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14 October 2026 · A morning note before the final motorcycle stage
Today brings the final stage of our motorcycle journey: back to Kyoto. For the moment, though, it is still raining. Our itinerary has a co-author who takes no instructions from the tour leader: the weather.
Once the rain stops, we intend to set off. Of all people, here I am with my STOP WAITING motto — and today the first instruction is to wait. Sometimes that is not a contradiction. It is simply the more sensible travel plan.
Kyoto is the destination — we have not arrived yet
A temple visit is still on the programme along the way. After that, this wonderful ride through Japan is due to come to an end, for now. Those last two words matter: the motorcycle circuit is ending, but our journey is not.
Anneliese and I then have one more night planned at the Kyoto Tower Hotel. After that, our private tour begins. A change of travel chapter, in other words, not a full stop after Japan.
But I am writing this before we leave. The temple is a planned stop, Kyoto our destination and the hotel our intended overnight stay. I will not rush today’s story into the past tense — the day still lies ahead of us.
A little look back while Kyoto waits
Alongside this morning note, I am adding a few pictures and two short films from the travel material so far. They show earlier moments, not today’s return ride. Where the place and day of filming are not confirmed, I leave them unspecified.
For this morning, the plan is simple: wait for the rain to stop, then head towards Kyoto. The final motorcycle stage can begin — once the weather agrees.
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