As January nears its end, bringing up stories from the holiday season might feel a bit stale, but how did you all ring in the New Year?Some may have spent the time tidying up for a fresh start. Others might have wrapped up the year with one final ride and taken a well-deserved breather. There are countless ways to spend the year’s end.Meanwhile, at Cape Soya, the northernmost tip of Hokkaido, travelers from all over Japan—by car, motorcycle, bicycle, and even on foot—gathered, braving the biting cold and huddling together, eagerly awaiting the New Year.Just thinking about it gives me chills… This time, I’ll share a glimpse of the unique way people welcome the New Year at Japan’s […]

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! 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 […]

Hello everyone, I am Yuya Ishizuka, a cycling guide covering the entire Hokkaido region with a focus on Sapporo. Today, I’ll be introducing you to a scenic cycling route that embodies the essence of Hokkaido, stretching around Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido.

Hello, I’m Noriko, a cyclist from Kitami City, Hokkaido, Japan. This time, I would like to introduce a ride course in the captivating region of Okhotsk, which offers plenty of charm, including delicious treats, during the early summer.

On the first weekend of July, two cycling events were held in the Niseko area of Hokkaido. One is the Niseko Classic, a UCI-sanctioned citizens’ race, and the other is the Niseko Yotei Fun Ride, a loop around Mt. Yotei. With many entrants from overseas, the two-day event had a rich international flavor that is typical of Niseko.

The Niseko Classic has become so popular that there was a waiting list of over 100 people. 4 categories of 49 years old and under are eligible for the UCIGFWS for the 140km course (elevation gain: 2,362m) and 5 categories of 50 years old and over for the 70km course (elevation gain: 1,125m); all other categories are open to participants. It is interesting to note that the 70km course attracted the largest number of participants in this category, namely those aged 19-49, an open category not covered by the UCIGFWS. This is probably an indication that many people want to genuinely enjoy road racing regardless of participation rights.

Now, one of the fun parts of a fun ride is the refreshments at the aid stations. AEON Hokkaido was a special sponsor of this event, and a large amount of AEON PB jellies, drinks, bananas, and other items were distributed to support the participants’ run.