Japan Has Spots!

Jack Birtles and friends on a mini RV mission

30 Mar 2016

This is flat tyre country. To make this spot un-skate-able wire mesh was bolted to the bottom of the transition, but it was still rideable... until the tyres were flat.

Funny’s Bike Custom Service, West Tokyo JP. Packed-out bicycle shops. These shops always had perfect NOS BMX parts that we couldn’t help but buy.

Drew Raison. This spillway by the way...

Rody the camper car. It was home, it was small, it smelt like shit, but it made the travelling all that more successful.

Bashi Burger Chance, basically we were told there was an indoor park that sold beers and burgers.

Shota and a 12-inch gap... so basically we rode, we ate, and we drank maybe too much.

Drew Raison, scribbling.

Jack Birtles - ribbons. Just another spot to top the list.

When rain happens, tourist shit follows.

Forgot your jumper? Wear a sleeping bag.

Spin City Japanese BBQ.

Chiba Beach - fire, BBQ and a lot more beers.

Bosozoku Bikes.

Crow trails and a fucking big 30ft jump.

Drew Raison, Crow trails, more great hospitality and super fun dirty jumps.

Road Tripping. I drink! You drive!

Matsuicycle. More and more hungover mornings.

Breakfast, Half-loafs and Avo’s. (Looks like a re-creation of the DIG 'Eat Better - Grind Further' article.)

Jack Birtles. Faded.

Takuma Motohashi.

Stink mags, Very, ah, interesting porno.

Jack Birtles - egg tunnel street tranny.

Zac Woods - wooden park, Kyoto. This place was actually unreal for a park that was built from scrap wood on dirt in what felt like Japanese projects.

Drew Raison - wall to table.

Bag beds, passed out drunk and waiting for apartment keys.

Tsunami Wall. There's street tranny everywhere.

Jack Birtles - tyres, Osaka.

All you can drink? Honestly, $15, all you can drink for 1.5 hours

Osaka Apartment. Big thanks to the Osaka boys for being so welcoming.

Tim Kojima. Love Hotel.

Zac Woods - bridge, Osaka.

Someone got drunk and parked their digger inside.

Kanpai Street Picnic, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank every single person that helped us, put us up for the night, taught us swear words, and most of all partied with us on this trip. This was one the most memorable trips we will ever take.

Words and photos by Kyle Jacobson

The perpetual hangover that is a road trip through Japan. This was the second time we ventured over to the land of the rising sun so it was crucial that we got some serious travelling done this time. We started with a week on the outskirts of Tokyo, then picked up some camper cars and hit the road for the next 2 weeks travelling down to Osaka, where we spent another week in Namba. Rehito Murata was our boss man for the trip and his knowledge of spots in his homeland is unreal. Everyday held more and more unimaginable spots and the list was being topped daily - Anyone that has been to Japan will say the same. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for the overwhelming hospitality of the locals and every new town held more dudes to ride and party with. Thank you!

Jack Birtles is supported by official DIG Partners: United | etnies