Share Cycling Across Tokyo

Exploring What’s Between the Stations

Anyone who has visited Japan before can attest the country has one of the most efficient transportation networks on the planet. This is especially true in the nation’s capital of Tokyo where you can easily get from point A to point B in a matter of mere minutes. Alas, all of this convenience comes at a cost. You see, this easy to use system of getting around gives rise to what I like to call “hub culture.” Simply put, since it is so easy to get from station to station via train, things that are worth seeing or doing consequently tend to congregate around these important transportation nodes. As a result, the areas between the various stations are often considered to be something akin to a no man’s land though nothing could be further from the truth.

As a purveyor of Japan’s many hidden gems, this is a bit of a tragedy. While first time visitors to the country will undoubtedly be drawn to centrally located attractions like Shibuya’s famous scramble crossing, repeaters would do well to dive into the various diverse layers of the city. Honestly, at least as far as I’m concerned, much of Tokyo’s charm lies in the nooks and crannies that exist in the liminal spaces between the major train stations. For example, not too far from Ueno you’ll find the charming area of Yanaka. This section of Tokyo was one of only a…