Have you seen our recent blog post about the Circles Tokyo 1st Anniversary Event??
Today, I’d like to share the details of the ride event happening on Saturday, March 1st. The ride event I’m introducing is this one!
Bike to Honjo Factory tour
Honjo is a manufacturer that creates the most beautiful fenders in the world.
Founded in 1949.
With over 70 years of history, they still continue to manufacture handmade fenders in a small workshop in Honjo, Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
Their products are fitted to various types of bicycles, including randonneurs, tourers, and sportifs, offering fantastic functionality and aesthetics not just in Japan, but to the rest of the world.
Because it’s the timing of the Circles Tokyo 1st anniversary, we wanted to host a special event, so we asked Honjo-san for the favor of allowing us to tour their factory.
Since this is their first attempt at inviting customers into a factory that is usually strictly off-limits, it is a very rare and precious opportunity.
Personally, I love Honjo fenders and often recommend them to our customers based on how they intend to use their bikes.
A bicycle equipped with the potential to be ridden even in the rain shines all the more as a "tool" in everyday life.
The beauty they display when seen in the city or in nature is that of a work of art.
Even when it isn’t raining, just having them on gives you that same special feeling as wearing an accessory yourself.
This time, we will be focusing on seeing the fender production process with President Shimamura himself providing explanations, so I think it will be a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes work, the struggles, and how these beautiful products are truly born from human hands.
I was able to get a quick look inside the Honjo factory when I went for a meeting the other day, and honestly, I was shocked.
Although Honjo provides many beautiful products to the world, not just Japan, they currently have only 4 employees.
I got goosebumps watching how everyone works with their own hands, crafting every single piece with such care and zero compromise.
Opportunities to see the raw, real-life workshop where genuine, long-lasting products with such beautiful finishes are created by hand don't come around often.
Circles representative Tanaka will also be in attendance on the day, so we will have plenty of time to hear secret production stories of Honjo x SIMWORKS and other tales you won't be able to hear anywhere else.
Furthermore, we will be holding a special production workshop this time.
SIMWORKS Turtle Bell Workshop
The beauty of brass is one-of-a-kind; you will be able to assemble your very own SIMWORKS Turtle Bell to take home.
Using the SIMWORKS original turtle-shell pattern, each piece is manufactured entirely by hand.
We are planning for you to experience the assembly process this time.
It’s fantastic to think about putting a beautiful brass bell you made yourself on your bike and letting it age and develop character over time. Start imagining now which bike you’re going to put it on!
*Participation in the SIMWORKS Turtle Bell workshop is optional.
Those who wish to participate will be charged the SIMWORKS Turtle Bell price of 10,780 yen (tax included).
After the factory tour is finished, we will go for lunch together at a restaurant frequented by Honjo President Shimamura, and then head back to Toranomon.
Limited to 5 participants!!
Because we want you to experience the charm of Honjo more deeply through the production processes, explanations, and the workshop, this Bike to Honjo Factory tour will be limited to 5 participants.
If there are many entries, we will select participants via a lottery.
Please note in advance that we would like to give priority to those who fit the following criteria:
〇 Those who wish to participate in the SIMWORKS Turtle Bell workshop
〇 Those who are already using Honjo products
Please enter via the form below.
※Entry period: Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 – Tuesday, February 25th, 2025
※The day after the entry deadline, Wednesday, February 26th, we will send the lottery results to the registered email address.
Circles Tokyo ⇔ Honjo Factory Group Ride
On the day of the event, we will ride our bikes from Toranomon Hills to the Honjo factory.
We are planning a ride that will allow you to enjoy the different atmospheres within Tokyo, ranging from the refined, modern scenery of the city to the local streets of the "shitamachi" area.
The round trip will be approximately 25km.
Bike To Honjo Factory Tour
Meeting time: 8:45 AM
Meeting place: Circles Tokyo, Toranomon Hills Station Tower PlazaDeparture time: 9:00 AM
Estimated arrival at factory: Around 10:15 AM
Factory tour: Around 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch: Around 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Arrival in Toranomon: Around 4:00 PM
*The planned dissolution time is around 5:00 PM.
*The schedule may shift slightly.
Capacity: 5 people
Participation fee: Free
*10,780 yen (tax included) for those wishing to participate in the workshop.
*Please bring your own lunch money.What to bring: Bicycle, helmet
For questions, please feel free to contact Ishikawa, who is in charge of this event.
Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity!!
We look forward to your entries.