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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Japan Third Best Country for Cycling

Kyoto Biking日本は世界の第3自転車大国

Japan has been selected as the third best country for cycling in the world.

Uber cycling blog Copenhagize writes that Japan ranks after Denmark and Holland as the best place to cycle in the world.

Who knew?

Germans, and others, would probably beg to differ. However, the blog has the basic facts right:

Japanese cities have wonderful bicycle parking infrastructure (though little in the way of dedicated lanes); cycling is a part of the Japanese DNA; everyone cycles; bicycles are not toys but practical tools, and have been for decades; and, in spite of the chaos on the streets and sidewalks, there is little conflict.

Here is a longer quote:

It is quite amazing to me how many aren't aware that Japan is the third great cycling nation after DK and NL. Even urban mobility colleagues often say, "really?" when I highlight this fact.

This film is a long series of clips that show what kind of bicycle nation Japan is. It's all there. Sorry. Yet another country (and it's an automobile powerhouse, a rich country, a country with cities that have narrow streets, etc etc) to either make other cities feel hopelessly insecure or... further empowered to catch up.

Be sure to click over to the Vimeo page to read the text from the guy who made it. He's had enough of sub-cultural bicycle niches. He wants Bicycle Society.

Here's an excerpt:

"According to my crude interpretation/analogy a society that cycles is more equal to the one that doesn’t.


Here in Japan grannies do it, kids do it, salary men do it, so do Yankees, the yakuza, teachers, nurses, office ladies, students, fashionistas, moms carrying an entire family, farmers, delivery men, chefs, the police, old men do it slowly with their knees sticking out, fixies, hipsters, local councilors, udon deliverers, students and anime characters do it too.

And they do it on the footpath and without fancy lyrca, fancy bikes and helmets too. They just do it. People cycle because it makes sense.

And it’s not that they don’t like their cars in Japan. It’s just that cycling makes sense."



The wonderful blog TokyobyBike adds a bit of meat to the article.

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Monday, January 30, 2012

Bicycle Commute Kyoto

Kyoto Bicycle Commuter自転車で通勤京都

Early morning can be rough in the saddle in Kyoto.

The city has but one or two semi-legitimate bicycle paths - Gojo Dori, Kujo Dori, and a few very wide sidewalks (Horikawa) - and when the traffic is at its busiest it can get tight out there.

Add to that the winter cold, and you have an invigorating morning.

Kyoto is not nearly as cold as, say, New York, or much of northern Europe, but the cold here has a real bite.

It stings the face and creeps inside even the best bicycle gloves.

This photo - taken quickly with a cell phone camera - is of a salaryman (?) heading across one of the bridges near Demachiyanagi Station (the Eiden Station can be seen in the background).

He is headed perhaps towards the Imperial Palace or Doshisha University - and is cold.

Like much of Japan, Kyoto has a wonderful parking infrastructure. There are at least three bicycle parking lots within two minutes walk of this photo. All serve the Demachiyanagi Station.

Many commuters first get on the bike, then ride the train.

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

This Week in World Cycling 29 January 2012

tofu seller bike kyoto今週のサイクリング2012年01月29日

'Cross Up' indoor cyclocross event coming to The Lumberyard, February 4 The Oregonian

London plans 'classic' cycle road race to rival European events BBC

Garmin women rescued with AA Drink-Leontien.nl partnership Cycling News

Thierry Mariani enfourche la cause du vélo Libération

El determinismo de un atasco El Pais

就在夏朗德展开绿色之旅 Caijing

二足歩行ロボットを自転車に乗せてみた YouTube

Simon Gerrans wins Tour Down Under Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Deepest Kyoto

ディープ京都

One of the best web sites on Kyoto is Deep Kyoto.

In DK, longtime resident of Kyoto Michael Lambe covers all that is best about the ancient capital.

