Looking for Japanese cycling blogs/websites

[Nathan]

Hey all,
I'm starting to plan a trip to Japan next year for a potential 12 month cycle tour.

I'm intending on having a SS/Fixed Rando style frame made locally in Aus by my uncle who is a frame builder here. I'd love to go with a Japanese builder, but my uncle can do a similar frame here and I can work closely with him on it to get it just right. Plus he's more cost effective than some of the Japanese builders.

My aim though, is to incorporate traditional Japanese design methods and materials into the frame, and I will be using 100% Japanese parts.
I'm hoping to have something similar to a Toei when finished. Although it will be a singlespeed/fixed gear frame for simplicity with the possibility of running an internally geared hub.

So to get some more idea's for my trip, I'm interesting in reading any Japan related blogs or websites for cycle touring, components, travel, cycle groups etc etc. Basically anything of interest to someone who's intending to cycle tour there.
I'd like to get more involved in the local culture than most tourists do, which means meeting and cycling with some of the locals there aswell.

Cheers

 

[doctor-bond]

These might help:


http://sadabonne.cocolog-nifty.com/ (Get past the doggy and there's some sweet Rando stuff.)


http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2007/01/japanese-frame-builders.html

 

[Nathan]

Awesome, thanks for that d-b.

I should have added that I'm also looking for anything that will provide inspiration and idea's or fun activities to do there etc.

Aside from cycling and trying to get to know as many people as I can within the cycling scene there, I'm also intending to try and delve into their punk rock and rockabilly scene as much as possible.