Feb 21, 2017
The Wheels Are Turning at Cycle Mode Ride Osaka
Japan largely missed out on the first bicycle boom of the 1880s and 1890s but when the bicycle became hot again in the 1960s and 1970s – mostly for recreational and fitness desires – the country was not about to be left on the side of the road. Japan zoomed past the United Kingdom to rank second only to the United States in the value of bicycles exported. Japanese bicycle manufacturers also shifted away from the utilitarian aspects of the human-powered vehicle to a specialty in high quality light and sport bicycles and parts.
The center of this high technology revolution was Osaka Prefecture. Osaka is responsible for 46 percent of all bicycle production in the country; Tokyo, with just 10 percent, is second. The city emphasizes innovation and production in bicycle parts and accounts for 59 percent of Japan’s exports in that sector. It was the traditional techniques of tempering steel by gunsmiths and swordsmiths in Sakai City that laid the groundwork for the city’s dominance of this trade.
The Cycle Mode Ride Osaka: Japan’s Biggest Bicycle Blow-Out
The Cycle Mode Ride Osaka is western Japan’s largest sports bicycle festival and a chance for the public to check out the best new metal on offer from the country’s top cycling minds.
It is the industry’s trade show and in addition to looking over the new bikes, attendees can investigate frames, parts, tools, gadgets and clothing. There are demonstrations and seminars on everything from race training to the physiology of high speed pedaling to preventing a flat tire. More than 500 brands will be represented in the bike expo.
The exhibition is not just for gearheads. There are over 1,000 manufacturers of bicycles and parts in Japan but most of them are small concerns with only a handful of employees. This configuration encourages innovation and there is plenty to see at Cycle Mode Ride Osaka. The imagination on display may not always yield commercial success but you may find yourself the first owner of a triangular bike or a stow-away-bike or a string bike or a wooden bike.
And, yes, test rides are available – bring a helmet and prepare to stand on queue. Veterans of international bike expos will know it is a rare treat to get astride professional-caliber wheels. Banpaku Park, north of the city, is the location for Cycle Mode Ride Osaka and the site of the 1970 World’s Fair presents open ground suitable for a two-kilometre test course that delivers plenty of ups and downs for samplers of sport bikes. There are also rides to try on road bikes, cross bikes, and even bikes with an electrically assisted boost. Attendees can prep themselves for the Osaka Castle Triathlon that will be held on June 25th.
The dates for this year’s Cycle Mode Ride Osaka are Saturday, March 4 and Sunday March 5; it is the second half of the country’s two-week extravaganza that spends week one north in Tokyo. The hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and you can get full details, including ticketing and admission fee information, at cyclemode.net.
Cycle Mode Ride Osaka 2017
Banpaku Park / Expo ’70 Commemorative Park : 565-0826 Osaka Prefecture, Suita, Senribanpakukoen, 1−1 (map)
Saturday, March 4 and Sunday March 5 2017
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
cyclemode.net
Photo by Joi Ito ($200 generic bikes) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Feb 20, 2017
All Aboard the Sushi Train in Hiroshima!
Ah, sushi!
Nothing says Japan more than these tasty morsels of fish on rice. High quality sushi may be out of the average person’s (or family’s) price range but that doesn’t mean you should miss out. The solution: kaitenzushi or what we Westerners often refer to as sushi train or conveyor belt sushi. I’ve been hooked ever since I was first introduced to the one next door to my apartment building in Tokyo. Since then I’ve made it my job to hunt down all the cheap (but tasty and good quality) kaitenzushi places in Hiroshima.
There are a few chains to choose from with branches scattered throughout the city and surrounds.
