Riding a bike in Japan can be good fun, the speeds are a little lower than in the UK and similar to the USA. Drivers are very aware of bikes, probably due to the high number of insane scooter drivers in Japan. A scooter is an easy way to get about and all you need is a valid full driver's licence from your home country or an international licence to ride a bike under 250cc in Japan. The licencing issue for Scooters has caused confusion amongst JETs and has led to a few cases whereby JETs have been caught without the required legal documents. Read our licences section for the full lowdown.

Helmets are compulsory and must be worn at all times while riding in Japan. (Many scooter riders wear it around the back of their neck, technically still their head). The natives might get away with it but any foreigner definitely will not, so be careful.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU CAN LEGALLY DRIVE A SCOOTER WITH YOUR LICENCE BEFORE YOU RIDE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, SEE LICENCES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Scooters range from 50 to 250cc in engine size and can be ridden by anyone with the correct licence and accompanying international licence. Scooters and motorcycles 250cc incur no compulsory road costs beyond insurance. They are quick, cheap and agile and great for urban Jets. A new scooter can cost from as little as ¥120,000 and second hand anything from free up to ¥80,000 for something decent. You just have to keep your eyes and ears peeled for a bargain. The 250cc models are the most popular, can reach speeds of up to 100km/h and are legal on expressways.

There is a large second hand bike market in Japan, but for a good condition 400cc bike set aside around ¥250,000 or more (not including tax and insurance). Go for something that has been well looked after, not one that has been customised to look good - non standard parts can be either illegal or unsafe. A shaken is required for all motorcycles over 250cc. If you are buying a bike privately find out when the shaken expires and have the price adjusted accordingly. When you buy from a dealer, new shaken is automatically factored into the cost. On a 251 to 499cc bike the shaken is usually ¥70,000 to ¥80,000 plus the cost of any repairs. Models of up to 500cc cost about the same as a yellow plate car to get on the road; and then up to 1000cc costs even more, and over 1000cc bikes incur about the same costs as a white plate car.

On road costs will vary depending upon the engine capacity.