The end of the year is approaching in a flash, but I’m sure everyone has had quite a year, haven’t you?
We, too, have overcome the hellish last three years of “Parts... just aren’t coming in...!” We’ve been able to introduce many new and long-awaited products, and we are finally back to hosting events with open arms.
Starting with WONDER HOPPER, Mori, Michi, Ichiba, and our Okazaki Camp Ride, we were able to plan and enjoy many events and rides, both large and small. To everyone who participated, thank you!
When you spend your time busily enjoying yourself, time flies, and speaking of December—it’s Circles’ anniversary month.
This year, to express our daily gratitude, we are preparing an anniversary event at the Circles store.
This year, we’re holding it on Saturday, December 2nd!
We’re announcing this a month early, so please start aiming for it now—try to get off work early, apply for paid leave, or adjust your shifts so you can lock in your schedule 👏
Day-of Schedule (Tentative)
We will start business at our usual 10:00 AM, and regular store hours are scheduled to run until around 3:00 PM.
We are planning an anniversary party from 5:00 PM.
The basic plan is as follows, but we will announce any changes on our blog or social media as they occur.
Event Highlights (As of now)
Get a limited edition novelty gift with a purchase of 10,000 yen or more!
Customers who purchase 10,000 yen or more (excluding tax) will receive a special limited edition anniversary novelty item.
We’ve put a lot of effort and money into making these, so look forward to it!
Bike Of The Year
A real-life event based on the Circles blog content “BIKE OF THE WEEK.”
On Saturday, 12/2, for one day only, we’re hosting a wild event to decide the coolest bike of the year right here at Circles!
Anyone can participate, and it’s very easy to enter.
On the day of the anniversary:
- Come to Circles on your bike
- Register
- Get a photo of your bike taken
And that’s your entry done!
Every participant will receive a participation prize.
Those chosen by staff vote will receive a luxurious prize as the “BIKE OF THE YEAR Award”!
We also have “Staff Awards” where individual staff members choose their favorites, so please join in!
These prizes are likely to be the hottest part of this event.
The photography will be handled by our staff member Shige, who took photos of many bikes at the MADE BIKE SHOW in Portland this year!
Anniversary Limited Merchandise Sale
We’ve prepared quite a variety of products for this day (maybe we went a bit overboard).
We’ll have several items to commemorate our 17th anniversary.
Once the details are finalized, we’ll announce them all at once.
Look forward to this as well.
Anniversary Limited Collaboration Items
We’ve reached out to several brands and arranged some special bespoke items.
Tade Qui
We’ve asked Mr. Hosokawa of TADE QUI—arguably this year’s most impactful newcomer—for a special item.
That product that our staff members all love is...??
Stay tuned.
TORAYA EQUIPMENT
We also have a special order planned with Toshi-chan from TORAYA EQUIPMENT, who holds regular pop-ups here.
This long-awaited bespoke piece is also nearing completion...!!
Look forward to it!
Hikari Photo Studio Photo Session / With Bicycle Special
Circles’ popular web content, With Bicycle, has turned into a live photo session.
The photographer will be our old friend Takeuchi-kun from “Hikari Photo Studio,” who is coming all the way from Kagoshima.
This is a photo studio that tours nationwide, having no fixed base and instead holding sessions at galleries and shops across the country.
https://www.hikarips.com/about
Shooting is done with monochrome film cameras, and finishing is done by hand by skilled craftsmen.
The monochrome film is developed and printed one by one by hand by lab man Shoichi Sei in Osaka.
While they’ve held photo sessions at famous locations all over the country, apparently this is their first time in Nagoya.
He is primarily a photographer known for family portraits, but he is also very skilled at capturing “people with their vehicles,” like his popular content “Car With Us.”
Why not have him take your portrait with your bicycle for “With Bicycle”?
He carefully presses the shutter one by one on PENTAX 67 (medium format) and 4x5 (large format) film cameras—things you rarely see these days—and then produces monochrome photos using incredible hand-finishing techniques.
Of course, you can ask for more than just With Bicycle; you can have family portraits or Car With Us sessions, or even a “6-Wheel” shoot (bicycle x car). Even a family ride arriving together for a Family x Bicycle photo would make for a wonderful portrait.
When people hear “film camera,” they tend to think of “emotional” or “analog vibes,” but I think you’ll be genuinely surprised by the quality of Hikari Photo Studio’s prints. Without being too comparison-heavy, they are even more beautiful than digital.
There is a true meaning to intentionally shooting with film in the age of digital cameras, and I think this could be a chance for people to learn the beauty of printed photographs.
We have printed samples at Circles, so if you’re interested, please come take a look.
For details and to apply, please check here!
https://form.run/@hikari-circles
Drum’s Nature Wine, Yakitori, and Oden Izakaya
It’s safe to say that when it comes to the evening party, we can leave it to this guy, right?
Souichiro-kun from the French restaurant DRUM near Fukiage Station in Nagoya.
We are close shops—this year, Aliba did a pop-up at DRUM, and DRUM did a pop-up at Aliba, hosting events at each other’s “home” and “away” turf.
Since I live nearby, I (perhaps rudely) drop by on my way home for a casual drink, but the food is ridiculously good.
DRUM will be coming over to organize the party’s food and drinks with a one-night-only menu.
And the menu is yakitori and oden...!
He’ll be livening up the venue with his DRUM-style yakitori and oden, so let’s toast with the natural wines he selects!
(Don’t worry, there will be beer and sours, too!)
With that said, our 17th anniversary will be held on Saturday, December 2nd!
We’ll announce any further developments on the blog, so please stay tuned!