Mika,
I called the Japan Automobile Federation about what to do if you are not able to go to Tokyo. They told me they can make a special exemption so you can go to their Niigata office. (so, take the Vladivostok to Niigata ferry, not the one to Fushiki)
BUT
You need to send the following information in advance so they can tell the Niigata office how to do fill out the forms.
1) Name of Carnet holder (your name)
2) Date and time off arrival
3) Port of arrival
4) Day you will go to JAF office
5) Copy of Carnet (Orange cover page and page you will use in Japan)
6) Name of anyone traveling with you
7) Date leaving Japan
8) Port you expect to send motorcycle from when leaving Japan
You must send this a week before arriving in Japan or you will have to go to Tokyo.
You (or anyone else coming to Japan and can't go to Tokyo) can send the information to me and I will forward it to JAF. Or you can send it directly to
Ms. Matsuura
JAF International Division
Masonic 39 Mori Bldg. 11F
Azabuda, Minato-ku Tokyo 104-0016
JAPAN
Telephone:03-3578-4910 (outside Japan 81-3-3578-4910)
fax:03-3578-4911 (81-3-3578-4911)
E-mail:
kokusai@jaf.or.jp
[This message has been edited by Chris in Tokyo (edited 30 August 2000).]