🧑🦱
Long Dao
Riding Experience in Japan
Over 2 years on Japan's most remote and rewarding roads.
🗓️ How It Started
Long first rode Japan in 2024 when moved to Japan. He was riding in Auckland at the time — familiar with dramatic landscapes — but nothing had prepared him for the sheer scale and emptiness of Japan's rural areas. By 2024 he had packed up his flat in New Zealand and moved to Tokyo permanently.
🗾 Routes & Regions
- Kanto region — every major road, multiple times per season
- Tohoku region — the least-ridden stretch of Honshu
- Chubu region — the neighboring region to Kanto
📏 Milestones
- 50,000+ km logged on Japanese roads
- 2 years of riding in Japan experience exploring cities and countryside
- Ridden Japan in every season including mid-winter in Chiba and Kanagawa areas
🧭 Guide Philosophy
Long runs relaxed, unhurried tours. He believes the best moments happen when you slow down — when you stop at the unmarked pull-off, eat at the place with no English menu, or camp one night instead of booking the hotel. "Japan rewards patience," he says. "The faster you ride, the less you see."
Current Ride
The machine Long trusts for every Looong Ride Japan tour.
Long just bought this bike in 2026 and ready for the road. The bike is currently stock standard with no modifications, but he is planning to add a few accessories in the future. "It handles city traffic, rain, and the odd deer crossing without complaint."
The Garage — Past Bikes
Every bike that shaped how Long rides today.
What I Love Most About Riding Japan
"What I love most about riding in Japan is how quickly you can leave the city and find quiet, scenic roads. Around the Kanto region, a ride can start in Tokyo traffic and soon turn into relaxed mountain routes with gentle twisties. The pace isn’t about speed, but enjoying the flow of the road and discovering small hidden places — a local restaurant, a roadside café, or a quiet viewpoint in the mountains. Those simple stops along the ride are what make motorcycling here so special."
On the Road — Personal Moments
A window into Long's Japan riding life.
Meet Long in 60 Seconds
A quick introduction from the road.
Recommended: 60–90 sec intro video from Long on location in Hokkaido
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