / program

About participation / admission, about services, about transportation method / venue access.

Admission of tampered vehicles to an event held by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is strictly prohibited. In particular, vehicles with improperly modified muffler installations will be inconvenience by all people in the vicinity, and it will affect the holding of the event itself. In addition, severe penalties may be imposed when conducting tampering acts that do not conform to the law. We would like you to enjoy a wholesome bike life through safe riding and appropriate vehicle maintenance based on the law.

Photographs and images taken at the venue may be used by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or Honda Motorcycle Japan Co., Ltd. for websites and other media as advertisements.

The Honda Motorcycle Homecoming Office will answer any questions regarding Honda Motorcycle Homecoming.

※E-mail Reception Settings*※ Please change your e-mail settings to accept e-mails from「 @spirit.honda.co.jp 」

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Next, as most of the posts on the forum about motorcycle factory tours are years old, I’m wondering if someone can offer more recent advice about their factory visits. Which factories are doing tours for individuals. How much notice needs to be given, what would you recommend. Any help or advice is welcomed.

Check with Yamaha in Iwata,　Shizuoka if your husband is interested in motorcycles.

Which one is he riding? Is it Honda, not Yamaha?

The trip would be at the end of 2023. He has a Honda and a Kawasaki.

The factory tours　are　not　carried　out　now　because　of　the　COVID,　but　you　need　to　hire　an　interpretor.

https://global.honda/about/group/kumamoto.html

Honda assembles motorbikes in Ozu. Phone reservation is normally a must. It's not been open currently.

Kawasaki's Akashi factory tour is open only to Kawasaki Rider's Club Kaze members.

Ozu is the place name in Kumamoto.

https://www.khi.co.jp/kawasakiworld/english/

Honda's Ozu factory is 30 - 40 mins drive from the city centre of Kumamoto. I don't think it's difficult to locate it from R 57, but self drive is a must there.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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MotoQuest has been organizing Japan Motorcycle Tours for over a decade and our riders love it. Experience traditional Japanese travel lodges, authentic Japanese cuisine, relaxing thermal hot springs and amazing roads. You may explore the southern three islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku during the cherry blossom time on our Japan Three Island Cherry Blossom Adventure.  You may also want to experience Japan during the fall and enjoy the fall colors during our Japan Three Island Fall Colors Adventure.   If you want to  ride the open roadways,  pristine forests and coastlines of the north island, join our  Hokkaido Explorer .  Motorcycles range from Honda, Triumph, Suzuki, to BMW. The motorcycle riding in Japan is world-class and offers the motorcycle traveler a unique opportunity to experience this country rich in tradition. Come ride Japan with us!

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• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Honda Sayama

Introduction

Honda is actually one of the youngest car makers in Japan, being founded after World War II in 1946 by Soichiro Honda (本田 宗一郎  1906–1991), who always seemed to have a big smile. Their philosophy is structured around respect for the individual and the “ three joys “: The Joy of Buying, the Joy of Selling, and the Joy of Creating .

To be honest, to me it feels like too many different things (cars, motor bikes, aircraft, robots, boat engines, lawn mowers) … it is difficult to focus. From what I have seen, I believe their heart still beats for motorcycles, but with all the other products their focus gets diluted.

Saitama Sayama Plant (October 2017)

Overall Impression

As I said above, I was not impressed. Not at all. For the usually good quality of Honda vehicles, I expected Toyota like-performance, but this was a disappointment. The plant was dark, dirty, and disorganized. Illumination was not good, and there were lots of dirty and dark corners. The employees at Honda wear white overalls to emphasize cleanliness, but at Sayama it was not working, and the overalls were often dirty too.

Information Flow

There was also very little information. There was no form of andon in the plant, except a single one at the final assembly, which also had an andon button to stop the line. When the welding line started beeping due to a problem, we could not see or figure out where or what was the issue; it just stopped and there was no light or anything indicating the location of the problem. We also could not figure out production quantities or if they were behind or ahead.

Material Flow

Ergonomics was also bad. Only some of the material was on an AGV, and employees were pushing heavy carts with a lot of effort along the paths. A lot of the transport was also by forklift, which usually indicates large quantities with little standardization. One employee was carrying large and unwieldy boxes through the plant.

