Japan’s Best Ride? — Hyogo | Project 47 EP 17
Project 47: Episode 17 — Hyogo Prefecture
A coast-to-coast motorcycle journey through Japan, crossing Hyogo Prefecture from the Sea of Japan to the mountains above Osaka.
This was supposed to be a simple ride through Hyogo Prefecture.
It didn’t stay that way.
Episode 17 of Project 47 follows a cinematic motorcycle journey across Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture—riding from the rugged northern coastline along the Sea of Japan, across Hyogo’s mountains and interior, and all the way south toward Kobe, Mount Rokko, and the edge of Osaka.
A true coast-to-coast motorcycle adventure across Japan.
No bike review. No fixed route. No tourist checklist.
Just solo motorcycle travel through Japan—one prefecture at a time.
The journey begins leaving Tottori and crossing into Hyogo’s north coast, where what should have been a straightforward coastal ride quickly becomes something unforgettable.
Route 11.
A twisting, technical road carved into cliffs above the sea.
Corner after corner, Hyogo immediately delivers one of the best motorcycle roads of the journey so far.
But crossing a prefecture is never just about the perfect road.
At Genbudo Park, rockfall closes access to the famous basalt caves.
Further south, another goal—natural rock tunnels hidden in Hyogo’s mountains.
Three attempts. Three closures.
Plans shift.
Again.
From there, the ride becomes something bigger:
A full crossing of Hyogo.
North coast to south coast.
Sea cliffs give way to mountain roads, long hours, rough pavement, fading daylight, and the kind of distance that turns a travel day into a real adventure ride.
By nightfall, the northern coast is far behind.
The goal becomes reaching Kobe’s southern coastline before dark.
Crowded campsites. Exhaustion. Uneven ground.
Day one ends the way many motorcycle journeys do:
Just making it across.
But morning changes everything.
From Hyogo’s southern coast, the journey continues through Kobe with a stop at Kawasaki Good Times World—exploring the wider legacy of one of Japan’s most iconic names beyond motorcycles alone.
Then one final push.
Mount Rokko.
A legendary climb above the city, recommended by a viewer, delivering one last unforgettable road and a sweeping view over Osaka below.
From one coast to another…
From sea cliffs to mountain switchbacks…
From failed plans to unexpected roads…
Hyogo became one of the most memorable motorcycle travel experiences in Japan so far.
Project 47 is a cinematic solo motorcycle journey across all 47 prefectures of Japan—focused on real roads, changing plans, hidden places, and authentic adventure beyond the tourist trail.
One prefecture at a time.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:30 – Leaving Tottori → Entering Hyogo
01:28 – Route 11 (Unexpected Coastal Ride)
06:44 – Genbudo Park (Closed Access)
08:28 – Toyooka City (Crowds & Decision to Move On)
08:56 – Mountain Roads & Changing Plans
12:47 – Natural Rock Tunnels (Denied Again)
14:12 – Push to Camp (Time Pressure)
16:54 – Maruyama Sun Beach (Camp Setup)
18:32 – Morning Reset
20:03 – Kobe → Kawasaki Museum
21:26 – Kawasaki Beyond Motorcycles
25:35 – Climbing Mount Rokko
27:43 – Osaka Viewpoint & Reflection
🇯🇵 About Project 47
Project 47 is a documentary series covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. This journey focuses on authentic Japanese culture, remote landscapes, and the unexpected moments found off the beaten path.
One prefecture at a time.
Watch the full Project 47 series:
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SUPPORT THE RIDE
Join Team Riders (¥140 / $1 per month):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7QUavyzNZwmN69oLfZxsUQ/join
Support Project 47 directly:
https://ridethrujapan.com/support/
26 Comments
That campsite by the sea is epic and the Kawasaki museum a mind blower. Never knew they did all that machines.Love this episode. Thanks for taking me on your journey. Stay safe on the road.
Hello from france( as always…!)
Yep…when you see Osaka !!… it's not the same than the marvelous road before … 🤭😒
Thanks a lot for this trip vids, so marvelous, on such beeeaauuttiiifullll road 🤩😍😆🙃😉💪❤❣
I felt so much like I was in your back that I caught myself leaning and countersteering….but , in my chair !😁😃🤭
I particularly enjoyed the visit to the Kawasaki Museum—a brand I don’t know well, but now know a little better!
