A Crazy Journey Returns: Setting Sail for the 2025
#01 Before Dawn

The Japanese Odyssey (TJO), a little-known ultra-long-distance cycling event traversing the length of Japan, has captured the fascination of dedicated riders. The Global Ride editorial team, with great admiration, has been following this enigmatic event and recently learned that it is set to return in 2025.
Checking the official website, which had been dormant for some time, we discovered a message on the homepage from the organizers announcing the event’s revival!
The thought of this crazy journey* unfolding again after a two-year hiatus is enough to set our hearts racing.
But wait—how does one even prepare for a grueling ride spanning thousands of kilometers, with gravel sections and a fully self-supported format? How did past participants overcome the immense physical and mental challenges leading up to the big day?

Be prepared for true solitude.
Be prepared.

The message from the organizers, posted on the website ahead of the event announcement, carries a vague yet heavy weight.

Following the first installment, which explored the full story of TJO’s inaugural event in 2016, we now bring you the second part of the series, focusing on the unique personalities and gear of the participating riders. Once again, the writer is Eigo Shimojo, a photographer indispensable to the narrative of TJO. As a rider himself, his essays are infused with a deep love for cycling and a sharp, insightful perspective.

#01 Before Dawn

Let’s rewind to 2016, the inaugural year of The Japanese Odyssey.

The race day was fast approaching. Frustrated with the sparse English version of the event guidelines and the nearly silent official social media, I found myself glued to my computer screen, desperately seeking information. Eventually, I caught wind of a pre-race briefing event scheduled to take place in Tokyo. I knew I had to attend. On the eve of the race, the venue—a café bar in Daikanyama—buzzed with anticipation.
Arriving slightly early that evening, I noticed a few distinctive bikes chained to the roadside guardrails. These were no ordinary bikes; they were outfitted with an array of unfamiliar bags and gear, clearly belonging to seasoned riders, drawing curious glances from passersby.
A modest sign taped near the entrance pointed me to the venue. With a mix of skepticism and hope, I climbed the stairs of the nondescript building. Finally, I reached the rooftop terrace on the top floor—a cozy yet stylish open-air space. A handful of foreign riders had already gathered, their presence unmistakable. A circle of men stood chatting, beers in hand, their animated conversation radiating an infectious energy into the crisp evening air.
I felt a quiet thrill as I stepped into the world of ultra-distance cycling for the first time. With my clumsy English, I approached anyone who would listen, striking up conversations and taking photos. Riders had come from all corners of the globe—Britain, Germany, France, Finland, Australia, Norway, South Korea, the United States…. The sheer diversity of participants exceeded my imagination.
As I marveled at this international gathering, a tall man stepped forward, politely interrupting the chatter to begin his welcome speech.
He began with heartfelt words of appreciation for the participants who had traveled from afar. His English, tinged with a French accent, wavered slightly—likely due to the nerves of taking on such a role. While I had envisioned a bold proclamation to match the grandeur of the adventure ahead, his demeanor was surprisingly reserved and shy.
Yet, as the briefing progressed, his words gradually drew us in. They carried a genuine passion for The Japanese Odyssey, resonating deeply with everyone present.
This was Emmanuel, the organizer of the event. Standing beside him was his partner, Guillaume, who was even shyer by nature.
As I clicked the shutter and pieced together fragments of their story, the once-murky puzzle started to take shape in my mind. It became clear: the entire race was being managed by these two Frenchmen standing right in front of me.


🚴‍♂️*What is the Rumored Japanese Odyssey?
#01 Into the World of Ultra-Distance
#02 2015, aiming for July 18th.
#03 Toward The First Year of My “The Japanese Odyssey”
#04 A crazy setup.
#05 The mastermind behind the “mystery”
#06 “Japan favoritism” or “Bias towards Japan”

🚴‍♂️The Japanese Odyssey Official Website
https://www.japanese-odyssey.com/


Text&Photo_ Eigo Shimojo

Profile

Eigo Shimojo
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1974
Belongs to IPU Japan Photographers Union
He became independent in 2000 as a freelancer and established Greenhouse Studio, which handles a wide range of photography and video production.
His life’s work is pursuing underground HIPHOP and bicycle culture around the world.

What is the Rumored Japanese Odyssey?#06
“Japan favoritism” or “Bias towards Japan”

Table of Contents 1 Haruki Murakami, Basho2 The Romantics 1. Haruki Murakami, Basho It is well known that the French have a fondness for Japan, and although Emmanuel and Guillaume (the organizers of The Japanese Odyssey) initially seemed to have no direct connection to the country, they were, in fact, deeply captivated by Japanese culture. What especially drew them in were the works of Haruki Murakami, which are highly popular in Europe, and the haiku of Basho—examples of Japan’s lyrical literary tradition. After the 2016 race, when I interviewed them for the first time, I was struck by their enthusiasm, which could not be explained by mere tourism or exoticism. If the emotional depth of lit […]

EVENT
What is the Rumored Japanese Odyssey? #02
2015, aiming for July 18th.

A serialized essay by photographer Eigo Shimojo, who continues to follow ‘The Japanese Odyssey,’ an ultra-long-distance and intensely core ride event held in Japan. The second installment covers the spirit of self-support that sustains ultra-long-distance rides and the journey leading up to his first participation…? Table of Contents 1. Ultra-Distance and Self-Supported2. The Pioneering ‘The Transcontinental Race’ 1. Ultra-Distance and Self-Supported To succinctly describe the characteristics of ‘The Japanese Odyssey’ (TJO), there are two key terms: ‘ultra-distance’ and ‘self-supported.’ Most races involve covering a set route of hu […]

EVENT
What is the Rumored Japanese Odyssey? #01
Into the World of Ultra-Distance

Far Away. For the past decade, events and races known as ultra-long-distance have been emerging worldwide, surpassing the realm of long-distance cycling. These events cover thousands of kilometers, taking riders across countries and prefectural borders, over mountains and rivers, over the course of a week to half a month. With no aid stations or support vehicles, cyclists must rely solely on themselves until they reach the finish line. These grueling rides have been steadily gaining attention among cyclists in the know. While ‘brevets’ are well-known in Japan, recently, a niche group of cyclists has turned their passionate gaze toward ‘The Japanese Odyssey.’ This even […]