Why Ride a Brompton Through Tokyo’s Shitamachi (Old Downtown) Now?

May brought us beautiful, refreshing weather perfect for Golden Week. Based at the community space “Tsudoru” in Machiya, Tokyo, we held our second “Tokyo Shitamachi Ride.”

Riding a road bike through central Tokyo often comes with the stress of frequent traffic lights and heavy traffic. But what about a highly maneuverable Brompton? It allows you to weave through narrow back alleys where cars can’t go, and casually pop into any shop that catches your eye. Inspiring this kind of “enjoying detours in true Discover Ride style” is the core purpose of this event.

This time, the event was split into two sessions, morning and afternoon. Thanks to everyone, the limited spots for each small-group session were fully booked. Here is a look back at our downtown cycling adventure, where participants and staff came together as one.

Departing from Machiya’s “Tsudoru”: A Relaxed Ride Along the Toden Arakawa Line

Our starting point was “Tsudoru,” a community space located in Machiya, Arakawa Ward. Together with the participants, we set off on our rental Bromptons!

First, we rode along the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram), Tokyo’s only remaining streetcar line. Pedaling alongside the retro train cars as they rumbled past gave us the illusion of slipping back in time to the Showa era.

Along the way, we held our (self-proclaimed) tradition for Discover Ride tours: a trivia quiz. Participants had a fantastic time guessing the answers to some quite niche questions about downtown history and Brompton bikes.

Even though many were meeting for the first time, sharing a passion for bicycles helped everyone bond instantly—truly one of the best parts of a ride event like this.

Downtown Sweets at Arakawa’s “Kasho Akemi” and a Cool Break at Yanaka’s “Hanaju”

While riding along the tram line, we stopped by “Kasho Akemi,” a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Arakawa. The morning group enjoyed their famous “Toden Monaka” (wafer cake), while the afternoon group savored seasonal “Kashiwamochi” (oak-leaf rice cake).

The gentle sweetness was incredibly comforting for our slightly tired bodies after cycling. The simple, authentic flavors unique to a traditional downtown shop brought natural smiles to all the participants’ faces.

After that, as we entered the Yanaka area, we took a quick breather at the cafe “Hanaju.”

Quenching our thirst with cold drinks in such a charming, atmospheric space was the perfect midway pause to unwind.

Tokyo Skytree and “Tomorrow’s Joe”: Iconic Downtown Photo Spots

Updating our route slightly from the first event, we crossed the Sumida River into Sumida Ward this time. As we emerged onto the wide, open path along the river, the Tokyo Skytree loomed grandly ahead of us.

The contrast between the modern tower and the traditional row houses (*nagaya*) beautifully captures the essence of today’s Shitamachi. We all gathered for a group photo with the Skytree in the background.

Next up was what is quickly becoming a Shitamachi Ride tradition: snapping photos in front of the “Tomorrow’s Joe” (*Ashita no Joe*) statue in Taito Ward (affectionately known as the “Downtown Big Bro”).

Striking the same iconic pose as Joe has become a must-do custom on this ride. The participants eagerly jumped right in, striking their best boxing poses with great enthusiasm.

A Toast with Iyoshi Cola at the Finish Line: Sharing Smiles and Memories

After exploring various spots, we safely made it back to “Tsudoru.” To celebrate our finish, we cheered with “Iyoshi Cola,” a craft cola! The refreshing, spice-infused cola perfectly quenched our parched throats. We spent some quality time relaxing and looking back at the day’s journey together. Conversations flowed effortlessly, with everyone sharing thoughts like, “I loved the vibe of that back alley!” or “The Toden Monaka from Kasho Akemi was absolutely delicious!”

While pushing yourself on a road bike has its merits, taking it slow on a small-wheeled bike to truly feel the pulse of the city is an incredible experience. Seeing the smiles on all our participants’ faces made me realize that all over again.

We are already planning the next event! If you couldn’t make it this time, we would love to have you join us next time to discover a whole new side of Tokyo together!

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Written by Tsuchi (Founder of Discover Ride)