This ongoing column, Music Cycles Around The World, is themed around “cities and music”, inviting readers to imagine travelling the world by bicycle through sound. This time, inspired by Ehime Prefecture’s recent efforts to promote international cycle tourism—having just hosted a cycling familiarisation tour for Australian cyclists—and by the fact that the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and toughest MTB race, the Whaka 100, has just taken place in New Zealand, I would like to introduce a work by Lance Ferguson. Born in New Zealand and now based in Melbourne, he is a distinguished producer and widely known as the leader of the acclaimed Aussie funk band The Bamboos. Coincidentally, Tru Thought […]

There are times in life when you have to return to a place you never wanted to go back to. For Mikey, home was exactly that kind of place. He ends up returning to the house in Texas where he once lived with his wife. But that relationship is long over. When Mikey asks, “Can I stay for a while?”, his wife Lexi is completely unwilling. Still, Mikey manages to secure the living room sofa as his bed—on the condition that he pays Lexi and her mother Lil, who are struggling to make ends meet, $200 a week in rent. There was a time when he was known in Hollywood as a porn star, but that glory is nothing more than a shadow now. Having lost his place in Hollywood as well, he has returned with almost n […]

I once had the chance to interview a Kabuki actor. Waiting in the designated tearoom, I sat formally in seiza and looked out the window. Soon, a figure in kimono appeared, lifting his gaze toward the sky. The scene unfolded like something out of a film. Before long, the actor himself entered the room. Glancing at me, he gently remarked, “You’re not used to sitting that way, are you? Please, stretch your legs.” This actor, recognized as a Living National Treasure, took the time to answer each of my questions with care, even though I knew little about Kabuki. A “Living National Treasure” is the common title given to individuals designated by the Japanese government as bearers of Important Inta […]

In our new series Music Cycles Around The World, inspired by the idea of travelling the globe with a bicycle and a soundtrack, we explore the theme of “cities and music”. This is the third instalment. This time, in connection with the Honolulu Century Ride – held every year on the fourth Sunday in September and regarded as Hawaii’s second-biggest sporting event after the Honolulu Marathon, with many riders travelling from Japan to take part – I’ll be writing about some of my favourite music from Hawaii (though not the traditional Hawaiian kind). The first thing that sprang to mind was the Macky Feary Band’s self-titled debut album from 1978 – a record I still treasure. Over thirty summers ag […]

When cycling in France, let’s consider what arrangements are needed locally and how to plan your trip. You have two options: bring your own bike or rent one on-site. Table of Contents 1. Tips for Checking Your Bike on International Flights2. Renting a Quality Bicycle in France 1. Tips for Checking Your Bike on International Flights First, consider the case of bringing your bike on the plane to France. I asked Action Sports Corp, a company that handles the “Bike Porter” bike transport cases for airlines, about the latest situation. Q: What size bikes can be checked on international flights? Is it free or are there additional fees? A: Policies vary depending on the airline for international fl […]

In this second instalment of our new series Music Cycles Around The World, themed around “cities and music” and inspired by the idea of travelling the world through music on two wheels, we turn our attention to France — in celebration of the 2025 Tour de France, which kicks off on 5 July from the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Though it’s been nearly 20 years since my last visit, I travelled to France many times throughout the 1990s and 2000s. My first trip to Paris was 33 years ago, when I spent every waking hour scouring the city for records — especially French cinema soundtracks. That trip played a key role in inspiring me to open my own shop, Café Après-midi. Later, in early summer 1999, I ret […]

From environmental values to cycling gear — rooted in philosophy. The term “sustainable development” was coined during international conferences in the 1980s, eventually leading to the adoption of the “SDGs” by the United Nations in 2015. A decade on, even Japan—once slow to adapt—is finding that “eco-friendly” has become such a given, it’s almost a dead phrase. Today’s buzzwords have shifted from “sustainable” to “regenerative,” calling for an even deeper commitment. In a time when the planet is in crisis, consumer goods are overflowing, and the waste we see around us is overwhelming, the desire to say “But I still want to enjoy life” or “I still want to ride my bike!” resonates more than e […]

There are people who say, “If you haven’t seen that movie, you’re missing out on life.” Of course, everyone has different tastes, and it’s entirely up to each person what kind of films they choose to watch. But when it comes to those who haven’t yet seen the It’s Tough Being a Man series, I can’t help but want to gently encourage them: “Why not give it a try, just once?”That series is packed with the very essence of Japanese comedy. The protagonist is Tora-san (played by Kiyoshi Atsumi), born and raised in Shibamata, Katsushika. He’s rough around the edges, but deeply compassionate—someone who can’t turn a blind eye to those in trouble. He makes a living as a traveling peddler, a kind of car […]