Introduction: Crossing Japan by bicycle at 60.

I started this blog originally in the spring of 2010 - about 1 year ago. At that time I explained the blog address: soya-satakanrekibikeride. To save you the trouble of going back to that entry, here it is again.

Last year, 2010, I turned 60. On September 9 to be precise. In Japan that marks the end of a life-cycle of 60 years and the beginning of the next. I had been thinking of making a cross-country bicycle trip for a number of years and decided that the kanreki argument was the best one to present to my wife Akemi. I'm happy to say that she realized the importance of the trip to me - or at least its attempt - and agreed to it.

Perhaps the idea originated after reading Alan Booth's book relating his walk from Cape Soya in Hokkaido to Cape Sata in Kyushu nearly 30 years ago. Since then I have learned that Booth's trip on foot was not unique nor was my planned ride. Let me add that at no time did I think that my trip would be unique or especially noteworthy even as I approached my 60th birthday. I wanted to undertake it because there is something special yet difficult to describe about mounting a bicycle and heading off down a new road. If you've done just that then you might know what I mean.

I've been living in Tokyo for the past 22 years. I spent one year in the Kyoto-Osaka region in 1978 and another year in Sapporo in 1979. Have I come to "know" Japan in all this time? Yes, but only as every individual comes to know it in their own way. There are many gaps in my knowledge and experience, but for me it's been generally a positive experience. I don't think I would have undertaken this journey if it were otherwise. There's one big gap I ought to explain. Though I have lived here a considerable time, I handicapped myself by failing to commit early to an effort to learn the language beyond that needed to fulfill the daily requirements of life in a big city. As an English teacher I spent a considerable portion of each of my six weekly work days not speaking Japanese. I was surrounded by native English speaking colleagues which allowed me to insulate myself from many aspects of life in Japan. I realized that I had to break free from this environment if only for a number of weeks and put myself into a position where I would have to interact with the locals in their own language. I can honestly say now that I looked forward to the opportunity with hardly a hint of anxiety. A fool's way of dealing with the world? I rather enjoy the freedom it offers.

My story will begin with "Day 0", the flight from Tokyo to Wakkanai, the jump-off point for the bicycle trip. Please note that I have provided a link to a map I made which shows my route. The distances covered every day are rather accurate, but the time given is for motor transport and not by bicycle and is Google's estimate not mine.

From time to time I'll add additional commentary at the bottom of my entries as I publish them day by day ending with "Day 56".

I received immeasurable enjoyment from this trip and hope to repeat it some day. If you find my story worthwhile, I will be rewarded once again.

Scott Sherwood
Tokyo, Japan
April 13, 2011