Material supply was also a mess. They do not have a pull system , and also do not use kanban. The quantity of the material also by far exceeded the material around the Toyota assembly lines. For example, at the injection-molding location there was an inventory of around 3,600 panes, representing sixty hours or almost four days of work. This was an in-house operation close to the point of use, and could have been much better organized. Their seat supply, however, was Just in Time and Just in Sequence .

The oldest material notice I found dated from October 2015, two years ago. Material was just piled around the assembly lines. At one assembly station, I saw a shoebox-sized box of screws sitting alone on the floor, where the worker picked up the screws. This is neither ergonomic nor organized. Most material locations were not labeled or structured. There was little mechanical aid of any kind to help with the material supply at the line, and workers often had to bend or twist their bodies to get material. Heavy doors and seats were lifted out of a supply hanger by hand and carried to/in the car by hand .

Efficiency was also not impressive. At one station, a robot was attaching glue to a part, before an employee added some more glue (different type) to the same part. During a plant visit, I usually make a statistic on how many people are adding value when I see them versus how many are not adding value (waiting, walking, transporting, searching, etc.). Toyota is the best I have seen with 70% to 90% of the people adding value. The Honda Sayama plant is below average for car makers with people creating value for the customer less than 50% of the time.

They also had the fanciest recycling I have seen in a long time, with a total of nine categories of waste.

If You Want to Follow in My Footsteps …

…then you would need to speak Japanese or at least have an interpreter, and be part of a larger group. You also need to apply two months beforehand through their website . In this case, you can enter a sort of lottery for the Sayama or Yorii plant for a plant tour. Their address is 1-10-1 Shinsayama, Sayama-shi, Saitama Pref. , Japan . Many thanks to Honda for the tour!

Overall, I was not impressed by the Sayama plant. Part of it can be explained by its age, another part by it being closed in 2022 (and who wants to invest time in a plant that will be closed anyway), but there was still enough left over to make this a pretty unimpressive plant. I went away with a pretty bad impression of Honda plants. Luckily, Honda Kumamoto was much, much better. More about this in the next post. In the meantime, go out and organize your industry!

Series Overview

• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Overview and Toyota
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Nissan
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Honda Kumamoto
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Mitsubishi
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Mazda
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Suzuki
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Subaru

4 thoughts on “The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Honda Sayama”

This echoes what I saw 25 years ago. I was astonished to see components just stacked on the floor at trackside. In one building there was Body Assembly (welding) separated only by a gangway and plastic curtain from Trim. White overalls were white though, and staff all very friendly. I find this all quite astonishing! I met someone (not at Honda) who said the founder boasted that he didn’t have a desk and office etc. and was proud of showing his ‘artisan’s hands’. Interestingly, I know of a British motorcycle manufacturer who started off as a tradesman (in another industry) who didn’t have an office either (he’d park himself wherever was available) and was also extremely suspicious of what might be broadly regarded as ‘scientific management’, but admiring of hard work, sweat on brow etc.

Very interesting observations. Thanks for sharing. I think Honda Motors has a unique history. It was founded by two persons Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. They were completing each other, one in charge of R&D and manufacturing the other for the business side. They even retired from the company together. Actually there would be no Honda as we know it today if it wasn’t Takeo Fujisawa. Their story is very inspirational.

Your observations show once again that not all Japanese companies are like Toyota and have their mindset and matured efficient Production (Management) System.

• Pingback: Honda Sayama Plant Visit | Christoph Roser | All About Lean | Michel Baudin's Blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQO4EgoPTBI video of sayama plant – they make quality cars. ok old but i worked in Renault Belgium and that was also an old factory

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Top 20 factory tours in Japan

There’s nothing worse that getting stuck on a guided tour going through room upon room of humdrum displays while a sleepy-eyed guide rambles on about nothing important. To save us all from making the mistake of going on a boring tour, Trip Advisor Japan compiled a list of the best factory tours in the country. Results are ranked according to the most talked about museums and factories on their website. As you might expect, over half of the best tours involve alcohol.

1. Instant Ramen Museum (Osaka)

Visitors can not only view the history of instant ramen, but also try their hand at making Chicken Ramen from scratch in a 90-minute workshop that costs only 500 yen. Visitors can also choose to make their own Cup Noodles for 300 yen. English audio guides are available for videos shown in the Research Shack and Cup Noodle Drama Theatre.

