Hello. Following the HONOLULU CENTURY RIDE 2023, we are pleased to present the second edition of the “INFOGRAPHIC(*) GUIDE.”*INFOGRAPHIC – A means of conveying information using illustration This time, we’ll be discussing the upcoming “BIKE NEW YORK,” scheduled for May 5th this year (Sunday). This event is known as the largest cycling event in the Northern Hemisphere, held in New York City, USA. Officially named the “TD FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR” (with “TD” representing the main sponsor, TD Bank), it involves cycling through the five boroughs of New York City and is eagerly anticipated by riders from across the United States. The inaugural even […]

Hello. I’m Yoshiki Nagahama, an Uchinanchu rider and writer. I sing while playing the sanshin*. This is the third time this project has been held, and the destination is “U.S. Army Kadena Air Base”. Kadena Air Base, which spans one city and two towns of Kadena Town, Chatan Town, and Okinawa City, is known as this Kadena base.If this happens, the plan is to go around by bicycle with the strong feeling that it will be a kind of tourist resource. The circumference is about 20 km. I think it’s easy and good for those who want to go here and there on a trip to Okinawa. If the circumnavigation of Lake Biwa is “Biwaichi” and the circumnavigation of Shikoku is &#8 […]

Tracing the footsteps of Katsushika Hokusai by bicycle – Part 2 of the short series. This time, we will start with Hokusai in his twenties, when he entered the Katsukawa school and plunged into the world of ukiyo-e. Table of Contents 　1. In the Sumo Town (Ages 20~)　2. Man of the North Star (Ages 30~)　3. Becoming Hokusai, Katsushika Hokusai (Ages 40~) 1. In the Sumo Town (Ages 20~) Hokusai was allowed to use the name Katsukawa Shunro within just one year of entering the Katsukawa school, where he produced ukiyo-e prints (note that he changed his art name over 30 times in his lifetime, but this column will consistently use “Hokusai”).At that time, the motifs of ukiyo-e prints […]

In 1856, the young French printmaker Bracquemond was shown a collection of ceramics by an acquaintance. These ceramics, imported from Japan, a country then closed to foreign relations, would likely have been rare in Western Europe. However, what captured his attention was not the ceramics themselves but their wrapping paper. It was a page from Katsushika Hokusai’s “Hokusai Manga.(Hokusai Sketch)” Impressed by the artwork, Bracquemond went on to obtain a copy of “Hokusai Manga” through great effort and introduced it to his painter friends in Paris, eventually leading to Hokusai becoming widely known across Europe from France. …Unfortunately, the story is sa […]

“Cherry blossoms” symbolize spring in Japan, displaying various expressions by the sea, in the mountains, and throughout the cities. Introducing a cycling course to enjoy the cherry blossoms, starting with Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots in Miyagi Prefecture. Departing from Sendai Airport, the goal is Zuiganji, a national treasure. It’s about a 50-kilometer journey along the coast. We look forward to seeing what colors the cherry blossoms will paint in Matsushima. And of course, there will be delicious food to enjoy as well!

“Ferry × Bicycle”. There are surely some of you who are excited by this combination, right? Hello again. I’m Yoshiki Nagahama, an Okinawan writer born and raised in Okinawa. This is my second column. I’m introducing recommended cycling routes in Okinawa. As I mentioned at the beginning, “Ferry”. It can be quite a hassle to pack your bike into a carrying bag for airplanes or trains, but if you’re traveling by ferry, you can take your bike on board seamlessly and enjoy a smooth travel experience.

For many Japanese people, Kyushu holds a special significance. It breathes with the eternal romance of numerous myths, and the proximity of untouched nature to urban areas is remarkable. This environment has fostered the unique culture of Kyushu. Among them, Kumamoto Prefecture is an ideal place to experience the natural beauty and culture of Kyushu, with attractions such as Mount Aso (including the five peaks of Takadake, Nekodake, Nakadake, Eboshidake, and Kishimadake, as well as the outer rim and caldera), Kumamoto Castle, hot springs, and natural springs. This time, let’s introduce the Kumamoto ride, which visits the Aso Shrine, which has nurtured the culture of this area, and explores the vast scenery of the Aso Nakadake crater.

If you talk about ‘what ifs,’ you’ll be disliked.That makes sense.It’s no fun to drink with someone who only talks about things like ‘If I had done that at that time’ or ‘If I had studied harder.’ However, ‘hypothetical stories’ stimulate the imagination. It’s the type of story that goes, ‘What if there was no such thing as XX in this world?’ What if there were no Edison in this world?What if there were no Osamu Tezuka in this world?What if there were no Steve Jobs in this world? What if? Without great figures, the world would turn upside down. Would someone else have invented the light bulb instead of Edison? Woul […]