Cycle Around Japan (2014)

In this edition of CYCLE AROUND JAPAN, we take you on a trip through the Izu Peninsula in spring, when the mountains are a brilliant green and the flowers are in full bloom. Our destination is the site of the World Heritage of Mount Fuji. We will tell you about the charm of Mount Fuji and spring in Japan. Located southwest of Tokyo. Izu Peninsula is a resort tourism destination in a natural setting surrounded by mountains and ocean. It is a hot spring area which is well known in Japan. It has a number of the fishing ports, visited by tourists for its mercenary fresh seafood and hot springs.

Zac Reynolds, a bicycle specialist, visits Hokkaido. His two-wheeled adventures include a ride through the stunning lavender fields of Furano, experiencing the unique Ainu culture, and tasting some of the wonderful local food. Zac also offers practical tips on bike touring.

Due to Japan's immensely varied landscape and climate, this island nation developed unique cultural traditions. Many of these are world renowned, but many more remain hidden away deep in the countryside. The best way to discover these secret places - the real Japan - is to go exploring by bicycle. This time, we'll cycle through the mountains of Gunma and Tochigi Prefecture, meeting people living the traditional way, close to nature. We'll visit 2 World Heritage Sites. The first is Tomioka Silk Mill, a landmark in the modernization of Japanese industry. Close by this monument to industrial history, we'll see silk making by hand, the traditional way. We'll visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, nestling deep in a mountain forest. Lovingly restored and repaired throughout the ages, the art of these incredible buildings shines as brightly as it did 400 years ago. We'll meet the people who work in these forests, people still in touch with the old ways of nature.

In this episode, we will take you a winter journey through Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan, to Kyoto. In the ancient capital, we will celebrate "Setsubun", one of the spring festivals. Lake Biwa serves as a reservoir for the cities such as Kyoto and Osaka. It provides drinking water for about 15 million people in the Kansai region. On the lakeside people have been enjoying unique lifestyle with abundant body of water. Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. We will visit an old temple in Kyoto, and join a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come.

In this episode of CYCLE AROUND JAPAN, we will take you to a spring journey of Noto Peninsula. The Noto Peninsula makes up the northern half of Ishikawa Prefecture, extending about 100 kilometers into the Sea of Japan. The peninsula is known for its coastal scenery, particularly along the Okunoto coast, as well as for its rural atmosphere. We will start our trip from Kanazawa where people enjoying cherry blossom, to Rokko Saki, the northernmost point of the peninsula. Because the area's public transportation is limited, a bicycle is the best way to explore the peninsula, and it allows visitors much more freedom in exploring the region's attractions such as the lacquer-making town of Wajima.

Our summer trip this year takes us on a 290km-tour of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan's former entrance to the Asian Continent since ancient times. During the Sakoku Era, when a strict nationwide policy of isolation was in place, the city thrived as a gateway to the so-called Southern barbarian trade era. This led to the blossoming of unique crafts and culture born from exposure and fusion with foreign culture. Now, 70 years after the end of World WarⅡ, we see the Nagasaki residents continuing to pray. After enduring the horrific suffering caused by the atomic bomb in 1945, the city made a remarkable recovery. This show focuses on the locals who work hard to keep those memories alive. At the end of the trip, we visit Ikitsukishima, home to some of the Christianity-related artifacts which Japan is applying to register as a World Heritage Site.

We take you to a place where you will not find in major guidebooks of Japan. It is 1,300km away from Tokyo. Amami-Oshima is an island situated in the sea between Kyushu and Okinawa Prefecture. The sea around the islands, designated as the National Park, is blessed with transparent waters, bright colored coral reefs and tropical fish, and is known as a fantastic diving spot. This subtropical island is home to several rare or endangered endemic animals and plants. In addition to that, it is warm during winter. We will start our cycle trip from the northern part of the island where the Amami Airport is located. You will meet the people inherit original island's culture, such as island songs, and Oshima Tsumugi, the traditional high-quality hand-craft. Please join us, on this 330km journey around southern wonder island, Amami-Oshima!

In this new episode of CYCLE AROUND JAPAN, we will recommend a journey that you may start cycling as soon as you arrived at Japan. Our destination of this episode is Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. Chiba Prefecture is located directly east of Tokyo. A large part of the prefecture is made up of the Boso Peninsula which shields Tokyo Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Actually, Narita International Airport is located northern part of this peninsula, so we will start our trip from this airport. Chiba is known as the bed-town-area for Tokyo, but once you get past the cities and watch the sharp descent into rural countryside of sprawling rice fields, rolling hills and striking coastlines, you will realize why Boso Peninsula has been variously called "Tokyo's Breadbasket" for long time. Then, we will ride along the Pacific coast line where is dotted with many traditional fishing villages, and young surfers from Tokyo are attracted by the waves.

