Brompton ride in KYOTO and NARA, Japan - Enjoyed the journey to Japanese tea plantations

It comes to the best season in Japan. And the season of newly harvested Japanese tea.

Let's go to Wazuka where embraces a lot of tea plantations to enjoy the views of fresh tea leaves at the end of the beautiful valley.

Brompton World Championship 2025 in LONDON

I joined BWC2025 held on June 21, 2025 at Coal Drops Yard in London. Enjoy exciting footage of rear camera views, strong competitors pursuing and passing me with all the might.

The race, as a whole,  consists of 10 heats with 50 riders in each heat. Each heat consists of 5 laps around a 900m urban track in the shopping mall. For each heat, there is the traditional Le Mans style start, where we dash to unfold your Brompton and race around the track. Unfolding skill is very important in the race.

This year, each rider was provided with a time chip and the top 50 fastest from across all 10 heats then competed in final to determine the winners of the Brompton World Championships London 2025. One of the great improvements.

I have joined 5 BWC London in the past, 4 BWCs in the Mall and BWC2024 in Coal Drips Yard last year. In BWC2025, I ran for HEAT 10, the last qualifying group of 50 riders, starting at 1445. It was a fierce race!

Equipment for BWC:

Brompton S4E-X/58T Chainring/11-12-13-15T rear sprockets

Brompton Owners Meeting in Shimanami 2025

Brompton Owners Meeting was held on May 18, 2025 at Marin Oasis Hakata of Shimanami. More than 250 Brompton owners gathered and 222 Brompton bikes lined up. We celebrated reunion and communicated all of the time. Full of smiles and voices of joy. We were excited that a lot of new Brompton owners were added. The genesis of new Japanese Brompton Community has arrived.

 

#shimanami #brompton #ブロンプトン #ブロンプトンでどこまでも #ブロンプトンのある風景 #しまなみ #サイクリングしまなみ#shimanamikaido #bromptonbicycle #bromptonlovers #blm11 #bromptonloversmeeting

Brompton Winter Snow Ride to Hot Sprin

Brompton's snow ride toward hot spring in the mountain valley. I went to famous Kita Onsen (North Hot Spring) where some of the impressive scenes in the movie "THERMÆ ROMÆ" were taken. I used a pair of stud tyres Schwalbe Winter for the ride. The original plan was RIDE&HIKE to the mount Chausu, one of the peaks of Nasu Mountain but I was not able to the trailhead due to heavy snow on the road. Instead, I visited Kita Onsen to enjoy atmosphere of an isolated hot spring in the snow valley. 

Equipments: 

Brompton M6L-X w/Schwalbe Winter 

Brompton Rucksack 

Gopro　Hero7 

Asics GEL-Trabuco 12 GTX 

Monbell Compact Snow Spike 

Monbell Drytec Easyfit Spatz

Brompton Urban Challenge 2024 in Tokyo

Brompton Urban Challenge Tokyo was held on November 11, 2024. Riders started to look for and take pictures of designated "animal symbols" consisted of slopes named after an animal and animal monuments. Our strategy was, instead of riding faster than other teams, to take advantage of public transportation network in Tokyo to win. What was the result of our animal quest? 

【CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2024】Brompton goes across Shimanami.

Brompton goes across Shimanami. CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2024 was held on October 27, 2024. Despite of disappointing rain forecast a day before, the sun came out in the morning and blue sky was seen. 3500 cyclists from 27 countries and areas enjoyed a wonderful ride and spectacular views from West Seto Motorway over the sea. I participated in the E course and went over the route between Imabari and Onomichi (Mukaishima) 63km on Bromton S4E-X, modified to P-line gear and equipped with 58T Chainring and 11-12-14-17T rear sprockets.

The 20th Anniversary BROMPTON MEETING in Hokkaido @Lake Toya

The 20th Anniversary BROMPTON MEETING in Hokkaido, by Shugakuso bike shop, was held at Lake Toya. More than 60 Bromptons came to get together and enjoyed the ride around the lake (approx. 40km). What a beautiful day and wonderful fellows! Big thanks to Mademoiselle Kihara and her colleagues of Shugakuso Bike Shop.

