Rider Houses are bare-bones crash pads for roving motorcyclists that are most common in Hokkaidō over the summer, though they can be found all over Japan.

Expect to pay ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 per person per night, but you’re not going to get much more than a roof over your head and some fellow biking enthusiasts to make friends with. Best to have a sleeping bag.

Rider Houses are generally set up and run by bikers for bikers - anything with two wheels seems to count, so cyclists are accepted at most places. They tend to spring up like wildflowers during the warm months and then disappear once the weather gets cold.

Many have been operating for decades with a devoted following. Stay at one Rider House and you’ll likely tap into a local network of riders who can help you out with where to go next.

There’s not much out there in English - get some help from a Japanese speaker if you’re going to take this on.

Rider Houses are definitely for the adventurous on two wheels.

Practical Info

Hatinosu Rider Houses (in Japanese)