This time, CYCLE AROUND JAPAN takes us to Iwate, a large prefecture on the Pacific coast in the Tohoku region.

This episode features the Yaeyama islands in Okinawa Prefecture, where the lifestyle that has existed since ancient times is still strong. The trip is filled with discoveries, including the sabani boats of Ishigaki island made from logs, the exquisite scenery of Taketomi island, and a woman who carries on the tradition of minsa fabric. A stop on Hateruma leads to the island's only school, where kids from kindergarten to junior high study together. Immerse yourself in a 4-day journey through nature and culture.

This time we visit Toyama Prefecture in the Hokuriku region. Toyama is about 2 hours from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen. Bordered by the Sea of Japan to the north and the 3,000-meter Tateyama mountains to the south, this has been a fertile and prosperous area since ancient times. We'll climb into the deep mountains to visit villages that preserve the old ways of life, adapted to surviving and prospering in a harsh environment. The Gokayama region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, they are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. The climax of the trip is a festival in Yatsuo that's been held continuously for over 300 years. Slow, graceful dancing that will touch your heart.

In this new episode of CYCLE AROUND JAPAN, we will recommend a journey that you may start cycling from Tokyo, the Japanese capital. We will take you to the popular towns such as Yokohama, Kamakura and Hakone. And our final destination will be Izu-Oshima, a volcanic island under the administration of Tokyo. Izu-Oshima is located about 100 kilometers south of the metropolitan Tokyo. The island is a popular tourist destination, especially for those in Tokyo seeking a cycle ride. At the heart of Izu-Oshima is the Mount Mihara (758m), an active volcano which is the source of several interesting sites and various hot springs on the island. Izu-Oshima is also known for its Tsubaki, camellia flowers, which can be spotted almost everywhere from around January through March. Oil extracts from Tsubaki seeds are used in popular hair and skin products that have become famous nationwide under the Oshima Tsubaki brand. Please join us a cycle ride to the volcanic island "One Step from Tokyo"!

Kumamoto Prefecture is the stage for cycling this time. The area, in the center of the island of Kyushu, is recovering from an earthquake last year. The program starts in the city of Kumamoto and works its way around the Amakusa island chain. It then heads for Mount Aso, where one of the world's largest volcanic craters is located. Meet the people and see the sights of this 4-day, 300km bicycle journey.

Ehime Prefecture is located on the island of Shikoku. We will start our spring journey from the prefectural capital Matsuyama, which is best known for its castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs. Facing the Bungo Channel that separates Kyushu from Shikoku, the coastline offers great scenery such as the Danbata terraced field. Uwajima, one of the coastal cities is known for the traditional bull fight events that it stages 5 times a year. We will visit the spring bull fight fest. Our final destination is Shikoku Karst, the mountain plateau on the border of Ehime Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture with an altitude of around 1,400 meters.

In this episode we will take you to northern country, Akita Prefecture in Tohoku region. We will start our journey from Kakunodate, the town is famous for its samurai tradition and its hundreds of weeping cherry trees, Shidare-zakura. Spring in Akita is marked by the melting of winter snows, feeding the hills and fields with moisture. The people of Akita have discovered many ways to take advantage of the region's bountiful nature. Our journey will bring us in contact with the unique cultural traditions borne from that nature and world-famous dog breed, the Akita Inu. It will be a 330-kilometer ride through a northern land emerging from its long winter and feeling the first breath of spring.

Australian Paul Salisbury takes on the challenge of a 2,000-meter peak in Nagano Prefecture. The Japan Alps mountain pass provides breathtaking views to inspire him onward and upward. Off the bike, Salisbury experiences traditions such as the harvesting of wasabi plants in pristine waters and the making of baskets from wild bamboo. All in all, he travels 300 kilometers across the verdant ridges and valleys of Nagano, finding new encounters around every bend.

In this episode of CYCLE AROUND JAPAN, we will take you amidst the autumn colors in Hokkaido. Starting from Asahikawa, the 2nd largest city in Hokkaido, we will ride toward the Shiretoko Peninsula, the World Heritage Site.

This trip will take you to the westernmost part of the island of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture that is surrounded on 3 sides by the sea. Our rider will enjoy cycling along a beautiful coastline. On the road, he will meet a family that has grown Japanese pears in the orchard for generations. Finally, he'll visit Hagi City, the old castle town that has a historical atmosphere. You'll experience its unique culture born in the samurai society. Let's join the 3-day bicycle journey.

Come along on a 550-kilometer bike ride through the grand scenery of Japan's northernmost prefecture. The city of Hakodate offers a mix of cultural influences from east and west. Down the road, a fishing village keeps busy in summertime with kombu kelp drying. The trip includes stops at a dairy farm and a watermelon patch, evidence of the close connection between the people and the land. As we'll see, Hokkaido is a place where nature takes its course.

