Freewheeling Japan

11/05/2026

Hello to all the Cycling enthusiasts who have come to Furano before and friends who I’ve been inviting for the past few years...(this is your chance!)

The dates for a Furano Cycling Festival have been set and the plans are being made.

Aug 21-22-23 at Highland Hotel in Furano (near my house)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VMn27xNp8yBf3mQy5

The purpose of the event is to promote Hokkaido by introducing new cycling routes for future guests and inbound travelers.

From Aug 24 - 30th the opportunity for a longer tour and exploring more of Hokkaido. (more about that plan later)

The Highland Hotel is a Showa style Onsen hotel with about 25 rooms.
You can park a camping car in the lower parking lot for no cost. The hotel has offered the use of their auditorium for movies, presentations and an indoor meeting place for cycling geeks in case of rain. They also have a bus that can take our group into town for dinner.

There is a restaurant in the hotel for breakfast and dinner with an a la carte menu.
I recommend reserving rooms with breakfast only.

Expect to pay 8,000 yen pp for a shared twin bed room with breakfast.
For a private room: 15,000 yen.

Please make your own reservation and let them know you are part of “Brad’s group”

Rental Bikes will be available through Rhythm Japan!
(Thank you Taka and Roberto for your support)
https://rhythmjapan.com/rhythm-furano

Basic Daily Plan: Daily rides on Sat, Sun from 8am - 14:00 / Afternoon workshops, BBQ and relax time

To cover the cost for snacks and daily driver support, I’m asking for a cash fee of 1,000 yen pp for each day of cycling. (pay each morning before the ride departs)

Please RSVP directly and thanks for reading all the way to the end :)

09/05/2026

The transition from winter to spring is complete. Much appreciation for all the guests and friends who shared time in the mountains this year. A big thank you to Kengo-san and the Asahidake ropeway staff who had to manage busy days without a lot of thanks. Momo, at Tomamu helped me more than once when my “powder belt” season pass would not work. The Furano staff did much better this season keeping lifts running and attempting to manage the morning line up. It was the first season for me to ride less days in the resorts and more days touring without lift assistance. Climbing is not my passion. I much prefer to enjoy gravity’s pull on descents. That being said, there is a zen like feeling when leaving the parking lot at sunrise. The air so cold and crisp you learn to prepare with gloves on. The steady rhythm of moving over fresh snow while enjoying the views is always better than a crowded lift line. I’ve been fortunate to have inbound guests who also appreciate early starts and earning their turns. I’m looking forward to more uphill and untracked experiences next season! Now it’s time to ride bikes and skateboards. Enjoying the farmland views and the amazing culinary options that Hokkaido provides. I’ll be hosting a Furano Freewheeling Cycling Festival (Aug 21-22-23) at the Highland Hotel. More details to follow.
Save the dates and DM me for more info. It’s going to be a fun time cycling around the hills of Central Hokkaido with a group of like minded individuals.

27/04/2026

Sharing outdoor experiences with guests, friends and special partners is no small thing. Not many people choose to wake up at 3am to hike an icy peak with a not short approach. Giving up holiday mornings for sunrise surfing or the last parking spot (gone by 5am at select locations!) We all have that friend who rallies the group and makes a plan…this important person is known from select sports or activity and they deserve a medal for unappreciated efforts ! We all recharge, reenergize and reset by experiencing the natural world. Being challenged, connected and immersed in nature sometimes requires focus and often a partner for safety. Much appreciation to all the friends who give their time, knowledge and share in the experience…it’s no small thing.

17/04/2026

Kyoto to Mt. Fuji 7 Days…637km / 7,812m
Much appreciation for Takuya, 20yr owner of Whoo Bicycles in Kyoto. He upgraded my Astuto with a new drivetrain and select parts to help me climb the steeper grades on this new route to Mt. Fuji. The guests arriving in May have requested a challenging route (100km and 1,000m of climbing per day). I’m confident they will not be disappointed by the amazing tour that Tim and Naoko Smith have put together. I’ve been fortunate to partner with professionals that understand what their clients want and how to effectively meet their expectations. Cycling in Japan is a unique experience that has its own rules and style. There are city tours like Freewheeling in Tokyo and Cycle Kyoto that help people navigate busy cities by finding quiet backstreets. On long distance adventures, we have road closures, bear warnings and the occasional troop of monkeys blocking the road. (It can be confirmed that monkeys like POWBARs and that got me out of an uncomfortable situation) The other considerations are staying hydrated and having good nutrition available with quality locations for a break or cultural immersion. The Nakasendo trade routes offer some of the best experiences on two wheels found in Japan. I’m looking forward to sharing these postal towns and regions with like minded travelers. This tour was also made possible by support from my good friend, Kokubun who joined a few days. I made a one night detour to Daizenji Temple in Gifu to meet Buddhist priest Ittetsu. My energy levels were boosted by our conversations and meeting his family. For future tours, we are considering an optional temple stay experience which I think would be amazing for the guests who want a “Zen experience” on a road less traveled.