2. Nuchi-masu Salt Factory (Uruma City, Okinawa)

Nuchi-masu is a salt made in Okinawa that is so rich in minerals, it was in the Guinness World Records in 2000. Nuchi-masu is made entirely of Okinawan seawater taken from the Pacific Ocean and visitors of the salt factory can view and experience the making of this natural seasoning.

3. Nikka Whiskey Distillery (Yoichi City, Hokkaido)

Self-guided tours and guided-tours in Japanese are conducted daily. The best part is that visitors can taste three different types of whiskey for free.

4. Orion Beer Factory (Nago City, Okinawa)

Lesser known Orion beer can be sampled during your visit to Okinawa at the Orion Beer Factory.

5. Kawasaki Good Times World (Kobe City, Hyogo)

With a name like that, it’s got to be a good tour. Visitors to Kawasaki Good Times World are treated to a showcase of technology made by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group including ships, rolling stock, aircraft, and motorcycles.

6. Suntory Musashino Factory (Fuchu City, Tokyo)

Enjoy free samples of beer here…and tours and other stuff, but mostly free samples.

7. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Shimamoto Town, Osaka)

Enjoy free Yamazaki Whiskey here.

8. Chateraise (Hokuto City, Yamanashi)

Chateraise is a natural sweets and gifts company in Yamanashi Prefecture. Enjoy a tour of the ice cream making facilities as well as sweet samples.

9. Toyota Technology Museum (Nagoya City, Aichi)

The Toyota Technology Museum boasts over 4,000 exhibition pieces in their Nagoya-based building.

10. Suntory Kyoto Beer Factory (Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto)

Enjoy those free samples.

11. Asahi Beer Factory (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka)

This isn’t even the last alcohol-based tour on our list…

12. Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery (Kai City, Yamanashi)

For wine lovers.

13. Kirin Yokohama Beer Village (Yokohama City, Kanagawa)

Keep scrolling for more beer tour options.

14. Unagi Pie Factory (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka)

Unagi Pies are a famous Hamamatsu City confectionery. After touring the factory, visitors are invited to try original ice cream creations using Unagi Pies.

15. Sapporo Beer Museum (Sapporo City, Hokkaido)

16. Suntory Hakushu Distillery (Hakuto City, Yamanashi)

17. Tokachi Winery (Tokachi City, Hokkaido)

18. Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo City, Hokkaido)

Enjoy sampling Hokkaido’s famous treat at the Shiroi Koibito Park.

19. Royce Chocolate World (Chitose City, Hokkaido)

Royce Chocolate World is in the New Chitose Airport. It is the first chocolate factory and museum located in an airport. 20. Cup Noodle Museum (Yokohama City, Kanagawa)

View 3,000 different packages of ramen and enjoy making your own at the Cup Noodle Museum.

There you have it, the top 20 factory tours in Japan starting and ending with ramen. Of the 20 factories listed, 11 are related to alcohol and five are located in Hokkaido. Suntory seems to hold great tours if the company’s five spots in the top 20 are any indication. But the lesson to take away from this list is that no matter where you go in Japan you’ll be able to find a factory tour giving out free alcohol. Happy drinking!

Source: NariNari

Read more stories form RocketNews24. -- Instant Ramen #1 on Favorite Japanese Factory Tours, Field Trips -- Free Admission – Twelve of Tokyo’s Best Kept Secrets -- Top 20 Japanese Travel Destinations For Foreign Visitors

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6 Comments Login to comment

Harry_Gatto June 6, 2013 08:42 am JST

Suntory and Nikka make whisky, not whiskey.

nicolls June 6, 2013 10:00 am JST

it's all food.

JetSpeed June 6, 2013 11:05 am JST

Bunch of damn drunks.

davestrousers June 6, 2013 11:37 am JST

Asahi Beer Factory (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka)

There are 8 Asahi Beer factories offering tours dotted around Japan. Any particular reason this one makes the top 20?

nath June 11, 2013 02:39 pm JST

@ dave because Kyushu was ill represented in this list.

