In this episode of the show, I talk about the beginning of the summer festival season here in Hokkaido, including the lively Otaru Ushio Festival.

I also share my recent bike trip to Yoichi, where I spent a night wild camping on Fugoppe Beach. It was a beautiful evening by the sea, and I stayed there because I wanted to explore some of the Rita Taketsuru sites around Yoichi the next day.

Some of those sites , including the gravesite of Rita and her husband Masataka Taketsuru, were quieter and more reflective than I expected. It was an interesting contrast to go from the energy of a summer festival to a peaceful cemetery on the same ride.

But the real surprise came when I found that the same cemetery had a monument to the Aizu samurai who settled in the Yoichi area. I had no idea that was a part of Yoichi's history.

The more you explore Hokkaido, theu more connections you discover to Japan's samurai past and the bicycle is the perfect way to uncover these hidden stories.

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Brad Bennet and Freewheeling.jp Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/freewheeling.jp/

Ep.87 Sapporo Su & Tokyo Joe in Hokkaido:

https://pod.link/1717043158/episode/ZDdmOGE2MjgtYzJiZi00ZGE4LTg3MjktOTFlYTQ4OGM3OTlm

Ep.83 Baseball,Whisky & Star Wars

https://pod.link/1717043158/episode/MDQzZDE5MjMtMmUwNS00N2UwLWI3YjItN2NlNTRjMTYwMmM1

Ep.12 Cycling Yoichi, a Town in Decline

https://pod.link/1717043158/episode/OGNkMTgwMzAtNzI1Yi00NmM3LWJhNGYtZTIxYzA1MDgzNDBl

My ride to Shiretoko was amazing for many reasons, and one of the highlights was randomly meeting Norman White from the tour company Cycle Shikoku at the top of the Shiretoko Pass. Norman and I had been messaging back and forth for a few months about his upcoming Hokkaido tour, but meeting on the pass was a complete coincidence.

In this episode, we talk about how Norman became a tour guide, built a reputation for leading cycling tours throughout Shikoku, and how one of his guided tours brought him to Hokkaido.

Norman also shares some great insights into what makes cycling in Hokkaido and cycling in Shikoku so different. Both regions offer incredible natural beauty, but each provides a unique riding experience.

This conversation covers a lot of ground, from guided tours in Shikoku to exploring the gorgeous roads of Hokkaido. Enjoy episode 153, and have fun out there, folks!

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Cycle Shikoku Instagram:

www.instagram.com/cycleshikoku/

Cycle Shikoku website:

www.cycleshikoku.com

Cycle Shikoku YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@cycleshikoku5094?si=lRKsFyPzNtMmbsHR

In this episode of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast, I'm joined by two fantastic guests: Mackenzie Doyle, who appeared in the YouTube film False Peaks, and Gareth Evans, owner of Air Bike Tours.

Mackenzie shares what it was like to complete her incredible ride from Canada to Mexico, talks about her latest adventures learning canyoning, and tells us what it's been like cycling around Gunma. Gareth shares stories from years spend on the road and explains different cycling tours he offers in Hokkaido and Japan.

Of course, we also chat about some of Hokkaido's most beautiful roads, unforgettable rides, and the places that make this island such a special cycling destination.

Whether you're planning a cycling trip to Hokkaido or simply love hearing great stories from fellow travelers, this is a fun conversation you won't want to miss.

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Air Bike Tours:

https://www.airbiketours.com

False Peaks:

https://youtu.be/2ImtYYPwAeI?si=esjkUI4lvRoS3DNu

After riding the Shiretoko Pass, the adventure continued in eastern Hokkaido.

Having spend the night at the Mashu Onsen Roadside Station, I drove to Ikenoyu Onsen to begin one of the most scenic rides I've ever done. From the very start of the Bihoro Pass the views were incredible and they just kept getting better and better. The panoramas of Lake Kussharo from the top were some of the most gorgeous views I've ever seen from the top of a pass.

After rewarding myself with an ice cream and a famous ageimo the the Bihoro Pass Roadside Station the journey continued with a walk around the Wakoto Peninsula, a visit to the lakeside Ainu museum, and a stop at Sunayu to meet the legendary Kusshie before heading home.

If you're planning a cycling trip, or just a trip for that matter, to eastern Hokkaido this place is packed with stunning scenery, local discoveries, and another unforgettable ride through Akan-Mashu National Park.

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www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

This week on Cycling Hokkaido, I finally take on the legendary Shiretoko Pass.

After a 7-hour drive from Ishikari I finally arrived in Utoro at 1:30am. In the morning my first stop was the waterfalls along rte.334 just before Benzai Bay. Then it was off to the climb. Along the way, I met some fantastic people, including one cycling I'd only ever spoken to through Instagram DMs.

