In mid-November, a group of international cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike travel bag. Invited by Ehime Prefecture to participate in a week-long cycling monitor tour aimed at promoting international cycle tourism, the group consisted of professional-level cyclists, including representatives from bicycle-focused travel agencies and media from North America and Australia.Over the course of seven days, we rode together around Ehime, documenting the experience in detail. This three-part series will provide a comprehensive account of the action-packed journey. What exactly does an international cycling monitor tour, a rarity in Japan, entail? Stay tuned to find out! Tex […]

Hello! I’m Noriko, a cyclist living in the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido.Winter has already arrived here. In Kitami City, where I live, the inland areas get relatively little snow, and it takes a while for it to settle permanently. Even in December, you might occasionally spot someone braving the cold to ride their bike, but seeing a road bike cutting through the wind is practically unheard of.That said, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including cycling! For riders and tourists who want to fully experience the snowy landscapes and winter flavors, I’d love to share some local highlights for this season. First up, for those who want to keep biking in the snow, let me introduce the &#8220 […]

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled by bike so far? Maybe it was the coffee shop two stations away, the office an hour away by train, or perhaps just across the prefectural border. Likely, readers of this article are thinking, “No way, that’s way too close. I can ride much farther than that!” When you get a road bike or any kind of sport bike, there’s this urge to go farther and farther. Before you know it, you’ve broken through the 50km, 100km, and even 200km barriers, and you find yourself thrilled as your world expands with each new distance. So, how about 1000 kilometers? Does that sound like an impossible distance? With 1000 kilometers, you coul […]

Hello, this is Onsen Tamago Negitoro. I’m here to share the second half of our ride through the Kumano Kodo and the Kii Peninsula. We had planned a two-night, three-day ride trip, and we were able to end the first day while gazing at the mountains that felt almost divine. On the second day, we are finally heading to Kumano Hongu Taisha. The excitement is building as we approach the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage! Table of Contents 3. Following the Mountain Paths 4. Red Torii Gates and Lean Tuna 3. Following the Mountain Paths  On the first day, we planned to stay at a free campsite, and on the second day, we aimed to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha by evening, traveling along the forestr […]

Hello, this is Onsen Tamago Negitoro. I was reminded of a conversation I had with a Spanish hiker when I cycled the Camino de Santiago in Spain before the pandemic. He asked me, ‘Have you been to the Kumano Kodo? You really should go!’ The ‘Camino de Santiago’ in Spain, the ‘Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage,’ and the ‘Kumano Kodo’ are all incredibly popular among hikers from abroad. While I had cycled the first two, I had never ridden through the Kumano Kodo or the Kii Peninsula. Despite its proximity to my hometown of Osaka, the rugged nature of the Kii Mountain Range has always made it feel far away. This time, I rode a route following the ancien […]

The Shimanami Kaido isn’t the only bike route in Ehime for serious cyclists and bicycling explorers alike. This weekend we venture south from the entrance to the most famous biking route of the prefecture, in the city of Imabari, to the capital of Matsuyama, ending at the oldest bath house in Japan and possibly the most famous in the world. This route is called the Imabari-Dogo Hamakaze (Sea Breeze) Cycling Road.Although this course is mostly utilitarian, with views of the coast for only about half the way, it is a vital path between many great historical sites, quaint and quirky lunch spots and a good night on the town. Table of Contents 　1. Scouting Expedition and Imabari Castle　2. Lunch a […]

In the final installment of the Hokusai bicycle stroll, I trace the peak of Hokusai’s life and career. From manga and art performances to the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” and fascination with Mount Fuji, I’ll explore the areas from Honjo to Asakusa, searching for traces of his legacy. Table of Contents 　1. The Day “Manga” Was Born (50s)　2. The Eccentric Man (60s)　3. The Great Wave (70s)　4. The Man Who Traveled with picture (80s)　5. The buried Giant (90s) The manga artist Akira Toriyama, known for creating “Dragon Ball” and “Dr. Slump,” passed away in 2024, and his death was mourned worldwide. “Manga&#82 […]

Table of Contents 　1. My Dream Bike, the Brompton　2. Surprisingly Easy and Safe Bike transport Experience　3. Finally Touring Hakata with the Brompton　4. Isono-kun on “Sazae-san Street”　5. Bicycle-Friendly Fukuoka　6. To Hakata’s Famous Shop “Udon Taira”　7. Travel Rides are the Best! 1. My Dream Bike, the Brompton I’ve recently discovered the joy of travel rides. Riding a road bike through vast nature is thrilling. However, exploring a city at your travel destination brings a different kind of pleasure. Admiring famous architecture, taking a break at a café, and visiting parks and shops are all enjoyable activities. Road bikes with large wheels aren’t […]