This cat is not from Japan, but he’s in it for a month, visiting his wife, who is taking care of her old mom. He also has his bike, so without further ado, here are some photos of exotic locales in a faraway land.

Thought I’d ease you into it with some European-looking beers. Don’t be fooled, though, because they are brewed right up the road from here in Atsugi.

My first ride last week was an old favorite – Yabitsu Pass. No views from the top, so the Nanohanadai Picnic Site will have to do.

I’ve done one ride with some local riders, which is always rewarding. Kazuyoshi and Yukio took me to Enoshima and Kamakura, one of Japan’s ancient capitals. This was not a sightseeing tour, though, so we rode, and then we ate. Below is us eating aji-fry (deep-friend horse mackerel) and buri (Japanese amberjack) sashimi, steps from the ocean.

Ride #3 took me back to the Pacific via a 14% climb to Komayama Park, which had a view that nearly made up for the climb. Also below is a close-up of a Japanese vending machine, where you can get hot drinks in winter. My new friends ride with one bottle no matter the distance and just stop at these things (or convenience stores – conveniently located on nearly every street corner) for sustenance (they all have bathrooms, too). I had my trusty banana with me, but was quickly reminded that there are virtually no public garbage cans in the country. I think it’s partly due to the fact that Aum Shinrikyo, the doomsday cult who pumped out sarin gas in subway stations back in 1995, used trash bins to conceal the stuff. Anyway, it’s a huge pain in the ass, unless of course you don’t carry your own banana.

I only took a couple of photos on my last ride this morning, but I have been doing a hell of a lot of walking in Japan. Below are some fruits of those walkabouts.