|
|
18 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
So I made it to Japan. And now what?
Hello all!
This is Teo, the Spanish guy on a RTW trip with a r1200gs.
I made it through Central Asia, Mongolia and Russia. In Mongolia I had a big breakdown (look for submerged bmw r1200gs thread). So I decided to skip Magadan and come to Japan via Shakhalin. I got robbed most of my luggage on that road (i will post about it soon) but I finally made it to Japan.
The bad news is that the ferry guys broke my EWS unit. So the bike is now in a BMW dealer in Sapporo and I am stuck in a hostel... which is not that bad because clearly I needed some rest.
Now a few questions... I will have my bike up and running by the end of next week (around 23rd or 24th) and I already would have consumed a big chunk of my time in Japan.
Starting in Sapporo, what route would you take in Japan having two or three weeks?
Any recommendations for accommodation and ways to make the trip cheaper? (my tent was stolen in Russia, so I guess buying a new one is a good idea for this)
At the beginning or middle of September I will continue my trip. My original plan was air freight to Vancouver. But if I stay longer in Japan it may get too cold for Canada. Anyhow... suggestions for how to get out of Japan to Canada or USA? Shipping companies? Ports?
Thanks a lot!
|
18 Aug 2013
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
|
|
Personally, I would spend a week or so in touring Hokkaido. It is a lot cooler than the rest of the country, and less traffic.
You may be interested in traveling the Pacific ocean side and see how the recovery is going in the wake of the 2011 tsunami. I hear that most of the roads are in decent condition now. You will have to go inland from Fukushima prefecture, as the road is still closed near the nuclear power plant.
The mountains inland from Fukushima are nice, though.
Air freight from Japan is, unfortunately, very expensive. Sea freight will probably be your only option.
If any tent will do (you don't need a really good one), you can get a cheap one at any "home center" (hardware/home improvement store). You will need to go to an outdoor gear shop for a good tent.
See here for some shipping companies:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...erth-via-45987
I think the street address for Nippon Express has changed, though.
|
18 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Thanks Chris!
Will relax while the bike is fixed and then I will tour Hokkaido as you suggest. I am planning to extend my stay here as much as possible... And I will buy things as I need them.
Thanks for the link with the shipping companies, just emailed all of them. Hope I start getting answers as soon as they get back to work.
Cheers!
|
18 Aug 2013
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
|
|
If you don't get a reply by Tuesday, you may want to try telephoning. Shipping companies don't always reply on a timely manner,...
|
18 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris of Japan
If you don't get a reply by Tuesday, you may want to try telephoning. Shipping companies don't always reply on a timely manner,...
|
I see. Do you think they will speak English?
|
20 Aug 2013
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Seoul/Yang Pyung
Posts: 545
|
|
Probably better than many of the natives,, Gee
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrHicks46
I see. Do you think they will speak English?
|
Give it a try ,,
Above all ,, enjoy the people of Japan ,,
Still one of the nicest people on earth ,, despite the recent assxxxx,, imperialist remarks by Abe ad his cronies.
|
20 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrHicks46
I got robbed most of my luggage on that road (i will post about it soon) but I finally made it to Japan.
|
Looks like you had to tell a story
Hope you will find time for a writeup soon :-)
Surfy
|
21 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Surfy
Looks like you had to tell a story
Hope you will find time for a writeup soon :-)
Surfy
|
I'm lazy so I made a video... but it is in Spanish and it does not have subtitles sorry!
Robo en Siberia - YouTube
|
24 Aug 2013
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrHicks46
I see. Do you think they will speak English?
|
Probably.
Did you try yet? The biggest task is getting transferred to the person who speaks English.
When you have time, let us know about the ferry to Japan and finding a shipping company to North America.
|
28 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris of Japan
Probably.
Did you try yet? The biggest task is getting transferred to the person who speaks English.
When you have time, let us know about the ferry to Japan and finding a shipping company to North America.
|
You are right, being transferred to the person who speaks English. No luck with most of them, but I just got a fairly good quote from A-CROSS Corporation - The Japan Moving Company | Japan International Moving
By Ro/Ro ship 3 weeks to LA Port Yen 194,000
Next vessel departs Yokohama 24/09 to arrive LA on 17/10
By Liner ship 3 weeks to LA Port Yen 221,000
Weekly service available
By air 10 days to LA airport Yen 800,000 approx.
So I guess I will be shipping by boat to LA at the end of September.
Regarding the ferry from Shakhalin to Wakkanai, this is the schedule:
http://www.heartlandferry.jp/english/index4-1.html
I got the ticket from an office in the same street as the ferry terminal, but I cannot remember their name. I found them trough a travel agency in Khabarovsk, Dalgeo Travel.
I got the ticket from Vanino to Khlomsk from Dalgeo and the Ferry from Korsakov to Wakkanai from this other agency. It all was fast and expensive, because I arrived to Shakhalin the day before the ferry to Japan was departing, on the afternoon. So I was happy to have someone taking care of the paperwork. I don't think I could have made it myself. I don't speak Japanese nor Russian.
Costs...
If I remember well, 200 € for the first ferry, from Dalgeo. It was expensive, but they do a pretty good job helping you in the terminal.
The second ferry to Japan, was 285 €. Once in Japan I was asked for a passenger fee in the customs office of 9000 Yen. When I arrived there was a fixer from Nippon Express waiting for me and the bike was put on storage for one day. This cost 15000 YEN more.
So total cost of going from Russia to Hokkaido, around 670 €
Cheers!
|
28 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
|
|
Hey Hicks,
Talked to you two days ago on facebook.
Any way, their might be a cheaper way to get your bike to North America:
You should try to get in touch with WWL: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics - Asia routes
They have an office in Tokyo, they are specialized in Ro/ro, last year two friends of mine used their services to ship from tokyo to singapour and tokyo to changmay (thailand). I checked, they also have a ro/ro Japan to North America.
Price for Japan to South East Asia were 500 usd for the shipping and shouldn't be more expensive for the shipping to North America....
But, this being Japan, then you need a forwarder; get in touch with mr omori, at kazuhisa.omori@ethik.co.jp from Cross Knowledge Co.,Ltd. It will cost you another 500 usd.
Good luck mate,
See you maybe on the road of Japan!
Last edited by YGio; 28 Aug 2013 at 06:53.
|
28 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Cool! Thank you! I will contact them!
Have fun in Japan!
|
28 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Jaén (Spain)
Posts: 22
|
|
Hi MrHicks46
Maybe you want to have a look at this. He's a spanish guy who lives in Japan some years ago and writes a blog about his life in that country.
GuíaJapón – Kirai – Un geek en Japón
Cheers!
Te veo en Facebook, Twitter y ahora aquí...a disfrutar!
|
28 Aug 2013
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
|
|
Were you able to get ahold of Mr. Takahashi at Air Sea Express?
He has been very helpful to travelers in the past.
If you decide to stay in Japan longer, there is a travelers' meeting in October.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...965#post434291
By the way, it is possible to do customs procedures yourself. But some shipping companies want you do use an agent. (I helped travelers do customs before, but I can't anymore because I don't live in Tokyo now.)
|
30 Aug 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 61
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by neke
Hi MrHicks46
Maybe you want to have a look at this. He's a spanish guy who lives in Japan some years ago and writes a blog about his life in that country.
GuíaJapón – Kirai – Un geek en Japón
Cheers!
Te veo en Facebook, Twitter y ahora aquí...a disfrutar!
|
Conzoco... conozco
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|