It's already spring in Jeju in March. Our Harley Davidson Street Bob goes along the well-maintained high-quality roads. Everyone is warm to Japanese old riders worn matching clothing. We are greeted by people in Korean, with a big smile and loud voice in various places. Google Maps doesn’t work properly due to national security reasons. Motorcycles are not allowed to go on highways in Korea. We are flustered by the navigation application we've never used before, and nervous about convenience stores that don't have toilets.
　This is Korea. Electric cars dominate Busan, Daegu, and Seoul, and KIA and LG sign boards are everywhere, both inside and outside of the buildings. I am the only one taking pictures with a Sony Handy-Cam ,an old and rather big video recorder. We are proud of ourselves made in Japan in 1958, also old ones.
　

　 The magnificent valley of Montserrat appears before our eyes as we drive up the mountain from Barcelona, Spain. Climb up 248m in height on the steepest cable car we've ever experienced. Although we are not good at walking, we walk as if we are absorbed in the wonderful scenery. Sitting in an inn next to a monastery, gazing up at the starry sky with a glass of wine in hand and listening to the occasional toll of church bells leaves us feeling moved throughout our body. Even the paella is delicious.
Spain is quiet in the morning. Barcelona is supposed to be full of tourists, but the city we drive through on our motorcycle at 8 am is a calm and relaxed European city. The precious Gaudi can be seen from a motorcycle, at the quirky buildings or at the cheerful and free-thinking monuments that decorate the park.
　

　Going in Kaohsiung on KYMCO motorcycle. It's small, but fantastic one. There are lanes designated for small motorcycles with the word “機関”, and car drivers who respect the existence of motorcycles. It is clear Taiwanese take great importance on motorcycles. Therefore, even women and the elderly people can ride the bikes safely. Also they are good at riding bikes. Even grandma can lean through curves at a light speed. A dog is sitting calmly at the feet of a pretty woman's scooter. Beautiful, well-maintained bikes.
This is Taiwan. A wonderful country where motorcycles are vibrant and have earned their citizenship. People are kind in every city. An old lady speaks Japanese and helps us find the way for us. When we wanders into a road reserved for motor cars, they forgive us with a smile. Why don't you ride a bike around this wonderful city?
　

　Watching a red traffic light, we are waiting at the front row. The little space foremost of the cars, many motorcycles come in. There is a big electrical sign board that shows the remaining second to the next green signal. The number of the motorcycles is increasing around us. The sign shows 10 seconds before starting. Yes, I have seen the sight like this at the MOTO CROSS racing! No, a little different, many of participants here are tandem riders, three or four, no, sometimes five crews! All the riders here are gazing at the sign. 3, 2･･･and 1, finish counting down! All the motorcycles howl up and rush out. The tough for me is to dodge the passengers who are getting on and off the Jeepnies. If I shrink or hesitate going my own way, other cars and motorcycles and even walking people rush into my front.
This is Phlippine, full of motorcycle enthusiasts like us.
　

　Very often, at many places, an old husband and his wife on a big motorcycle are approached, ”I am jealous”, “Isn’t it tough?” and “Be careful.” Yes, riding motorcycle is enviable, hard and dangerous. Why do we have a trip on such a thing? Hot and cold and wet and dangerous because we are naked. But, every thing for the journey on motorcycle is different. The wind, the cold air, the scenery of ocean and mountains let us know we are living and they are living, what’s more strongly. The elegant smell of pine trees in Karatsu(唐津). Good winds of calcareous odour of Tengu-High Lands(天狗高原). Appetizing fragrance of citrus fruits of Yawatahama(八幡浜). Unbelievable large wind on Yobuko-Bridge(呼子大橋), and awful heavy rain on Moji-Port(門司港). Why do we have a trip on such a thing? The answer is easy. To feel the days coming after today are very precious.
　

　Winding road along the sea shore. It is deep curving, wondering, sometimes devious roads without any guardrails. The sceneries from this no shield road scares me, but strange to say, my tandem rider is enjoying it a lot. Many times I feel the sands on pavement, it’s is awful to go on big, heavy motorcycle. Although on narrow road, every cars rush over 90km/h. It's easy to see the bottoms of the criff on our tilted motorcycle. A lot of pine trees, red soils, criffs, oxen and sheeps are watching at us.
　This is mid summer in New Zealand in January.
When we were having a brief rest to drink water, A young man stopped his car on the road and called on us "Anything trouble?" Anyone can know why they are so kind when we breathe deeply in this wonderful nature.
　