On other way, Have you heard of “the best pizzas in the archipelago”?… Apparently, they're located in the middle of a forest in Sanda, near Hyogo:
1903-27 Ochibara, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1503, Japan
Check it out online—it's worth the detour:
"KIMAMA Pizza Ishigama"
Made entirely (including the dough) in the restaurant by Otsu, an 80-year-old pizzaiolo…!! And cooked in wood oven, for the flavor …!! 😋😋
It’s a small restaurant ( 20 seats) tucked away in the mountain foliage, like a “diamond,” as many Japanese people say
I don't have the possibility to go there, as I didn't go to Japan yet ..! 😭
But, when i'll visit the Archipel, I'll give it a try !!
✌Ride safe, Take care
( And…this time, the Pan America didn't fall down ..
And your back doesn’t hurt.🤫🤗)
桜シーズンに海！最高な時期のライディング😊
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KHI) (川崎重工業株式会社) is a manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense equipment, rolling stock and ships!
Hello, I'm a Korean viewer. I'm really enjoying the video. I don't know if it's going to work because I translated it, but do you plan to travel to Japan? I envy you
Some savages roads right there. Cannot beat that camping view holy moly
Man that coastal road was gorgeous. Made me realize I haven't seen the ocean in almost a decade and I need to go soon. There's so many of those concrete rock slide prevention wall things. I really need to look up how Japan makes those because I find it interesting how organically shaped those square grids are. You'd think they'd flatten the wall and put it up, but they just seem to make the concrete grid over the existing landscape, which is interesting to me.
Kawasaki museum and that final mountain top view looked awesome.
What an amazing trip! The scenery is breathtaking—I’m never disappointed by a trip to Japan; every view is like a postcard!
By the way, am I imagining things, or has your motorcycle’s exhaust note changed? It sounds deeper to me, with little “popopopom” sounds when you let off the throttle!
You're an excellent rider! A pleasure to watch.
Loved that Kawasaki museum. I recently picked up a 1987 Kawasaki Voyager XII, the last year they were made in Japan, which I've restored. They made them from 1986-2003. It's a fantastic ride, fell in love with it right away.
I like that there are many places for motorcycles only, like that camping or parking space.
Will be touring Japan myself next week and have about 2 weeks of ride time. Is there anywhere I could find your tours as gpx files? You inspired me for this trip and would love to follow some of your routes
Thanks mate!
大阪 – my old stomping ground. Here's a few bucks for some ramen and a few beers while you're there, mate.
What a road. It has to be great because of all the bikers 👍 The Pan America is holding up good.
get paid by JTB …you should, putting notes down m8 hired a bike 891 2weeks
Awesome video as usual 👍
I can feel how you felt riding the route 11. I guess brilliant seaside roads are often on Japan sea side, not pacific side. Japan sea side was usually underdeveloped so it was possible to build roads right next to the sea side. And you were riding on the right side which is left😊. In Japan, UK, Ireland, and NZ I rode clockwise as you are closer to the sea side. In Europe I try to ride unticlockwise, but not always possible, such as Norway. I hope you don’t suffer too much when riding in dense cities. In cities small bikes filter through on your left, so please be careful with them. They don’t have manners.
I just love your videos as they show the.beauty of Japan and just when I think it cant get any better wow your next video comes out showing even more beauty thank you so much ❤️🙏🏻
Waw man what a view and what a road ❤.
Take care man 🙂 thank you for the great content.
Ps: itchy boots is coming to Japan it would be great if you can meet up with her and take her on some great roads
Perfect road, perfect day, perfect time of the year! Everything lined up!
The last shot at the end overlooking the city had a very ominous vibe about it 🤣
I did this part of Hyogo over a month ago, temperatures were low, so no tourists, but what a great scenery and what a great mountain roads.
I had fun to see you ride these roads again. Keep going
Literally just had a road like that in Wales I was shaking and sobbing it was so beautiful.
Great video! Beatifull roads and cool places for us to visit when we get there. Thanks again for the awesome content and stay safe!!
We need to get Ralston out there again…maybe I will come out! Hows the bike doing?
Ganz tolle Episode! Ich liebe ja die kleinen Dörfer am Straßenrand mit den kleinen Häusern. Und die Bäume überall. Wunderschön! Gönne dir jetzt die verdiente Erholungspause! Eine schöne schwarze Suzuki auf dem Campingplatz. 🤩