06/04/2026

19/01/2026

Climbing mountains in winter is not everyone’s first choice although the experience can be satisfying and addictive. Once you have the confidence to move on snow and ice more comfortably the winter landscape opens up and there are opportunities for discovery. When you tour or hike the area you plan to ride you generally know the conditions, you think about the turn around time and hopefully you have an idea where you are going! (Thank you Hokkaido Wilds for the free maps and downloads) When you decide to follow a track off the back side of a ski resort without prior knowledge of the area, you are in much greater risk of being lost or injured compared with a backcountry experience outside a resort.
In my opinion, the biggest problem in Hokkaido is simply people don’t know where they are going and get lost…then it gets cold real quick and life or death scenarios get played out. At the very least, hiring a guide for the first few days of your trip can help you understand the snowpack, where to ride safely and most important, where not to go. We are fortunate in Central Hokkaido to have a keen group of outdoor professionals that share info and look out for each other above the tree line. We also have the local Self Defense force and police who risk their lives to rescue people in the mountains. Perhaps a stiffer fine or penalty for rescue should be signposted and enforced so people understand they are putting more people at risk than just themselves?

03/10/2025

Daisuke is an artist who makes wooden bikes among other designs. I had the pleasure of meeting him “on the road” He is the “Real Deal”.

11/08/2025

Farm to table experiences are often talked about for good reason. Seasonal approaches to menus, personal style and artistry are appreciated by inbound travelers and locals. If you are fortunate enough to stay at .thesuites.furano while visiting central Hokkaido, you might be able to secure a reservation at one of the “special places” (They also accept well behaved canines!) if you join a Freewheeling private tour, the Sky is the limit and I’m happy to curate a bespoke experience with food, fishing or climbing mountains. Working as guides, operators and accommodation experts, we want to attract like minded guests who appreciate discovering and naturally respect the local culture. .kojima .hokkaido
Check for more amazing local food posts. (Simon is the real deal…a chef and writer…I just like to eat good food!) photos above from Yuki! Location: Central Hokkaido.

04/08/2025

Wrapping up a seven day cycling tour exploring the best culinary and cultural stops along the way. It is a pleasure to introduce local restaurants and hidden gems like The Kumadel Cafe and their delicious apple pies and smoothies.
Shout out to a newer accommodation and restaurant in Shari named “BOTH” A stylish place with a super friendly staff and excellent set meals. I’ll be taking new guests there in a few weeks. No tour to central Hokkaido would be complete without a visit to “Takushinkan” photo gallery and The Goto Sumio Museum. If you are savvy and early to book, you might secure a reservation at “SSAW”. Otherwise, Farm Chiyoda down the road has Venison burgers and potato wedges that are my favorites. Cafe IPPO, on the way to Kanayama lake, is open for lunch, serves organic and macrobiotic meals featuring home grown produce. Cafe Goryo and Kaneko Coffee Cafe are also on my top ten list and not to be missed.
Many locations in Hokkaido do not accept reservations so arriving early or thinking about your group size before showing up is important. I notice that many people who love “slow food” are impatient (like me) Needless to say, waiting in line for Furanoya curry is just part of the experience. Much gratitude to Tetsuya and Saki from “Ride Experience” for making the trip to Hokkaido. We have put together a few new routes (secret) and will be offering these unique bespoke tours for summer 2026. You can bring your own bike or a quality rental is available from Rhythm or G.S. Astuto (if you know what’s good).

17/06/2025

June 21st, the solstice and annual date for Chad Feyen’s “Firefly Ride” I’ve got extra bikes available for the annual summer event. Send me a DM for info. I plan to leave the Freewheeling Garage in Sasazuka by bicycle at 17:00 sharp. Come to the Garage on Sat 21st anytime after 15:00 for bike decorating with lights and preparation.
The ride is about 15km / 3hrs…

Get ready to amp it up —
this electrifying group ride lets you light up your bike, blast your tunes, and cruise through Tokyo like a rockstar after dark.

Tokyo’s streets become our stage as we roll back time and go to the school of rock.”

The ride starts rolling out at 6pm on June 21st at the United Nations University in Aoyama, Tokyo.