Reader’s Journey: Marks We Leave Behind: Osaka
Heads Up: Here is another “Reader’s Journey” a.k.a. guest articles. This time by So, a friend and someone that, similar to me, saw multiple faces of the fixed gear culture, traveling between France and Japan. So recently picked up on film photography, and I told him he was more than welcome to share a gallery of his recent shots here on SSS.
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Let me start by introducing myself. I was born in Osaka, and I’m now in my third year of riding track bikes. At first, it was just about messing around with friends on bikes, Osaka has such a dense fixed-gear culture that it was hard not to get swept up in it. Then I moved to Paris for a couple of months for my studies, and everything changed. I met incredible people at various events, like Philipp a.k.a. ILTB, Paul (@sadweeb on Instagram), and so many others who introduced me to well-built track bikes that completely shifted my perspective and values. Since then, riding a track bike has evolved beyond just as a way to go from A to B; it’s become a core part of my lifestyle and, at times, almost feels like an art form to me.
Even though I’ve been spending a lot of time outside Osaka lately, returning to my hometown always feels right. Hopping on my bike and hitting the familiar streets, whether it’s to grab coffee with friends or cruise around with the JCTKT crew, those moments are always the best to me. One of our usual pit stops is Boost (@boost_d.o.i), a bike and car shop that always has something interesting. With his experience in custom finishes and anodizing, it’s a must-visit spot if you’re on the hunt for unique, custom parts.
This is just a small piece of my story, but I’ve put together a selection of photos for you to check out. Osaka will always be my hometown, but I’d love to see others share their own slices of cycling culture on SSS too. I’m excited to keep this journey going, meeting new people and deepening my sensibility and experiences through riding bikes and film photography.
A huge thanks to Paul for giving me the chance to share these photos. See you in Kansai!