Introducing our Community Postcard Series 

Explore the streets of Tokyo with Tats and Ran.

Whenever we send a postcard, we want to share and remember a special place or experience. Whilst personal, it often touches on a common ground with the recipient. By introducing our Community Postcard Series we would like to encourage sharing different viewpoints from across the world and explore cultures through a mutual passion for sports and adventure.

In this postcard, we traverse the streets of Tokyo with Tats and Ran.

Living in Tokyo can be challenging as a cyclist. Known as the largest metropolis in the world and home to over 36 million people, cycling here isn’t always easy to navigate due to high volumes of traffic and traffic lights - not to mention big crossings.

Tats, the editor-in-chief for Love Cyclist, a cycling media website with a lifestyle focus, has go-to routes for the types of rides he wants to do: “We often meet in an area of western Tokyo called Inagi where many cyclists congregate. From there we go to different places depending on our objectives. These routes can include riding into the suburbs and climbing the local mountains. The busy streets can be challenging, but once out of the city, winding and empty roads await.”

Sharing an insight into cycling culture in Japan and how people get inspired to start cycling, he explains:

“In Japan, there is a close relationship between anime culture and cycling and many people start cycling under the influence of a road racing anime called ‘Yowamushi Pedal’.

Up until now, most Japanese cycling media have focused on the competitive aspect of cycling. There is a lot of information on how to get faster and race, but cycling culture as a lifestyle is still in its infancy. With Love Cyclist, we want to add diversity to Japanese cycling culture by introducing different riding styles and fashions from abroad, which are still largely unknown in Japan.

What I love about cycling is the sense of community it brings. I love the riding itself, but it's the sense of community and relationships that are formed through it that has a big impact on my lifestyle.”

One of the relationships Tats has formed is with Ran, a close friend and local doctor. She’s a great companion, who also helps keeping him up to date with all the latest training theories.

When staying in the city for social rides and food with friends, Tats has his go-to coffee and food stop he can highly recommend to everyone: “The crepes at PARLA are fantastic. They are more than twice the price of a typical crepe, but the sticky dough and rich flavours make you want to eat them again and again. And if you really want to splurge, you can have a crepe with truffles or even caviar.”

You can connect with Tats and Ran via the links below and we would like to thank them for writing to us and sharing their incredible photos.

If you would like to get involved and send us your Postcard, drop us a DM on social media or get in touch via social@universalcolours.com.