Registration has opened once again for one of the world’s greatest ride events— the Honolulu Century Ride, which takes cyclists through the island paradise of Hawaii.The Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), which attracts many repeat participants from Japan, will celebrate its 43rd edition this year. Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride, is now a regular rider and will be taking part for the third time. How does he enjoy Hawaii before and after the event? The answer lies on the North Shore. Within easy reach for a day trip, this popular area offers a laid-back local atmosphere quite different from Honolulu. In this two-part series, we follow a seasoned HCR rider on a cycling trip to […]

This time, I set out to explore the Kanda area by bicycle—an essential neighborhood when talking about Tokyo’s old town and also my hometown. Today, Kanda is no longer an official administrative district but rather a name used for the northeastern part of Chiyoda City, where the Tokyo Imperial Palace is located. A distinctive feature of the area is that most neighborhood names begin with “Kanda,” though in everyday conversation people usually drop the prefix. Feeling the breeze that signals the arrival of spring, I wander around Jimbocho, known as the world’s greatest book town, stop by a long-established wagashi shop in Ogawamachi for a chat, and visit museums and shrines along the way. Tex […]

The more you ride, the more you begin to understand the culture rooted in a place and the depth of its character. That is true almost anywhere in the world. Yet somehow, Ehime Prefecture has a way of making you feel that it might be something special.Over the course of seven days, Australian cyclists repeatedly expressed their amazement at the roads that traverse every corner of the landscape—from the wave-lapped coastline to mountain ranges rising more than 1,500 meters above sea level.Here is the final installment of the Cycling Monitor Tour 2025, presented by photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Text & Photos by Eigo Shimojo You can read Article #01 and 02 here.🚴‍♂️Ehime Prefecture […]

Last autumn, a group of Australian cyclists arrived in Ehime Prefecture—globally renowned as a cycling mecca. The participants, active in their respective fields as media professionals, travel industry staff, and influencers, all share a deep love of cycling and the outdoors in their daily lives. Throughout the journey, they repeatedly exclaimed “Amazing!” at Ehime’s cycling environment.Here is the second installment of this six-night, seven-day monitor tour, brought to you in an accompanying report by photographer—and fellow cyclist—Eigo Shimojo.Having ridden Tour de France routes and the mountainous terrain of Italy, what unique appeal did they discover in this region? Text & Photos by […]

On a crisp autumn day, a group of foreign cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike bag over their shoulder. They had come from Australia’s major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane—representing a diverse mix of media professionals, travel agency staff, and influencers. All had been invited to take part in Ehime’s now-annual press tour circling the prefecture. A glance at the itinerary revealed just how ambitious this year’s program would be. Alongside classics such as the Shimanami Kaido and the legendary UFO Line, the route included a major climb through the dramatic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst, a coastal ride along the rias shoreline of Nanyo, a tour of Cape Sada, and […]

We present the second half of the fifth and final installment in our series, “Trip Notes from Five Riding Duos.”What kind of event is the Honolulu Century Ride? This 160 km ride diary that unpacks the experience comes from photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Enjoy it together with a rich collection of locally flavored, atmosphere-filled photos. 4 Nights, 6 Days / Kamehameha Road on the Southern Isles — the Classic Route Was Even More Classic Than ImaginedNote by_Eigo Shimojo DAY_4／September 28 (Sun) At 5:00 a.m., riders begin gathering at Kapiʻolani Park under a pre-dawn sky shaded deep purple. At last, it’s HCR day. Even though it’s a fun ride event, the tension before the start fills th […]

This series brings you trip notes from riders taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this final fifth installment, we present a photo report by Eigo Shimojo, whose work—including The Japanese Odyssey and his Rhône River ride journals—has long connected him with cyclists and cycling routes around the world. The collection is filled with quintessential “Hawaii” and “America” ride photos. We’d love to share even more, but page space is limited… or is it? That will have to wait for another occasion. This is a true gem of a photo report—perfect for fueling your daydreams of the 2026 Honolulu Century Ride. Note by Eigo Shimojo One sweltering midsummer day in 2025, a request arrived from […]

This series presents Honolulu ride trip notes from riders participating in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this fourth installment, we feature Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride and a television producer, who is taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) for the third time. With extensive experience in ride events across Japan, Kawase prefers to travel with his own bike whenever possible, relishing the freedom of exploring destinations by pedaling through them. He delights in local cuisine just as much as riding, seeking out great neighborhood spots along the way. On race day, his approach to HCR feels less like a competition and more like an extension of a cycling j […]