Kyoshu Japan - My Night in the Museum - 2

So much to see!!

The entire upstairs was motorcycles.. and downstairs is a showcase of many museum sections all with different themes.

In the midst of it all are some good ol' movie cameras and props..

Here's one for the boys..

And here's one for the girls..

Thought I would do a video blog while I am here..














 So to get to where I slept that night.. there is an old pre 1940's railway car on the outside of the museum.. it's tucked into the trees, so I can't get a decent photo of it but here it is!   (not that you could tell anyway)

It's in there, I promise!!

I unloaded my gear, but the big heavy sliding door got stuck when we opened it.. turned out nobody has stayed in there since early May, and probably the humidity and heat expanded it..

After lots of prying and hammering, I got it free, and I was in for my night in the museum..

Old car, filled with antiques.. Of coarse no shower, so thanks to Midori and her teachings to me of Hot springs public bath protocol, I took a quick ride into town to soak my body for a while in the wonderful hot mineral springs...  Oh that was good!!   Sorry again No Pictures!!  ;-)

A little Japanese dinner of Udon noodles, and back to my little caboose.

The museum was closed now and deserted..  have to say it was a little bit scary.. with all the old things around I wonder if I will see ghosts!

No luck..  I had a fairly good sleep in there actually..

Started packing early in the morning, and the owner came around this time..  I didn't expect that.. I had seen his photos on my tour.  Maybe the staff had called them when I arrived yesterday.

A very enthusiastic man, he asks what bike it is, I tell him KTM.. oohhh.

I said, "I noticed out of all those motorcycles inside, not a single KTM!"  We had a chuckle..

I honestly don't know much about KTM myself, maybe they are still due to make their  mark in history.

They invite me inside for a coffee and toast, that was prepared at the very large old English bar, and we sat around the antiques room at an old round table.

After, I go to finish packing and he brings me a postcard and tries to explain Japanese Superstar.. ??

Showing me the book, and who the man is, apparently very famous Japanese man..

Comment from Luc Foucher: Takakura Ken is an aging famous japanese actor whose origins are from the same village as Mr Iwashita the museum owner.
Originally called Hoshuyama a coal mining village, its merger with Koishiwara, a pottery village where I live changed its name into Toho.
Mr Iwashita is a very kind man and I am proud to call him my friend.
He has helped many people on the road, not only bikers.
All the bikers who stop at his museum are photographed and enter his gold book. 

I love this man's enthusiasm!  And how kind of him to offer part of his museum as a rider house for us adventurers.

Thank you Iwashita San!!!!

Now I am off to explore more of Kyoshu..

What a gorgeous island this is!  Another beautiful day in the life of Sherri Jo!!

;-)

Yufuin Japan - My night in the Motorcycle Museum!

Of all the most interesting discoveries on my adventure!

How did I end up sleeping at the museum?

Before I left Adelaide, I put the question out on the Horizons Unlimited website for any advice on routes to take in Japan.  (where I met Hiroyuki and his wife!).. well I also got a message from Kim in Denmark who advised me of a Rider House in Yufuin along side a Motorcycle Museum.. they offer free accommodation to those on a bike, and I was up for free!!  They say Rider Houses are more common in the north.. but even though I am south, I knew it was a place a wanted to check out and of coarse a motorcycle museum to boot!

Wow!  Had no idea what an incredible and complete museum..!

Warning.... Heaps of photos to follow...

Sorry the photos don't express just how many there are.. and how fascinating it is to walk through starting with the ancient ones, through to how they developed, and nearly up to date..

I thought it was interesting to see the process of how today's bikes have morphed into what they are little by little.. 

So many different ideas with a common goal..

Here is one of my favorites.. I love this bike, the Honda Goldwing.. same as my Dad's old bike.. Must have been when I fell in love with riding.  Dad had a Goldwing and owning his own business, he worked 6 days a week.. then on Sunday, if Mom didn't want to go, I went on a ride with Dad.. Just loved riding on that bike, big comfortable seat, with armrests - it was great!

I remember sometimes when I would come home from school, I would polish Dad's bike.. I used to get on it and move it around myself... pretty brave for a kid with how big and heavy it is..

Around the corner and I came across a World Adventurers bike -- very cool!!

I don't know his name, but I am impressed and inspired!

Hiroyuki has read my blog - good on ya Mate! - This is a friend of his, and forwarded his details!  He is my friend, name is Toshiyuki Araki who live in Fukuoka-city.
http://www.wtn-j.com/html/ridersalbum/toshiyukiaraki.htm

And what an amazing route!

I can't read Japanese, but from what I could tell, this was 1977? That might be totally wrong.. but needless to say, it was a while ago..

(I wonder if my bike will end up in a museum someday.. ha!)

I will continue the blog on another page, as there is that much more!!  Stay tuned!