After trains, bicycles, motorcycles, and carts are Japan's favorite vehicles. Twice in a month we saw kids practicing on unicycles, and elderly people commonly get around by leaning on rolling carts like these farmer ladies in Yoshiumi-cho:
Of course, the big force of Japanese motorcycles cannot be denied:
Some of the cycles are anthropomorphized like creatures from manga (Japanese cartoons):
while others are Hells Angels tough (almost):
People (and pets) get around on all kinds of bicycles:
Some use bikes to haul heavy loads,
while others pedal luscious-leather Gucci wheels that cost ¥500,000 (c. $5,000 USD),
There are more ignominious bikes, like this long-forgotten ladies model,
and this rusty number which is enjoying a second life as a sign for a Kyoto bike store:
You can buy lovely accessories for your bicycle, such as pre-recorded "bells" that say "sumimasen" (excuse me) in a very polite ladies' voice, or clamps that hold your parasol for you:
Bicycling is so popular in Japan that double-decker storage racks are required!
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