　This is the third early summer since our world began enduring COVID19. Our motorcycle was going forward at the foot of Mt.Tsurugi, on the high area of Shikoku in Japan. The things waiting for us were the beautiful panorama on the upper ends, and breathtaking three dimensional depth in the warm sun light and in the air swaying. The wind was blowing with rolling the bamboo leaves that coverd thickly the surface of the mountains, saying “Soon summer, Coming summer”. The scenaries were so wonderful that we plant ourselves down on the bench at our side for some brief. We were happy to have wind on our face, to feel coolness of the shade of trees, and also to numb fingers because of the cold rain. The reason we noticed such usual things were very special was because we were having a big journey with a motorcycle.
　

Early morning. Landing from a ferry boat at Shin-Shimonoseki(新下関). In fragile morning sun light, not so many but vivid people were on the pier. Men and women of all ages were moving on music of Radio gymnastics. Not only the nostalgic buildings and piers, but also the figure of modern bridge made us feel wonderful.
About toll for channel tunnel(Kan-monn tunnel 関門海峡トンネル) 110 yen, I felt sorry to make a long queue behind our motorcycle for our payment. The tunnel was Lovely because it was made in 1958, same as our birth.
It’s October, but still the air was hot. Leather jacket was little heavy. We felt very happy because the castle town of Hagi was filled with the sweet smell of pine trees, and the sky we looked up among the leaves was pure blue. Everything we saw and felt was fantastic because we came here by and with motorcycle.

　A Harley-Road King was going through the gaunt mountains. There were no trees or plants on the mountains in UAE. If we had not been under the clear sky and on the paved road, we would have mistaken this place for some other planet. For us Japanese, used to know the mountains with the trees grow thick, the view was different. We felt uneasy “if our vehicle breaks down here”even on the vehicle with a big engine. No rivers, no street drains. Everything was deeply concerned with lack of rain. We found manyJapanese cars on all the roads. Of course some cars from different countries were there. But the men, wearing a dazzling white KANDOORA with assured manners, definitely drove big Japanese 4 wheel drive cars. The most reliable thing here is“Not to be breakdown” i.e. Japanese products.
　

Harley Davidson Crossbones has become a member of our family. The bare FRONT SUSPENSION that expand and contract before my very eyes, HEAD LIGHT like the figure of funny dinosaur, SADDLE SEAT, yes I have seen that for military motorcycles in the war film, FAT TIRES with its proud thickness and with hard turning. Of course I need to wear a strident helmet and a vintage jacket to appear on the screen. When I push the starter of the engine, Mufflers that Vance and Hines made with all their heart make beautiful sounds with full self-assertion. To loosen bolts, inch-sized tools are needed, although almost Japanese repair shops don't have. Rather than that, I want to ask you one question. "Have you ridden such an enjoyable and pleasurable vehicle with internal combustion engine?"

The time was just the beginning of REIWA ERA, the whole nation was shouting for joy. The Honda's VTX1800 was running with vintage husband and wife in TSUNOSHIMA island. The calm view from the shore was extremely quiet and touching, and a noble bridge built in a straight line between the island and the mainland showed a symbol of Japanese latent power. The sun rising from the horizon indicated the existence of something noble intensely. Smells of the each places, cold winds from the shades of the trees, and the flavors of the ocean, everything we feel on motorcycle were nice gifts from nature.

2019 West Japan 2500km

Desert. Dazzling white light from burnt sands in daytime, mysterious vermilion light from the sands in twilight, and horrifying darkness of night sands. We're nervous about proceeding even on a paved highway, because it's surrounded by desert. Camels in the distance declare this is the middle of the Arabian Peninsula. Dried air makes the voice from my back seat Husky. People in the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, who know the meaning of 50 degrees temprature, won't choose motorcycles as a mode of transportation. However, they're kind enough to smile and wave at us. Undoubtedly we wave back them. Small children accost us in Arabic. Young men come to take pictures with us and our motorcycle.
　Scenery in the UAE changes very slowly on a motorcycle. Our Honda Gold Wing is surely a large motorcycle, but dwarfed by the vast and seemingly endless desert.

