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 […]

The other day, I attended the Hokkaido Tourism Information Exchange Meeting held in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. The theme was recommended highlights for spring to early summer and the night-time economy—how to enjoy the evening hours. This destination is currently bustling with snow sports visitors, but once the snow melts, it also offers many excellent locations for cycling. That said, it’s surprisingly hard to find detailed cycling information for such a vast region as Hokkaido. This time, we’re featuring a cycling report from Hokokara, an experienced rider who has completed a bicycle trip around Japan and climbed many of the country’s notable peaks. The report covers a ride around Lake Toya in H […]

Everyone has their own idea of what an old town is.An old neighborhood. A low-lying area. A down-to-earth, working-class town.A place where you might run into Tora-san or Ryo-san.*This time, I visited Ota Ward, home to Japan’s gateway, Haneda Airport.Cross the bridge from the airport and explore by bike — you’ll soon realize this is unmistakably part of Tokyo’s old town. *Tora-san and Ryo-san are the main characters of a film and a manga series, both set in Tokyo’s old town districts. Text & Photo_Shitamachi Kombu Table of Contents Surprisingly Easy! From Haneda Airport to Kamata by BikeAnamori Inari Shrine – A Fox-Themed FavoriteKamata: One of Tokyo’s Hidden Hot Spring Districts(Bonus) […]

The cycling journey tracing Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji reaches its grand finale. In this final chapter, we’ll visit cycling spots where you can admire South Wind, Clear Sky and Rainstorm Beneath the Summit—two of the most iconic works alongside The Great Wave off Kanagawa.We’ll also explore Lake Suwa in Shinano Province and conclude the series with Groups of Mountain Climbers, the only work in the collection painted from within the mountain itself.Join us as we discover the modern landscapes that echo Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji in this concluding chapter. Top artwork: Katsushika Hokusai, “South Wind, Clear Sky”All Hokusai images courtesy of the Tokyo Fuji Art Muse […]

The second installment of a cycling journey tracing the landscapes of Katsushika Hokusai’s Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (in fact, forty-six works in total) by one of Japan’s most celebrated ukiyo-e artists. In the previous article, we introduced a cycling route around Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture, located at the very foot of Mount Fuji. This time, our journey skips over Kanagawa and Tokyo from Shizuoka, landing in Chiba Prefecture.The main highlight is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” the iconic face of “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.” To capture both the seas off Kanagawa and Mount Fuji together, the perspective must come either from above Tokyo Bay or from the Chiba side. In this cycl […]