This trip takes us to the southern part of Honshu, Wakayama Prefecture, a mountainous area filled with natural beauty. The landscape stimulates the senses with lush greenery and pristine streams. Our traveler rides through sacred sites steeped in history, such as the mountaintop town of Koyasan and Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Wakayama is also Japan's top producer of premium fruit, including sweet persimmons and pickled plums, which will have your mouth watering on this 3-day bicycle journey.

In this episode, we feature Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its lush nature and Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest peak, a major attraction for tourists from Japan and abroad. Our traveler takes the old Tokaido road which connects Edo and Kyoto, a route used for over 400 years since the Edo era. Today, locals welcome him with hospitality and local favorites. He enjoys a hot stew called "Oden" and delicious green tea, and discovers traditional dyed handicrafts. Join us on this 3-day journey in Shizuoka!

Our journey takes us to Shimanami in the Seto Inland Sea, an area dense with islands. In 1999, the Shimanami Kaido was opened, consisting of 70 kilometers of highways and bridges linking the islands. Until then ferries had been the main means of transportation. Today, cyclists from all over the world have discovered the delights of the area. Here one can experience the slow but satisfying way of living and cultural highlights such as growing mikan oranges and drying fish. Join us on a 4-day ride, island-hopping through the Seto Inland Sea.

Miyazaki in southeastern Kyushu is famous for its warm climate year round. Our rider enjoys a scenic coastline and lush forest on his way to Takachiho, an area featured in Japanese mythology.

In this episode, our traveler visits Aichi Prefecture in central Japan. He starts in Nagoya, one of Japan's biggest cities and makes his way to idyllic views along the Pacific Coast. His goal is to catch a glimpse of distant mountains covered in blossoming plum trees. He discovers locally grown cabbage, and a fermented soybean seasoning called hama natto. He comes across unique goods like traditional tokoname yaki teapots made from rich soil and inkstones carved from mountain rocks. Join our 3-day journey and experience traditional craftsmanship and locally grown food!

Shimane Prefecture along Japan's western coastline has spectacular views of mountains ranging from east to west. Our traveler's journey begins at Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's oldest and most famous shrines. At Lake Shinji, he meets a clam fisherman who uses a unique tool. Later he encounters a veteran blacksmith and learns about traditional ironmaking and enjoys kagura, a spiritual dance performed by locals wearing masks. Join us on a 4-day trip to Shimane, where traditions are a vibrant part of daily life.

Aomori Prefecture in northern Honshu is where our traveler navigates lush mountain trails along a clear blue lake in late spring. On his way, he meets a fisherman who cultivates scallops, proud apple farmers, and traditional Tsugaru Shamisen performers who play soul music. This region embodies the spirit of perseverance of locals who've had to endure long, severe winters and the wisdom of people who live for the land. Join us on a trip through nature and experience traditions of northern Japan!

The area around "Jingu", the Grand Shrine of Ise was lively even during the Edo period, bustling with activity and entertainment while the shrine itself served as a sacred place for worshippers. This created a distinct culture. The complex terrain led to unique customs which are still cherished today. A traditional shellfish female diver "Ama" who enters the water without any breathing gear is born from necessity. Discover the local culture and other traditions on our 300km journey.

Blue skies, tranquil sea and warm people, these are what our rider experiences as he travels through Kochi Prefecture on the Pacific coast. First, he heads for a scenic coastline that is popular among cyclists. There, he enjoys a lightly roasted bonito, a local specialty. In the mountains, he meets friendly people playing field games in mud! And a washi paper art craftsman demonstrates the beauty of mountain living. After riding along the Shimanto River, he gets a feel for an old pilgrimage known as Shikoku Henro. Join us on our 370km journey.

Hokkaido Prefecture's vast open spaces have always been a cyclist's dream! Through the Tokachi Plain and Kushiro Wetland, our rider enjoys a journey through wilderness. He meets younger generations who find opportunities in fertile farming land. Around huge Lake Kussharo, he finds an open-air hot spring bath. Nothing beats bathing after a long ride! He also discovers the traditional culture of the Ainu, indigenous people and meets an Ainu artist. Join us on a 470km trip in the land of opportunity!

Our rider heads to Aizu, which is high in the Fukushima mountains and where autumn has arrived. He steps back in time when he visits an old village steeped in tradition; join us on our 300km journey!

Take in the tropical breeze and blue ocean while cycling around Miyako, a group of 8 islands in Okinawa Prefecture. Our cyclist explores the biggest one and samples local specialties including Shima-dofu, a kind of tofu made with seawater. San-shin, a traditional instrument made from the ebony tree is a key tool for playing folk songs loved by locals. This adventure features island-hopping by crossing numerous bridges and walking through a mangrove forest in low tide. Join us on this beautiful journey!

