Everyone has their own idea of what an old town is.An old neighborhood. A low-lying area. A down-to-earth, working-class town.A place where you might run into Tora-san or Ryo-san.*This time, I visited Ota Ward, home to Japan’s gateway, Haneda Airport.Cross the bridge from the airport and explore by bike — you’ll soon realize this is unmistakably part of Tokyo’s old town. *Tora-san and Ryo-san are the main characters of a film and a manga series, both set in Tokyo’s old town districts. Text & Photo_Shitamachi Kombu Table of Contents Surprisingly Easy! From Haneda Airport to Kamata by BikeAnamori Inari Shrine – A Fox-Themed FavoriteKamata: One of Tokyo’s Hidden Hot Spring Districts(Bonus) […]

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 […]