Cycling has been a huge part of Ryutaro’s life—starting from his early days as a backpacker, commuting to work on a fixed-gear, to how he met his wife through riding and grew to The Nakamoto family. Now living on the western side of Tokyo, Ryutaro balances his days between managing a cycle cafe and embracing the small, in-between moments with his children. Needless to say, cycling was simply how he lived.
In our conversation for People on the Road, he talks on how riding has shaped the way he sees the world
“I’m a 42-year-old Tokyo native and the manager of a cycle cafe, though I originally started out as a backpacker. In my younger days, I worked in real estate and used a fixed-gear bike to get around for work—I think I was covering about 70 to 80 kilometers every single day back then. Since then, cycling has just naturally been a constant presence in my life.
I even met my wife through cycling. She’s a dancer, and when she’s on stage, she shines brighter than anyone. We are now a family of five, with two daughters and a son. Honestly, I never imagined our family would grow this much! (laughs)”
Where do you currently live?
I live on the western side of Tokyo, in an area blessed with a large river and plenty of nature. Even though the city center is only about a 20-minute train ride away, I haven’t actually gone “into town” in years.
What is your favorite district in Tokyo?
I love Chofu City, where I live now. First and foremost, I love the abundance of nature and how big the sky feels here. On my days off, just taking a walk with my children is enough to make me feel completely relaxed. I lived in central Tokyo when I was younger, but right now, this place feels like where I truly belong.
Does your family have any special traditions or habits that you do regularly?
Every year at the end of December, we have a tradition of moving every single thing we own out onto the balcony—even the washing machine!
We’ve been doing this for 10 years, ever since we moved into our current home.
In the beginning, it was just my wife and me with hardly any belongings, but before I knew it, we had three kids and a mountain of stuff. It’s always a struggle, and while I’m lugging furniture around thinking, “Why on earth are we doing this?”, I always end up having a great time.
What is the driving force that keeps your family moving, exploring, and traveling together?
I suppose it’s simply because we are a “family.” Especially while the children are still small, we’re inseparable. I’m trying to embrace and enjoy those limitations for now. The time spent talking with my kids while we’re out on our bikes is truly irreplaceable.
Tell us about your favorite bicycles. What kind are they, how long have you owned them, and why are they special to you?
Currently, our fleet consists of one cyclocross bike, one city bike, two kids’ bikes, and a Brompton. Aside from the kids’ bikes, my wife and I share all of them. I’ve had the Brompton for about two years, and the others for around ten. I love them because they are durable, timeless, and have simple designs that never go out of style.
And lastly, how did cycling shape the way you see the world?
If I hadn’t been a cyclist, I wouldn’t have met my wife, and I wouldn’t be doing the job I have now. Our way of life is very much like a carefree bike ride—we just go with the flow and see where the path takes us.