The site was created in June 2007:

"...as a website for Kyoto residents and tourists, introducing those good places and people that make up the modern city. The primary focus of the blog was originally on cafes, bars and restaurants of character. Food and drink, with a focus on vegetarian and organic fare, still remains a major emphasis. However, over time Deep Kyoto has grown and evolved and now you will find articles in all of the following categories: art, crafts & photography; music, dance & performance, city design & conservation; book reviews, poetry & protest; flea markets, festivals, shrines & temples; museums, parks & gardens; walks & meditations and more! Guest contributors Ian Ropke, John Dougill and Keiji Minato have expanded the blog’s scope still further with articles on Kyoto’s culture and tradition.

In addition Deep Kyoto has formed strong links with the magazine Kyoto Journal, the conservation group People Together for Mt. Ogura (P.T.O.), the Hailstone Haiku Circle, Tohoku disaster relief N.P.O. IDRO JAPAN, and most recently with the Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration who are working to preserve traditional machiya townhouses and machiya culture in this great city."

Highly, highly recommended


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Friday, January 27, 2012

Book Review The Man Who Cycled the Americas

自転車の書評

The Man Who Cycled the Americas


Mark Beaumont was not content with setting the record for fastest ride around the world.

The Man Who Cycled the Americas documents his next Herculean task:

cycling from Alaska to the tip of South America.

Even that was not enough: Beaumont scaled Denali, the highest peak in North America before setting off on the bike; and then climbed Aconcagua, in Argentina, at the other end having nearly completed the journey.

The BBC set him up with equipment and logistical support, but the rest - the pedaling, the animals, the bugs, the heat, the rain, the cold, the amazing people he meets along the way, the stunning beauty, the boredom - was all Beaumont.

The book is a great read, even for those of us happy to pedal into the hills that surround Kyoto for our taste of adventure.

Buy on Amazon USA


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Thursday, January 26, 2012

自転車で祇園へ

Gion自転車で祇園へ

Gion is the best known part of Kyoto. It is not ideal for cycling - narrow street filled with tourists - but can be done on two wheels.

Planning is key.

Cyclists should get there early. Think before 8 am or even 7 am, which is before the shops open. Once the shops open and the tour buses arrive, it is time to flee.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling Kyoto's Gion area:

Ride Gion, ride.


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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Bicycle Parking Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station Bicycle Parking京都駅駐輪

The area around Kyoto Station is still a bit nerve-wracking place to cycle. However, it has become a wee bit better in recent years.

There are better connections between the north and south sides of the station for cyclists. It is massive, so getting around it was possible but you had to know the one or two streets that had sidewalks.

In addition, bicycle parking lots have sprung up on the south side of the Station, which alleviates the fear of being towed.

Stretching for quite a distance, the lot on the Hachijo Guchi side of the Station is now fitted with the lot pictured here.

The lot is covered - so bikes stay dry - and costs the standard 150 yen/day.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Cycling Kobo-san Flea Market Toji Temple Kyoto

Toji Temple初弘法

Toji Temple is a Buddhist temple in south Kyoto at the corner of Omiya and Kujo Streets - and features the pagoda visible from the bullet train as one pulls into Kyoto Station.

It was founded in 796 C.E. and is a World Heritage Site.

In addition, on the 21st of each month, it hosts a large flea market known as "Kobo-san," in honor of Kukai who founded the temple.

Kukai's full name was Kobo Daishi, and he died on the 21st of March. Thus, the flea market takes place on the 21st. Sellers set up stalls with antiques, food, pottery, crafts, art, clothes, etc.

The first flea market of 2012 was held on Saturday, and it was cold and rainy. In spite of that, 100,000 of the faithful showed up.

On a less rainy day, it is an easy ride from Kyoto Station or central Kyoto.

It is similar to but perhaps a bit more religious in feeling and offerings than the flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. That flea market is held on the 25th of every month.

Toji Temple
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Monday, January 23, 2012

Kyoto Municipal Museum and Heian Torii

Heian Torii Gate平安神宮鳥居と京都市立美術館

After passing by the gates of the Kyoto Zoo, we rode along the canal that separates the street and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art.

In the distance is the largest torii gate in Japan.

