Photos coming SOON!
What started as a chat during one of our catch-ups at the start of 2025 ended up turning into an epic trip!
Chris, our tour captain, lived in Japan years ago. He’d been going back over the past few years, and every time he shared a story, we’d think, “We want in.” Only MotoGP at Motegi, needed to be added to the itinerary!
So, knowing the lingo, the attractions to hit (and to avoid) and the best motorcycling spots, Chris set to work creating our Japanese adventure!
Sumo
Our itinerary was chocka! Within hours of landing in Tokyo, we were knife shopping… and then off to the Sumo!
Watching Sumo live was like nothing I’d ever seen — such theatre! Rituals, ceremony, bows, respect… and a whole lot of slapping! It was intense, traditional, and so uniquely Japanese — an absolute highlight.
The Italian Embassy
As Ducati got wind of our visit to Japan, I was invited to represent DOCNZ at a special evening hosted by Ducati Japan’s CEO at the Italian Ambassador’s residence. Oh là là!
Sadly, I couldn’t sneak the rest of the crew in, so after Sumo I dashed off solo,
It was a bit daunting pulling up to the big iron gates of the ambassador’s residence. Security was intense!
Inside, the Ducati Corse race team were on stage and given the royal treatment, although I had no idea what was being said, so just smiled, clapped, and nodded along, as you do when everything’s in Italian or Japanese.
That’s till my name was called from the stage - “Welcome Ange all the way for New Zealand from DOCNZ!” All of a sudden, lights and cameras were on me. Eek. Luckily, it didn’t last long and the attention swung back to the MotoGP stars.
I got to meet Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio, and had a great chat with Davide Tardozzi (Team Manager) and Mauro Grassilli (Marketing & Comms Director). I also got to meet DOC Japan presidents and members. Apparently there were 15 spots DOC members had to “apply for” to come to the event, and more than 2000 members applied! So those I met were pretty amped to be there.
MotoGP
Next came three epic days at MotoGP. Train from Tokyo to Mito, picked up a people mover, and checked into our Airbnb, complete with futons and paper walls and sliding doors.
With paddock passes, we saw a few GP stars, and parked ourselves at a couple of prime corners to get up close to the!
It was unreal watching MM93 finally clinch the MotoGP world title after six years of struggle. To witness it live was so special. Our VP, Darryl nearly exploded, he’s a full-on MM93 fanatic! The rest of us loved every minute of it, too.
Sam McCafferty, the lead designer behind some of Ducati’s freshest rides, the Streetfighter V4 and Panigale V2, joined us at the track too. Always a fab and such privilege to catch up with this humble legend when we can!
My dream is to experience MotoGP tracks of the world. I’ve been to four now, the format might be the same, but vibe never is. Motegi was brill, although their passion was more subdued, more reserved.
The Riding
The second leg of our adventure kicked off at Ducati Ohta, Tokyo, where we saddled up for our Japanese Turismo.
Getting in and out of Tokyo was manic. Once we broke free of the city though, the roads were fab!
Out of seven days riding, four were wet, and some properly soaked, including the road up to Mt Fuji! Wet, foggy, and, quite frankly, sh!t. We were drenched and freezing by the time we pulled in for hot chocolates.
As we were leaving though, the clouds parted! So we rolled our bikes into position for the photo. I had to find someone to take the shot and found a poor guy hiding from the weather in his van! Shot taken, then the clouds rolled back in again!
Over the days of riding, the mountain twisties, switchbacks, and scenery were awesome. At one point, Tim said it reminded him of riding in Europe!
We discovered:
Getting through some of the little towns was like navigating a maze.
The Japanese love their tunnels. They’re everywhere!
Some “roads” looked more like unused footpaths. Including one that was super gnarly and steep. We all thought, really, this can’t be the way… but it was!
Putting a Scrambler through it's paces is not a problem a few weeks after surgery, aye Greg?!
My Riding Highlights:
Definitely that photo on Mt Fuji — and the ride once the fog cleared.
The road up to the Moss forest – twists, turns and great road surface.
Riding up to Japan’s highest point, the photos once we got there, and the ride down!
Tackling some scarily awesome — or as the boys called them, “wacky” — outback roads no tour guide would ever take you down.
Oh, and avoiding a bear… well, I didn’t, but Tim spotted a cub cantering across the road!
An unexpected highlight was the comms and the Beeline combo. We were all hooked up with Cardo Packtalk Edge units, and the lads had Beeline nav. Chris created the route, shared it with the group, and everyone downloaded it to their units. As we rode, everyone — except me and Darryl — helped navigate!
The teamwork was military level, awesome! And if anyone got separated, there was no stress, just comms. A beautiful thing!
Accommodation, Onsen, Ryokan, Tradition
Chris organised all sorts of accommodation along the way. My favourites were the ryokans
We’d check in, changed into our yukata (Japanese house robes) and head to onsen before dinner.
The first onsen was a bit awkward though. Men and women were separate and it took a minute to learn the rules and etiquette. Once we got the hang of it, the hot mineral bath was bliss. Perfect after a day of riding.
The ryokan that stood out to me was, Ryokan Tanabe in Takayama. Completely traditional, they treated us to the full experience - tatami mats, traditional 3 course dinner and breakfast, and special slippers for each different area (which totally confused my brain!).
Other places we visited:
The Moss Forest - Richard got us all bells to wear to ward off bears!
Café/restaurants in the middle of absolutely nowhere
A Wasabi farm, where Selwyn and I dug into the Wasabi ice-cream
Historic villages and temples
And little wacky towns far away from the usual
My favourite part
Exploring Japan with these legends - lads we met through DOCNZ who have now become fams, made a great trip, a magnificent trip.
We shared detours, 7-Eleven stops, and endless laughs. We looked out for each other and celebrated every clear-sky moment together.
Special mention and huge thanks goes to ex-Japan local and legend Chris Burt for all the planning, booking, and leading - reading the road signs, and getting us through those manual “pay the man” cash-only toll booths and not losing anyone!
If you ever get the chance to ride Japan — do it. And take your mates with you!!!
✍️📸Ange Joe