Kagoshima Prefecture, known as the land of brave samurai, was called Satsuma in ancient days. Our cyclist takes in scenic views on his ride along the sea and an active volcano. He discovers jars filled with a local specialty, fermented black vinegar, which make a tart and powerful beverage. In the mountains, he meets a craftswoman who revives old, beautiful buttons. He then finds a secret martial art inherited from samurai. Discover the spirit of this historic land on our 290km ride through Satsuma.

Take in the crisp air as we make our way around Mt. Fuji and surrounding lakes for a perfect winter bike ride. Our cyclist Michael picks the best trails on this challenging journey, which includes crossing a steep mountain to get scenic views of Japan's tallest peak. He also takes a fat bike tour through snowy mountains. Finally, he is rewarded with local lessons on the importance of preserving old ways and the environment. Join us on this 230-kilometer winter ride.

This three-day, 360km trip takes us from lowland Gifu Prefecture and its blossoming cherry trees north into the snow-covered central mountains. We'll visit a traditional swordsmith to watch him forge katana blades from living flame, a hillside town built on water, and forests with wood of such quality it inspired some of Japan's finest artisans. A final adventure involves our cyclist in a 200-year old tradition of amateur village kabuki, one of the many ways people have found to enjoy life in the remote mountains.

A 360km ride through the high mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, with a cyclist on his first long road trip. An interest in Eastern philosophy has drawn our traveler to the Three Mountains of Dewa, legendary abode of the gods. From a landscape of flowering cherry trees, we ride into the snow-capped mountains to meet a veteran artisan of Japanese chess pieces. On Mt. Haguro, we're guided up the sacred peak by a Yamabushi mountain ascetic. Finally, we help a free-spirited falconer train his raptor in the snowy wilderness.

Oita Prefecture was known since ancient times as the "Land of Plenty." But why? English cyclist James Hobbs looks for answers on a 3-day, 350-km ride through this southern region. His interest captured by a mysterious sight in a mountain forest, he learns the skill and effort required to cultivate quality mushrooms. Down by the coast, by a fertile sea filled with islands, he experiences Oita ingenuity first hand. And on one of the tiny islands, he meets a young couple who are its hope for the future.

In a 150-km summer cycle ride, Michael Rice explores the remote Oki Islands, deeply forested and surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Sea of Japan. Riding in his triathlon gear, he's ready for a dip whenever Nishinoshima's beaches offer the chance. On Nakanoshima, he meets the 48th descendant of a proud family that looked after an exiled former emperor 8 centuries ago, and still cares for his tomb. And on Dogo, the largest island, he tries his hand at traditional Oki sumo wrestling.

A 250-km ride through Niigata Prefecture, its green rice fields shimmering under the summer sun. From an artisan in hammered copper we learn about the long road to mastery, while in the paddy fields we see the hottest, hardest part of the rice growing season. Climbing up into the mountains, we'll experience a traditional style of river fishing and visit a breeder whose Nishikigoi carp are now world famous, 2 stories of hard work and cooperation rebuilding lives and businesses destroyed by natural disasters.

Miyagi Prefecture is a beautiful part of Japan, and in autumn its seas and mountains are at their most scenic. Towns along this coast that were devastated by the great tsunami in 2011 have now almost completely been restored. Throughout this 300-km cycle adventure, we'll encounter the irrepressible spirit of people who shrugged off disaster and the loss of loved ones to rebuild their lives, as we visit a workshop making salt the ancient way and a local festival that kept spirits high when times were tough.

This 300-km autumn ride starts from the great international port of Kobe. Cycling across the mountains to explore Hyogo Prefecture's inland areas, we discover some unique local cultures. We learn how a farming couple rescued a rare and tasty type of bean, meet the last craftsman making a castle town's traditional wicker trunks, ride along a scenic coast with a cycling team of local innkeepers and merchants, and find out how a husband and wife team put their tiny country smokehouse on the world gourmet map.

Our New Zealand cyclist begins his ride through Tottori Prefecture with a fat bike tour of its spectacular 16-km long sand dunes. In the mountains, he drops in to a high school calligraphy club where he is hugely impressed by the way these young girls have created a powerful performance using traditional brush calligraphy and music. Returning to the coast, he's amazed by hearing from farmers how their ancestors' hard work and inventiveness produced techniques for growing food in sand. Join us, and discover this unique part of Japan.

Our ironman cyclist Michael sets off from Osaka. Leaving the giant city, he tackles the challenge of Japan's steepest road on his way to historic Nara, site of the capital 1,300 years ago. As he rides through this tranquil countryside, he dives into a world of myth -- from Nara's sacred forest, brilliant with the colors of fall, he travels south to a land teeming with prehistoric burial mounds. Here, where ancient rulers slept for millennia, the old wisdom still shows us how to live in harmony with nature.