After getting to the top of the pass, after soaking in the views, it was time to refuel with a delicious bowl of ramen, explore Utoro, and visit Shiretoko Goko before heading to Mashu to rest up for the next day's ride to Lake Kusharo and the Bihoro Pass.

Have fun out there folks. Luv ya!

Cycle Shikoku's Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/cycleshikoku/

Cycle Shikoku's website:

www.cycleshikoku.com

Cycling Hokkaido's Buy Me a Coffee:

buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

Cycling Hokkaido's Instagram:

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Hayato Yanagisawa's Instagram'

www.instagram.com/yanagisawahayato.1984.8.9/

In this episode, I head to Mashike to meet up with a friend who is camping by the coast. Over peanut butter&jelly sandwiches and a Frisbee chuck about, we had a great afternoon. Also in this episode I explore the town's history and what makes Mashike such an interesting destination.

I also take a much closer look at Route 231, discussing some of its more challenging tunnels, why they can be intimidating for cyclists, and several alternative routes that let you bypass those maniacal tunnels while still loving Hokkaido's most excellent coastal scenery. If you're thinking of riding this part of the Sea of Japan coast, you'll probably find what you're looking for in this episode.

Have fun out there, folks!

Buy Me a Coffee:

buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

Cycling Hokkaido podcast Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Brad Bennet's Website & Instagram:

www.freewheeling.jp

www.instagram.com/freewheeling.jp/

What does one of Japan's most famous historical figures, Ryoma Sakamoto, have to do with a small town in central Hokkaido?

In this episode, we follow the footsteps of Ryoma Sakamoto's family to Urausu and explore the story of the Sakamoto family and the impact they've had on Hokkaido. We also visit Urausu Town Local Museum and Tsurunuma Road Station and Campground.

Thank you for listening to the Cycling Hokkaido podcast.

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www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Mizuri Sato and Atelier Sui:

www.instagram.com/atelier.sui/

Urausu Town Local Museum:

http://www.town.urausu.hokkaido.jp/

In this episode of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast, Marty is joined by Canadian aunt-and-nephew duo Aerin K. Bowers and Quinn Hoffman.

This is a story about family, adventure, and discovering Hokkaido by bicycle. For Quinn, it was his first trip outside of North America. For Aerin it was another chapter in a life already filled with endurance challenges, including swimming the English Channel!!

Together they discuss their cycling journey through western Hokkaido, which began with two days of relentless rain but quickly turned into an unforgettable adventure. Along the way they camped their way around the region, experienced the famous Shakotan Blue coastline, encountered a campsite closed due to recent bear activity, rode through Iwanai and Kutchan, enjoyed the incredible views of Mt.Yotei, and dealt with the occasional touring mishap, including a puncture on the ride back to Otaru.

After getting back to Otaru, Marty joined them for a day exploring some of the city's hidden treasures before they continued their travels on to Tokyo.

Want to support the show? You can do that at:

buymeacoffee/cyclinghokkaido

Cycling Hokkaido podcasts' Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Aerin K. Bowers' Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/aerinbowers/

Aerin K Bowers website:

https://openwaterlife.com

Quinn Hoffman's Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/quinn.hoffman14

This week I'm joined by long-time Sapporo resident Matt Cotter for a conversation about Ainu history, culture, language, and life in modern Hokkaido.

The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan, and in this episode we cover a wide range of topics, from some of the darker chapters of Ainu-Japanese history to the ongoing challenges facing Ainu communities today. We also talk about Ainu art, food, language, cultural preservation, and the efforts being made to keep Ainu traditions alive for future generations.

Matt shares his own experiences learning about Ainu culture, studying the language, and meeting Ainu people throughout his years in Hokkaido. We also discuss why understanding their history is such an important part of understanding Hokkaido itself.

This was a great conversation and one that I think will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the people, history, and culture that helped shape this island we call home.

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www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Episode 145 of Cycling Hokkaido features Ryan Hill from Vancouver, BC, who joined me for a ride through the Hokkaido countryside before sitting down to record this episode.

We spent the day cycling quiet rural roads through ride paddies during planting season, stopping to check out some mysterious headless Buddha statues, and taking in the views from high above the Sea of Japan coastline. In this conversation, Ryan talks about his long connection with Japan, and of course we talked about Japanese food, and how karate is an important part of his life.

A chill conversation about travel, cycling, culture and the unexpected moments that make riding in Hokkaido so memorable.

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www.buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

Follow Cycling Hokkaido on Instagram page:

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