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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Go Ride a Bike!

A great way to experience a city is to hop on a jitensha (bicycle). In Japan, however, bikes are predominantly used for transportation as opposed to recreation. It’s therefore important to keep in mind a few pointers when riding in town, including how to say “bicycle.”

In Japanese, the word “bike” pronounced baiku refers to a motorcycle – not a bicycle. If you want to find out where you can rent a bicycle, you would ask “Jitensha wo doko de kariremasuka?”

Bike rentals, however, are not very common in Japan. If you’re here for a while, it may be best to go out and buy a bike. While mountain bikes and hybrid city bikes are common in North America, the king (or queen) of bikes in Japan is the mamachari. Mama literally means mom, and chari (or charinko) is the slang for bicycle.
These are relatively cheap cookie-cutter bikes and are an indispensable mode of daily transportation used to go to the train station, grocery shopping and, for the super mama, simultaneously hauling (unbelievably) up to two children in the front and back carriers. You can usually pick up a mamachari for a reasonable ¥10,000-15,000.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in Japan you can’t just park anywhere. There are jitensha churinjou (bicycle parking areas) near almost every train station although a permit or kyoka is required. Without one, your bike will immediately be carried off to the bike pound. If you park your bike, make sure it’s far away from the station and not in a “tow-zone.”

Other points to remember: helmets are not required, bike lights are mandatory at night, futarinori or double-riding is prohibited and, if on a mamachari, stay on the sidewalk and try not to ride on the road.

PERA-PHRASES  

Renting a bike (自転車を借りよう)
A perfect way to explore the city or countryside is hop on a bike. Rent a bike, or if in Japan, buy a cheap bike and pedal away.

Gathering your buddies / 友達に声を掛けよう

I’m going bike touring in Kyushu next month! Do you want to come?
来月、九州に自転車ツーリングに行きます。一緒に行きますか?
Raigetsu, Kyushu ni jitensha tsuringu ni ikimasu. Issho ni ikimasuka?

At the bike rental shop / 自転車をレンタルする時

I’d like to rent a bike for the day.
自転車を1日レンタルしたいです。
Jitensha wo ichinichi rentaru shitai desu.

I’ll be riding in the city so I’d like a hybrid or city bike.
街中で乗るので町乗り用の自転車が必要です。
Machinaka de noru node marchinoriyou no jitensha ga hitsuyou desu.

This bike is too small for me.
この自転車、私には小さすぎます。
Kono jitensha watashiniwa chiisasugimasu.

Oh no, I have a flat tire.
あータイヤがパンクしてしまった。
Ah- taiya ga panku shite shimatta.
 
Do you have a tire repair kit and a bike pump?
パンク修理セットと空気入れを持っていますか?
Panku shuuri setto to kuuki ire wo motte imasuka?

On the road/ ツーリング中

Which way are you headed?
どちらに向かっていますか?
Dochira ni mukatte imasuka?

Where did you come from?
どちらから来たんですか?
Dochira kara kitandesuka?

Where did you park your bike?
自転車はどこに置いてきた?
Jitensha wa dokoni oite kita?

My legs are exhausted. Let’s take a break.
もう足が疲れた。ちょっと休憩をしましょう。
Mou ashi ga tsukareta. Chotto kyukei wo shimashou.

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