Photo: Tsubasa Uno
Surrounded by the press is, yes, Mr. Junichiro Matsumoto (a.k.a. the Boss of Nishi-Izu). Despite the momentous, big-news occasion, Uno-chan peers through his film lens at the Boss’s signature expressionless face, determined not to miss a single decisive moment.
My first encounter with the Boss was about 10 years ago.
It was during a Gourmet Century Ride hosted by "CHRIS KING," where I was helping out; that was my first collaboration with Uno-chan.
The Boss seems to have a heart quite unlike the average person, and I remember Uno-chan being inexplicably drawn to him, even as he peppered his conversations with sharp, stinging remarks.
I think Uno-chan selfishly decided that such a miraculous encounter had to be nurtured, leading him to visit Matsuzaki Town in Nishi-Izu more and more over the past decade, living his life now while soaking in the warmth of the people he meets there.
It might sound like an exaggeration, but I am grateful to the Boss.
Recently, he told me bluntly, "Hurry up and go on a trip." It was a rough way of saying it, but it was filled with love, and it makes me think it’s about time I started preparing for my own journey.
But this isn't the only hot news! (Lol)
Let’s get our act together and switch gears to share the journey to Nishi-Izu and the happy days that unfolded in that new frontier.
You’ll likely hear the name "Uno-chan" repeated quite a bit, but I hope you’ll stick with me until the end.
Riding is Curiosity Itself
The bike I choose is a "CIELO Cross Classic." It’s incredibly wonderful, and this bike teaches me to "cherish your belongings."
It is a bike I am deeply attached to, one that has reliably supported me over these last 10 years and is truly memorable for me.
To this day, we are so grateful that customers from near and far, even those coming across the sea, still reach out to us at Circles saying, "About the CIELO..."—it continues to resonate with all of our staff.
We work hard every day for our customers, but as humans, there are times when we cannot meet expectations.
However, I am thrilled that we were able to unveil three types of CIELO in mid-June 2025.
The Boss (Mr. Shinya Tanaka) is also so excited that he couldn't help but write a piece on his passion for CIELO, so I would be happy if you could take this opportunity to keep it in mind.
Back to the story: this time, we traveled from Nagoya Station by train, getting off at JR Numazu Station to head toward Nishi-Izu. (Total distance: approx. 70km).
Although it’s a familiar sight, there is always a different perspective to be found. With a natural smile, I grip the handlebars and ride steadily along Prefectural Road 17.
The biggest appeal is the joy of riding with Mt. Fuji at your back the whole way. It was a bit cloudy, so it wasn't perfectly clear, but on a fine day, you’ll be able to see the magnificent Mount Fuji.
We get hungry at all times, no matter what.
I remember sitting on a bench in Heda, right in front of the fishing port. I quickly spread out my favorite tenugui towel and gulped down an iced coffee.
After refilling my TANASCO Bottle with a soft drink and finishing a light snack, I hopped back on my bike to ride the remaining distance from Heda to Nishi-Izu!
We're only 9km away from our destination, Matsuzaki.
This area is the final stretch of the mountain pass, and it's a place that sharpens your heated body once more.
Did Uno-chan underestimate it too...?
Since it was May, I lacked a healthy fear of the heat, and now the sweat just won't stop. (Sweat)
Despite such regrets, I reframed them as "good regrets," and saying, "Let’s get a head start on summer!" I sang "Kaze ni Nare" by Toko Miura—a singer I've been really into lately—at the top of my lungs.
I really love that song.
Nishi-Izu is Always a Warm Place
I can only find the word "gentle" to describe it.
Having started our ride, we arrived around 3:00 PM.
While savoring the truly beautiful scenery and the flow of time, Uno-chan was there, wiping the sweat from his brow, soaking up the sunlight to his heart's content, and transfixed by a dog happily racing along the sandy beach.
Looking out at the vast ocean before me, I munched on a fried manju (sweet bun) I picked up at a nearby supermarket.
