Konichiwa: (pronounced: koh NEECH ee wah). A greeting, roughly `how are you'

 Our mission; to explore the mountain biking in and around the Tokyo and Nagano areas,  to participate in the Shimano Biker Festival, one of the biggest events on the Japanese calendar, and bring it all home in a can we call film.

 Given the opportunity to travel to Japan with Ride Guide I jumped at the chance and was not disappointed.

 Land of ancient culture, sake, samurai's, and mountain biking; what an odd mix, but as we all know, biking is the best vehicle to get around on and truly discover a country.

 Our guide, Paul Chetwynd a former resident of Deep Cove, North Vancouver, picked Cory and I up at Narita International Airport in the middle of a tyhoon. The wind was howling and the plane was one of the last to land as the airport was about to be closed. The typhoon was not the only display of local phenomenon as we also experience an earthquake two days later.

Tokyo sits on the east coast of the largest island, Honshu in the Japanese archipelago. From Tokyo we headed up into the lush green hills as soon as the city limits were left behind. The region of Nagano, host to the 1998 Winter Olympics was nestled at the base of what is called the Japanese Alps or South Alps. These mountains range in height from 2000 to 3000 meters and they were not at all what we expected.  Though close to Mt. Fuji we were never given even a glimpse as the rainy season had not quit ended and daily showers meant that the clouds were always thick and plentiful.

 Over the course of the next few days we saw many amazing sights that I'm sure few people will ever see, local or tourist. We were well off the beaten path and had we not had a guide, these unknown spots would have remained unknown.

 Our first impressions were of small temples and ancient rock Buddha sculptures nestled in deep, lush forests. The history of this area was narrated to us by Paul who having lived here for 14 years is becoming well versed in the local lore. "A shogun was born here, and this is where they would have retreated to, oh and over here is the Jedi Trail," such a bizarre mix of old and new, this is Japan.

 From ancient monuments and a myriad of stone temples in a thousand different shapes to ripping down steep banked single track, our senses were alive. Nights were spent relaxing, reminiscing and planning. What would be the next trail, the next piece of history and why would anyone want to live in Tokyo while only 2 hours away was this beautiful mountain retreat. 

Massimoto Castle, 410 years old in original condition, sat just up the valley. We toured the premises as a build up to yet another epic ride. From the top of the mountain high above the city we descended a secret trail that wound down the ridge, through exposed alpine to bamboo forests into fern glades and on through rice fields and still it continued down.

 Ryokan: "a traditional Japanese inn with tatami mats a and futons, similar to a B and B

 Onsen- a traditional hot spring, they are literally everywhere.

 Ramen Noodle-made from buckwheat this simple fare is a rare delicacy if you can find the real thing.

 By the end of the week our Japanese speaking abilities were about 1% better than when we had arrived, so it was time to test them out at the Shimano Biker Festival. It is much like a Sea Otter, but without as much industry involvement. This is the main event for Shimano to title sponsor and the event has its own unique flavour. The emphasis here is on participation and enjoyment, there are numerous events, of varying length, something for everyone.

Highlights here included the Super D, the Uphill Sprint, the Super XC, the North Shore Trials ( a kids event) and the number one; a full boar on the roast with a local Sake maker to toast the entire event. It took a few cups of this cold Sake to even begin to understand the amazing quality of this beverage, Kampi or cheers were heard everywhere as the pig on the roast was ready to eat.

 Onto Tokyo the next day to explore the concrete jungle in hopes of finding some green space and maybe even a trail or two. Once again our esteemed translator and guide had a secret location. Just 45 minutes outside the city center and here again were unfound wonders of ancient culture, lush growth and winding gnarly trails.

 We spent that night on the town in downtown Tokyo, a city alive even on a Monday night at 1am. To stand on the corner of a trail and hear nothing but the birds, the streams and the wind to hours later stand on one of the world's busiest street corners is a mental and physical sensation that defies explanation.

 Japan is rich with new and old, a country that needs time and a guide to truly discover it. The people are amazing, warm and hospitable, it's diversity is almost unfathomable as my senses are still reeling from the vastness that is Japan all located on these few islands not so far away.

If you are interested to go mountain biking in Japan, Paul Chetwynd is the guide to hire, Freeride Adventures Japan.

 Dre