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Feel the Early Summer Breeze and Engine Heartbeat: A Scenic Lake Yamanaka Tour on the Classic 650
A Blissful Holiday Savoring the Spectacular View of Mt. Fuji and a 1-Pound Steak

Feel the Early Summer Breeze and Engine Heartbeat: A Scenic Lake Yamanaka Tour on the Classic 650

The Night Before: Preparation and Choosing a Smart Expressway Toll Plan

The success of a touring trip actually begins with the preparations made the night before. Wanting to make the most of my time, I headed to 'Rental819 Odaiba' the previous evening. The biggest appeal of this shop is, without a doubt, that it is open until 8:00 PM. Not having to rush through paperwork on the morning of the trip, and being able to return the bike with plenty of time after a long ride with the sunset at your back, are the best conditions for any rider. The partner I chose for this trip is the elegant Royal Enfield 'Classic 650'.

Also, something you shouldn't forget before departure is checking for expressway discount plans. For this route, heading from Taito Ward through the Chuo Expressway to Lake Yamanaka and returning via the Tomei Expressway, I fully utilized the '2026 Touring Plan'. As shown in the table below, although the Ichinomiya-Misaka IC is slightly outside the designated area, using the 'Tokyo Metropolitan Area Tomei/Chuo Expressway Course Mini' and paying the out-of-area fee separately is the optimal solution to significantly keep total costs down.

Discount Service NameSet PriceApplicability to This Route
Tokyo Metropolitan Area Tomei/Chuo Expressway Course Mini2 Days 2,500 YenPartially out of area, but the optimal solution to minimize total cost
Tokyo Metropolitan Area Tomei/Chuo Expressway Course Wide2 Days 4,300 YenWide coverage, but over-spec for this route
Motorcycle Flat Rate Discount37.5% DiscountNot applicable as a single run is under 100km


A little bit of prior research like this multiplies the fulfillment of your journey. By the way, when renting a heavyweight bike, don't forget to enroll in the 'Mamo-Ride Compensation', which halves the deductible in case of a tip-over. The invisible equipment known as peace of mind will bring you true relaxation.

The Charm of the Classic 650: A Partner Whose Heartbeat You Can Feel

The 'Classic 650' I chose as my partner this time is a gem that catches the eye with its universal and beautiful heritage design. It has a solid, profound feel unique to large motorcycles with a vehicle weight of 242 kg, and the overwhelming stability transmitted from the frame the moment you straddle it promises solid peace of mind for long journeys. Once you start riding, the rich, rhythmic torque produced by the parallel-twin engine resonates pleasantly. It never rushes the rider; rather, it is perfectly tuned for a relaxed cruise, cutting through the wind while becoming one with the flowing scenery.

When you casually lower your gaze, a breathtakingly beautiful cockpit spreads out before you. Symmetrically designed turn signals and starter switches, along with a simple instrument panel that perfectly preserves a retro atmosphere. The generously placed metal parts sparkle in the sunlight, boasting a sculptural beauty that makes you want to gaze at it endlessly while drinking coffee during a break.

If I were to share just one realistic impression, perhaps because I usually ride a tourer, there were moments when my foot almost touched the footpeg when putting it down at a stop. However, with a seat height of 800 mm, the foot reach itself is very good, so this is merely a difference in riding position that your body will quickly get used to. This motorcycle, which beautifully blends classical romance with modern rideability, is the ultimate partner fitting for an adult's holiday.

Early Morning Chuo Expressway Cruising and the Reality of Toll Comparisons

Early morning, while the city is still asleep. Taking a deep breath of the cool, clear air, I ride my bike from Taito Ward onto the Metropolitan Expressway, and then onto the Chuo Expressway. The Classic 650 showed effortless acceleration just by twisting the throttle, even when merging or overtaking on the highway, and cruised smoothly while riding a wave of pleasant heartbeats. The first oasis I stopped at was the 'Ishikawa PA (Downbound)'. Being a weekend morning, the parking lot was already bustling with colorful motorcycles. Wrapping both hands around the warmth of a canned coffee and exchanging a light nod with the rider next to me. Such casual moments are the true essence of touring.

Now, let's take a concrete look at how much you can save on the expressway tolls mentioned earlier. I compared the estimated regular toll with the case of applying for the 'Touring Plan (Mini Course)' in advance for this route. Because the Ichinomiya-Misaka IC falls slightly outside the designated area, an additional fee of a few hundred yen is incurred, but even so, looking at the round-trip total, it delivers overwhelming cost performance. With this saved money, you can upgrade your lunch to something a notch more luxurious.

With a rental vehicle equipped with a standard ETC device, you can pass through toll gates non-stop like the wind. An environment where you can purely immerse yourself in the 'joy of riding' without being distracted by bothersome payments. Let's smartly utilize advantageous plans and turn your travel budget into maximum enjoyment.

