Join the RoundCat Touring Club on an epic journey through Japan’s northernmost prefecture: Hokkaido
This October, the RoundCat Touring Club is headed north to drive unpaved forest roads, look out for bears, and explore Japan’s most remote prefecture.
Our group of designers, automotive industry luminaries, artists, and creatives come together yearly on a quest for the Good-Design-Feeling: the visceral feeling of pleasure and satisfaction experience when interacting with exceptionally well designed objects.
Now on its sixth year, the RoundCat Rally continues its theme of friends exploring back roads in small cars.
Kei Cars
Slow cars fast
Kei cars, built to a strict formula of small size and limited power, are ubiquitous in Japan — 40% of new cars sold in Japan each year are kei. But they’re an unexpected choice for international driving enthusiasts.
As with most things in Japan, kei vehicles are all about context. The size and power of these cute cars are perfectly matched to the tight and sinuous roads found outside Tokyo. Without the crutch of horsepower, drivers use skill and attention to maintain momentum — a perfect analogue to the practices of traditional Japanese artisans.
While kei cars are not strictly required for the RoundCat Rally, kei cars and cars with “kei energy” are strongly encouraged.
Forest Roads
The word Tōge (Mountain Pass) traces its origins to the place travelers pray to Dosojin, the god of the roadside. The term has become synonymous with late night drift battles (in the family's tofu delivery car) thanks to the popularity of InitialD, and the TV shows BestMOTORing and Hot-Version.
Lesser know to English speakers is the word Rindo (Forest Road) which describes the narrow access roads that snake deep into the most remote part of Japan. Typically more narrow and rugged than the flowing toge, rindo are are a mix of ultra tight switchbacks up deep canyons and sweeping drives along mountain ridge lines.
In Hokkaido, many of the forest roads are unpaved and snake deep into national forest land or provide access to remote timber lots.
4WD
Our route through Hokkaido prioritizes unpaved and remote roads with mixed surfaces.
To fully immerse ourselves in the spirit of dirt roads, we are encouraging participants to bring trucks, 4x4s, rally cars, and vehicles with similar sense of occasion.
PRICE (estimated)
Per team of two people: ¥1.5m
Please Note: this is our anticipated itinerary. It is subject to changes, dependent on weather, road closures, new opportunities and the desires of the group.
Notes on the Event:
Who is this Trip for?
This trip is for driving enthusiasts who want to experience off the beaten path Japan. The majority of each day is spent driving. We are seeking out local spots that are not generally frequented by foreign travelers. You should be excited to experience the quirks and nuances of travel in rural Japan.
This is an immersive driving adventure that is best suited for those who enjoy time spent in cars, driving on narrow roads, and traveling as a part of a small group.
Do I need to own a car in Japan?
Owning a car in Japan is NOT required to join the rally. Most rally participants rent or borrow cars for the event.
RoundCat is happy to assist with sourcing fun rentals from our network of partners. If you would like to buy a car for this event we are happy to assist with purchase, registration, insurance, and international shipping (if you want to bring the car home with you).
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and ends in Oarai Ibaraki, Japan.
The full event itinerary includes round trip ferry passage from Oarai Ibaraki to Tomakomai Hokkaido. The Oarai Ferry Terminal is about 2 hours from Tokyo by both car and train.
Participants who wish to meet us in Hokkaido can start and end in Tomakomai Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from the New Chitose Airport.
Included in this Trip
A RoundCat Rally license valid for one year
Printed maps of our daily routes
Decal pack for the car exterior
Use of (fully licensed) handheld radios
Round-trip first class ferry fare (not including car fee)
6 nights in Western + Japanese style hotels, several with onsen baths
Access to the RoundCat Concierge WhatsApp service for the duration of your time in Japan
The RoundCat team, leading the Rally
Not Included in this Trip
International roundtrip airfare
Domestic train fare
The car you will drive
Fuel, highway tolls, and automobile insurance
Ferry fare for your car
Travel Insurance
Activities, food, and beverages not included in the trip itinerary
Hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs
All expenses during free time
This is not a Race or Competition!
The RoundCat Rally is a driving tour, not a timed competiton. All participants must obey traffic laws and adhere to the RoundCat standards of social behavior. Participants who violate these standards will have their rally license revoked.
Weather
October is our favorite time of year to visit Hokkaido. Days are crips and cool - nights are cold but not brutally so.
Temperatures range from 45°F to 75°F, which means you should pack layered clothes, sweaters, and a light jacket.
Japanese Cuisine
Most of the meals served during this trip will be cuisine that is local to the region we are driving through. While there are several stops with western style offerings, the majority of food served is Japanese cuisine.
Unfortunately we are unable to handle specific dietary requirements, allergies or intolerances on this trip. This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional foods.
While we won’t be challenging you with the most exotic aspects of Japanese food culture, even day-to-day eating in Japan can taste quite different to someone unfamiliar with the cuisine.
Travel Arrangements
RoundCat recommends booking fights, trains, cars, and hotels that are not included in the Rally Itinerary ASAP! October is a busy season in Japan and booking at the last minute will be competitive.
We will send you a Rally preparation document prior to your trip. It will include a detailed itinerary, arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information and more. This email will be sent 90 days or more before your trip departs unless you book within 90 prior to the Rally.
Accessibility
Please note the RoundCat Rally includes several standing and walking segments, you may be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time. We recommend bringing shoes that are comfortable for both driving and walking.
You should also be comfortable being seated on the ground (tatami mats) during certain meals.
Our ryokan has several sets of stairs to reach rooms.
Travel Health
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. If you have any pending health concerns you should contact your health care provider prior to registration of the RoundCat Rally.
RoundCat Rally Team
The RoundCat Team will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. The Team is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. The Team are not local guides but will work with our local partners to ensure that the trip is a series of wonderful experiences.
Drivers Licences
International drivers require a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued abroad under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Please check to see if your country is a signatory of this convention and if you require any additional documentation.
Travel Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have Travel Insurance that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Hospitals in Japan required a significant cash deposit when admitting patients without insurance. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the start date of the trip will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests have Travel Insurance.
Car Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have full coverage automobile insurance. Insurance can be purchased directly from the rental agency that provides you the car of from a third party in the case of individually owned cars. RoundCat does not provide any insurance coverage on any vehicle.
Health + Safety
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws including various Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During our trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the RoundCat Team to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the RoundCat Team with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies review our Terms and Conditions.
Booking Terms + Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to dear@roundcat.jp. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $2,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.
Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payments, Cancellations and Trip Changes.
