Toaster Bikes
Regardless of its respectable achievements in the field, Panasonic has to put up with its cycling products getting teased as “toaster bikes” by some enthusiasts. Back in the 1970s and 1980s,…
Classic Bike FAQ
These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) focus on maintenance advice for mountain bikes (MTB) and hybrids from the 1980s and 1990s. How…
Torii Tunnel
Its iconic looks have been attracting millions of visitors every year, making Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine one of Japan’s most popular tourist spots. The shrine’s grounds are expansive and of a…
Panasonic CB4000
This 1993 model of Panasonic’s CB4000 is a classic cross bike that combines the rare Shimano 700CX group set with a double-butted chromoly frame (Tange Infinity). The 700CX group’s most noticeable…
Touch of Blue
“Twinkling silver with a touch of blue,” that’s what much of Tokyo looks like in wintertime. The quote goes back to Tatsuro Yamashita’s tune Christmas Eve (the Japanese counterpart of…
Plastic Love
Can you think of a pop song that got an official music video from its record company more than a quarter-century after its release? Well, this actually happened to Mariya Takeuchi’s 1984 tune…
Battleship Island
If it was not for its strict access regulations, Gunkanjima could have been the ultimate urbex dream location. The abandoned island is in easy reach from Nagasaki port by guided tours. As a tourist you are,…
Tokyo Trivia
Tokyo has some surprising and quirky superlatives, like the highest density of vending machines anywhere or having more star restaurants than Paris, France. Well, automating things is…
Crimson Capital
Kyoto has hundreds of temple and shrine gardens spread out across the city, making it Japan’s most popular location to watch autumn foliage. During fall these places will show some…
Mountain Huts
Its expansive network of marked trails, cable cars, and mountain huts make the Alps one of the most accessible mountain regions anywhere. During summer, when the cattle populate the surrounding…