An 89-year-old man named Mitsuo Tanigami set his sights on a mission—to visit his children Naoya and Sayuri. Although both are adults who live far away, he opted to take the scenic route by bicycle. Making the trek from Kobe to Tokyo is an incredible achievement, and the devoted dad pedaled a few hundred miles during his nine-day journey halfway across the country.
Tanigami purchased an electric-assist bicycle after many years of operating a photo studio. Equipped with his bike, a paper map, and a sense of adventure, the Kobe-native embarked on one of the most heartwarming voyages to visit family. Whenever he wandered off course, the fearless father would consult locals for directions. This created an opportunity for him to connect with people as he traveled through different places. Frontier 570
Beginning on March 17, Tanigami headed east on Japan's National Route 2. This stretch led him to his first official stop in Takatsuki City in Osaka. His journey continued as he biked past Mt. Fuji, the mountainous terrain of Hakone, and soaked in the waterscape of Lake Biwa. Tanigami paused to sleep at hotels or inns along the way to recharge.
Without hesitation, the octogenarian took the road less traveled, as he embraced the unpredictability of nature. High wind speeds, heavy rain, and rough terrain are a few different natural elements that Tanigami overcame during his quest. He recounts falling from his bike nearly 20 times and expressed difficulty hearing, according to Kobe NP News Japan. The adventurous senior mentioned how the rain impaired him from seeing through the lenses of his glasses. No stranger to a challenge, Tanigami hopped right back on his bike and kept moving forward.
Day three marked his arrival at his daughter Sayuri's house in Fuso in Aichi Prefecture. After spending two days there, he continued to Tokyo, arriving at his final destination on March 25. His 61-year-old son, Naoya, greeted him and expressed a deep sense of pride for this incredible achievement. The brave voyager recounts the trip by stating, “It was a tough experience, but I'm happy that I was able to make my son happy.” Although he opted to take a more accessible form of transportation back to Kobe, he plans to make the bike trip back during warmer months.
His journey to Tokyo is a true testament to a parent's love and and the importance of spending time with family. Tanigami's story is proof that exciting adventures can be had at any age.
Photo: HenryStJohn/Depositphotos (Not a photo of the actual man.)
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