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 […]

*Check out Race Report #01 & #02 here.https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_02_en/ Table of Contents 　1. Touring the Fishing Villages and Capes of Southern Ehime (Uwajima City)　2. Our Everyday Lives Become Someone’s Entertainment (Uwajima City – Matsuyama City) Already, the Ehime tour has reached its fifth morning. As we enjoy a homemade Japanese breakfast at Kokuriko, the cozy rural dormitory that has hosted us for the past two days in Uchiko, our conversation with the owners, spoken in the gentle lilt of the Ehime dialect, is just beginning to reach full bloom… Yet, it’s already time to say goodbye. Parting […]

Now that we have traversed almost the entirety of the northwest coastal roads, let’s take a look inland at one of the multitude of routes crisscrossing the heart the prefecture, Okuiyo-Hijikawa River Cycling Course. Since it is still summer and as hot as ever, I chose a relatively leisurely ride following a meandering river from the mountains near the border to Kochi Prefecture to a familiar port town I passed through during my last ride; an almost exclusively downhill valley cruise leading to the sea. If you’re looking for a little more exercise, simply start at Nagahama Port and make your way up the valley from there. Table of Contents 　1. Starting from Kishimojin（the Goddess of Childbirth […]

Check out Race Report #01 here.https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/ Table of Contents 　1. ITOMACHI HOTEL0（Saijo City）　2. Ishizuchi Mountain’s UFO Line (Saijo City, Kumakogen Town)　3. Ozu Washi and Ukai Houseboat Cruise (Uchiko Town, Ozu City) 1. ITOMACHI HOTEL0（Saijo City） On the morning of the third day, refreshing light streamed into the hotel room, promising a good start to the day. Glimpses of the long-awaited blue sky through the window made waking up even better. The “ITOMACH HOTEL0 (Zero),” which opened in 2023 in Saijo City, is an eco-friendly complex hotel committed to low environmental impact through zero-energy operations. It features a sty […]

In mid-November, a group of international cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike travel bag. Invited by Ehime Prefecture to participate in a week-long cycling monitor tour aimed at promoting international cycle tourism, the group consisted of professional-level cyclists, including representatives from bicycle-focused travel agencies and media from North America and Australia.Over the course of seven days, we rode together around Ehime, documenting the experience in detail. This three-part series will provide a comprehensive account of the action-packed journey. What exactly does an international cycling monitor tour, a rarity in Japan, entail? Stay tuned to find out! Tex […]

Hello! I’m Noriko, a cyclist living in the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido.Winter has already arrived here. In Kitami City, where I live, the inland areas get relatively little snow, and it takes a while for it to settle permanently. Even in December, you might occasionally spot someone braving the cold to ride their bike, but seeing a road bike cutting through the wind is practically unheard of.That said, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including cycling! For riders and tourists who want to fully experience the snowy landscapes and winter flavors, I’d love to share some local highlights for this season. First up, for those who want to keep biking in the snow, let me introduce the &#8220 […]

Hello, this is Ontama Negitoro. I’m here to share the second half of our ride through the Kumano Kodo and the Kii Peninsula. We had planned a two-night, three-day ride trip, and we were able to end the first day while gazing at the mountains that felt almost divine. On the second day, we are finally heading to Kumano Hongu Taisha. The excitement is building as we approach the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage! Table of Contents 3. Following the Mountain Paths 4. Red Torii Gates and Lean Tuna 3. Following the Mountain Paths  On the first day, we planned to stay at a free campsite, and on the second day, we aimed to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha by evening, traveling along the forestry road […]

The Honolulu Century Ride has just wrapped up for this year. Following last year, it was another fulfilling day filled with breathtaking views and unexpected encounters.Many HCR participants seem to return home on flights either the night after the event or the following day. However, I hope you’ll make the most of every last moment in Honolulu. That’s why I’m here to share some exclusive tips I’ve gathered myself as GR Communication Director, just for you. First, let me introduce the Highway Inn, a spot serving authentic Hawaiian food located in the SALT complex of the Kakaʻako district, which I’ve mentioned in another article. It’s about 6 kilometers from Waikīkī, roughly […]