Introductory

Welcome to Japan by Bike. The blog is managed by Don Speden and myself, Brian Southwick. Don and I have lived in Niigata for a combined twenty years. Both of us are cycling enthusiasts, and over the years we have logged thousands of kilometers on the prefecture's highways and by-ways. Located in northern Japan on the Sea of Japan coast, sparsely populated rural Niigata is ideal for experiencing traditional Japan. Pictured above is the Watanabe House. Located in Sekikawa Village, eastern Niigata Prefecture, the residence is a splendid example of an Edo period daimyo's residence. Whenever a rest from our professional and family responsibilities permits, Don and I explore the Niigata countryside for such treasures from the past. We believe rural Japan and places like the Watanabe House preserve what is authentically and enduringly Japanese.