a lot of cycling

I've been reading Leigh Norrie's blog, which includes his amazing trip around Japan's 47 prefectures by bicycle. I've done a few long-distance rides, the longest being 120km in one day (Kamikawa<->Asahikawa round trip), and that includes plenty of shopping. He started out in Saitama (north of Tokyo), rode north, around Hokkaido, and then south again all the way west and then to Okinawa. It is quite an achievement, I really admire him.

I think if I were to do that kind of thing, I would start in Wakkanai, go through Kamikawa, Biei/Furano, Sapporo, Hakodate, and then south. I know many people dotted all over the islands. So all I would need is six months and plenty of cash, haha.

　I was sitting in the living room practicing my Kanji when I heard the sound of taiko. Of course I can't resist but go find out where the sound was coming from. The neighbourhood community association was holding an Atsubetsu お盆 Bon Festival. This included the drums and a huge circular dance of costumed people under the lanterns and the moonlight. One of the guys was dressed as a castle (Japanese style).