This 400km winter cycle trip takes us through Ibaraki Prefecture. At Lake Kasumigaura, our cyclist plunges into freezing water to help a husband and wife harvest lotus roots. After hill climbing on Mt. Tsukuba, he visits a historic kendo hall and a workshop where 2 brothers make fine armor the traditional way. Whether it's an old couple crafting heirloom brooms, or hotel brothers experimenting with fishermen's cuisine, Ibaraki families know the value of working together.

Riding up Tanegashima's western coast with its sandy beaches, our cyclist visits a scissor craftsman, last of a 500-year old tradition. The east coast takes him past rocks carved by the ocean into fantastic shapes to Japan's biggest space center. Local schools here host children from all over the country for a year to learn about space and experience island life. Finally, he crosses to legendary Yakushima to explore its millennia-old forests and discover how nature inspires its islanders.

Selected moments from past trips to Japan's smaller islands, exploring their unique cultures and ways of life. Riding a scenic cycling route spanning the Seto Inland Sea, we learn how an island community's hopes for the future rest on the students of their tiny school. On the Oki Islands off Japan's west coast, we stand atop its awesome cliffs before getting hands-on in an island sumo ring, and on southern Miyakojima, we taste the ocean in the local tofu and the island's history in its traditional music.

Selected moments from rides in the north country, cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in fall. In Aomori Prefecture, northernmost part of Japan's main Honshu island, we encounter its traditional tenacity of spirit in young children learning to master the local style of shamisen playing. In neighboring Akita Prefecture, children sing songs handed down for generations, tales of fishermen, their families and the sea. Finally, in Fukushima Prefecture, we see how Aizu still lives by the code of its mountain samurai clan, famed for staying true to their principles.

Facing the Seto Inland Sea, sunny Kagawa Prefecture historically overcame a lack of natural resources and water through skill and hard work. Despite having no local bamboo or paper, Kagawa artisans created paper fans famed for their quality. Bonsai grow well in this dry climate, and Kagawa's have won fans worldwide. After a taste of Wasanbon sweets, prized for centuries for their delicate sweetness, we cross to a small island to sample soy sauce made the traditional way. A trip of tough but rewarding climbs, reflecting the spirit of Kagawa.

14,000km. That's how far our cyclists have ridden around Japan. We've chosen the most invigorating scenes as well as new footage for you to enjoy. Cycle through the changing seasons - the blossoms of spring, summer's verdant green, the brilliant colors of autumn and winter's snowy landscapes. And then see how these landscapes were shaped by farming communities in harmony with the sea, rivers and mountains. Touring by cycle isn't just the most exhilarating way to go, it also gives you the closest look at the land.

On these rides, we've often met people who battled hard times to emerge stronger than before. We've heard stories of overcoming natural disasters and disease, of a doctor taking on the challenge of singlehandedly caring for the elderly population of a remote mountain village and of how one young woman is raising a family on a tiny island, ensuring a future for its aging community. In this special episode, we get back in touch to hear their inspiring accounts of coping with the current pandemic.

From Shibuya's newest skyscraper to nearby Shinjuku, where a man in a tiger mask cycles the city streets. Why did he choose such a life? After he introduces us to Shinjuku's lively back alleys, we ride west into a surprisingly natural landscape. By a tranquil river, we meet an artisan reviving a 200-year old dyeing craft, and in a mountain forest a far-sighted woodsman explains his ecological approach. City and society change with the times, but these are people holding fast to their chosen paths in life.

In this episode, we send 2 cyclists to explore some lesser known parts of Tokyo as they compete in our special bingo game. They have 2 days to find typical items and places in the city that correspond to squares on their cards. Pursuing this quest they discover little known facts about the city, see how a popular traditional snack is made, visit a boatyard that's been making wooden craft for 200 years and a family farm hidden among suburban houses, and play along with an ingenious drum maker.

The mountain ranges known as the Japanese Alps are a spectacular backdrop to our ride across Nagano Prefecture, its forests glowing with the late autumn colors. With many 3,000m peaks, Nagano is popular with climbers and we're given a brief taste by a world-class mountain guide. We'll meet people drawn to live here by the forests, including a man who left a top cabinet making career in Tokyo to craft uniquely distinctive furniture from these wild trees, and a group of friends who devote their spare time to caring for the woods.

In the city of Hiroshima we visit a community where the families who survived the devastation of the atomic bomb in the Second World War managed to revive their traditional farming specialty. In the islands to the south, we meet a potter uniquely making glazes from cast-off oyster shells, and in the mountains, a farmer tells of his passion for making animals happy. The last individual we encounter who has stuck to his own path in life is a carver of traditional instruments seeking the perfect sound.

