Women’s International Motorcycle Association, Japan (WIMA) was established in Japan in April 1996.

In the season cherry trees were blooming in April 1996, 27 members of WIMA from different countries in Europe visited Japan to introduce WIMA to Japan.  This visit was announced in advance in the monthly magazine “Lady’s Bike” and Japanese riders who read this article gathered to enjoy touring in Izu, visiting motorcycle factory, and sightseeing in Kyoto with riders from Europe.  In this occasion, the first WIMA branch in Asia was established in Japan.

Since we do not have anything like headquarters in particular country, all branches are organized in unique style reflecting their own culture or geographic background.We WIMA Japan are also seeking our own style that matches Japanese female riders and wishing to communicate with members in other countries.

WIMA is more like a group of female riders who just enrolled as a member rather than the club for touring.  It is a group of women who loves motorcycle and interested in communicating with female riders all over the world.  Therefore, it is free for members to belong any other touring clubs or organizations beside WIMA.  Members are in many different occupations, married and unmarried, or students.

Members usually contact each other through internet and the news letters called “WIMA PAPER” issued 2 – 3 times a year.  “WIMA PAPER” is a news letter created by member of WIMA Japan.  In creating “WIMA PAPER” members who volunteer in their field dedicate their skills in editing, reporting or translating the news from domestic activities and the activities in other countries.

Members who wish to join the international rally can apply through WIMA Japan; however, it is not a group tour.  Sometimes, members individually call the other member to travel together but basically members are requested to arrange their own air ticket or accommodation by exchanging information each other.  We stand on the point to ask members to do by yourself as much as you can handle.

Of course, members in host countries are always our great support in obtaining the information like transportation, sightseeing or where you can rent bike.  WIMA Japan provides members with such information and giving them an advice.

In spring and autumn, we have semi-annual local meeting in Japan for members to get together.  Since members are from different part of Japan, it is not a meeting that all members tour together.  Each member plans their route and come to the site by their own.  This system is same as international rally.  Currently we have these semi-annual meetings once in west-Japan area and the other one in east-Japan area.