Spanning the road that runs between the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art and, across the street, the Museum of Modern Art is the Heian Shrine Torii gate.

It was built in 1929, it is 24.2 meters high (79 feet); the top rail is 33.9 meters (111 feet) long.

This is in the Okazaki area of Kyoto, which is filled with museums and temples.

It is a 10-15 minute ride from downtown Kyoto.

Another view of the gate can be seen at the top of this blog.

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

This Week in World Cycling 22 January 2012

tofu seller bike kyoto今週のサイクリング2012年01月22日

CITY ROOM; Popularity of Bike Tour Leads to Changes New York Times

Why Britain's cyclists were the real team of 2011 BBC

Slow or fast? A cycling double life Guardian

National champions to show off jerseys at penultimate World Cup Cycling News

Aquabike : à quoi bon pédaler sous l'eau ? Rue89

La velocidad de la ciudad del futuro El Pais

中国极限自行车攀爬湖州比赛.flv YouTube

チャリドリフト2  bike drift2 YouTube

Tour Down Under 5th stage Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Cycling Insho Domoto Museum Kyoto

Domoto Museum自転車で堂本印象美術館

In western Kyoto, near Ritsumeikan University, is the qutie quirky Insho Domoto Museum of Art .

The Insho Domoto Museum was founded in 1966, and is home to the works of the painter Insho Domoto. It also holds periodic exhibits.

Insho Domoto was born in Kyoto in 1891. After graduation from the Kyoto City School of Arts and Crafts, he began working in Nishijin, where he designed obi and kimono.

He left work in Nishijin and entered the Kyoto Municipal Special School of Painting to become a Nihonga painter.

Domoto's oeuvre contains many paintings of European cities, though done in a Japanese style.

The museum is located across the street from Ritsumeikan University in northwest Kyoto. It is close to the Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji Temple.

The building would not look out of place in Barcelona's Park Guell.

Address
26-3 Kamiyanagi-cho, Hirano Kita-ku, Kyoto
Tel. 075 463 0007

Hours
9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 pm); 500 yen for adults.


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Friday, January 20, 2012

Electric Powered Bicycle Kyoto

Kyoto Mama Chari電動自転車京都ママチャリ

This is a typical if high end bicycle that can be seen in Japan.

It is a souped up "mama chari" bicycle.

"Mama" means mother; "chari" is slang for bicycle.

These bikes are ubiquitous in Japan. They are used by all ages and both sexes.

However, the image of the typical rider is of a mother on her way to the super market, with one kid in the seat on the back and another up front.

A typical Mamachari has a bended top tube so that it is easy to mount. It also features a front basket, a rear rack, mud guards, an automatic light (if you pedal it comes on when it is dark thanks to a light sensor and motor on the front wheel), a chain cover, and a kickstand.

They are easy to ride and very practical.

This model would with the electric motor and two child seats probably cost more than 100,000 yen (about $1300).


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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Book Review Cyclepedia A Century of Iconic Bicycle Design

自転車の書評

Cyclepedia: A Century of Iconic Bicycle Design


For all the possible ways to cycle, there s a bicycle that will suit that need.

Cyclepedia: A Century of Iconic Bicycle Design is an homage to the beauty of the bike, in its myriad forms.

Cyclepedia highlights the innovations and influence of bicycle design over the past one hundred years.

Michael Embacher, an avid collector and fan of two-wheeled transport, takes the reader on a tour of 100 bicycles.

The bikes range from top-end racing bikes and high-tech hybrids to the strangely specific (e.g., the bike designed to be used on ice).

The book is beautifully photographed. Moreover, it comes with lists of components, and detailed information ion each of the bikes.

A great read for those with an interest in bicycles and the design thereof.

Buy on Amazon USA


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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

自転車で嵐山から大覚寺へ

Daikakuji Temple自転車で大覚寺へ

Arashiyama is a great part of Kyoto, and a great place to cycle - if planned well.

It is flat and well-paved, and if one avoids the crowds during peak season it is a sweet ride.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling from the center of Arashiyama to Daikakuji Temple:

Ride Arashiyama, ride.


