Aomori Prefecture, located at the northernmost tip of Honshu(the main island of Japan), offers food of the sea and mountains, and rich nature throughout the year. Its cherry blossom spots come alive in spring. This cherry blossom ride explores Hirosaki City, a castle town that flourished since the Edo period. Enjoy the cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Castle, soothe your soul, and conclude the ride at the 800-year-old Owani Onsen for a relaxing finale. Indulge in the rich culinary offerings of spring in Aomori, from fruits and vegetables to seafood. Embark on a journey through spring in Aomori, where nature, culture, and cuisine blend harmoniously. Table of Contents 　1. Starting from Aomori Airpo […]

Have you ever been to Ehime Prefecture? It’s a place known as a cycling paradise. Ehime is blessed with a mild climate overlooking the Seto Inland Sea with a rich natural environment. There are many cycling routes, through sea and mountain, including the Shimanami Kaido, which was selected by CNN as one of the seven best cycling routes in the world. Ehime Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Shikoku on the Seto Inland Sea side and has the largest population of the four prefectures in Shikoku. It is famous for its production of “mikan” oranges and is surrounded by nature, both ocean and mountain. There are also many historical sites such as Matsuyama Castle and Dogo H […]

In Japan, there are numerous shrines and temples. Among them, Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture holds significant importance. This time, we will introduce a route of about 20 kilometers that revolves around Ise Grand Shrine, deeply intertwined with history and culture. Starting from Chubu Centrair International Airport, we’ll cross to Mie Prefecture by ferry, pass through Ise Grand Shrine, and reach the goal at Toba Station. Ise is often called the Land of the Gods. Along the way, you’ll encounter several torii gates. Torii gates signify the boundary between the world of gods and humans. When passing through a torii gate, stop just before and bow in reverence. Now, let’s e […]

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.