Brompton Ride & Hike to Mt. Tohnodake 1491m

In order to escape from terrible heatwave in summer, I tend to go anywhere well beyond 1000m in its elevation in the past weeks. Today's destination, Mt. Tohnodake, is located in Tanzawa Mountains and popular for its spectacular view with Mt. Fuji and other high mountains around it. 

Brompton World Championship 2024

I joined the Brompton World Championship held at Coal Drops Yard in London on Saturday June 22nd, 2024. Contents include: Introduction, Qualifying Heat One (2nd batch), Male Final, Female Final and Awards Ceremony. I myself ran in the second batch of the first heat.

Old Brompton completed Mt. Fuji Hill Climb cycling race!

My old Brompton and I challenged the 20th Mt. Fuji Hill Climb cycling race, distance 24 km and total ascend 1,255m, on June 2, 2024. Despite rain forecast, blue sky came up and more than 9000 riders enjoyed this great race in dry condition.

Brompton Owners Meeting in Shimanami 2024

On the May 19th Brompton and I were a part of the Brompton Owners Event, The 10th Brompton Lovers Meeting in Shimanami. Totalling 221 Bromptons assembled on the beach of Marin Oasis Hakata in the midst of Shimanami Kaido. 

[day 1]

route:  Setoda Bus Stop, Setoda Port, Marin Oasis Hakata, Imabari

distance: 54 km

[day 2]

route: Imabari, Marin Oasis Hakata (meeting), Setoda port

distance: 46 km

DAY 1

Joining the ride group from Onomichi, started toward Imabari.  

Before departure, enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant. 

Tasted nice tempura and sashimi.

And dessert of local orange taste.

Marin Oasis Hakata, venue of the Brompton Owners meeting tomorrow, on a day before. 

What a beautiful day!

Going to cross the last bridge.

A memorial shot after landing Shikoku main land.

DAY 2

121 Brompton got together in waterfront.

Japan travel tips with Brompton

I believe that Japan is now one of the must go countries for world travelers. There are a lot of attractive destinations like Mount Fuji, Hokkaido, Nikko, Hakone, Kyoto, dozens of hot springs, sushi, tempura, Akihabara, Ginza, Tsukiji fish market, old shrines and temples, etc. In addition, due to yen depreciation in recent years, prices are getting less and less expensive. Japan is the most affordable for foreign people who are interested in Japan.

If you have Brompton, I recommend you to travel with it in Japan. I believe that Japan is the best destination to leverage portability of Brompton. Japan has a perfect nationwide network of public transportation. A combination of Brompton and subways, suburban railways, super express railway systems, buses enables you to visit anywhere in Japan easily. Thanks to commencement of Hokkaido Shinkansen on March 26, 2016, you can take a super express train instead of an air plain and easily and comfortably reach Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, with Brompton. (The super express will reach Sapporo in 2030.)

I will share some knowledge and tips to use Brompton in the Japanese public transportation system and on street.


1. Free carry-on Brompton
In general you can bring Brompton with you for free to any railway but some buses and boats charge you for Brompton or a bike even it is folded and covered. (e.g. some buses in Shikoku and jetfoil to Oshima Island)
 

2. Pack Brompton in the bag for transportation
Naked Brompton in the railway is never allowed and you might be caught due to violation of the rule. You should have your bike packed in a bag on any train, subway, and bus. Japan is different from London's circle line, rather fastidious. 

The foreign traveler in right is violating the rule. The left is OK.

Do not bring as naked. You need to cover all the time in a train and station.


3. Do not wheel the bike to the train
You need to fold and pack Brompton before passing through the ticket barrier. Inside the station, you need to carry Brompton in the bag or grab a saddle of Brompton packed in a cover. Before coming to Japan, you need to build up your arm muscle.


4. Stand in line before aboard
You have to stand in line with Brompton at the point where the door to your car will stop and open when the train is due to arrive.

5. Be quiet
Compared with other countries, people are calm in the public transportation system because it is tacit understanding to shut up a mouse in public space. Loud conversation and talking on the phone on the train will earn you dirty looks.