Coming in at Number 3 is Sushi Roll
Now Sushi Roll is very popular probably because all plates are 100 yen. This does pose a problem, however, because the place is always packed full of customers. Although the restaurants are very roomy, unless you go very early you need to be prepared to wait. Last time I went we waited for 80 minutes. The fact that all plates are 100 yen also means that portion sizes are very small. It’s not particularly tasty but if you’re a sushi virgin, it’s a good option for your first time.
www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp/shop/list.php?pref=34 (Japanese)
Number two is Nonta Sushi
This sushi is phenomenal. Not only is the fish really fresh but the rice itself is extremely delicious. Although there is a conveyor belt in the branches, no sushi is actually on it. Instead you order directly from a touchpad and the sushi is made on the spot and delivered to you by hand by the staff. The nori or seaweed is very crisp and crunchy and you will notice a distinct difference from freshly made sushi and the ones that are on conveyor belts at other sushi restaurants going around and around before people choose them.
There is a branch in the Pacela building on the ground floor, but the best branch is the one located off Hondori next to Subway in the same side street as Edion. It is a little more pricey than Sushi Roll with plates colour-coded depending on the price, but the sushi is definitely superior and an English menu version is available.
Nonta Sushi
Hiroshima-ken, Hiroshima-shi, Naka-ku, Ōtemachi, 1 Chome−4−5
Tel: 082-236-8311
B1F Pacela, 6-78 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken
Tel: 082-502-3383
Number one is Shimanami
Coming in at number one is Shimanami in the big Aeon Mall in Fuchu. It can be found on the ground floor in the Roji Dining Food Court. You can either opt to choose from the ready-made sushi on the conveyor belt or touchpads make it really easy to order. There is also an English menu version if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. Plates are coloured-coded here too and begin at 130 yen + tax going up to 540 yen + tax.
Nighttime during weekdays is generally not busy but lunchtimes even during the week can be hectic. My advice for lunch is to go around 11 or 11.30am and for dinner around 5.30 or 6pm. Although I will admit that the taste is probably better at Nonta Sushi, I really like the attentive staff at Shimanami. As a regular customer I often get discounts and they sometimes have fresh fruit that they give to customers on the way out after paying.
Whichever chain you choose, you can enjoy the experience of kaitenzushi alone or in a group. If you’re anything like me you will become a sushi addict and need your fix at least once or more per week.
Shimanami Sushi
Hiroshima-ken, Aki-gun, Fuchū-chō, 府中町Ōsu, 2 Chome−1−1, イオンモール広島府中
Tel: 082-561-0881
Photo By Author
Feb 14, 2017
Making ‘Memories’ in Hiroshima at Memories Live House
If you’re a child of the 50s or 60s or you just like the music, fashion and decor of that time, then a night out at ‘Memories,’ in Hiroshima is just the thing for you. Located in a basement, it’s in the building next to Hiroshima Higashi Police Station on Chuo-Dori in downtown Hiroshima. It’s fairly easy to find and it’s close to all forms of transport.
The first night I went I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. Walking in was literally like being transported back to an American diner from a movie set such as, ‘Grease.’ The place is decked out entirely in old movie and music memorabilia from the time period; even the microphones are retro.
A live band plays every single night of the year with between four and 6 sets per night. Yep, that’s hardcore dedication right there. The men dress up in brightly coloured suits with quaffed hair and the girls in puffy dresses complete with petticoat underlay and headbands from the era. Best of all, there’s a dance floor, which is a rare thing to be found in a non-club or place frequented more by Japanese people than foreigners. The food is mostly standard izakaya fare but the pasta and salads that are available are a touch more classy and I highly recommend them. Drink deals are available too and you can also book for parties or functions.
Probably my only criticism is that being in a basement it can get very smoky, especially on a crowded Friday or Saturday night. That aside though, the place is large and roomy and with good food, great tunes and friendly staff, young or old, family, couples or even those venturing out alone are sure to have a good time. Check it out and make some ‘Memories’ of your own.
There are also branches in Hakata and Shinjuku.
