Tokyo, Give me some recommendations

I'll be in Tokyo in 2 weeks. Getting there 3 days before my Wife and 1 kiddo. What moto related stuff is around there? Any good shops that might have some parts laying around for my projects? Looking for race parts for 96 CBR900RR, 98 Ducati 916, 98 R1.

 

Traveled to Japan 2 to 3 times a year for 15+ years and never got to see the “Auto Races”. Still on my bucket list.

There’s one in Kawaguchi (near Tokyo).

https://autorace.jp/guide/en/index.html

 

What part of Tokyo? It’s a medium sized city, at best. But it helps to know what area you may be in.

I don’t have a lot of moto related references, but maybe some general stuff.

 

What is the nearest train station to your hotel?

Did you bring an insane amount of money with you? Granted, the current exchange rate is great for us Mericans.

Been there before? Flying into Narita or Haneda?

 

Not sure if it’s in Tokyo or Osaka, but there’s a multi story/vendor building loaded with moto related stuff

 

Flying into Haneda, staying in Marunouchi. Looks to be a decent train station in Marunouchi. First time ever in Japan. Is English spoken at all anywhere? Trying to get a quick tutorial on some Japanese phrases.

 

Tokyo Skytree is pretty stunning to visit at night.

Get some Shabu-Shabu while your there.

 

The sashimi isn’t that great.

 

Check out the Hato Bus Full Day Tokyo Tour. The tour is a great introduction to the city. Departure point is an easy walk from the Marunouchi Hotel. You'll likely wake up early in your first few days based on the time zone change. Take a morning walk from the Marunouchi around the Emperor's Palace grounds. Even though they are no longer in the original facility, the Tokyo Fish Market tour is worth your time. Get a Lonely Planet - Japan tour book. By far the best guide for a traveler in Japan. In Tokyo, nearly all signs and train announcements are in Japanese and English. Make sure to have a phone data package or wireless hub (Japan wireless) and make use of Google translate and maps. Google maps works exceptionally well for train travel as well as walking routes,

https://www.hatobus.com/v01/en/course/2023/summer/AE307

 

I went to the Ueno district (the motorcycle district of Tokyo) while i was there. I remember it from my younger days as a foreign wonderland for exotic bike parts and accessories. Cool just to go there, but it is just a faint shadow of what it was. Don't know if I'd recommend it as a destination unless you happened to be nearby. Still some cool shops there. One that stands out is an Arai shop run by a long-time factory race representative. It is full of autographed helmets and you can hear great stories just by asking.

There were a few dealerships (new and used), repair shops and the like as well as very large accessory shops (well hidden as they are "vertical" small store fronts with many stories above) where you could find the occasional gem. At the time I was there, a lot of the dealer type places kept odd hours and were unexpectedly closed when I was there (early afternoon on a weekday).

Like a lot of big cities, motor culture is kind of hidden, as most cannot afford a place to keep a car, let alone a "project" car or the like. Out in the countryside, you will see more of that, with little group "garages" (I saw one near Motegi that was a bunch of containers) where the flame burns brightly.

However, model kits, die-casts, art related to cars and bikes is huge. Go into a large "discount" store (what we would call a department store) if you have any interest in that stuff.

Get real comfortable with Google translate and translating written Japanese signs and labels. Preferably before you get there. It is kind of the expected communications medium from both sides these days. So, you need to make sure you have cell service for that to work (and you want it to work).

 

The Nakatomi Tower is beautiful around Christmas.

 

Lots of English speakers. My wife and I were trying to figure out the train system - twice - and both times we had a local approach us unsolicited and offer to help interpret the map and system. Witnessing the Japanese culture was incredible.

 

Im jealous! Japan is one of the few places Id like to visit.

 

I'll check with a friend that lives in Japan to see what he suggests. But a lot of good info already posted.

 

Does Nankai still operate their stores? Been a million years since I was last in Japan.

Get measured up and order a set of Hyod leathers.

CBR900? Moriwaki.

 

do this while there...it's mandatory

 

Are you out of your mind?

The sushi, sake, and Kobe beef are incredible. I would go there again just to eat.

 

Geisha.

 

I be joking like fugu be killing.

 

I picked up a real interesting 96 CBR900RR that was built at Erion. 971cc Velasco built SB engine, full Ohlins, Marchesini magnesium rims, Brembo. Just missing a fairing/gauge bracket and the rearsets. I'm doing a full restoration and build to their Formula Extreme race specs.