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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Kyoto University Museum Giorgio Vasari Exhibit

Kyoto University Museumジョルジョ・ヴァザーリのウフィツィ:建築とその表現

Giorgio Vasari (1511 - 1574) was a noted Italian painter, writer, historian, and architect.

Vasari today is best known for his biographies of Italian artists, and he is considered the founder of scholarly art history writing.

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Vasari's birth, the Kyoto University Museum is displaying architectural models and other works related to the Uffizi Museum in Florence.

The exhibit also focuses on Vasari's work as an architect.

Vasari is not well known in Japan. This is wonderful opportunity for those not familiar with a titan of Italian art and architecture to learn. For those already versed in Vasari's work, this is a great chance to become reacquainted.

The exhibit runs through February 5th.

Kyoto University MuseumInformation

Kyoto University Museum
Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan


Hours: 9:30 - 16:30 (last entry 16:00)

Fee: 400 yen for adults

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Cyclist Ticketed in New York

ニューヨークで自転車専用レーンに乗らず交通違反のビデオ

Don't try this at home.

Mad cyclist Casey Neistat vents on YouTube for cycling outside of a bike lane.

There are buses, cars, people, trash cans - you name it - in the lane.

It is raining, but the cop still finds cause to ticket the woeful biker.

Funny and mad as hell.

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Sunday, January 15, 2012

This Week in World Cycling News 15 January 2012

tofu seller bike kyoto今週のサイクリング2012年01月15日

The Hands That Steer Are Building the Bikes New York Times

Mark Beaumont Cycling the Americas Blog BBC

Is this the start of cyclist pressure on Westminster? Guardian

Canadian and Swiss teams selected for Cyclo-cross Worlds Cycling News

Trop chou : le Tour de France en miniature Rue89

Todos somos 'commuters' El Pais

浙江温岭摩托警车为领导自行车开道 Caijing

歩道で自転車一方通行、神奈川で初実験 YouTube

Cyclist Basso will compete in Giro d’Italia Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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Saturday, January 14, 2012

View of Pacific Ocean

Yaezu Shizuoka太平洋景色

The view of the Pacific as the sun sets over the Izu Peninsula is framed by a tight valley in Yaezu.

In early January, the light was often weak but always beautiful.

The air and temperature and climate are all more clement than Kyoto.

At this time of year, cycling in Kyoto means stinging wind on your exposed cheeks, fingers encased in thick gloves but still frozen to the bone.

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Book Review Wit Wisdom and Wanderings

自転車の書評

The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings


This is a to paean to the humble bicycle.

Twenty-five bike folk have penned essays devoted to their beloved tool.

Contributors include Thomas Hylton, a Pulitzer Prize winner; Dirt Rag publisher Maurice Tierney: Richard Fries, publisher of Bike Culture; an interview with Lance Armstrong's coach Chris Carmichael; several essays from Gianna Bellofatto.

In addition, Ted Katauskas; Mason St. Clair; author Theresa Russell; and Andy (Ask the Mechanic) Wallen have also joined the effort.

There are also many cartoons throughout.

A funny and poignant bike book for the converted.


Buy on Amazon USA


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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Pine Tree Shizuoka Japan

Yaezu Shizuoka松の木静岡

While on a recent trip to a hot spring, we gazed out over the Pacific Ocean with the Izu Peninsula in the distance.

Below us was a classic image: the wind-blown, slightly gnarled but picture perfect pine tree.

It could have been plucked from a Hokusai painting.

Indeed, Hokusai must have been fairly close to Yaeze - the town where we stayed - when he painted his Mount Fuji works, some of which are now on display in Kyoto.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bicycle Insurance Japan

自転車保険

Insurance for cyclists is now available in Japan.

Major insurance companies are capitalizing on the rise of traffic accidents involving cyclists - and court decisions in which victims of accidents were awarded large sums to be paid by the offending cyclist.

In 2010, according to Japan's National Police Agency, there were 2,760 traffic accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. In addition, there were 3,796 accidents involving two (or more) bicycles.

