E-mail Newsletter "HIGHLIGHTING Japan"
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/


VOL. 212 (FEBRUARY 2026)

◆Cycling Japan◆

Bicycles, with the multifaceted values associated with them, including
addressing environmental issues, health improvement, and regional
revitalization, play an important role in achieving a sustainable society. From
the cycling boom of the 1950s to today, bicycle culture has developed in Japan along with various policies and legislative revisions. In this issue of
HIGHLIGHTING Japan, we feature an interview with Dr. YAMANAKA Hideo
about the history and development of Japan’s bicycle culture. We also
introduce various aspects of Japan’s cycling culture, including policies
supporting bicycle use, National Cycle Routes, types of bicycles deeply rooted
in daily life, and a bicycle sport that originated in Japan.


● The Development of Bicycle Culture and Associated Values in Japan
(Interview with Dr. YAMANAKA Hideo of Tokushima University)

● Using Cycling to Create a happy life and society in Japan: The GOOD CYCLE
JAPAN
(Introducing GOOD CYCLE JAPAN, a collaborative initiative involving the
national and local governments, companies, and private-sector
organizations, aimed at active utilization of bicycles for happy life and
society for the future)

● The Pacific Coast National Cycling Route: A 1,400 km Journey
(Introducing the Pacific Cycling Road, where cyclists can experience Japan’s
unique natural scenery, history, and food culture as they ride through many
famous sightseeing and scenic spots)

● The Toyama Bay Cycling Route Showcasing the Sea of Japan and the
Tateyama Mountain Range
(Introducing the Toyama Bay Cycling Route, a 102 km route developed
along the coast of Toyama Bay, a member of the World’s Most Beautiful
Bays Club)

● Biwaichi: A National Cycle Route Circling Lake Biwa, Japan’s Largest Lake
(Introducing Biwaichi, a roughly 200 km cycling route which lets riders
enjoy the lakeside nature and historic townscapes around Lake Biwa,
Japan’s largest freshwater lake)

● Discover Local Charms through Cycling Events
(Introducing the Tour de Nippon, cycling tours across Japan, offering cyclists
firsthand experience of the unique charms of each region)

● The History of the Mass Production of Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycles,
Pioneered by Japan
(Introducing the development and technological background behind the
electrically power-assisted bicycle, which uses a motor to assist the rider’s
pedaling and make riding easier. Japan led the world in the mass
production of these bicycles)

● The Mama-chari: A Bicycle Rooted in Japanese Daily Life
(Introducing the mama-chari (a combination of the words “mama” and
“chari” (slang for “bicycle”), designed for use in daily life)

● KEIRIN, An Original Cycling Sport from Japan
(Introducing KEIRIN, an original Japanese cycling sport that was established
as the second public sport after horse racing)


■POLICY-RELATED NEWS
(The Onigiri Project: Promoting the Appeal of Rice)

■DISCOVERING JAPAN THROUGH THE EYES OF JAPANESE INFLUENCERS
(The Power of Fermentation)

■INTRODUCING PRECIOUS TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CULTURE TO THE
WORLD
(Yabusame: A Cultural Bridge Passed Down into the Future by Archers and
the Horses)

■BACK COVER
NATIVE CREATURES OF JAPAN
(Schlegel’s Green Tree Frog)

https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/february_2026/

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