MTB Pilgrimage

One of the routes that I take on my mountain bike near my house is a hill that has spectacular views of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range.  What makes this track interesting is not just the views, but the small shrines every 40 meters.  When I asked various locals of their meaning, I only got vague answers. 
Recently a friend told me that the shrines were placed there by the Shingon Sect of Buddhists who originate from Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands.  On the island there are 88 temples and the ‘88 temple pilgrimage’ on foot is Japan’s most famous pilgrimage route.  Walking approximately 25km each day for around 7 weeks around the whole island takes its toll and many pilgrims fail in their attempt.
Athough there aren’t 88 shrines around the track I take, all of the temple names from Shikoku are scribed on the shrines.  And although not nearly as arduous, there is one hill that always gets me and I have to dismount.  But one day I will complete the mtb pilgrimage.

Mama Chairinko

Winter has arrived and there is snow on the hills.  Darkness descends on the valley now by 4.30pm.  Despite the chill,  there are still a few people out on bikes, of the Mary Poppins variety.  The ones that have a basket on the front and you use for shopping.  They are called ‘mama chairinkos’, chairinko meaning bicycle, and mama for mother.  I guess the biggest users are mothers, but I have one myself and are used by mostly everyone.  They are the most common bike in Japan as they are most convenient for getting around town.

They are surprisingly sturdy.  I once met an American who had ridden his all the way from Kobe to Sapporo for a job interview on one.  You have to give him full marks in the interview for making the journey on his mama chairinko!

 

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