Enjoying the moment…

Well despite the rain, we decided to visit Rin Project – a bicycle shop near Inaricho station. We might have made a few purchases… and then decided to walk to the Edo Museum. We came across a coffee roaster and shop we had visited years ago and decided to have a bite to eat.

It’s nice to take a slower pace today, as we pack for the visit to Seoul tomorrow.

Weather forecast…

When the forecast is not what you want, it can be hard to accept. As Kym said “there is a disappointing amount of moisture today.” Originally we had planned to cycle a route past all the famous Tokyo toilets as featured in the Japanese movie Perfect Days. We highly recommend the film.

We even tried to delay starting by enjoying late breakfast and cake. Oh well, something for next trip!

Bromptoneering…

Today was a public holiday in Japan, and we had an invite to join five Brompton riders in Chiba.

We caught a train out to the JR Abiko Station (couple of changes) to meet the other riders. Riding away from the station to Lake Teganuma we passed a public library – yes I did go inside for a quick look, it was open even though it was a public holiday!

Back on the Brompton we were cycling alongside the lake which is known for lots of bird life. As it was a sunny day there were a fair number of people about. We stopped a few times for photos, and to look at the Moa statue outside the bird museum.

We continued on.. and it was just a really lovely ride towards the end of the lake, where we stopped for an early lunch. We managed to beat the crowd and get in first… given there were seven of us.

We enjoyed curry, and Japanese hamburger (oh sooo tasty!). Back on the bike we continued on the route. The path was great as it is continual all around the lake a bit like alongside the River Torrens at home, but wider and better sight lines. We took a few photos and the next stop was a farmers market… oh this was a delight. There was a lot of produce from local farmers and producers. I wish I could shop here – there were so many items I would love to have taken home to my eat. As Chiba is home to peanut growing we also had to try the icecream, even a few other Bromptoneers had not had previously tried. The ice cream was simply devine- I don’t recall seeing this flavour at home.

Next stop was a doughnut and coffee shop which is associated with Brompton/cycling as they have an event on the weekend. I enjoyed my traditional cinnamon with a cold coffee, perfect energy pick me up to get us through the back streets to a railway station.

Todays ride all up was 28km and it was certainly was great day on the Brompton. The local Bromptoneers were great hosts and certainly know the area well – we really enjoyed the experience and hope to see them again.

Trains

Catching trains in Tokyo is a delight. Especially on public holidays, as it’s not as busy! These photos were taken before 9am, when the train would be a little busier. Today we will be cycling along one of the many rivers with other Bromptoneers from Tokyo.