The Japanese bike culture is one of the most typical features of the Land of the Rising Sun. If you decide to visit Japan, make sure to rent a bicycle to get around, as this is the most used means of transportation in the country.
Regardless of where you go in Japan, cycling is the norm rather than cars. Most Japanese people own even two bikes - as a visitor, you'll see people cycling in the wildest countryside and in the concrete jungle of large metro areas, such as Osaka and Tokyo. You'll find many dedicated bicycle parking lots outside supermarkets, libraries, shopping centers, and small local groceries. There's no other place in the world with as many biking-designated areas for everyone.
An Everyday Culture In Japan
What's the point of using bikes rather than cars? The fact is that Japanese people love looking at nature, smelling the air, and feeling the seasonal appeal. Cars don't allow you to enjoy the world around your body. That's why bikes are Japan's number one means of transportation. It's not a matter of comfort or speed - going out to reach places is more connected to enjoying what's in nature.
This particular approach to life is part of the Zen culture, which influences almost all aspects of life in Japan. We might even say that the two wheels are part of the Japanese Zen culture and go hand in hand with the Zen taste for nature. The admiration spirit of Japanese people for nature is called the Mottainai mentality, which means that nothing is to be wasted, including the chance to admire blossoming flowers or flowing rivers. Biking is also an excellent means to help you stay healthy and save money on fuel. Last but not least, biking helps the environment by reducing air pollution.
Safety Facts About Cycling In Japan
It would be best always to be careful where to leave your bicycle in Japan. You can't park it anywhere, even though it's just for a minute. There are many bicycle parking areas - if you can't find one nearby, you'd better ask someone. Japanese people will be happy to help you, remember they're kind and polite to everyone, especially foreigners!
Another important thing to remember is that you should wear this cyclist's protective gear when riding a bicycle in Japan. Safety is a crucial aspect when you're on the road, and Japanese people are attentive toward any safety-related topic. Japan takes care of its roads, even in the most remote areas of the country, where riders go biking in the forest or visiting small rural villages.
Chasing Matsuo Basho's Footprints
Chasing the hidden ways in the heart of forests like Edo haiku poet Matsuo Basho did is one of the most appealing and exciting experiences you can have in Japan. Basho left his family and went wandering in medieval Japan. He met people, enjoyed the outdoors, and returned home completely renewed as a person and an artist. His poems are a source of inspiration for many people in the world who go to Japan to explore Basho's ways by bicycle and enjoy the purest side of Japanese nature and Zen lifestyle.