After 30 years in Japan, Michael Rice recently settled in Odawara, where he runs a cycling cafe. He shows us Odawara Castle, and introduces artisans making traditional local specialties such as Kamaboko fish paste and paper lanterns. After Yabitsu Pass, a popular day trip for Tokyo cyclists, Michael explores nearby places he has yet to visit, including Manazuru, a small town on this beautiful coast known for its easy-going lifestyle and commitment to guarding the surrounding unspoiled nature.

Our cyclists picked 10 of their favorite scenes, and viewers voted on our website for the ones they most wanted to see again. There are 2 episodes showing the top picks, along with some previously unseen footage. In this one, we see the 2 that gained most votes overall. Interestingly, they're both about food, featuring unique regional dishes. There's an unusual type of country sashimi, and a huge pork dish from one of the southern islands.

Our cyclists picked 10 of their personal favorite scenes, and viewers voted on our website for the ones they most wanted to see again. There are 2 episodes showing the top picks, along with some previously unseen footage. In this episode, we see the 2 scenes that were most popular among Facebook and YouTube users, in which our cyclists discover a curious temple in downtown Tokyo, and learn the story behind the living jewels in Niigata Prefecure's rice paddies.

The late autumn gingko trees are a brilliant yellow in Tokyo's neighboring prefecture of Saitama. Surprisingly unexplored, this is an area of great natural beauty with its own distinct traditions. We learn how a family of dollmakers breathes life into their creations, treasured for generations. In Kawagoe, a town with the atmosphere of centuries past, we marvel at the speed and skill of an old-style candy maker. And we discover how Saitama's special climate is the secret behind a world-class whisky.

James Hobbs, living in Japan for 30 years, teaches at a medical university in Iwate Prefecture. He takes us along on some hard weekend training with cycling friends and on a camping trip with his wife to enjoy the famous evening views of Mt. Hayachine, where they show their skill at cooking local Iwate ingredients. After riding along the Sanriku coastline, James tackles a tough hill climb with a friend who describes how cycling gave him the strength to recover from the devastating tsunami of 2011.

On this winter ride through sun and snow from northern Tokyo into neighboring Chiba Prefecture, our New Zealand cyclist Paul Imperatrice encounters a variety of artists. He meets an artisan with 55 years of experience in traditional Edo embroidery who now creates his own groundbreaking designs, another who uses local rice and seaweed to craft astonishingly complex sushi rolls, and in the old castle town of Sakura, he visits a dojo where the martial arts of the samurai are taught in all their original depth.

Zac Reynolds has lived in Japan for over 20 years, and now works for a bicycle maker in Mie Prefecture. As a crossroads on the old Tokaido Highway, Mie has a unique cultural legacy. In the post station of Sekijuku, we visit a sweets store run by the descendants of a famous ninja spy. We meet young newcomers using organic farming to revitalize a country town, and on the south coast, a couple who have cultivated pearls for 45 years. This remains one of Japan's most vibrant and exciting places to live.

As the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, our cyclist Bobby rides through Tokushima Prefecture from the coast to its hidden mountain valleys. At the Naruto Straits, famous for their whirlpools, he goes out with a team of fishermen to catch cherry sea bream. High in the mountains at Kamikatsu, he finds a town where the elderly population have a thriving business cultivating plants to decorate Japanese cuisine. And in an even deeper valley, he discovers a village with an unusual approach to attracting visitors.

In early spring, Australian cyclist Zac Reynolds rides through Gunma Prefecture. Starting from the capital Maebashi, he sees a 5th century ritual atop an ancient king's burial mound before cycling up the Tone River to Itakura, famous for its catfish. In Kanna-town, he meets a master blacksmith whose hand-crafted blades are in demand nationwide. Finally, in the mountain village of Nanmoku, he talks with a young man revitalizes the area backed by the encouragement and advice of its energetic elderly inhabitants.

We set off under the bright summer sun to the coast of Fukui Prefecture. After a night with a fishing family, it's out before dawn on their boat to help with the day's catch, served up later for breakfast. Then to Echizen, center of traditional crafts, trying our hand at a unique method of decorating washi paper before meeting a master knifemaker, famous worldwide for his blades. Finally, we ride with a high school cycling team, youthful examples of the Fukui spirit of developing inner strength as the way to success.

Okayama Prefecture, known as the Land of Sunshine, is a fertile farming region. At the coastal town of Kurashiki, we meet high school students revolutionizing its famous denim, then ride to Kojima Bay to use an old-style scoop net to fish for our dinner. Deep in the countryside we find a traditional rakugo storyteller, and discover how local volunteers have restored a millennium-old terraced hillside with over 1,000 rice paddies. And finally, in an old post town we meet an artisan making inkstones for calligraphy.