2018 United Arab Emirates(UAE)　Jabel Hafeet

　Rush of rain enough to bathe in, later brisk summer blue sky, and immediately followed by heavy rain again. England is the ideal place to enjoy changing weather. A feather jacket beneath a leather one, winter costumed Japanese couple run through the beautiful scenery of Wales. Is it possible for us weaklings to imitate the kids who are enjoying sea bathing?
　The Harley's harsh exhaust voice from its New Milwakee engine, became rather humble, in harmony to the gentle British view. The hapiness of this moment, in such a nice place was so joyful because we were on a motorcycle.
　　　　　2017 England(Wales)

Harley Davidson Softail. Even when rushing down a desert high-way, she is quite reliable.
　In the place with no trees and no shades, the sound of a Harley's exhaust is just like the breathing sounds of some organisms. Mountains' harsh looking with no plants and rough rocks, a horizon with clouds of dust, and mysterious shades on the sand as far as eyes can see. Everything is fresh for us. Voices of Islamic prayer echoed all through the town moves us deeply, white clothing for males and pitch-black clothing for females tell us the culture of the Arabian Peninsula proudly.
　The Arabic cities were filled with the deep historic religious hearts and kindness of the people who are living in their spiritual home of Islam.
　　2017 United Arab Emirates

White Steam gushing in the cold morning from Beppu Hot Spring(別府温泉) was the beacon for the start of a journey. The scenery of Ganryu-Jima island(巌流島), Dan-no-Ura bay(壇ノ浦), and the trading house in Hirado(平戸) showed the passage of time and Kyushu's deep history. Lots of people Dancing in the streets at Hakata Dontaku showed the powerful energy of Kyushu, a figure of a Dying Buddha seen at Mt. Aso was also suggesting the foundation of the Japanese heart. Since Kumamoto Castle had taken on a lot of damage from the big earthquake, it was covered for restoration work, many people working there were to be relied upon for its revival.
　Early summer Kyushu was bright for us motorcycle riders and had lots of magical experiences to be held in every thing, person, and time.
　　2017　Kyushu (Japan)

The islands, where I ferried to 40 years ago in a small ship with my good friend and motorcycles, are now connected by a modern suspension bridge. Every person, motorcycle, and bicycle were shining under the bright blue sky. We were proud Japanese when we saw foreign families riding bicycles and enjoying the developed environment. The colorful gate of Kosanji Temple(耕三寺), armors in restrained silence at Ohyamazumi Shrine(大山祇神社), Gohyakurakann(五百羅漢), the place of 500 disciples of the Buddha Shirotaki mountain, and the beautiful red leaves at Kankakei Canyon in Shoudo-Shima island(小豆島). The instrument which took us to these extravagant, brilliant and impressive places was a motorcycle.
　2017 Shimanami-Kaidou sea-route
　　　　　　　　　Shoudo-Shima island(Japan)

　On an early summer day, we prepared a lengthy journey to Amano-Hashidate sand-bar. Against our anxiety, we took a new high-way for 250km, so arrived before noon. Following a suggestion of a kind local, we went up to Nariai-ji temple on a high mountain. How can I verbalise the superb view of the sand-bar from that quiet and calm mountain? The wonderful air fascinated us, and the taste of hot coffee in our small thermos bottle made us happy. The thing that brought us to the place filled with fantastic light, fumes, and wind was a motorcycle.
　　　2017 Amano-Hashidate(Japan)

　A lot of bikes are running around in Shang-Hai. But they never make exhaust noises because they are electric. All the bikes, not only for men going out to work but also for housewives on shopping are electric. Even the bikes pulling big trailers are electric. It doesn't matter if the bike is old or new. Even rickshaws are electric here. I felt that this new species of bike must eat and occupied the roles of the old ones.
　The bikes with an internal-combustion engine look brave, they're noisy, are classical and sometimes rather comical. Vehicles with a roaring engine may disappear soon. I am sure a lot of people felt sad when electric trains replaced steam locomotives, just like me now.
　　　2017 Shang-Hai (China)