For a tired body, I needed to inject some sugar—the king of energy replenishment.
This place is home to what is likely the only "local skatepark" in Nishi-Izu. I hate to say it, but the sections (obstacles) are pretty battered by the salty sea air. (Sweat)
But there were clear signs that skaters had been practicing hard there. Someday, I hope Uno-chan can help with the repairs and do a Matsuzaki session with my deck.
The Oasis of Matsuzaki Town: "LODGE MONDO"
At this point, the probability of it appearing in Uno-chan’s blog is 100%!!
Yes, I want to shout my love for LODGE MONDO, declaring that no one who passes by it could ever know another place like it. (After all, it’s a filming location for 'Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World'!)
As always, once I receive my room key and open the door, it’s an oasis.
I immediately take a shower and change, and then Uno-chan’s irrepressible urge kicks in and I head out once more.
But before that, I snap a photo with my unfamiliar film camera.
In the lobby of LODGE MONDO, there are many tables and sofas made of wood, a place where travelers gather.
To further enhance that beauty, the ikebana arrangement right in front of us warms our hearts.
I hear they even hold periodic ikebana lessons at the lodge! If you’re curious, why not ask them about it?
I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of hardwood...
(The reason for this will be revealed in the second half.)
After all, "Oki House," the home of the Boss’s eldest son Oki-kun, is already completely buried in it. (That’s the house in the back).
Even in the midst of this trip, his son Oki-kun was loving his video games.
Leaving aside Uno-chan offering unsolicited advice like, "Just live your life as you please and do it boldly," I’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, so I’ll head out in search of some local Nishi-Izu food.
Walking through the streets of Matsuzaki, you’ll find Shimizuya Bakery.
I tried the Soboro-pan (crumb bread) for the first time; it had strawberry jam inside, and the cookie dough on the outside had an interesting, crumbly texture that becomes addictive.
If you ever visit, it would surely make a great souvenir.
Just be careful not to eat too much! (Tummy)
Uno-chan’s favorite STOMP LOX model is the "SLAK SPD."
It is outstanding! It’s a work of genius!
These cycling shoes are also handcrafted one by one by skilled artisans gathering in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Since March, they’ve been my go-to pair—from commuting to work, there isn't a moment they haven't been useful.
Even while riding, there is no stress in pedaling, allowing me to move myself and my bike forward safely and reliably.
They’re also stable when walking, and the flat, soft sole means less fatigue even on long rides. The way they clip in and out of the pedal is smooth, making them easy for beginners to use, too.
Plus, the exterior cowhide suede is durable, so you can commute in the rain without a worry and feel great doing it.
It's a premium shoe that you can enjoy using for a long time, and if the soles wear out, you can have them replaced. When that time comes, I plan to contact STOMP LOX directly.
Wood Fired Restaurant: The Full Picture of a "Circular Restaurant"
Eating might be the most beautiful thing of all.
I visited the pre-pre-opening of "QUEBICO", a new wood-fired restaurant in Matsuzaki, Nishi-Izu—the latest experiment from the Boss of Nishi-Izu and his team—so I wanted to show you the full picture.
As part of their Nishi-Izu ancient trail revitalization project, the team behind YAMABUSHI TRAIL TOUR and LODGE MONDO has launched this circular restaurant. They use wood sourced from mountain maintenance, and instead of electricity or gas, all energy for cooking, hot water, and heating is self-supplied via firewood.
The Boss of Nishi-Izu also received the "Fuji no Kuni Regional Creation Award" from the Shizuoka Prefectural Foundation for Culture and Arts. Please take a look at the colorful and vibrant "wood-fired cuisine" that was prepared and served so casually.
Can this really be just a pre-pre-opening?! I had to rub my eyes.
On Thursday, May 15th, about 50 people—including members of the press and devoted fans of "QUEBICO"—gathered, showing just how high the anticipation is.
The doors opened at 11:00 AM, and the moment guests finished checking in and grabbed their welcome drinks, they were already wearing giant smiles.
