Go down south of the Sumidagawa Terrace and return to the road from the Mannebashi bridge. Slipping from the Bashou Shrine, you will see a line of colorful bikes on the corner. Coming closer you will spot Alohaloco’s sign. Beside the shop’s white counter are bikes and displayed on the wall are what looks like works from local artists.
“Irashae” welcome.
From below you can hear voices, and when you look you can see a person’s shadow coming towards you. This is the owner of Alohaloco, Kensuke Shikano.
“Today are you going out? It is a good season to ride a bike,” says the owner of the shop.
The owner has a friendly personality, and will help explain the nearby drinking spots, the bath houses, cafes, and galleries.
Kensuke is the original creator of the bicycle brand Alohaloco. His personally designed bikes are sold throughout Japan. Attracted by the scenery of the Sumida riverfront, he started an office here five years ago. Since that time, he has biked the four kilometer road to work everyday.
Wanting many people to know the joys of biking, he started a rental service, and uses the first floor as his office.
He is originally from Fukushima and was born and raised in a family that owned a bicycle shop. But after he came to Tokyo he removed himself from his always closeby bicycle, and spent his days working as an office employee. He then noticed how he missed his biking lifestyle.
At first there were many days when no one would visit, but soon the people walking throughout the town came to visit his shop. If you ask to rent a bicycle, Kensuke will choose a bicycle that fits you well. And then he will finely adjust the pedals and seats.
While we are at a close distance to the neighbors, let’s ask them the best bike route to get around the area.
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Address: Tokyo, Koto-Ku, Tokiwa 1-4-10
Hours: 10:00am-6:00pm
URL: http://alohaloco.com
☎︎ 03-6659-5761
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