A 400km ride through Kyoto - the prefecture, not the city. Farms in this lush countryside supported the ancient capital's unique cuisine and tea culture, while artisans used local wood and stone to craft tools for Kyoto artists. We take tea in an 800-year-old teahouse, go deep in the forest with a whetstone craftsman to mine for stone, experience a 1,000-year-old drumming tradition, and finally, on the Sea of Japan coast, hear the story of a mother and daughter selling fish from their mobile store.

Fukushima Prefecture, with its beautiful mountains and coastline, is home to people who have survived disaster and come out stronger. We meet a peach grower thriving again after the great 2011 quake, a family that rebuilt their seaside hotel destroyed by the tsunami, shopkeepers organizing a summer festival after a two-year pandemic gap, highschoolers continuing Fukushima's samurai horse riding legacy, and three women friends who have staffed a tiny country station together for 35 years.

Japan's pre-modern network of highways, the Kaido, is now largely forgotten. In the first of a new series, we explore the Old Hokuriku Kaido between Fukui and Niigata Prefectures, discovering unique local cultures inspired by travelers on the old highway. Visiting post stations that provided food and rest for weary voyagers, and the castle town of Kanazawa, with its wooden machiya townhouses, we also meet an artist in glass and some inventive highschoolers revitalizing their town with locally-sourced products.

In our second episode on Japan's pre-modern highway system, we follow the Nagasaki Kaido. During the Edo period (1603–1868) when the Shogunate prohibited external trade, they allowed one exception – the port of Nagasaki Prefecture. Ideas, technology, culture and goods flowed from this port along the Nagasaki Kaido to the rest of Japan. Named the "Sugar Road" after one of the most important trade goods, the old highway and those who traveled it had a lasting influence on the communities along its route.

From sea to mountains, nature in Akita Prefecture is spectacular. As we ride through the gales of late fall, we see people preparing for the long snows of winter with pickles and preserves. We visit a village where an 800-year-old lacquerware tradition uses timber made fine-grained and strong by the harsh winters. Among the rice paddies we find farmers crafting a huge straw guardian deity, and in a mountain village we meet a man living the ancient way, where everything in life is a gift from the nature gods.

A cycle tour of two remote islands that lie within Tokyo's city limits. On Niijima, we see homes built with a hard volcanic rock called Koga stone, which is also used to make glass art. Locals still carefully tend the graves of exiles banished here during samurai times, who brought education to the island. On Hachijojima, an ancient textile tradition creates complex, subtle patterns using only three colors of plant-dyed yarn. We also sample island food and learn about a much loved local newspaper.

The subtropical island of Okinawa Prefecture has an environment, climate and culture very different to mainland Japan. An independent kingdom and trading hub until the 17th century, the influence of other Asian cultures is still seen in things like traditional textile designs. We hear folk songs recalling the sufferings and troubled history of Okinawa, from the samurai conquest incorporating it into Japan to the US invasion of WWII. We also discover the secret of the Okinawans' famous longevity – the island food.

Tochigi is a lush green inland prefecture on the Kanto Plain, north of Tokyo. It's the height of spring, fields glistening with snow melt from the mountains and nature returning to life as we ride through the Nasu Highlands under hundreds of streaming carp banners, catch spawning river fish fat with eggs, learn the secrets of clay making from a Mashiko potter, and join a local festival, helping carry a hand-crafted dragon through town to ward off misfortune. Our final encounter is with a young couple committed to farming in tune with the natural cycle, even making their own soil from gathered leaves.

From Shiojiri, 2.5 hrs by train from Tokyo, we'll ride the 400-year-old Nakasendo highway that linked Edo and Kyoto. After meeting a traditional comb artisan in the post station of Naraijuku, we try green tofu in the village of Achi, and amid the rice fields of the Ina Basin, discover a tradition of crafting rice straw for use in everything from sumo rings to Shinto rituals. Climbing into the mountains, we see salt made from hot spring water, and at the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture, we scale the steep slopes of a tea plantation.

Historically Japan was famous for gold, much of it mined on Sado. The prosperity this created left the island with unique cultural traditions like its strong Noh theater. We meet an actor teaching a new generation of Noh performers, cycle Sado's beautiful coastline and spectacular mountains, paddle hangiri shallow-water fishing boats, visit a sake brewery built in an old school, and meet the man who rescued the Japanese crested ibis from extinction to Sado's current population of 500 birds.

Historically the nation's gateway to Asia, Fukuoka Prefecture is where Japan's rice-growing culture began. We meet a couple reviving their community through tourism and organic farming, a singing boatman in a city of canals and a maker of traditional fireworks. After helping villagers maintain a century-old stone bridge, we hear the history of coal in this area - once a major industry driving Japan's modernization - from the last of its miners, as he sings old songs of the harshness of life below ground.

