As the 2025 edition of The Japanese Odyssey (TJO) approaches, Global Ride proudly presents the second installment of a serialized essay by photographer Eigo Shimojo. This time, we step back to 2016, on the eve of the second TJO. Organized by Frenchmen Emmanuel and Guillaume—avid Japan enthusiasts who, at that point, had never set foot in the country—their dream of cycling across Japan was about to become reality. The evening’s vibes at a briefing held in Daikanyama, and the spirit of ultra-distance riding that emerged from it, set the stage for what was to come.

＊You can find the previous essay here.

#02 The wave has arrived.

The grueling checkpoints and the immense route of the event made one thing abundantly clear: this was nothing short of an adventure. For those aiming to finish, thorough preparation, careful strategy, and the kind of effort that pushes personal limits would be essential. It was undeniably tough. The same could be said for organizing it—it must have required significant time and effort. And yet, they were tackling it with just the two of them? In a foreign land, far from their homeland, Japan. Still, their answer was a resounding “Yes.”
It’s no wonder people might think, Are they serious? Even some participants found it surprising. Yet, I doubt anyone truly worried about them. Why? Likely because half the participants were veterans of ultra-distance races like the Transcontinental Race, and even those who weren’t shared a deep understanding and appreciation of the self-supported ethos of ultra-distance events.

In the 2010s, the rapid expansion of ultra-distance cycling as a concept and movement emerged, in part, as a counter to traditional sports and tourism. It carried a distinctly local and independent character. In reality, the races are often sustained by grassroots efforts from amateur cyclists, with compact organizing bodies and relatively affordable entry fees. This is likely due to the amateurism and volunteer spirit deeply ingrained in Western sports communities. There seems to be a shared understanding, an unspoken consensus, that any gaps in resources or support will be filled by the committed “us” who step in to make things work.
This is something I’ve come to appreciate through covering TJO. Time and again, I’ve encountered this mature balance—pragmatic yet inspiring—that offers valuable lessons. It’s a 3000km adventure race, the organizers might say, “Let’s do it! And if you’ve got time to lend a hand, that’d be great.” Implicitly, they ask, and you find yourself replying, “Sure, OK.” Just like that, everyone becomes a part of the event.
That rough, sometimes almost reckless approach has an undeniable allure for me. It’s in those gaps where huge potential lies. By Japanese standards, which are often weighed down by numerous restrictions, this is unprecedented—perhaps even dangerously so. But to someone living in that structured reality, this represents a freedom that’s almost impossible to find elsewhere. Once the idea takes root in your mind, there’s no choice but to get swept up in it.

I understand that this perspective might provoke some criticism—accusations of condoning danger, for instance. However, if we insist on concealing or eliminating all risk, we risk losing the ability to overcome challenges. Creativity is stifled, and things become smaller, duller, less exciting. And to me, the absence of excitement is unacceptable. There is no such thing as a completely risk-free world. Humanity has built its history by confronting and navigating risks. Danger isn’t something to hide from but to face and address head-on. It’s something to be shared, examined collectively, and solved together.
This mindset aligns with the ethos of ultra-distance riders—individuals who willingly take on challenges and embrace risks and hardships.
At the end of this day, my first time attending a TJO briefing, I felt a quiet sense of awe. The wave of the ultra-distance movement had finally reached Japan.

Next

🚴‍♂️The Japanese Odyssey Report Series
Second series
#01 Before Dawn
#02 The wave has arrived.
#03 “Be prepared”
#04 Moving Dots in Motion

First series
#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.

Post Date：2024.12.13