The Customs Battle

 April 28, 2023


Jetlagged, still  can’t sleep, trying to make sure I get the bike out of customs and insured before the country goes on holiday. Somehow it seems to work out, thanks in large part to Andreas, the Danish motorcycle guy in Nishi-Kawaguchi, part of Greater Tokyo. 

Dealing with customs means going to Narita with Leopard Express founder Takuda-san with a pound worth of paper documentation. Imagine the combined customs departements of Kasakhstan, Burkina Faso and Cuba, except one can’t bribe them. But six hours later I’m back in town, with a promise the bike will be so too by Friday. 

Friend of Andreas drove an hour to Narita, where he helped convincing customs that the bike has insurance. 

Ticket vending machine at the labyrinthine
Tokyo subway system. 

Still manned - guess it keeps unemployment down a bit. 

Evening bacon dinner in a cubicle with my own little grill. 


The cute snubnosed Kei cars are all over the place, and I’ve seen a fair number of the original Minis by now. 


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