Shigeru Yoshida, 84, is currently on his third journey around the world.
July 6, 2026
I had expected that the journey from Arequipa to Cusco would be the most challenging part of this trip. However, even on the first day’s ride from Arequipa to Puno, I had to cross a mountain pass at an altitude of over 4,500 meters. By the time I reached my hotel in Puno, I was completely exhausted.
June 26, 2026
After that, I arrived in Lima, Peru, and spent about two weeks looking for a motorcycle. I couldn’t find the cruiser model I had hoped for, so in the end I chose a Yamaha FZ25. It had good footing and a relatively high handlebar position. Compared with the XVS250, the handlebars are still a bit low, so I am not completely satisfied with that point, but it seems I will just have to get used to it.
At last, I set off from Lima. From there, I rode about 250 km south to the entrance of the town of Paracas.
June 13, 2026
Once I get a motorcycle in Lima, Peru, I plan to visit places such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Peru has many highland areas above 3,000 meters, so while I am looking forward to the scenery, I am also a little concerned about altitude sickness. I hope to move slowly, without rushing or pushing myself too hard, while giving my body time to adjust. For now, I am only planning to ride in Peru during my motorcycle journey in South America.
June 5, 2026
The ride across North America had taken quite a toll on me, and even after arriving in São Paulo, I couldn’t shake off the fatigue for a while. For several days, it felt as if a heaviness remained deep in my body. But around this week, I finally started to feel better. Now I can enjoy walking around the city for about two hours each day.
I had also been gradually preparing for the motorcycle, but after looking into it, I found that travelers apparently cannot register a motorcycle locally. I was also told that rental motorcycles cannot be taken across national borders. There are quite a few restrictions when it comes to riding freely around South America, and after thinking it over, I came to feel that the most realistic option would be to fly to Peru and get a motorcycle in Lima.
May 18, 2026
I took a photo here 60 years ago as well.
May 3, 2026
24 April 2026
They unpacked the crate that had arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, and there it was — his DragStar, back with him at last.
10 April 2026
He is presently in Los Angeles, USA, waiting for his DragStar to arrive.
March 13, at the Port of Yokohama. Mr. Yoshida with his beloved Yamaha DragStar 250, just before shipping.
A moving article was published in the Atami Shimbun (March 13, 2026 edition). With the kind permission of the Atami Shimbun, we reproduce it below.
Atami Shimbun — Friday, March 13, 2026 (Reiwa 8), Daily Edition
Around the World on His Beloved Motorcycle
84-year-old Mr. Yoshida (Izusan) Takes on His Third Challenge
Shigeru Yoshida (84), a former Yamaha Motor employee who lives in “Chugin Life Care Atami No. 3 Izusan Building 23,” a residence for seniors in Izusan, Atami City, will set out in early April on his third round-the-world motorcycle journey. He had originally planned to depart in May last year, but a serious illness forced him to focus on treatment. With his doctor’s approval now granted, he is setting off about a year later than planned. “It was thanks to the support of everyone at the residence that I’m able to set out again,” Mr. Yoshida says with anticipation. “This will be my last long-distance tour. I want to go as far as I possibly can.”
(Atami Shimbun, Haruna Tsuchiya)
A Fresh Start After Serious Illness, Backed by Friends
Mr. Yoshida made his first around-the-world journey in 1965, the year he graduated from university, riding a Yamaha YDS-III (250cc). Over roughly three years he traveled through 63 countries across five continents, covering approximately 136,000 kilometers.
His second trip came in 2002, the year he reached retirement age, on a Royal Star (1300cc). He covered around 30,000 kilometers, including Russia and other regions he had been unable to reach on his first journey.
Starting in Early April from the End Sign of U.S. Route 66
For the third journey, he moved the departure forward to early spring, changing the starting point from Europe to North America. Astride a Drag Star (250cc), he will set off from the end-of-the-trail sign of the legendary U.S. highway Route 66 in Santa Monica. Over as long as six months, he will ride through 20 countries including Peru, Brazil, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, finally crossing Australia before returning to Japan. Along the way, he plans to reunite with friends he came to know during past stays and work abroad.
His motorcycle, being shipped ahead by sea, made an earlier “departure.” After taking a commemorative photo with fellow residents and staff, Mr. Yoshida himself rode it to the Port of Yokohama. His friends sent him off with warm words — “Stay well,” “Take care.” “I’m so happy,” Mr. Yoshida said. “I’ll carry the photo of everyone with me as a charm on the journey.”
Source: Atami Shimbun, morning edition, Friday, March 13, 2026 (Reiwa 8).
Reproduced with permission of the Atami Shimbun. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Published Works
We are archiving and publishing Shigeru Yoshida’s past written works.