Among those entering the insurance market are au Insurance, KDDI and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance company, and Mistui Sumitomo.

Mitsui is selling its premiums at 7-11 stores nationwide.

There are various plans and premiums start at 100 yen a month.

Before signing up, though, cyclists should first check if other insurance policies they own cover accidents while cycling.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Mount Fuji

Yaezu Shizuoka富士山

A recent trip east to a hot spring afforded distant views of Mount Fuji.

Japan's iconic mountain - a volcano waiting to blow, according to experts - can be seen in the distance.

It has been warm in eastern Japan this fall and early winter, so only the peak is covered in snow. Normally, the entire mountain would be white by this time of year.

This photo is taken from a hot spring in Yaezu, Shizuoka.

The area is known for its balmy climate, fabulous sea food, fresh produce - and of course its views of Mt. Fuji.

While at the hot spring, an annual "mama chari" bicycle race took place near Fuji-san.

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Cycling Byodoin Temple Uji Kyoto

Byodoin Temple自転車で平等院へ

Byodoin Temple, in Uji, is one of Japan's best known temples.

It was first built in 998 C.E. as a rural villa for Fujiwara no Michinaga, a member of the Fujiwara clan.

Byodoin was converted, in 1052, to a Buddhist temple.

In the past, Uji was a a bit like the Hamptons: a retreat away from the big city for the super rich.

The temple's most famous building, the Phoenix Hall, was built in 1053, and is the only original structure left. The others were destroyed during a civil war.

The grounds are fairly small, but the gardens are quite simple and beautiful.

In addition, the Byodoin museum has on display many of the temple's treasures.

In December 1994, UNESCO listed the temple as a World Heritage Site.

Cycling to Uji from Kyoto takes about 90 minutes, two hours if you go slow and or take breaks. Two routes are possible: along the Katsura River, then via Fushimi and Route 7; or, alternatively, going south by Tofukuji Temple and Fushimi Inari on Route 24 to Route 7.

Except for a stretch from Rokujizo heading south towards Uji, the riding is mostly good and safe. South of Rokujizo, there are places where there is no sidewalk.

Information

Byodoin Temple
Daily 9 am - 5 pm (to 4 pm in winter)

116 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021

Tel: 0774 21 2861

Admission to the grounds: 600 yen; 500 yen more for admission to Phoenix Hall


Byodoin Temple
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Sunday, January 8, 2012

This Week in World Cycling News 8 January 2012

tofu seller bike kyoto今週のサイクリング2012年01月08日

Bicycling up 58 percent in S.F. since 2006 SF Gate

Jason Kenny named world sprint champion after Bauge ban BBC

London lives: 1948 Olympic cyclist Tommy Godwin – audio slideshow Guardian

US cyclo-cross nationals: surprise January thaw creates muddy mess Cycling News

A Paris, les coursiers roulent autant que des cyclistes professionnels Rue89

El diablo sobre ruedas El Pais

仇富:富人的炫耀引来穷人的嫉妒 Caijing

中学生がひったくりを自転車で追跡、通報…逮捕 Yomiuri

Cavendish blames ‘error’ for missing test Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Kyoto Cycling Video Demachi Arcade

京都出町商店街を自転車で乗る

Demachi Arcade is one of the shorter - and more festive - shopping arcades in Kyoto.

It is usually crowded with shoppers, but after hours it can done on a bike - slowly and carefully.

More Kyoto cycling videos.



Kyoto's Demachi Shopping Arcade Route

If the map does not load when using Internet Explorer (IE) on a Windows PC, please hold down the "Control" key and refresh the page


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Friday, January 6, 2012

Book Review Japan: 6,000 Miles on a Bicycle Jitensha

自転車の書評

Japan: 6,000 Miles on a Bicycle Jitensha

This is a journey through the rural messiness, places of tremendous beauty, and concrete jungles of Japan.

Poet Leigh Norrie rode Japan for six months and 10,000 kilometers. He pedaled through every prefecture.

