Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [651]
Maps & Navigation
Get yourself a copy of the Road Atlas Japan (Shōbunsha). It’s all in romaji with enough names in kanji to make navigation possible even off the major roads. If you’re really intent on making your way through the back blocks, a Japanese map will prove useful even if your knowledge of kanji is nil. The best Japanese road atlases by far are the Super Mapple series (Shōbunsha), which are available in bookshops and some convenience stores.
There is a reasonable amount of signposting in romaji, so getting around isn’t all that difficult, especially in developed areas. If you are attempting tricky navigation, use your maps imaginatively – watch out for the railway line, the rivers, the landmarks. They’re all useful ways of locating yourself when you can’t read the signs. A compass will also come in handy when navigating.
These days, many rental cars come equipped with satellite car navigation systems, which can make navigation a snap, provided you can figure out how to work the system (ask the person at the rental agency to explain it and be sure to take notes). With most of these systems, you can input the phone number of your destination, which is easy, or its address, which is just about impossible if you don’t read Japanese (although you can always ask for help here, too). Even without programming in your destination, with the device on the default ‘genzai-chi’ (present location) setting, you will find it very useful.
Motorcycles
For citizens of most countries, your overseas driving licence and an International Driving Permit are all you need to ride a motorcycle in Japan (Click here for details on which nationalities require additional documentation). Crash helmets are compulsory and you should also ensure your riding gear is adequate to cope with the weather, particularly rain. For much of the year the climate is ideal for motorcycle touring, but when it rains it really rains.
Touring equipment – panniers, carrier racks, straps and the like – is readily available from dealers. Remember to pack clothing in plastic bags to ensure it stays dry, even if you don’t. An adequate supply of tools and a puncture repair kit can prove invaluable.
Riding in Japan is no more dangerous than anywhere else in the world, which is to say it is not very safe and great care should be taken at all times. Japan has the full range of motorcycle hazards, from single-minded taxi drivers to unexpected changes in road surface, heedless car-door openers to runaway dogs.
Parking
In most big cities, free kerbside parking spots are almost nonexistent, while in rural areas you’ll be able to park your car just about wherever you want. In the cities you’ll find that you usually have to pay ¥200 per hour for metred street parking, or anywhere from ¥300 to ¥600 per hour for a spot in a multistorey car park. You’ll find car parks around most department stores and near some train stations. Fortunately, most hotels have free parking for guests, as do some restaurants and almost all department stores.
Road Rules
Driving in Japan is on the left. There are no real problems with driving in Japan. There are no unusual rules or interpretations of them and most signposts follow international conventions. JAF Click here has a Rules of the Road book available in English and five other languages for ¥1000.
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HITCHING
Hitching is never entirely safe in any country in the world, and we don’t recommend it. Travellers who decide to hitch should understand that they are taking a small but potentially serious risk. In particular, Japan is a very dangerous place for solitary female hitchhikers; there have been countless cases of solitary female hitchers being attacked, molested and raped. People