Hokkaido Images

Hokkaido Island is the most northern of the four major islands comprising Japan. Being the least populated, it is a popular destination for cycle touring with low traffic roads meandering through fertile agricultural valleys, over volcanic mountain ranges and along many miles of remote coastline.

The following photos showcase some of the areas we biked through, people we met and fun things we did.

Note: To view enlarged photo, mouse over pic and click

Rice fields tucked away in beautiful valleys

In the tiny village of Tomeuchi, the community maintains a small train museum. The Takahashi family who oversees the museum allowed us to take a spin on the handcart. How fun . . .

Taking turns cranking down the quarter mile track. Old train station in background.

In early September, the weather was nice and warm on the northern island.
Leaving the village of Tomeuchi.

Encountering a very friendly flag man at a road construction site.
He bows as we ride by. Cool uniform!

Riding over one of several hundred bridges

Note how precipitously the forested mountains jut up from the flat valley floor.
This is typical of the terrain in Japan.

Onions are another major crop in Hokkaido. The bins hold freshly picked onions.

A well-tended rice farm in a spectacular setting.
This tidy farm reminds me of the Amish farms in PA.

Rolling hills of corn in the beautiful Furano Valley. Yes, I said KORN!

Kory is one fit kid and never tires. After a long day in the saddle he goes jogging up a hill.

A flying saucer shaped observation building overlooks a flower farm in Naka Furano

Couples get married under the arch at this flower farm

It is September and this place is beautiful. Can you imagine how nice it is in the summer when all the lavender plants (below the arch) are in full bloom?

Photo opp time in front of the first temple we encountered

A breath-taking view of the valley and mountains

Furano Valley is well known for its flower farms.
We stopped to "smell the roses".

At another flower farm

Beautiful picnic area at the flower farm

Aaahhh!! . . . such a cute dawg!

Riding over stunning river took us to a onsen campground

Cool totem pole signs mark the onsen campground

Group foto at the onsen campground

Typical winding road through the rolling green hills of Hokkaido

Hay rolls look like giant beach balls

Arriving on the northern coast of Hokkaido

A radar dome atop verdant hills along the north coast

The monument marks the most northern point of Japan

Relaxing at the Midoriyu Rider House in Wakkanai.

Rider Houses are cheap lodging for touring motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers.

Taking a spin on Bike Friday's Japanese cousin

An old roadside temple

Lost again . . . a good excuse to ask a couple chicks for directions.
We were really lost . . . honest!

TOKYO ! !

Tokyo, with a metropolitan population of over 28 million people, is the world's most populous city. The urban mass spreads out across the Kanto Plain from Tokyo Bay like liquid pancake dough on a hot griddle.

Rising from the ashes of WWII, the story of Tokyo is a miraculous one becoming one of the world's leading economic centres. A fascinating combination of old and new, the push-pull of ancient culture to avant-garde architecture, kimono clad women to dark suited salary men, makes for an incredible experience of people watching and site seeing.

Herb and I spent the last four days of our 2 month trip in Tokyo. With over 23 wards comprising metropolitan Tokyo, one can spend a good portion of a lifetime trying to see it all.

We spent our time seeing just a few districts close to our youth hostel taking the confusing but super efficient subway and train system to get around.

Here are some highlights from our four days in Tokyo.

Note: To view enlarged photo, mouse over picture and click

The view of Tokyo from the 18th floor of our youth hostel in the Akihabara District. The highrise towers of the Shinjuku District about a mile away.

On an evening stroll near the Imperial Palace, we came across the
dancing water fountains on a modern plaza

The city that never sleeps. Pulsating street scenes - both people and buildings.

Food on the go

You got to have nerves of steel to cycle in Tokyo

Avante-garde architecture in the office tower districts

The new federal office complex (above and below)

The cool Cocoon Building in the midst of the Shinjuku DistrictThis modern building was some kind of historic museum

During lunch hour, we came across an exhibition promoting the use of "green energy." The cute gal on the bike was generating electricity to power the model railroad layout.

Herb taking a pic of Shinkansen train

We took a spin on a velo taxi

A Taiko Drum group blew out our ear drums!

My favorite new building - Cocoon Tower

A hemisphere lobby, a dramatic entry to the Cocoon

A modern reception desk graced by a couple lookers!

The view from the interior of the hemisphere

Neat aluminum lattice skin of Cocoon Tower

Cool hand-painted banners in Yakitori Alley in the Shinjuku District

Banners reflect lively street scenes

Narrow Yakitori Alley full of restaurants and bars - street comes alive after dark

The Entertainment Streets of Shinjuku District (above and below).
A lively fun place.

Time for lunch at a sushi bar with revolving sushi train

Puffer Fish sushi anyone?!! They're poisonous and

only licensed sushi chefs are allowed to serve them.

It's Friday and the liquor delivery men were busy (above and below)

Cute little beer delivery 3-wheeler

We got culture and toured the National Art Museum . . . a very cool modern musem.

Dramatic columns and cafes

Expansive 2-story glass walls provide plenty of natural light

Hey we're in Tokyo so we had to check out the Ginza - the Rodeo Drive of Japan

Ginza Street scenes

On the weekends, Ginza Street is closed to traffic

Japan has gone to the dogs too - strolling the Ginza

CHIPS of Tokyo - cool cycles. Luv the lights!

A buffed chick pulls these rickshaws