Hokkaido Touring Gear List
2,400 km of Field-Tested Essentials
[Gear ①]

IRON JIA'S Motorcycle Seat Bag (Touring Bag)

Waterproofing was perfect — contents stayed dry through rain. Easy to mount, and an air valve lets you compress it down so it doesn't bulk up. 50 L holds a long-distance touring kit comfortably.

Hepco & Becker Soft Bag Street (640603-0001)

Mounts easily to a C-Bow side carrier and stays solidly stable while riding. The bag itself isn't waterproof, but the included rain cover handles rain, and the inner liner keeps contents dry through reasonable rain. 24 L total across both sides; I used these together with the seat bag.

Hepco & Becker Side Case Xcore Pair (610295-0001)

Same C-Bow standard, an upgrade from the soft bag. The aluminum + polycarbonate + PBT hardshell construction gives high impact resistance, and being lockable provides real peace of mind when stepping away at lodging or campsites. Capacity of 18 L per side / 36 L total — about 1.5× the soft bags (12 L per side / 24 L total) — making them good for long trips and a serious Hokkaido loop. Not fully waterproof, so an inner liner is needed in the rain. The 2.8 kg per side adds weight versus the soft bags — worth keeping in mind.

RS TAICHI DRYMASTER Arrow Shoes RSS013

All-weather riding shoes whose upper uses TAICHI's proprietary waterproof and breathable "DRYMASTER" material. The BOA dial makes putting them on or off instant; an outwardly extended sole and protectors inside and outside the shoe absorb impact on the ankle. The sole is light and walkable — usable for sightseeing on a touring stop. From actual use, the waterproofing handles light rain without water reaching the inside, so you can ride in confidence. In a downpour they will eventually take on water, so for known heavy rain, a regular rain boot is more reliable. Because they don't lock the ankle rigidly, walking around town or on stairs and trails at sightseeing spots is comfortable. They don't have the typical "tiring to walk in" feel of riding boots, which makes them practical to keep wearing once you're off the bike.

SP Connect SPC+ Smartphone Case (for iPhone 13 Pro Max / 12 Pro Max)

SP Connect is the most reassuring system I've used for phone mounting. A modular setup pairs a dedicated case with a mount; the SPC+ connector on the back of the case clicks into the bike-side mount in one motion. It has never come off while riding, and mounting/removal is one-handed and instant. MagSafe-compatible, wireless-charging-capable, and shock-absorbing — it works as a daily case beyond navigation. That said, you must buy the SP Connect dedicated case, designed per phone model. Pick the one that matches your iPhone / Android — otherwise it won't fit.

⚠️ You also need the bike-side mount separately. Case + mount together is the system.

▶ Recommended mount: SP Connect Moto Mount Pro (53138). CNC-machined aluminum bar mount, weatherproof, easy-on/off and one-touch case attachment. Amazon's Choice with a 4.7 rating — the standard.

▶ Pair it with the vibration module: SP Connect Anti-Vibration Module (52829). A vibration-absorbing adapter that sits between the mount and the case to protect your iPhone's camera (OIS) from engine vibration. For an iPhone 12 or later on a motorcycle, treat this as essential. Aluminum + rubber, rated 4.6.

AirTag

It genuinely saved me when I lost my wallet in Esashi. Putting one in your bike key, your wallet, and each piece of luggage gives you a real margin of safety.

MAXRUNON D10 Mesh Motorcycle Intercom (Mesh-capable updated edition)

Cheap, but it does everything I want. Google Maps voice navigation, music, radio, even chatting with ChatGPT — all from this one device. Leave it in conversation mode and you can casually talk while riding, and ask about things you don't know on the spot — turning ride time into learning time. A great companion for long days on the bike.

▶ Mesh comms allow more stable group-touring connections than Bluetooth. With OTA updates and a dedicated app, you can expect feature updates after purchase. Priced at ¥7,980 with further coupon discounts (as of April 2026).

⚠️ Note: ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode has usage limits. Free plan caps around 15 min/month, Plus around 30–45 min/day; once you hit the limit, it falls back to the slower standard voice mode. If you want it usable for full days, plan around the Pro plan (unlimited voice) or running on the standard voice mode after the limit.

UDAP 12HP Bear Spray (with holster)

~9 m range, ~4 sec spray. Holster lets you carry it on your hip. Cannot be brought on aircraft, so buy in advance for a ferry trip or pick up locally.