It is well known that the French have a fondness for Japan, and although Emmanuel and Guillaume (the organizers of The Japanese Odyssey) initially seemed to have no direct connection to the country, they were, in fact, deeply captivated by Japanese culture. What especially drew them in were the works of Haruki Murakami, which are highly popular in Europe, and the haiku of Basho—examples of Japan’s lyrical literary tradition.
After the 2016 race, when I interviewed them for the first time, I was struck by their enthusiasm, which could not be explained by mere tourism or exoticism. If the emotional depth of literature ignited their hearts and transported them to unfamiliar lands, one must acknowledge the power of words. At this point, neither of them had even visited Japan.
As Emmanuel and Guillaume nurtured their longing for Japan while cycling through their homeland, they began moving towards realizing their vision. By the sweltering summer of 2015, their passion had matured, and though few in number, they were on their wheels in Japan, alongside companions who resonated with their idea. Their passion moved mountains.
The first edition of “The Japanese Odyssey” was held that year.
2 The Romantics
I believe that many cyclists are poetic and romantic by nature. Sitting alone on the saddle, silently immersed in the flowing beauty of the landscape, each one carries their own eloquent thoughts and emotions.
Driven as if possessed, they ride their bicycles in pursuit of an invisible freedom, enduring the agony of long mountain passes while simultaneously experiencing a rare sense of happiness. Like Emmanuel and Guillaume, the global trend of ultra-distance races may be deeply influenced by the individual thoughts and desires of cyclists navigating the complexities of modern life.
These two commissaires (race officials) have managed everything related to the TJO entirely on their own, from planning the route to running the website. Once the race begins, they handle real-time operations day and night while riding, sharing information with participants via social media. During my coverage, I developed a deep respect for their unwavering passion, as they calmly navigate the endless stream of challenges that arise without losing their drive.
Every year since then, around the time when beautiful autumn leaves paint the mountain ranges of Japan, the shadows of centaur-like figures—those who move as one with their bikes—quietly race across the land. To my delight, the presence of Japanese “centaurs” has also grown stronger. After enduring a hiatus due to the pandemic, the event made a swift comeback in 2023, marking its sixth edition overall.
With the warm support of hardcore cyclists from around the world, it has become a major highlight of the ultra-distance racing scene, attracting many fans and repeat participants. However, its recognition in Japan is still low…
Eigo Shimojo Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1974 Belongs to IPU Japan Photographers Union He became independent in 2000 as a freelancer and established Greenhouse Studio, which handles a wide range of photography and video production. His life’s work is pursuing underground HIPHOP and bicycle culture around the world.
