About this season
Come ride with us! Bicycle through the scenery of Japan, stay with locals and discover hidden traditions in a Japan you didn't know existed.
Episodes (11)
1. Yamagata - Seeking the Flavors of Autumn
Aired 13 January 2024 • 49 min
Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its food, some unique to late autumn and certain localities. Our gourmet cyclist explores the regional cuisine, from edible chrysanthemums to Japanese taro, turnips and salmon.
2. Sanriku - A Coast Reborn
Aired 17 February 2024 • 49 min
The Sanriku Coast was the area hardest hit by the massive earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Its restored communities are rediscovering their local traditions and the unique beauty of this landscape.
3. Awajishima and Ieshima - An Island Journey
Aired 16 March 2024 • 49 min
On Awajishima and Ieshima in the Seto Inland Sea, islanders utilize the strong winter winds and waves to enhance local specialties like sweet onions, handmade noodles, incense sticks and seaweed.
4. Kiso Three Rivers - Going with the Flow
Aired 17 May 2024 • 49 min
Our cyclist travels three large rivers in central Japan: the Kiso, the Nagara and the Ibi. He explores unique cultures related to the rivers, like cormorant fishing and an exciting float festival.
5. Kii Mountains - Climbing Uphill with a Smile
Aired 15 June 2024 • 49 min
Our cyclist climbs the Kii Mountains in western Japan, and encounters the culture that developed on the secluded slopes. Artisans work with rare black bamboo, and make pigment using an old method.
6. Aomori - Cold Winds, Warm Hearts
Aired 20 July 2024 • 49 min
Aomori Prefecture is beautiful, but its northern climate can be harsh. Our cyclist enjoys the warmest of welcomes in communities that historically had to cooperate closely in everything in order to survive.
7. Hokkaido - Crossing the Summer Plains
Aired 3 August 2024 • 49 min
A ride through Hokkaido Prefecture in early summer. We meet an artisan teaching handicrafts of the indigenous Ainu to the next generation, and a legendary trainer of an unusual horse race.
8. Yatsugatake - Riding High
Aired 14 September 2024 • 49 min
Each of the Yatsugatake highlands has a unique character. We see kids discover themselves on horseback, eat prehistoric style, go star gazing with an astronomer and explore a bird sanctuary forest.
9. Shizuoka - Energy of the Forest
Aired 21 September 2024 • 49 min
Shizuoka Prefecture has everything from beaches to mountains, but this time our road takes us through its deep forests, from wild rides on timber trails to a wild taste experience in the birthplace of wasabi.
10. Best of the Best - Our Most Scenic Rides
Aired 19 October 2024 • 49 min
We picked our 10 favorite rides from previous episodes and asked our viewers to rank them. These are the results, with commentary from our cyclists, a virtual race and lots of other extras to enjoy.
11. Niigata - An Older, Simpler Way of Life
Aired 21 December 2024 • 49 min
In northern Niigata Prefecture, we'll see the old ways of living as we try spicy daikon radish rolls and fluffy manju buns, go gill fishing, see cat houses made from rice straw, and a lovely old lacquer craft.