Our guided tours are designed for visitors coming to Japan. Because traffic rules and road layouts can be complex, Motobase currently offers unguided rentals only to residents of Japan who hold a Japanese driver's license. On a guided tour, a Motobase staff member rides with you, so you can explore Japan safely and with peace of mind.

Yes. Helmets, protective jackets, and gloves are provided and included in the tour price. You are welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. We do not currently rent riding pants, so please avoid shorts and come dressed in long pants.

Guided tours can be booked starting two weeks in advance. We need time to arrange your guide and prepare the tour, so last-minute reservations are not possible. Guests from France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Belgium, and Taiwan must bring both their home-country license and an official Japanese translation. If you would like Motobase to obtain the translation for you (paid option separate from the tour price), please book at least 60 days in advance.

Cancellations made more than seven days before departure are free of charge. Within seven days of departure, a 100% cancellation fee applies. If you request us to obtain an official Japanese license translation and the document has already been issued, the translation fee is non-refundable even if you cancel.

At the moment, all tours depart from Tokyo. We are open to expanding to other areas in the future, so please share your feedback and requests with us.

If you are involved in an accident with another party, our insurance covers bodily injury and property damage with no limit. The insurance cost is included in the tour price. Repair costs for the rental bike are also covered, so no additional payment is required. The tour price is set to include all of these potential costs, providing full peace of mind. However, if the bike is damaged because you ignored the guide's instructions, you will be responsible for the full repair cost. In the event of lost keys or theft during the tour, we will charge for the resulting losses.

Motobase provides rental bikes and tour guides. Travel to Japan and hotel reservations must be arranged by the customer. We do not offer booking services for flights or accommodation.

Two-up riding is not permitted on Motobase tours. Each rider must reserve their own bike. Please note that we cannot accept day-of requests to add a passenger.

Typhoons are common in Japan between July and September, and tours may be canceled if the guide determines that conditions are unsafe. Tours may also be canceled in winter if there is snow or icy roads. When the guide cancels due to weather or safety concerns, there is no cancellation fee—even within seven days of departure. However, we cannot reimburse travel expenses to Japan or costs such as hotel reservations made outside of Motobase.

Any cancellation must be made more than seven days before the tour date. Regardless of the reason, cancellations within seven days of departure incur a 100% fee. Only when the guide cancels due to weather or safety issues will the fee be waived.

The tour fee is charged to the credit card you registered after the tour concludes. We do not accept any payment methods other than credit cards.

Meals, souvenirs, travel to Japan, and hotel costs are not included—you will need to cover these yourself. Highway tolls, fuel, and similar expenses are included in the tour price.

At present, our guides are not native speakers of other languages. We use translation apps to help communicate. Our guides are committed to running enjoyable tours and will make every effort to communicate, so we appreciate your understanding.

Whenever possible, we are happy to customize the route so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Some destinations may be difficult to accommodate, but please feel free to contact us or use the chat to discuss your request.

You must carry either an international driving permit issued by a Geneva Convention country, or a driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, or Monaco along with an official Japanese translation. International permits issued under the Paris (1926), Washington (1943), or Vienna (1968) Conventions—or from countries that have not ratified the Geneva Convention—are not valid in Japan. Digital driver’s licenses are also not accepted.