Cycle Around Japan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.