Osaka Woman and Bicycle

大阪女と自転車

A bottle blonde mod in leather cruises past a fixed-gear bike chained to a barrier separating the street and sidewalk.

The bike awaits its owner's return; the woman is moving full speed ahead to Midosuji, in downtown Osaka.

The blue saddle, blue front tire, and darker blue chain offset her dye-job.

The black roots that are just starting to peek out match her jacket.

In a final piece of unintended artistry - and in keeping with the blue theme - there are two blue Chinese characters on the telephone pole.

禁止（kinshi）= banned, forbidden

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Osaka No Bicycle Parking Sign

大阪自転車放棄禁止区域

In a long pedestrian underpass - which runs directly under the JR lines into and out of Osaka Station - is a beat up but charming "No Bicycle Parking" sign.

Like many official proclamations in Japan's second city, it was ignored.

It was so done by the homeless men who appeared to be living and working there.

The men were selling comic books they had placed on the sidewalk. Each man had a bike, always a mama chari beater, that was used to get around and,  no doubt, to get their goods to and from market.

And customers, mainly middle-aged guys, were buying.

A brisk business was taking place on a narrow sidewalk adjacent to a busy road - pictured below left - that runs under many, many train tracks. These entrepreneurs sleep rough and use old bikes to get around Osaka to buy and sell their wares.

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Circle K Rental Bicycles

サークルKカルチャリレンタルサイクル

Circle K, a convenience store chain, has entered the bicycle rental market in Kyoto.

In front of a store north of Daimaru department store, three bikes were lined up waiting to be rented.

There is little information online in Japanese or English.

The woman manager, however, was helpful.

To rent a bike, must present one of the following: a valid passport, driver's license (Japanese), student id (presumably Japanese), or insurance card (Japanese).

Rates

City Cycle rental tickets:

3 hours: 300 yen
6 hours: 450 yen
9 hours: 600 yen
24 hours: 900 yen
1 hour supplementary tickets: 150 yen

Electric Bicycle rental tickets:

3 hours: 500 yen
6 hours: 750 yen
9 hours: 1,000 yen
24 hours: 1,500 yen
1 hour supplementary tickets: 250 yen

Insurance comes with the cost of renting a bike. However, accidents and theft are not covered.

Also, not all Circle K stores offer this service.

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Boycott the Kyoto Aquarium

京都水族館ボイコット

An massive aquarium is under construction in an urban park in the middle of historic Kyoto, an inland city miles and miles from the nearest ocean or bay.

Strange, sad, but true.

Kyoto has decided that 17 World Heritage Sites is not enough; that endlessly stalked and marketed geisha no longer cut it; that its artistic, religious, cinematic, artisanal, architectural, and historical importance won't suffice.

Thus, to draw in more tourists, the city decided it needs dolphin shows.

The aquarium - with repulsive dolphin shows set to be a main attraction - is now being built in Umekoji Park, which is a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station.

Various groups opposed the project, but like so many post-war building plans in Kyoto big, ugly, politically connected, and tasteless won out. Green, sensible, and understated lost out.

Kyoto o Mamoru Kai (The Committee to Protect Kyoto), one of the leading groups opposed to the aquarium, is now leading a boycott movement.

For more details, click here.


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North American Handmade Bicycle Show

北米職人手作り自転車協会

In another life we would go, schmooze with lots of fellow bike geeks and check out amazing new models.

This weekend, bike artisans from around NOrth America will gather in Austin, Texas, for the annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

Taking place at the Austin Convention Center from February 25 - 27, the seventh annual confab will feature exhibits by Naked Bicycles, Engin Cycles, Yipsan Bicyles, and more.

Book your tickets, fast.


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Kyoto Police Motorcycle

京都警察白バイ

Not far from Takaragaike, in northern Kyoto, this police motorcycle sped by.

He "raced" by at about 10 km/hour.

The cops were keeping order during the annual Daimonji Ekiden race, a relay marathon.

The race is held in early February and is run by teams from 50 of the public schools in the city.

The course winds began near the Golden Pavilion and ended near Heian Shrine.

Each leg of the race is about 1.5 - 2 km, and to maintain safety for the participants the cops were out on motorbikes and in patrol cars.

Though not a fan of oil-powered transportation, we have to admit this bike is pretty damn cool.

Check out the Star Wars helmet the cop is wearing.

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Beautiful Kyoto Ryokan Inn Entrance

京都旅館の入り口

Behold the entrance to an inn most can only dream of entering.

From the subtle lighting to the wet pavement - it had not rained for weeks on the day this photo was taken - the scene creates a perfect tableau.

Within men in hanten and women in kimono are waiting.

Multi-course meals, a luxurious Japanese bath, and thick futons await.

Rooms start at around 50,000 yen ($550).


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