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Fixed Gear/Single-Speed Bike Rental?
Dreaming of rekindling old memories and want to rent this type of bike while back on October 15th… Returning to the city after a very long hiatus and was an avid single-speed rider while living here.
Dreaming of rekindling old memories and want to rent this type of bike while back on October 15th for two weeks.
Anyone know a shop that does this type of bike rental or has one they can loan me?
This is a tricky one because Tokyo bike rental culture is almost entirely city commuter bikes or mamachari, fixed gear is a niche scene here. Most of the track bike shops are clustered around Koenji or Shimokitazawa, but almost none of them rent, they're all build-up and parts shops. You might have better luck posting on the Tokyo Fixed Gear and Track Bike Facebook group, there are always guys there who have a spare frame and are willing to lend one for a couple weeks if you're buying the drinks.
If you're set on a proper rental, your best bet is actually to check out Tokyo Fixed Gear Cafe in Koenji, they've had a few rental track bikes in the past, though it's been hit or miss depending on the season. Otherwise, you could buy a cheap used one at Cycle Paradise in Kichijoji for like 15,000 to 20,000 yen and just sell it back to them before you leave, they buy anything and it's honestly less hassle than hunting down a rental. October is perfect riding weather too, so if you find something, the Arakawa river loop is still the best spot to stretch the legs without worrying about traffic.
The buy-and-resell route is the most practical, but if you want to skip the hassle of selling, check out the rental bikes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku. They have a small counter on the first floor, mostly for tourists, but they keep a couple of single-speed city bikes that are decent for cruising. It's around 1,800 yen for 24 hours, and you can return it to any of their kiosks, which is handy if you're moving around.
Another thing that works for a two-week stay: the Tokyo Bike parking lots near major stations have a subscription service for about 3,000 yen a month. It's not a rental, but if you buy a cheap used bike, you get a secure spot to leave it overnight without worrying about theft. Most recycle shops near Koenji will also hold your bike for a small fee if you ask nicely, so you don't have to carry it to your hotel.
For the riding itself, skip the Arakawa loop if you want a change and do the Meguro river path instead. It's narrower and more technical, but there's a quieter stretch past Himonya Park where the old fixie crowd still gathers on weekend afternoons. You'll see a few guys on vintage NJS frames who are usually happy to chat about the old days, and if you're lucky, one might let you take their spare for a spin around the block.
since u rode back in the day u probably remember that the real fixed gear energy moved out of koenji a bit. there's a crew that does the saturday morning ride from the tamagawa riverbank near futako-tamagawa station, they meet at the seicomart around 7am. older guys mostly, some still on keirin frames, they're super chill about letting visitors take a spare bike for a loop if u just chat them up. not a rental but way more authentic than any shop.
for an actual rental though, i'd skip tokyo entirely and check the small shops in yokohama. there's one near the bashamichi station exit, i think it's called something like "kurogane cycles", they've got a couple of old suginos they rent weekly for like 2,000 yen a day. it's a 25 min train ride but u get a proper njs frame instead of some flat bar commuter. bring ur own lock tho, theirs are flimsy.
also if ur staying in shibuya, the bike parking under miyashita park has a few fixie guys who lock up there daily. i've seen notes taped to seats offering short term rentals, usually 1,500 yen a day cash. kinda sketchy but they're all locals who just want their bikes ridden while they're at work. just don't crash it or they'll find u lol
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.