Ride Guide
The Japan motorcycle ride guide
From licences and traffic rules to insurance, ETC and itinerary planning — read up before you ride.
Can I rent a motorcycle in Japan with a Hong Kong licence?
Yes. If you hold a full Hong Kong or Macau motorcycle licence and bring your International Driving Permit (IDP) and passport, you can rent a RENTAL819 motorcycle in Japan. Probationary (P) licences cannot be accepted.
Read more02How to plan your trip
Planning a Japan motorcycle trip comes down to three questions: how many days you'll ride, how the budget adds up, and how to link your must-see spots into a route. Here is each one, plus the timeline from booking to departure.
Read more03How is the route planned?
Decide the must-see spots first, then link them into a route that flows without doubling back, choosing where to stay each night from the number of sights, the time spent seeing them and the riding distance.
Read more04Planning to drive for a few days?
On general roads, eating and sightseeing as you go, about 100 to 150 kilometres a day is comfortable — and the number of days directly shapes both the pace and the budget of your trip.
Read more05How is the budget calculated?
The budget basically consists of motorcycle rent, fuel — regular petrol in Japan hovers around 160 yen a litre — plus highway tolls, food, accommodation and parking.
Read more06Japan motorcycle rental prices & fees
How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Japan? The actual rent depends on the vehicle class, rental period and the accessories you choose — here is the full price list.
Read more07Japan motorcycle trip gear checklist
When you rent a motorcycle in Japan you can bring your own helmet or reserve one in your size, and you must wear proper riding gear on pick-up day. Here is what to bring, what you can rent, and what each item costs.
Read more08Japan motorcycle rental insurance
The basic fee already includes Japan's compulsory and voluntary insurance, with vehicle compensation and MamoRide compensation also available.
Read more09ETC on Japan expressways
ETC is Japan's wireless electronic toll system, letting you pass toll gates on the expressway without stopping.
Read more10Japanese traffic rules
Here are the main traffic rules you need to follow when driving in Japan.
Read more11Reservation and pick-up process
To give you the best service, please take a few minutes to learn the details and restrictions of renting a motorcycle in Japan.
Read moreQuestions before you go?
Our Hong Kong team is here to help you plan every detail.
- From HK$295 a day (reference price, compulsory & voluntary insurance included)
- Same rent as Rental819 Japan — no extra charge for booking via Hong Kong
- Book at least a week ahead; first come, first served