The book is a travelogue that documents the trials and daily banality, and the many (mostly kind) people he meets along the way.

A good read with many interesting vignettes on Japanese life.

Buy on Amazon USA


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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Cycling Manpukuji Temple Uji Japan

Manpukuji Temple自転車で萬福寺へ

Manpukuji Temple is a fascinating temple in Uji, Japan, that encapsulates much of the history of the region.

It was founded by Ingen, a Chinese monk who was the head priest at a temple in Fujian, China.

Yinyuan Longqi (aka, Ingen) founded Manpukuji in 1661, and it was led thereafter by a series of Chinese monks.

The buildings in the complex, even to the non-trained eye, appear Chinese in style.

The arrival of the priests who founded the temple took place during Japan's Period of National Isolation (sakoku), during which Japanese were prohibited from leaving Japan and foreigners were barred from entering all but a very small slice of Nagasaki.

However, the zen priest Ingen managed to enter Japan with a large entourage - and then create Manpukuji Temple.

In so doing, Chinese culture - calligraphy, painting, sculpture, tea, and architecture - were introduced to Japan.

To this day, Uji is a center of tea farming and culture, which dates to the arrival of Ingen.

Manpukuji can be cycled from central Kyoto in about one hour. For details and a map, see the Uji page.

Information

Manpukuji Shrine
34 Samban-wari, Gokanosho, Uji-shi, 611-0011
Tel: 0774 32 3900

Open 9 am to 4:30 pm daily.

Admission: 500 yen


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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

自転車で大阪をぶらぶら

Dotonbori, Osaka大阪サイクリング

Osaka is a great city for cyclists.

It is flat, laid-back, not too cold in winter, and has a lot of cycling lanes.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling Osaka:

Ride Osaka, ride.


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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Takayama Hikokuro Statue Kyoto

Samurai Takayama Hikokuro高山彦九郎

On the southeast corner of Sanjo - Kawabata, in central Kyoto, is a statue of a kneeling man.

Takayama Hikokuro (1747-1793) was born in Gunma, north of Tokyo, into a lower-class samurai family.

He is facing in the direction of the Imperial Palace, a nod to his political sensibilities.

Like many, Takayama Hikokuro came to Kyoto as a student. While in Kyoto, he was dismayed by the lessening of stature and fortunes of the Imperial Family under the then dominant military government.

Little is known of Takayama, but he spent much of the rest of his life traveling the country and calling for power to be returned to the Emperor - and in this he was a man ahead of his times. More than a half century later, Ryoma Sakamoto and his band of warriors were active in the 1860s in Kyoto - and were also attempting to restore the power of the Emperor.

The statue was first placed at Sanjo Kawabata in 1868. During World War II, in November 1944, it was melted down to be used as a bullet or jeep or factory part.

A replacement, the current statue, was erected in 1961.


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Monday, January 2, 2012

Used Book Store Teramachi Kyoto

Used book store Teramachi Kyoto中古本屋寺町京都

Just north of Kyoto City Hall on Teramachi Dori stretches one of the city's most interesting shopping areas.

South of Oike, Termachi is arcaded and also filled with quite a few quirky stores.

However, our preference is for the several blocks north from Oike to the Imperial Palace.

Among the shops is a small used book shop packed to the ceiling with old books, prints, and a map or too.

The owner was in the back, seated and deep into his newspaper.

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Sunday, January 1, 2012

This Week in World Cycling 1 January 2012

tofu seller bike kyoto今週のサイクリング2012年01月01日

Racing in Bars, Going Nowhere Fast New York Times

Get into cycling in the UK BBC

Cycling: worth the savings? Guardian

Tour Down Under call-up makes Von Hoff rethink early season goals Cycling News

Le vélo tourne autour du soleil avec Vélo Québec Voyages Vélo Québec

Sola en la oscuridad El Pais

索普领衔2011年体坛八大复出之星 Caijing

自転車ドリフト 新しい自転車で練習 YouTube

Reports: Cadel Evans, wife adopt Ethiopian child Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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