Matt McCormick Oct. 1, 2013 06:50 am JST

The Sapporo beer museum doesn't do tours anymore. I was there two months ago and was disappointed going there. Basically it's just a room where you can see a couple vats and read about the history (only in Japanese)

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Ninja Tours : Japan Motorcycle Touring

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Japan Motorcycle Rental Tours with Ninjatours.com!

• Ride the best roads in Japan!
• Motorcycle rentals, tour planning and all contracts and correspondence in English!
• Custom Tour Packages, including personalized itineraries, guides and maps tailored specifically to your ride.

• 24 Hour Emergency Support in English
• English speaking trip planning.
• English maps and navigation systems
• Luggage forwarding and free storage of your suitcases and bags while in Japan

All Packages Include: Motorcycle Rental, Insurance, Gear, English GPS Navigation, and Standard Class Accommodations with Dinner and Breakfast!

About ninjatours, your japan motorcycle touring experts….

21 DAY TOUR (Japan – Endless Discovery)

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• Book the tour

Japan is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Let us introduce you to some of the best spots, courses, and plans recommended by Big Bike Tours. Can you imagine? Riding through Japan on a rising dragon-shaped road, passing through several of the most fascinating places in all of Japan.

Being 70% mountains, having perfect roads, lots of nature, delicious food, and being super safe, Japan is truly a paradise for riders. On top of all this, it has a magnificent unique culture, not only in Asia but in the whole world. And exploring it with the freedom that a motorcycle gives you is the best way possible! And then we Big Bike Tours come in to provide you with priceless local knowledge and “omotenashi” for a dream-like adventure. Omotenashi is the philosophy of Japanese hospitality, it goes beyond service, captures how Japanese hosts pay attention to detail and anticipate their guests’ needs.

Come and experience it all with us! Send us a message to discuss this further and we will organize your motorcycle tour in Japan. A unique riding experience you will never forget! And no one offers all of this and the time to enjoy and savor each location more than Big Bike Tours!

Please be informed, that we offer the best cost-benefit ratio for motorcycle touring in Japan. You can entirely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and Japan’s endless discovery. Come ride with us – the real deal !

TOKYO – LAKE KAWAGUCHI – GERO HOT SPRINGS – KYOTO – HIMEJI – HIROSHIMA – KITA KYUSHU – BEPPU HOT SPRINGS – KUMAMOTO – FUKUOKA – MASUDA – TOTTORI – FUKUI – NANAO – HIRAYU – KUSATSU – NIKKO – TOKYO

(Distance: approximately 3.300 km / 2.050 miles)

Day 1. Sightseeing in Tokyo

Day 2. tokyo - lake kawaguchi (103 km), day 3. lake kawaguchi - gero hot springs (326 km), day 4. gero - kyoto (220 km).

Day 5. Rest Day in Kyoto

Day 6. Kyoto - Himeji (131 km)

Day 7. himeji - hiroshima (234 km).

Day 8. Rest Day in Hiroshima

Day 9. Hiroshima - Kita Kyushu (222 km)

Day 10. kita kyushu - beppu hot springs (111 km), day 11. beppu hot springs - kumamoto (140 km), day 12. kumamoto - fukuoka (120 km), day 13. fukuoka - masuda (250 km), day 14. masuda - tottori (280 km), day 15. tottori - fukui (300 km), day 16. fukui - nanao (160 km), day 17. nanao - hirayu (170 km), day 18. hirayu - kusatsu (200 km), day 19. kusatsu - nikko (170 km), day 20. nikko - tokyo (180 km).

Day 21. Tokyo, Departure

1. Motorcycles

Some examples of bikes according to their class:

P4 bikes: Yamaha MT09, Kawasaki W800, Honda NC750X, Yamaha XSR700, Suzuki VStrom650, Honda CB400SB.

P5 bikes: Honda CB1300SB, Yamaha Tracer 900 and GT, BMW F750GS, Honda CB1100, Yamaha Z900RS, Yamaha XSR900

P6 bikes: Honda Africa Twin 1100 (normal transmission and DCT), Ducati Multistrada 950S

P7 bikes: Ducati Multistrada 1260S, Multistrada 1260 Enduro, BMW R1250GS, BMW R1200GS

P8 bikes: Honda Goldwing, Harley Heritage Classic, Harley Road Glide, Harley Street Glide, Harley Electra Glide, Harley Road King

2. License and other requirements

What do I need to drive in Japan with Big Bike Tours？

Be at least 20 years of age.

