A great bilingual cycling guide: Cycling Japan

Rumors, lies fill void left by police in Furlong case

It is one of the more ugly tasks in journalism: trying to extract a quote from a bereaved family after a violent death. By the time I called Nicola Furlong's mother on May 25, she had learned that her 21-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted and probably throttled by a stranger in a city 10,000 km away. Her voice was weary but polite. "Let […]

Domestic output at high risk: Toyoda

Unless competitive barriers such as the strong yen and high corporate tax are eased as soon as possible, the nation's automakers may not be able to keep building cars in Japan, newly appointed Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Chairman Akio Toyoda said Monday. "It is not just about exchange rates, but if we continue to face these critical […]

Osaka: What do you think of Mayor Toru Hashimoto's latest crackdowns on political activities by Osaka employees — and on those city workers with tattoos?

Kim Mangialaschi, 47English teacher (American)It's ironic that he's cracking down on tattoos when a lot of his supporters probably have them! Who cares if people have tats? I guess he could refuse to hire new workers with tattoos if he wanted, but those already with them should not be punished. He should focus on more important business. Chie Wasa, […]

Moms here also face custody torment

As Japan's ratification of an international treaty that helps settle international child custody disputes awaits Diet approval, some mothers are dealing with the distress of their non-Japanese spouses taking their children abroad at the last minute. These women face difficulties in enlisting wide support, as the issue of "parental abductions" […]

Fukui governor asks why Oi reactors should be restarted

Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa on Monday asked Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to directly explain why two idled reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear plant in the prefecture should be restarted. "It will lead to creating a sense of security among the public if the prime minister directly declares to citizens that the reactivation (of the re […]

A great bilingual cycling guide: Cycling Japan

CIMG2054 Cycling Japan by Takashi Niwa: 10 of the Best Rides is a compact, picture-filled cycling guide good for anyone searching for ideal long rides. Each chapter starts with an overview of a multiple day ride, with main points numbered in red which also appear on the map and next to pictures for easy reference. Not only basic points such as trip distance, starting points, and town lists are given, but also an elevation chart is illustrated, making it easier to gauge the difficulty of each day’s journey. The maps are printed with both Japanese and English on each page. It’s advisable to bring along a more detailed map for navigating towns or tricky interchanges.

The best element of this guide are the pictures. The pictures really give you a good feel for each place. If you are short on time or simply lost on how to plan for your next trip, simply flipping through the pictures of this book can lead to an inspired journey.

In August of this year I planned a trip around the Tohoku chapter of this book and was not disappointed. The journey up the Shimo Kita peninsula was abound in incredible ocean views and quiet roads. To paraphrase what Niwa states in his book: a journey is defined by the roads that you take. The route chosen in that chapter gives credence to those words.

Cycling Japan is produced by Tokyo Chizu Publishing Co.,Ltd 東京地図出版 and sold in major book stores in Tokyo.