WIMA Japan was inaugurated in 1996 at the formation rally, which you can read about here and about WIMA Japan here.
This spring members celebrated 30 years by hosting a semi-international rally. Several WIMA Japan members are faithful rally-goers, but not everyone is able to travel overseas, so the rally brought an international flavour to their home event.
We have talked to some of the members and asked them about their experience of the rally:
- It was a lot of fun! It was a great opportunity to talk to members from overseas.
- Standing around as a parking attendant was pretty hard on my legs, but when I greeted the participants and waved to guide them, they waved back, and I really felt like the event had begun. The recreation was fun too.
- A motorcycle version of international exchange!
- There are encounters you can’t have with cars, just by riding a motorcycle, so this time it was very fresh, exciting, and thrilling.
- I felt a level of fun and possibility I’d never experienced before.
- This was my first time participating, and it was a truly global event with many guests from overseas.
WIMA Japan members were able to make new connections and meet online friends from the WRWR event in real life. They made friends with people they shared rooms with and chatted with new people every day. Language might seem like a barrier, but WIMA Japan once created a motto that captures the spirit of the event: “Smiles and Motorcycles are international languages”.
When asked whether the rally had made them more motivated to attend an international event, members said they would like to, while recognising the practical challenges involved. Cost is one barrier, and time away form work can also be difficult to arrange in Japan, where leave arrangements may be more limited than in some other countries.
In 2010, WIMA Japan hosted a very successful International Rally in Fujinomiya City, near Mount Fuji, and many of us hope they will put themselves forward to host again soon. Until then, we can always keep an eye on their national rallies in the events calendar. Their next one is this September.
We’ll conclude by quoting one of the international guests: “It was the best international rally I have been to.” That says a great deal about the international atmosphere created at this national rally. Well done to WIMA Japan and to all the WIMA members who attended. Together we make WIMA!
