In Japan, similar to the US, you have your local bike shops and then you have big chains.
One of the most popular chains is Y’s Road (pronounced as “Wise Road”), Japan’s largest sports cycle specialty store.
And I have to say, of all the stores I’ve been to in Japan, Y’s Road is simply the most impressive (it’s important to note that I went to the Ikebukuro location).
One of the things I really enjoy about Y’s Road is the many varieties of bikes. You’ll find Cannondale, Trek, Giant, Cervelo, Bianchi, Ridley, Carrera, Scott and more.
I also found it fascinating to see the store feature collaborations with the popular anime and live-action drama “Yowamushi Pedal”. For those not familiar with “Yowamushi Pedal”, it’s a story about a high school kid named Onoda Sakamichi who loved anime and manga and he would ride a far, long distance to get to Akihabara to pick up the titles he enjoys. The bike team saw his determination and if honed, he could use that skill to join the bike club.
In part 2 of my coverage of Y’s Road, we will see what other cool things cyclists and bike enthusiasts can find inside Japan’s largest bike chain.