　Our motorcycle went up a winding path in the thick woods upto Amagi-toge Pass. The unpaved road was a marvelous place for feeling the mysterious atmosphere radiating from Mt.Fuji.
　The silence, when I turned off the engine beside wet rocks on this Shaded path, enveloped us. And it purified our hearts and filled us with the mysterious power. The evening sun shining on the small fishing boat nearby, the brave figure of Mt. Fuji, and the scent of pine needles. We learned everything is a gift from heaven.
　The wind we felt on the motorcycle made us notice that we are living with nature.
　　　　　　　　　　　2016 Izu・Fuji (Japan)

　Harley Davidson Electra Glide.
　The TRUNKS capable of carrying supplies for two Japanese for a week, the EXHAUST like the howling of fierce animal, and the VIBRATION when we run in a suburban road at middle speed. A Harley's appeal isn't based on its performance data. We go, without pressing the brake pedal for many miles, without changing the gear for plenty of hours, with a happy feeling we trust our machine. We feel refreshed in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which appear one after another. The scenery had the power to leave us thankful to see something so sublime. Many Canadians often spoke to us friendly "How's everything?". On coming motorcycle riders never fail to send the peace sign. All these times were times for re-recognition of what is truly important.
　　　　　　　　2016 Canada・Jasper, Banff

　Honda's VTX1800, getting off the ferryboat.
　The things waiting for us were the dazzling sky and the sea of Kyushu. Beautiful scenery of Nagasaki bay from Inasa-yama mountain, soft glances of the passengers on tram-train, and the scilence when I stopped the engine on the foot of Kaimon-Dake mountain. All those things were filled with great fascinations just as we expected. Even the birds flying in the sky or the leaves of potato fields were waving to us. Three-dimensional space with a motorcycle changed its appearance again and again.

　 　　　　　　　　　2016 Kyushu　（Japan)

　Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. The leviathan's steady going keeps the crews safe on stone pavement or on a tram-way in Europe. Starting the engine is formal like a ceremony, and strong vibrations of its large body assert that the big pistons are moving, increasing our heart rate. When U-turning, if the rider applies power on rear-wheel and steps on the brake hard, he can stabilize the machine wondrously. At the gas station in Salzburg, or parking place in Innsbruck, an old couple, a father with kids, a woman shopping and even a bus driver talked to this Japanese couple. All of these moments were made by a motorcycle.

　 　　2015 Germany, Austria

　Choshi-no-taki Falls in Oku-Hida flowed down effusively involving the buzz of the colored leaves with it. The fall's sound drowned out the V-twin exhaust howling and our breathing. Wood nymphs were looking toward us from the dark trees in the early evening with everyone. We wondered if it had rained or the water falls were merely playing. Autumn colors, air and the sounds of the woods went through our bodies many times over. The hot exhaust roaring of the motorcycle let us come into ourselves, we noticed it is just now in that wonderful moment.

　 　　2015 Oku-Hida　（Japan)

The beautiful city view of Hiroshima from an overhead highway was reflecting the light of potential power of Japan. The battleship Yamato, which was remade one smaller scale for an exhibition at the museum in Kure, let us feel the earnestness of our predecessors. Winding road in Akiyoshi-dai Karst plateau, a mountain path to Nageire-Dou in Sanbutsu-ji Temple, new pavement of San-In High Way. Now is a good time to ride on all the roads in Japan for they welcome big motorcycles. I want to keep riding, feeling the wind, chasing the sun light. With a motorcycle.
　2015 San-in, San-yo
　　　　　 　　　(West part of Japan)

　The Harley Davidson Softail. The satisfying rotational torque of a 1600cc air-cooled two cylinders engine was perfect as usual, powerful from low to high speeds. If we describe the engine sound of a 4 or 6 cylinders jet plane, the sound of this Harley is exactly that of helicopter. It was a greatly satisfying to open the throttle at high gear on the suburban road, the Harley pushed us forward with loud roar.
It was easy to understand why there are a lot of Harley fans all over the world.
　Mont Saint Michel version
Paris/Chartres version

CB250RS.
　When my wife was young enough to ride it herself she was satisfied with it's single cylinder exhaust sound very much. Since it doesn't have a starter motor, she had to kick start it every time. Its characteristical light exhaust sound always heads turns when it passes, even now. We rode our motorcycles while operating the PTT switch of an amateur radio transceiver, and we could comfort ourselves from the winter cold wind or rain by the warmth of our partner's voices in our helmet. The spork wheel of it reminds one of the history of vintage motorcycles, elegant and gentle lines.