6. Use IC prepaid card for your convenience
The Suica or PASMO is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping in Tokyo and vicinity. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica or PASMO to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for trains, but subways and buses as well. You can buy SUICA or PASMO at any station with a deposit of 500 yen. Please note that some buses do not accept.

7. Avoid rush hour of weekday
Please avoid morning (7:30 am - 9:00 am inbound) and evening (usually 5:00 pm-8:00 pm outbound) of weekday to use train and bus in Tokyo because a big luggage like Brompton will be a trouble for other people in a train. Please do not disturb commuting people. In weekend, usually no problem because most of the passengers are travelling for leisure.

8. On board space for Brompton
Most trains have very little luggage space. If you take a commuter train, I recommend you to put Brompton in the small space at the side of each door.

When you get Shinkansen or Express trains, sometimes there is a small laggage space near the door. However there is one good bet - all the seats face the same way and there will always be a good luggage space - ideal for your Brompton etc - behind the rearmost seat in each car. You can put your Brompton in the space.


9. Storage at the station (and airport)
There are lockers with use of coins or SUICA in most of the stations. For SUICA available locker, your SUICA will be the key. Sizes and fees are as follows:
Small size: not to be used for Brompton storage
Middle size: height 550mm × width 340mm× depth 570mm 　Fee: 400 yen or up
(you need to disassemble a saddle to put Brompton in this size of a locker)
Large size: height 840mm × width 340mm× depth 570mm Fee: 500 yen or up
Extra large size: height 1030mm × width 340mm× depth 570mm Fee: 600 yen or up

Please make sure that they are often full when busy time of the day.

Other than lockers, temporary storage of hand luggage is available in Tokyo Station. Take advantage of JR East baggage check-in services so you can take in the sights around the station.

Hours of operation: 7:30 to 20:30


10. Other things: Brompton shops/support

If you need some accessories or repair assistances when you travel in Japan, the following shops will help you and your Brompton. All are reliable and able to take care of Brompton.

[TOKYO]

Wada Cycle
address: 4－1－1, Momoi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
tel: 03-3399-3741
hour: 13:00～21:00 closed tuesday and wednesday
(JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station, Chuo-line)

Life with Bicycle Daikanyama (former BROMPTON JUNCTION Tokyo)
address: FLEG Daikanyama 1F, 1-31-12 Ebisu-nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
tel: 03-4283-1117
hour: 10:30～19:30 closed thursday
(JR Ebisu Station, Yamanote-line)

Loro Slow Spot
address: 1-9-9 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
tel: 03-3231-5112
hour: AM 1030 - PM 0730, close thursday
(Subway Nihonbashi Station, Tozai-line, Ginza-line, Toei Asakusa-line)

[KOBE]

BROMPTON JUNCTION Kobe
address: 3-3-1 Shimo-Yamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo-ken
tel: 078-321-0830
hour: 10:30～19:30 close Wednesday

[KYOTO]

Loro Kyoto
address: 7-9 Chudoji Kushige-cho, Shimokyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
tel: 075-811-7162
hour: 10:30～19:30 close Thursday

[SHIMANAMI]

LORO CYCLEWORKS ONOMICHI

address: located in Onomichi Shopping Street, 1-2-12 Tuchido, Onomichi-shi

tel: 0848-24-0055

hour: 9:00〜18:00 close Wednesday

[FUKUOKA]

LORO CYCLEWORKS FUKUOKA
address: Hanabusa Bldg. 1F, 1-2-1 Otemon, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi
tel: 050-1365-6236
hour: 10:30～19:30 close Wednesday


Related articles:

Japan Travel Destinations for Bromptoneer (1) - Central Tokyo

Japan Travel Destinations for Bromptoneer (2) - Suburban Tokyo & Vicinity

Japan Travel Destinations for Bromptoneer (3) - Other special places to go

Brompton Ride and Hike to the top of Mt. Mihara, huge, active volcano near Tokyo.

Brompton hill climbing ride to the trailhead and, leaving Brompton there, trekking walk to the top of Mt. Mihara, one of the world's largest active volcano which locates on Oshima Island only 100 km from central Tokyo.