Carefully handling the wood that is essential to "wood-fired cuisine" is Mr. Yusuke Ito (a.k.a. Yusuke-kun), a member of the Lodge Mondo staff who is basically the Boss’s right-hand man.
Yusuke-kun also visits Circles sometimes, but I happened to be out, so our first meeting was in Nishi-Izu.
When we met, we had a precious moment while heading to the forest to talk about each other’s states of mind.
Yusuke-kun, as it turns out, used to say as a young, naive kid, "I’m going to be a professional skateboarder!" (Uno-chan speaking from a position of seniority).
That determination was harder and sharper than a pebble, and with that feeling driving him, he decided to go to America, the heartland of skating.
After several years of rapid growth, he achieved his dream of becoming a pro. But about three years later, as if tapping the tail of a skateboard, he shifted gears into the world of outdoor life.
With that second starting point in flux, he had a chance encounter with Matsujun (the Boss of Nishi-Izu), and things really started rolling.
At 34, I (Uno-chan) want to write a long passage about myself as well, but if I stop Yusuke-kun (44) while he’s working, the wood and the food will be ruined, so let’s move on to the next episode. (There’s more?! Lol)
I’m going to apologize twice in a row here, please understand.
First off, I should talk about the Boss’s wife, Yukari-san, but instead… let’s focus on Mr. Shutaro Ueda (a.k.a. Shutaro-kun), who is providing diligent support from behind the scenes.
I also met him here in Matsuzaki.
Shutaro-kun was raised in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, moved to Wakayama Prefecture at 15, spent two years in the Local Vitalization Corps, and has been involved in the tourism industry ever since—he’s a biking kid who has already lived an incredibly impressive life.
Influenced by his father, he’s absolutely wild about cyclocross, downhill, and dirt jumping.
Above all, he loves nature, has an unfathomable curiosity for camping, and being a happy bachelor, his path crossed with that of the Boss. Apparently, he quickly wrote up a resume, submitted it to Matsujun, and successfully passed the test!
I haven’t had a chance to sync my breath with him or Yusuke-kun on our bikes yet, so I imagine that next time I visit, we’ll work up a sweat, get hungry, and toast at QUEBICO!
I don't know how else to put it, but the hearts of these two men are immeasurable.
Their creative ideas, the wood-fired recipes that overflow from them—the final focus for building the restaurant still feels like a "Sagrada Família" situation. (Meaning it's still a work in progress.)
The collaboration between the Boss and Yukari-san was brilliant.
Here is the wood-fired cuisine, where every single dish was a star!
Delicious!! Wood-fire is amazing!!
That was the sentiment echoing all around.
What moved Uno-chan the most was how good the charred parts were.
The turnips were so incredibly delicious. The flavor of the vegetables kept me saying "repeat after me" over and over.
The cabbage from Pompeii also blew my mind! It was super, super sweet. (Almost like dessert!)
But after the restaurant closed, the Boss and his team were all talking about, "Man, the cabbage... the firewood consumption is crazy," and the commitment to trial and error had already begun.
In Closing
It was a pre-pre-opening where I felt the true power of wood fire.
The sight of people gathering in a space with wood fire and being overwhelmed by the cuisine served there—I can still picture the faces of the people next to me.
Also, it reminded me that people, shops, and spaces don't necessarily want to be "finished"—there is a strength in continuously changing, and perhaps that is where the charm lies. It was a shocking amount of time spent in reflection.
The same is true for bicycles; perhaps a bike’s beauty is only born when a person climbs aboard.
Bicycles regain their breath when used by people, are maintained by human hands, and then, I think, a better cycle is created.
I am grateful to have been involved in this world-class big event.
I guess I'll have to look up what "QUEBICO" means myself.
I hope I can become a "sharply kind" human being, in the best sense of the word.
To everyone in the Mondo family who made this wonderful opportunity possible:
Thank you so much!
Next time I come, I'll bring some stories from my travels as a souvenir.
From, Uno-chan