Credit card (we recommend bringing more than one just in case).

Have a valid motorcycle driving license from Japan or one of the following countries, plus an international driving permit stamped on “A” for motorcycles or an Official Japanese Translation, depending on the country. For more details please continue reading:

If your driving license was issued in a country not listed above, you cannot drive in Japan. Also please check notes regarding foreign driving licenses at the end.

Notes regarding foreign driving licenses:

Please check the expiration date, and make sure it is still valid.

Does your motorcycle license have any restrictions like engine displacement, transmission type, etc.? If so, the same restrictions will apply in Japan.

You must have spent 3 months in the country where your motorcycle license was issued after obtaining the license. This is a requirement by Japanese law.

※If the International Driving Permit has

“1968” written on the front cover, is NOT valid in Japan. It also has to be stamped on “A” for motorcycles, and the 1-year validity has to be in force:

Important notes regarding the International Driving Permit (IDP):

It has to be issued in the same country as the driver’s license.

Check that the IDP is issued by the correct licensing authority.

The IDP has no validity on its own. It has to be accompanied at all times by a valid driving license.

Home Country Driving License + Official Japanese translation of the Driving license

If your license is issued in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Estonia,　Slovenia, or Taiwan you will need to obtain an official Japanese translation of your home country driving license. This can be obtained at the Japanese Automobile Federation or official authorities like Embassies and consulates.

Special notes:

License holders from Belgium, France, and Monaco have two options :

Obtain a 1949 Geneva Convention-based IDP, as the “Group 1” countries mentioned above.

Obtain an official Japanese translation of their driving license, as the “Group 2” countries mentioned above.

Italy, Poland, and Russia signed both the :

1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic.

1968 Vienna Convention on road traffic.

Therefore authorities of these countries have the right to issue IDPs based on both conventions, but they usually issue IDPs based on the 1968 Vienna Convention. However, Japan only recognizes IDPs issued based on the 1949 Convention. If you can obtain an IDP based on the 1949 Geneva Convention (“1949 Convention” is written on the front cover), you can drive in Japan. But with an IDP based on the 1968 Vienna Convention, you cannot drive in Japan.

In the USA , only two organizations are allowed to sell real, legal IDPs: the American Automobile Association, and the American Automobile Touring Alliance, which offers IDPs through the National Automobile Club.

3. Recommended items for touring

3.1. riding clothes.

At Big Bike Tours we believe in safety and for us, a good tour is also a safe tour. Therefore we encourage the use of high-quality riding gear fully covering your body, possibly with protectors inside.  Also, to let you freely come to Japan without the weight of the riding gear, we provide the rental of a wide range of gears in many sizes.

The winning kit for the perfect rider:

Here you are the list of the items we suggest to bring with you for a wonderful and safe tour in Japan.

・Helmet (Mandatory by law)

・Winter Jacket (leather or Goretex best)

・Trousers (leather or Goretex best)

・Riding boots

・Winter gloves

3.2. Documents

People not holding a Japanese driving license must bring below 3 fundamental items to legally and safely ride in Japan. We will require a copy of your documents while organizing booking operations for your motorcycle tour.

For more detailed information regarding the documents you need, based on your nationality, to safely ride in Japan, check out the first section at the top of this page: “1. License and other requirements”

Domestic Driving License

The first, fundamental, item to safely ride in Japan is your domestic license. Also, it must be not expired and valid for riding the vehicle of your choice in Japan.

The second important item to ride in Japan for people not resident in this country is the Passport. Bring it with you as a personal document and also as proof of your legal stay in Japan.

The time limit for a tourist visa in Japan varies from country to country, so please check your maximum permitted length of stay with the Japanese Embassy in your country.

International Driving Permit or Official Japanese Translation

Based on your driving license issuing country, to drive in Japan you will need an International Driving Permit based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or an Official Translation of your Driving License made by the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF).

