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.