When I reached the top just beside the huge crater, the view was spectacular and solemn. It was a fantastically fine day, no cloud, no wind at all, and exceptionally warm in Winter. I was lucky. Mt. Fuji was seen from the top of the island.

It was difinetely the best RIDE & HIKE ever for me and my Brompton.

Brompton Ride on Arakawa Cycling Road at the end of hot summer 2023

Late September but still too hot in Japan! Autumn, where are you now?

Please note that the movie is viewed outside Japan only. If you are in Japan, please try the following link: https://youtu.be/KOXjzYzj-l4

Brompton owners meeting in Shimanami 2023

What a beautiful day! 156 Bromptons assembled in Shimanami.

Brompton ride to Hoshi Onsen after snowfall

A day after snowfall, I went to Hoshi Hot Spring in Gunma Prefecture. The hot spring is located at 880 m elevation in the foot of Mikuni pass.

A happy new year! 2023 first ride in Tokyo

A happy new year, everyone! The following clip is about my first ride 2023 in Tokyo.

BGM: Puppy Love (Perfume)

notice: Viewers from Japan may be blocked by Copyright owner. If video does not start, please try following URL:

https://youtu.be/SpHogRIY3L8

Brompton in the Cycling Shimanami 2022 Ride Event

Cycling Shimanami 2022, the only cycling event in Japan that takes place on an expressway. All courses include expressways traveling across the bridges from island to island. Participants can ride on the main roads of an expressway, enjoying the most scenic route with thousands of islands.

I was a part of the riders who were privileged to ride through this scenic route of 70 km from Imabari to Onomichi.

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN - TV | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Live & ProgramsCome ride with us! Bicycle through the scenery of Japan, stay with locals and discover hidden traditions in a Japan you didn't know existed.www3.nhk.or.jp

Do you know CYCLE AROUND JAPAN? The movie program offered by NHK (Japan's national broadcasting station) proposes a journey in Japan to enjoy the adventure on a bike.

The latest clip was from Iwate, Northern part of Japan.

Selfie Ride in Iwate - A Home Away From Home

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN 49m 00s

Broadcast on January 15, 2022 Available until January 15, 2023

Selfie Ride in Iwate - A Home Away From Home - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On DemandJames 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 campin…www3.nhk.or.jp

In the program, cyclists visited Karuizawa, Matsumoto Castle, Otari Hot Spring, and Shibu Pass, one of the highest elevations of the roads in Japan. I have been in all those places with my Brompton. They are all wonderful destinations to go!


Matsumoto Castle

Three Bromptons reached the Shibu Pass of 2172 meter high

A church in Karuizawa

Otari Hot Spring Yamada Ryokan (bath tub)

Brompton snow ride in Mt. Hakkoda, Aomori prifecture.

Brompton and I went out for a snow ride in Mt. Hakkoda. Mt. Hakkoda, situated at the northern end of Japan's main island, is famous for terrible snow storm in winter. 

In order to ride on the snow road, Brompton was equipped with Schwalbe Winter, a pair of 16-inch stud tires.

Arriving at Aomori airport, I hurried up to Sukayu hot spring lodge by car. 

Sukayu is famous for deep snow, usually reaches 3 to 5 meters in winter. Snowfall beyond 1 meter over night is quite common here. Snowfall recorded 538 cm high in one day on Feb. 26, 2013. A good place to experience a snow adventure as well as nice hot spring.

The lodge is a historic hot spring accommodating people for the past 200 years.

Sukayu lodge preserves its historic wooden bath house and bath tab.  Hot spring here is extremely fresh because it directly comes out from the bottom of bath tab. Yes, the bath house is build just on the natural hot spring.

Let's go out for a snow ride! Please watch a movie below.

While road was completely covered with snow, Schwalbe winter tires ensure a comfortable ride.

However, it's too cold. Strong snow storm blew with wind speed of over 10 meters per second.

Due to deep snow, I can't continue to ride any more. I started to push Brompton.

Finally Brompton and I arrived the distination, Hakkoda Hotel. 

Receptionist opened the door to invite me in.

I had a lunch reservation at the main dining.

Wonderful meals awaited me. bon appetit.