Truck Yaro and American Campers

 June 1, 2023 

'Truck Art Utamaro' already has their truck out on the gravel when I arrive. It's the original one from the 1970s film 'Truck Yaro' ('Truck guys'), which essentially started the whole deal with those trucks. That was back in the 1970s and 1980s when truckers were percieved as tough, tattoed guys, and a lot af smaller companies operated many of the decorated trucks. Nowadays larger companies run the show, with fewer dekotora trucks out there, the owner of the shop says, telling that they bought the clapped-out truck from the movie company, and fixed it up like the original.

Take pics, write down everything the guy taking care of it says, and then I'm off again for valley, gorges turns and a green scenery like one wouldn't believe it. It like an oversize velvet blanket with bumps, if that makes sense to you. This is what I want to take back to the flat country of Denmark, along with onsens, the most hyper advanced toilet seats and a couple of my favorite bars. Throw in a volcano and some minor earthquakes, just for good measure.

It also here I note that the bike passes 3,000 kilometers on the odometer (and at least as many double-takes), a bit below my daily average on the first trip. Shortly after I have lunch at Blue Tarp in Shimonaguri, the first roadside cafe with outdoor seating I have encountered on the entire trip. The two ladies inside prepare and excellent Italian meal, and are so very impressed with the Nimbus that they have to take pics and film the valves when they run. If you go to Japan and find this place, be sure to pay them a visit. Dozens of others bikes ride by while I eat, this road obviously being a favorite for motorcyclists.

A few hours later, in a gorge, I happen upon another cafe, with no less than two old American aluminum campers, one being used for serving whatever cafes serve. Like the younger lady at the first cafe, a visitor on an SRX600 speaks fine English, we hang around for half an hour, after which I have to go, in order to make it to Tokyo before darkness. It's a bit sad, really, knowing that these will be my last kilometers in such beautiful surroundings.

Then I discover that seven front wheel spokes are broken, no doubt because the combination of crap road surface and perhaps a bit too enthusiastic riding. I install the three spokes I brought along - easy with the outside one, but those in the know will cringe at the thought of bending the two inside ones. Holding my breath I tiptoe around the corners back the way I came (still a stunningly beautiful sight), and keep an eye on the wheel, which does shimmy a bit. 

The expressway finally appears, is straight, has a mostly smooth road surface, and lights too, so I feel reasonably safe all the way to my hotel near Andreas, 1 1/2 hours awayfrom where I saw something was awry. End the evening at Ohira-san, who lets me park the bike so it won't get rained upon the next couple of days.

The original truck, that started up a whole new Japanese truck culture. It is far from 
as elaborate as some of the wilder ones (just google it), but used for promotion of the 
company's business.

"The other employees said you look like Doc (from 'Back To The Future')."

The ladies of the Blue Tarp cafe.


My favorite Kei van modifications.....

Spartan caravan, and the other one easily recognizable as an Airstream.




"Luke, I'm your father...."


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