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. “MangaR […]
Connecting people who enjoy rides. This time, we introduce Miho Ishigaki, a model, through Akikazu Yamashita, a model and travel writer. While working as a model for sports magazines, she also participates in ride events and teaches at the gym as an instructor. During her time as a fashion model, she developed an interest in cycling as a gentle sport she could engage in, and a few years later, she won first place in the Fuji Azami Line Hill Climb. We talked to her about her experiences with riding. Table of Contents Profile 1. What’s your beloved bicycle? 2. What’s your favorite cycling route? 3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it? […]
The largest cycling event in the Northern Hemisphere, the “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR,” commonly known as Bike New York. Here, we present Part 2.Part 1 is here. Riding alongside the cable car on the Queensboro Bridge! One hour after the start, I refueled at the rest area, munching and drinking. Crossing the 1,135m-long Queensboro Bridge, I am headed for Queens. There was a gentle incline, and I started to get a bit out of breath. In the midst of this, I glanced to the left and saw a cable car! “A first in my life! Riding alongside a cable car!” It was also my first time crossing a bridge over 1 km long. Cycling through a new city brings new experiences and excitement one aft […]
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 […]
Hello! I’m Noriko, a local rider from the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido.As the drift ice recedes and the snow melts away, the cycling season is finally here!This time, since it’s the beginning of the season, I’d like to take you on a route where you can feel the breath of nature while warping by car. So let’s start right away from Memanbetsu Airport! In the pleasant seasons ahead, you can enjoy leisurely rides along the stretches of roads in Hokkaido, surrounded by the great outdoors. Passing by viewpoints like the ‘Märchen Hill Memanbetsu’ and ‘Märchen Hill Road Station,’ our first stop is ‘Gelateria Rimo’ in Yobito (Abashiri City). T […]
In the midst of Japan’s Golden Week. This year, the “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR 2024” once again took over the streets of New York City.Unlike the blessed clear skies of 2023, temperatures hovered around 10°C. Near Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, where bike rentals were available in the early morning, the sea breeze made it feel even colder. Five Boro Bike TOur 20245th May 2023／64km Table of Contents 1. Packet pick up2. The starting point3. Fun ride around the five islands of New York.4. The finish line, and back to Manhattan. 1. Packet pick up 2. The starting point 3. Fun ride around the five islands of New York. 4. The finish line, and back to Manhattan.
An Extraordinary Experience: Racing Through Manhattan The “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR,” commonly known as Bike New York, is held every May in New York City. It’s the largest event of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, drawing cycling enthusiasts from around the world. About 30,000 people gathered with smiles on their faces, and of course, I was one of them. I wondered what kinds of bicycles everyone would be riding and what sights I would see as the morning of the event arrived. Around 5:30 a.m., in the dim light, I first rented a bicycle. They helped me choose a bike that fit my size and even adjusted the saddle, giving me a sense of security right from the start. It’s am […]
When it comes to cycling across Japan, Ehime prefecture should be part of anybody’s bucket list. From mountain to inland sea, there is plenty to see and do while cruising along one of the multitudes of well-planned routes crisscrossing the island of Shikoku’s northwestern side. First let’s take a ride through one of the most sought-after destinations for cyclists across the world over, the Shimanami Kaido. For hardcore folk, the entire ride is about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) but for the purposes of this article we’ll only be going as far as the border to Hiroshima prefecture on the Honshu-side of the Setouchi sea, split between two relatively leisurely afternoons. Table of Contents 1 […]
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 […]