To check which one of these two documents you will need based on your country, check out the first section at the top of this page: “1. License and other requirements” Riders coming from countries under the International Driving Permit have to make sure to have the stamp on the A section for motorcycle riding. Also, they must make sure to receive a 1949 Geneva Convention-based International Driving Permit, since there is also another International Driving Permit based on the 1968 Vienna Convention on road traffic, which is not accepted in Japan.

4. Traffic Rules

4.1. left-hand traffic.

Roads in Japan use a left-hand traffic system. Since right-turning cars may be waiting in the right-hand lane of a two-lane road, keep driving in the left lane if you do not intend to turn right. Don’t forget to use your indicators when changing lanes so that the cars behind know your intentions.

4.2. Right-turning vehicles must wait

Drivers are asked to give way to oncoming vehicles in principle when the driver intends to turn right. Make right turns after oncoming cars have traveled past or turned left. Priority is given to left turns in Japan. There are no rules regarding giving way to right-turning cars.

3.3. Never fail to stop when a traffic light is red

Watch the traffic light in front carefully and do not start to move before the traffic light turns green. Traffic lights in Japan are located on the front side of intersections and you must stop your motorcycle rather far.

Bring your motorcycle to a complete stop at stop signs and in front of train crossings.

4.4. Obey arrow traffic lights.

When the traffic light is red, all cars must in principle stop. However, where there are arrow traffic lights provided below or at the side of the traffic lights, you may turn in the direction the arrow points when it is green. Right-turn arrow traffic lights are the most prevalent. When a right-turning arrow is shown, turn quickly while paying full attention to oncoming vehicles. Many intersections where this type of traffic light is provided have right-turn-only lanes.

4.5. Always pay attention to speed limits.

Speed limits are set at 30-50km/h in urban areas and 40-60km/h in the suburbs and on major roads. The speed limit is normally set at 70-100km/h on expressways.

4.6. Pay attention to the no-overtaking zones

4.7. never drink and drive.

It is now considered common sense not to drive a car under the influence of alcohol. It is the same in Japan, however, enforcement of the law and penalties for breaking it are stricter here. If alcohol is detected by a breath test, you will be penalized with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Even more severe penalties are imposed for driving while intoxicated. In Japan, drivers who refuse to take a breath test are also punished. Sober passengers who ride together with a drunken driver and those who encourage a driver to drink will also be punished. Never drink and drive.

4.8. Traffic Signals

You must stop before the stop line (or before the intersection when there is no stop line) at an intersection with a Stop sign, and yield to vehicles traveling on the crossing road.

WARNING SIGNS

Day 1. Tokyo, Arrival

Day 2. Tokyo – Lake Kawaguchi (103 km)

Day 3. Lake Kawaguchi – Gero Hot Springs (326 km)

Day 4. Gero – Kyoto (220 km)

Day 6. Kyoto – Himeji (131 km)

Day 7. Himeji – Hiroshima (234 km)

Day 9. Hiroshima – Kita Kyushu (222 km)

Day 10. Kita Kyushu – Beppu Hot Springs (111 km)

Day 11. Beppu Hot Springs – Kumamoto (140 km)

Day 12. Kumamoto – Fukuoka (120 km)

Day 13. Fukuoka – Masuda (250 km)

Day 14. Masuda – Tottori (280 km)

Day 15. Tottori – Fukui (300 km)

Day 16. Fukui – Nanao (160 km)

Day 17. Nanao – Hirayu (170 km)

Day 18. Hirayu – Kusatsu (200 km)

Day 19. Kusatsu – Nikko (170 km)

Day 20. Nikko – Tokyo (180 km)

2024 Tour Starts | 07. September – 27. September |

2025 Tour Starts | 24. March – 13. April | | 06. September – 26. September |

Public Tours

Heritage center self-guided tour.

A self-guided tour of the Honda Heritage Center Museum is available for individuals, families and groups. We welcome your visit during our open hours listed below.

• Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
• Visit is free of charge .
• This visit is a self-guided tour of the museum and does not include an auto plant tour .
• Walk-ins are welcome.
• Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Adults will need a government issued photo identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) for check-in upon arrival.
• School groups, clubs and other community groups are welcome and require one adult per ten children.
• For groups larger than 60, please contact the Honda Heritage Center at 937-644-6888.
• Ample free parking.
• Allow 45 to 90 minutes for your visit.