ICU Cycling Club Promotional Video

A new school year is coming at ICU and I have updated the cycling club's promotional video for a recruitment fair that is coming up.  Have a look!

You can follow this link to the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7wPKJeklNc

Or you can watch it here.

Hokkaido trip with the ICU Cycling Club

For my final trip during this year abroad, I spent 24 incredible days cycling across the endless fields of green, on long roads that extend beyond the horizon, and along the coastline of Hokkaido with the ICU Cycling Team.

Hokkaido is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, the weather is cool, the air is crystal clear, every single star in the night sky is visible, the food was delicious, and the culture is rich.  Further, the roads were wide and the drivers were very friendly to us as they always gave us plenty of room as they passed us up and sometimes even shouted "Ganbare" or "goodluck/you can do it!" in Japanese.  We never had to lock our bikes, not even once. Even by Japanese standards, the sense of peace and safety in Hokkaido was pure bliss.  

Hokkaido was a paradise for adventure, and to be able to go on such a journey with my closest friends that I have made this year was more that I could have ever asked for.  I had dreamed of making Japanese friends prior to this year abroad, and I am happy to report that I have found a group of friends so close, that they actually have begun to resemble a family to me.

Here is a photo narrative of some of the highlights from this trip!

A common sight in Hokkaido, endless fields of green and crystal clear skies.

A beautiful road that was above a forest in one of the national parks. Cycling on this road was perhaps the most beautiful sight I have ever seen while cycling.

Every single star was visible in the night sky.  This was an 8 minute exposure with a fish eye lens on my Cannon 50D.

We carried everything on our bikes, including tents, pots, stoves, lots of clothes, gear, other items.  I also had to carry 3 camera systems which pushed the weight of my bike to 77 pounds! 

We rode 70-100 kilometers per day on roads just like these,

The endless roads of Hokkaido that extended far beyond the horizon.

A fox that walked out of the woods to greet us!

I was at first unsure if it was a dog because it was so friendly and seemed to want to be petted.  Not wanting rabies, I kept my distance however.  

Many motorcyclists shared the roads with us and always waved at us as we passed each other.

The tall Australian in the back was with NHK news network and filmed us for an upcoming piece titled "Cycling in Hokkaido." 

The most Northern Point in Japan.

The seafood there was incredible!

A summer festival in Asahikawa City that we were lucky enough to be there for.

The Blue Pond.  

Sunset over one of the many lakes of Hokkaido.

Hokkaido Cycling Trip

I am currently on a three-week cycling trip around Hokkaido with the ICU Cycling Club!  

After cycling for well over 1000 kilometers with 75 pound bikes, we finally reached Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Japan.

Cycling through the open fields, winding valleys, mountains, and along the coastline of Hokkaido is like a dream.  Not to mention that I am enjoying this adventure with my closest friends that I have made this year in Japan.  I will be leaving Japan on August 12th and couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to end this year abroad.

I'll post more updates when I manage to find wifi like today.  In the meantime, here are some pictures of a fox that came out of the forest to greet our group when we were resting on the side of the road.

Humans of ICU

Here is an interview I recently had with a group from the International Christian University about my experiences in Japan as a Japanese American.

http://www.icuxalumni.com/derek-yamashita/

Roppongi Hills Club

A few days ago I had the chance to visit the Roppongi Hills Club and was able to capture this shot.  I have been waiting all year for a chance to take this picture!

    Full post to come after I finish finals.  

Meeting Pepper

Last month, Japanese telecommunications company, SoftBank introduced their newest robot, Pepper.  This robot is equipped with the latest speech and comprehension software as well as an advanced robotic body.  These robots are able to hold conversations both through verbal and physical forms and are also said to be able to assist with basic everyday functions.

Upon hearing that the Ginza SoftBank store had these robots on display, I knew I had to go.  

                                       

Here is a video of my experience.  We talked about my first love.  In Japanese.  It was great.

Of course, on the way I stopped for some photography.

The Ginza SoftBank Store.

Pepper, holding a conversation with a boy.  

ICU Cycling Club, Spring Run 2014

Before I came to Japan, I had dreamed of being able to go on adventures to beautiful places with the company of great friends.

Joining the ICU Cycling Team and becoming part of their wonderful family has given me the opportunity to live out this dream in a way I never though possible.

Here is a movie that I have been working on for the past 2 months that illustrates one of my favorite memories of my year abroad, a week-long cycling trip around the beautiful island of Okinawa during Spring vacation.


Youtube wont let me upload the video due to some copyright issues with the song I used, so please follow this link to my facebook account where the video is posted.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4069335308686

(Copy and paste this link into your web browser)