Kochi Prefecture is known for mountains, forests and above all, rivers. On the Niyodo River, we learn a special technique for catching sweetfish so good they're mostly bought by exclusive Kyoto restaurants. We climb a steep hillside to meet a couple who irrigate their organic farm with pure mountain springwater. Historically, the highest-grade charcoal came from Kochi's oak forests, and we meet its leading charcoal maker, a man who builds his own kilns and plants new forests for the sake of future artisans.

The prefecture of Nagasaki, historically Japan's gateway to the west, has a culture influenced by centuries of foreign trade. With over 1,400 islands, it also makes for a unique cycling experience.

Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its food, some unique to late autumn and certain localities. Our gourmet cyclist explores the regional cuisine, from edible chrysanthemums to Japanese taro, turnips and salmon.

The Sanriku Coast was the area hardest hit by the massive earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Its restored communities are rediscovering their local traditions and the unique beauty of this landscape.

On Awajishima and Ieshima in the Seto Inland Sea, islanders utilize the strong winter winds and waves to enhance local specialties like sweet onions, handmade noodles, incense sticks and seaweed.

Our cyclist travels three large rivers in central Japan: the Kiso, the Nagara and the Ibi. He explores unique cultures related to the rivers, like cormorant fishing and an exciting float festival.

Our cyclist climbs the Kii Mountains in western Japan, and encounters the culture that developed on the secluded slopes. Artisans work with rare black bamboo, and make pigment using an old method.

Aomori Prefecture is beautiful, but its northern climate can be harsh. Our cyclist enjoys the warmest of welcomes in communities that historically had to cooperate closely in everything in order to survive.

A ride through Hokkaido Prefecture in early summer. We meet an artisan teaching handicrafts of the indigenous Ainu to the next generation, and a legendary trainer of an unusual horse race.

Each of the Yatsugatake highlands has a unique character. We see kids discover themselves on horseback, eat prehistoric style, go star gazing with an astronomer and explore a bird sanctuary forest.

Shizuoka Prefecture has everything from beaches to mountains, but this time our road takes us through its deep forests, from wild rides on timber trails to a wild taste experience in the birthplace of wasabi.

We picked our 10 favorite rides from previous episodes and asked our viewers to rank them. These are the results, with commentary from our cyclists, a virtual race and lots of other extras to enjoy.

In northern Niigata Prefecture, we'll see the old ways of living as we try spicy daikon radish rolls and fluffy manju buns, go gill fishing, see cat houses made from rice straw, and a lovely old lacquer craft.

Shiga Prefecture, site of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is home to centuries-old crafts like Shigaraki ware and Wana velvet. We explore an island in the lake by tricycle before climbing into the mountains.

In Ibaraki Prefecture, we explore how local wisdom has been passed down to the present day. We visit a town famous for organic farming, see how traditional silk fabric is made, and experience catching icefish.

On the islands and coast of the Yamaguchi end of the Seto Inland Sea, we experience a warm welcome in these hard-working small communities, poor in amenities but rich in happiness and human kindness.

On an early spring ride around the base of this extensive mountain range, we meet an artisan making traditional snowshoes, a family making salmon trout sushi, and villagers picking medicinal herbs.

In Kumamoto, we meet people who cherish their ancestry and nature, such as a traditional inlay artisan, a group passing on the history of the building of an embankment, and a brown cattle breeder.

We travel the Izumo Highway, which has been used since ages past, and meet people who value human connection, such as a magatama jewelry artisan and a pro wrestler learning farming in a village.

We explore Osaka, a prefecture known for its great cuisine. We meet a couple who fish for daggertooth pike conger (hamo), which taste great in summer, a farmer growing juicy eggplants, and much more.

In this special series, we cycle Taiwan! In episode one, we visit Taipei and the west coast and explore cultural features like a tea famous for its distinctive aroma and beautiful rush weed craft.

The second episode of our Taiwan series features indigenous cultures in the south and on the east coast. We meet a Rukai man preserving the forest and Bunun people with a stunning choral tradition.

In the third episode of our Taiwan series, we travel to Taiwan's south to meet vibrant, energetic families, like one that grows unique vegetables, and another which farms dragon tiger groupers.

We cycle the Noto Peninsula, hit by a major earthquake in 2024. We visit a temporary morning market where people who lost their shops sell goods, and a salt-maker keeping traditional methods alive.

We visit the Goto Islands on Japan's western tip, meeting people with hospitality, like a couple passing on the history of hidden Christians and islanders trying to preserve their small community.

On our special about cycling for beginners, we showcase rides in Kanagawa, featuring Japanese culture with an American twist; Izu, with a steep pass; and Fukushima, which has a special riding event.