Hello & Welcome to FindingSachi.com!
(The below post is what I wrote before I set off on my bike tour. I am leaving this as is so you can see how I started the whole project.)
Finding Sachi is an adventure bike tour, that started on March 10, 2011 to experience the wonderful food eaten in Japan. Join me, your tour guide Sachi, as I cycle from Okinawa to Hokkaido (south to north) to find delicious food and beautiful scenery throughout Japan.
Who is Sachi?
My name is Sachiko Takao, and my friends call me Sachi. I was born and raised in Japan, but my adulthood was spent mostly abroad as I went to a university and worked in the US and the UK. I love food and being active!
What does Sachi mean?
Sachi has a couple more meanings besides it being my name. Sachi in Japanese means happiness, and my first name, Sachiko, means Happy Child.
There is another meaning especially suited for this project. Sachi in the context of food means delicacy.
The examples are “umi no sachi“(ocean’s delicacies = good seafood), and “yama no sachi” (mountain’s delicacies = good veggies, etc). Oh yes, I would definitely like to find those Sachi’s!
Why do I want to do this?
As I spent my adulthood abroad, many friends from different countries have asked me what I ate as I grew up in Japan. Surprisingly, I found that a rather difficult question to answer. Sure, I told them about having rice as the main source of carbohydrate, miso soup, fish, meat, soy products… in the usual words you’d expect as the answer. But that was definitely not representing all the wonderful things I ate and what we have here in Japan. I always thought I should’ve done a better job in explaining, but I wasn’t good at it despite my love for food. It’s about time I do something about it. My friends who love cooking have shown me numerous home-cooked meals of their own country, and I would love to do the same for them.
I have decided to go on a cycling tour of Japan from Okinawa (south) to Hokkaido (north) to find and eat all kinds of regional “Sachi’s” of Japan, and share them all with you along the way on this website. Are you ready for the ride?
Is there anything special about Japanese food?
After the war and in the midst of the bubble economy, the type of food available in Japan expanded and took more influence of the western cuisine. However, there is a lot that still remains unique and as it has been for many centuries. Japan also happens to have the longest life-expectancy in the world, which is helped by the the country’s traditionally well balanced diet. It’s not just delicious, it’s healthy too!
What is “Le Tour de Japanese Cuisine”?
As you may have noticed, the tag line, Le Tour de Japanese Cuisine, is a spin-off of Le Tour de France, the most famous cycling tour of the world. Mine won’t be as fast and furious like their amazing tour, but it should surely involve some crazy fun adventure and great food!
I have also written my first blog entry that talks about the why of this project. Have a look:)
This post is also available in: Japanese
Yay! It sounds like too much fun.
Hi Sachi,
Wow I’m looking forward to you delicioustrip! We not only want to read about it but also want to see it!!!
Are you making an video about it? Or maybe a photoreportage with music? Yes? It would be great if joined us at WorldCycle Video’s on Vimeo.
Have a delicious trip!
http://www.vimeo.com/groups/wereldfietser
Twitter @worldcyclevideo
Hola Sachiko, espero que comprendas español, pero si estas con Biciclown, el te puede traducir, Bueno pasaba por acá ya que leí un comentario sobre tu próximo en la Pagina de Biciclown, Bueno yo igual soy Ciclista de Alforjas como se le dice por estos lados de sudamerica, y me encanto tu gran Proyecto, te deseo lo mejor en todo, no conozco tu país pero me imagino que debe de ser muy bello, espero conocerlo en alguna oportunidad y te agradezco que le brindes apoyo a Alvaro, ya que yo siendo ciclista, se lo que cuesta en que te den hospedaje en la ruta, te envío un abrazo a la distancia y muchas buenas vibras, que todo salga muy bien, que tengas Buena Caza!!!
Fernando Hernandez Sosa
FREDDY TURBINA
Santiago de Chile
Pd :Esta es la dirección de mi web http://www.freddyturbina.tk por si la quieres visitar, lo único es que esta en español, en ella pondre un enlace para tu web.
Hola Fernando,
Muchos gracias por tu apoyo! Hoy en día, Google Translate herramienta puede ayudar en un caso como este:) Por supuesto, he Biciclown que me ayude en este momento, pero es tan maravilloso que los espectadores como si de otro país. Soy nuevo en el ciclismo, y espero poder aprender de los ciclistas con experiencia como Biciclown, usted, y muchos otros en todo el mundo.
Con una gran sonrisa,
Sachi:)
you’re too cute Sach. ha! Mel and I will be following at every stop!!
Thank you, Chini! Support from friends like u keeps me going!
Yesss!!!
Looking forward to seeing the recipes, and loved the Nicu Jaga film on vimeo.
Ciao
Paul
Thank you, Paul!
It was really fun making that video too. I hope to have lots of delicious videos from all over Japan once I start!
I just posted that video on my blog too
Hey Sachi! I have a question for you! On my blog I have an ongoing series that features Japan Bloggers talking about their favorite places. I’d love to feature you! All I would need is a paragraph or so, maybe a picture, about your favorite place in Japan. Here are some links to previous posts I’ve made in the series. If interested, please email me at kaleyjapan@gmail.com! Thanks!
http://www.kaleyinjapan.com/2011/06/what-japan-bloggers-have-to-say-about.html
http://www.kaleyinjapan.com/2011/06/what-japan-bloggers-have-to-say-about_21.html
http://www.kaleyinjapan.com/2011/06/what-japan-bloggers-have-to-say-about_27.html
Hi Sachi,
I discovered your amazing blog after reading the last newslater from TravelingTwo, and I really find it amazing. It’s extremely interesting and entertaining with great writing and amazing pictures, I have a lot of pleasure reading it… and I must admit that it also changed my views about Japan. Indeed, I’ve always been attracted by Asian countries (I took a few bike trips in China and will ride in Vietnam next December) but I wasn’t much attracted by your country before, as the landscapes didn’t seem to offer as much variety as other countries there. But after reading your blog I’m starting considering going to Japan for yet another bike next spring instead of discovering Thailand
So, thanks again for this wonderful blog, and of course, happy cycling to you !
Jérôme
Yea, cycling and food go together.
How long will you be cycling around Japan?
You and I share something in common: long time love of cycling (well, I’ve been at it regularily for past 20 yrs. I’ve been car-free for last 30 yrs.), food, travel and blogging, which I also blog on these topics. However I would consider my food adventures a wierd, wonderful mix of Canadian Asian and non-Asian stuff.
I’ve completed my Japan cycling tour in October, but still writing the stories i have not yet shared:) It was a seven month long, amazing trip.
YOU are an inspiration. I am a foreigner living in Japan, loves to eat and love to cycle.
I am happy I found your site
This is so cool. And its making me hungry!!!!