Mt. Fuji All to Yourself! The Spectacular 'Nijumagari Pass Observatory'

Getting off the Chuo Expressway at the Ichinomiya-Misaka IC, I headed south on Route 137 towards Kawaguchiko and Oshino. After passing through the lush green winding roads of Yamanashi and climbing a forest road with dappled sunlight, what awaits is the 'Nijumagari Pass Observatory', a premium seat in the sky at an altitude of about 1,150m. The road leading to the terrace is a bit tight, and passing oncoming cars might require some nerve, but this is where the highly mobile motorcycle truly shines. You can access it smoothly with nimble steps.

Parking the bike and walking forward, the brand-new wooden terrace 'Sora no Terrace', which was recently developed, spreads out before you. The panorama of the miniature garden-like Oshino village looking down from there, and Mt. Fuji towering in the background, is a spectacular view that makes you unintentionally let out a 'Wow...' inside your helmet. The sky had some drifting clouds that day, but the majestic figure of Mt. Fuji that suddenly peeked through the gaps had a divine presence that made me want to put my hands together in prayer. It is a space where the scent of the terrace's wood and the cold mountain air mix, making you want to take a deep breath.

Actually, this observatory is equipped with a live camera that broadcasts the real-time scenery. When I tried accessing it on my smartphone, surprisingly, I was the only viewer at that moment. In the silence where only the chirping of birds and the sound of the wind could be heard, I felt a soul-stirring emotion at the luxurious fact that I was completely monopolizing this grand-scale scenery.

To the Rider-Friendly Oasis: 'Steak Sakaba'

After satisfying my soul with the spectacular view of Nijumagari Pass, I dashed down to the shores of Lake Yamanaka for the much-anticipated lunch time! The place I steered towards this time is the renowned 'Steak Sakaba Lake Yamanaka Branch', highly praised among touring riders as an 'absolute must-visit'. The first thing that impressed me upon arrival was the village's free public parking lot across from the store. A vast, flat, paved surface with absolutely no gravel spread out, allowing me to park the 242 kg Classic 650 safely while humming a tune. For those of us riding heavyweight bikes, the condition of the parking lot is truly a matter of life and death. This stress-free environment is so appreciated it almost brings tears to your eyes.

Being a super popular restaurant, there was already a line when I arrived, but looking at the menu posted outside turns even the waiting time into the best spice. From classic lean steaks to juicy hamburgers, and even a 'Mystery Steak' whose name alone tickles your curiosity, there is an attractive lineup that grabs your stomach and won't let go. Since they are open continuously on weekends, being able to ride at your own pace without worrying about the time and then feast on exquisite meat is also a delightful point for riders.

At the seat I was guided to when my turn came, meticulous details were in place to ensure you wouldn't feel cold even on the terrace, and the warm hospitality of the staff shone through everywhere. Putting down my helmet, taking off my riding jacket, and taking a breather. The preparations to welcome the premium meat are now complete.

The Masterpiece 1-Pound Steak and a Highly Satisfying Journey Home

Waiting a few minutes with my heart swelling with anticipation. Finally, the long-awaited steak was brought out, making a fierce sizzling sound. What I ordered was the restaurant's signature menu, the '1-Pound (approx. 450g) Steak'. The steam rising from the masterpiece chunk of meat covering the piping hot iron plate, and the savory smell of burnt soy sauce and garlic, mercilessly stimulate an appetite that has reached its limit. It is so tender that the knife slides right through, and when you bring it to your mouth, the overflowing meat juices and rich umami explode! I could feel the premium protein permeating every corner of my body, pleasantly fatigued from the long ride.

The worry that 'surely I might get tired of 450g halfway through...' was completely unfounded. The exquisitely blended special sauce accelerated my appetite, and by alternating it with the sweet garnish vegetables, the movement of my knife and fork never stopped until the very end, finishing it off in a flash. After charging my energy to 120%, I bid farewell to the sparkling afternoon Lake Yamanaka and headed to the Tomei Expressway from the Gotemba IC. Draining my last canned coffee while looking up at the twilight sky at the Kohoku PA, I safely returned to Odaiba as the veil of night fell.

Thanks to Rental819 being open until 8:00 PM, I didn't have to panic about the return traffic jam and returned the vehicle driving safely until the end. The beautiful spectacular view of Mt. Fuji, the best partner full of heartbeat, and the exquisite steak that grabs your stomach. A day so luxurious it couldn't be better, where everything came together as perfect pieces. Next weekend, why don't you too cut through the wind and ride out to Lake Yamanaka?

A Premium Lake Yamanaka Touring Experience That Satisfies Both Soul and Stomach

The joy of cutting through the wind with a motorcycle full of heritage charm, a breathtaking panorama of Mt. Fuji, and an exquisite steak that stimulates the five senses. A record of the most luxurious holiday that makes you forget the everyday.

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