motorbikes and scooters in Japan?
 

We are returning to Japan in less than two weeks for 3 1/2 weeks this time. We plan to hire a car but would really love to be able to hire a motorbike in some places.
We've hired motorbikes all over Asia and love the freedom it gives, but don't seem to see anything about this in Japan - strange, it seems like the perfect thing to do there.
Does anyone know anything about how you would go about it?
Anyone done it already?
Can anyone suggest some hire places?

Never thought about renting a motor bike in Japan but I found some info. I think you would have to buy the bike in Japan???

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/exp...tml?aID=100041

http://www.f-banchan.net/tokyo/ueno7/ueno7_AD.htm

http://japanbikerentals.com/?gclid=C...FRsRagod7nVtWw

Don't know anything about these people

Apparently it's very hard if not impossible to rent a motor bike in Japan

Hope someone else will chime in soon with live knowledge

Aloha!

My Lonely Planet Japan (one edition back) says that small scooters are available in many places for local sightseeing, but seems to think you should buy rather than rent for longer distances.

Thanks - a small(ish) scooter for sightseeing would probably do the job - we found a site that rents BMWs and Harleys at about $150 pd - a bit over the top... yes a small scooter would be great but all we found was one place in Kyoto where you really don't need one (the buses are good and the traffic terrible) - a scooter in Kyushu or around Takayama - now that would be great. Any info please?

We rented bicycles in Takayama, but don't recall seeling motorbike for rent. The bikes were a lot of fun though!