“If you lose your bike in Nishiura, just go down the hill.”

This is a saying known by anyone who frequents the pleasure district of Nishiura.

What it means is that if you can’t find your bike, it’s likely it was stolen by someone trying to get home after a night of drinking and was ridden to the bottom of the hill, where it was abandoned yet again. Everyone knows the struggle of scrambling home after a few too many drinks and the desperation to make it home in one piece.

Located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Shimoyoshida is made up of hills. It’s so much easier to zoom down the hill on a “borrowed” bike rather than walk, not to mention it doesn’t cost a thing.

Stealing, borrowing, what’s the difference? As you peer down the hill after a few drinks at Nishiura, you understand the meaning of “Just go down.”