Memories Live House Hiroshima
6-10 Shintenchi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken 730-0034 (map link)
h.live-memories.com (Japanese)
Opening hours: 18:00-00.30
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Feb 14, 2017
Sweet on You – Getting Valentine’s Chocolates in Tokyo
Back home things can get a little crazy around Valentine’s Day. Grandiose displays of affection have become something of the norm, as we shower our loved ones with extravagant gifts, often at exorbitant prices, presumably just as the martyred St. Valentine would have wanted.
In Japan, however, somewhat unusual for a nation where they tend to go whole hog when consumerist opportunities arise, Valentine’s Day is a little pared back. Rather than string quartets accompanying bouquets of flowers and buckets of diamonds, the Japanese are a little more restrained around this celebration of love, and instead go in for the humble chocolate.
Of course, it’s not like you can just go and pick up a Snickers or a bar of Meiji from the convenience store and pop a bow on it, so if you want to do like the locals do, here is a recommendation for a few chocolatiers and sweet-makers in the city that are on the flashier end of the sugary spectrum.
Salon du Chocolat
Tokyo’s version of the famous French chocolate trade store is entering into its 15th year, and will be the first port of call for anyone wishing to find something a little special for this festival of love. With that in mind there will be hordes of people gathered in Maronouchi’s International Forum, but seeing as there will be over 100 stalls from 17 different nations, all stocking rare and hard to find choccies, there is a good chance of picking up something a little bit special. Worth fighting the crowds for.
- Where: Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku (map)
- Website: www.salon-du-chocolat.jp
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
While Salon du Chocolat go rare, at the Cerulean Tower they go exclusive and really quite fancy. The store itself opens on February 2, but if you can’t make it on launch day, it is recommended that you get a reservation in place, as these go fast (reservations available from Jan 15). The reason for the clamor? Well these chocolate box sets just ooze class (as well as rum raisin, passion fruit and truffles, amongst others). Boxes range from 1,800 JPY up to 5,500 JPY.
- Where: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku (map)
- Website: www.ceruleantower-hotel.com
Hilton Tokyo Bay Strawberry Field
As crazy as it sounds, apparently not everyone loves chocolate. But that doesn’t mean that those poor souls should miss out on the festivities. The Hilton Tokyo Bay is combining the seasonal penchant for strawberry picking with Valentine’s Day to bring us Strawberry Field. While this isn’t so much a boxed gift, it is very much a delightful Valentine’s weekend event. For 2,800 JPY you are treated to a buffet of macarons, cakes, cookies, and a chocolate fountain as well as savory snacks such as sandwiches, soup and salads.
- Where: Hilton Tokyo Bay, 1-8 Maihama, Urayasu-shi (map)
- Website: www.hiltontokyobay.jp
- Note: Only open weekends and holidays until March 26
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Another upscale hotel to get in on the Valentine’s Day action is the Park Hyatt Tokyo, and here you can get the lot. of course there are the traditional bite-sized chocolates, but also up for offer are Hakushu whisky flavored pastries, a ‘Paris Venice’ cake composed of mascarpone mousse, coffee cream, hazelnut crunch, and a 12cm heart made of sakura cream and cherries coated with a chocolate mousse.
- Where: Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku (map)
- Website: www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com
Chocorun Yokohama 2017
Concerned that all that chocolate will earn a lifetime on the hips? Well perhaps this is the event for you. It’s a little after Valentine’s Day (Feb 25), but the ChocoRun Yokohama is an annual event at which participants run two, four or ten kilometer courses, stopping off at chocolate stations for an energy boost on the way. And what can be more romantic than getting all out of breath with a loved one while gorging on chocolate goodies?
- Where: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, 1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama (map)
- Website: www.sportsone.jp/choco/event_2017_yok.html (Sign up required)
If none of these places float your romantic boat, check out a guide to the city’s premium chocolatiers from Japan Times, here.
Mark Guthrie
Image by Hideya HAMANO (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image via http://www.hiltontokyobay.jp/plans/restaurants/3305 – screengrab (modified)
