Échappée Tokyo
Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari to go to work, go buy groceries, pick up children from school.
Then you have the roadies riding for sport, and the fixed gear and messengers who ride for the culture.
It’s a sunny day in Autumn. I get up early for a big loop along the Tama river enjoying the view of the mountains to the West.
After the loop, I ride back into the city towards Yoyogi Park and have a chill coffee time in one of my favorite cafes.
After stopping by Blue Lug Yoyogi, I ride further west towards Ueno Ameyokocho and find a nice spot for early afternoon beer and Yakitori.
Riding in the metropolitan area of Tokyo is quite a special feeling. You sense you are in one of the world's biggest cities and you feel a part of it.
If you want to feel the urban side then the loop around the Imperial Palace is good.
Close to the key spots such as Ginza, Roppongi and Akihabara, you experience the wide open sky of Tokyo riding and then, just a few kilometers later, you become immersed in the hustle and bustle.
If you have confidence in your ability and want to enjoy long scenic cycling roads, then Inagi-city and Hachiouji-city on the riverside of Tama River are the best.
You are out of the center but the river provides an unending cycling road where you can see the city to your right, and the mountains of Yamanashi to you left.
Two of the most popular rides are the “Onekan” route and the “Okutama” route.
Because the bicycle is so deep within the culture, the fashionable part of riding a bicycle is as important as the practical use.
There is a bike messenger scene here so you can see them sliding through traffic and buildings.
There are so many bike shops varying from race-bike to city bike.
An old yet trendy neighborhood with fashionable small stores and amazing dining spots.
Exciting, feeling and discovering.
Tokyo is a city mixed both historically and culturally in different parts of the city. In Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ginza areas, you can feel like you are part of a futuristic sci-fi movie.
And the style of people there matches the atmosphere.
But areas like Asakusa with the old temples and shrines or Yanaka and Nezu are where you can find quiet local streets, beautiful small shops and street vendors.
In the Koto District, east of the city center is a shrine named "Tomioka-Hachimangu". This is the best street food spot, everything from Takoyaki and Yakisoba to all kinds of small authentic Japanese desserts.
Tomioka-Hachimangu is also famous for being the birthplace of Sumo-wrestling.