Tsunami bike washes up in Canada

Ikuo Yokoyama tragically lost three family members and his home in the devastating tsunami of March 2011 but his Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was also swept away has miraculously been found - more than 5000km away in Canada.

Covered in plastic slag, rust and a handful of barnacles, the Harley motorcycle travelled more than 5000km to reach Canada, and was identified via its VIN number.

Reports suggest that more than a million tonnes of debris had been swept out to sea when the tsunami ravaged the east coast of Japan. More than 11,000 people perished in the tsunami and earthquake, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the country's history.

Yokoyama, aged 29, is currently living in a temporary dwelling in Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture, and was contacted by a Japanese Harley-Davidson representative who tracked him down after seeing the story on the Canadian TV channel, CBC News.

When told of the find, Yokoyama was surprised and elated, and called the find a miracle.

He appeared on NHK television in Japan and said he had owned the Harley-Davidson for around five years and said "Thanks for coming back buddy," when asked what he wanted to say to the bike.

According to translations, Yokoyama said some of his best memories were of touring around Japan on his Harley, and that its return would be an emotional event.

The Canadian man who found the motorcycle inside a moving container on a British Colombian beach, Peter Mark, said the container was also full of camping equipment and tools.

Harley-Davidson's Japanese division will ship the bike back to its owner and is hoping to restore the motorcycle.