Digital creator and rider AMU gives us the lowdown on cycling in Hokkaido, the inaugural UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, and her stay at Intuition Niseko.
Everybody enjoys the freedom that comes with riding on two wheels, but most especially AMU (@amuaiamu) — a Japanese digital creator and YouTuber who documents the joys of cycling and bike travel. A self-described casual cyclist and road bike enthusiast with six years of experience, she completed the”Amu Tabi 47″ challenge in July 2024, riding across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Originally from Gifu, AMU came to Niseko this summer as a guest rider for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, the first time the event has been held in Japan. Before the race festivities, we got the chance to sit down with her and chat about cycling in Hokkaido, what brought her to the Championships, and her stay at Intuition Niseko.
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How did you start cycling and what advice would you give for those curious about getting on two wheels?
I initially started cycling to get more exercise. I used to be an indoor gamer and didn’t get much movement in. For beginners, I’d recommend starting with a rental bike and giving it a try. Cycling isn’t only about riding fast like you do in a race. By taking your time and enjoying a leisurely ride or exploring somewhere by bike, you can experience a different kind of charm that you wouldn’t get from travelling by car. Not to mention, it’s great for your health.
It’s the first time the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships was held in Japan. What does that mean to you as a cyclist?
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I enjoy watching races just as much as participating in them, so having the opportunity to experience a world-class race and ride during the same period is very special. It’s exciting to see a major cycling event being held in Japan.
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As a guest rider rather than a competitor, what does a typical day look like for you in the lead-up to and during the Championships?
Since I won’t be competing, I’ll mainly be enjoying the event while planning out which races to watch. I also enjoy being able to see the riders racing while I’m out cycling myself.
I was particularly looking forward to the Discovery Cycling ride, as well as exploring other cycling routes during my stay. The Discovery Cycling course is quite challenging, so I want to make sure I’m well prepared and in good condition for it. I also planned photo and video shoots for content creation.
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Niseko is famous as a ski town. How has it been like watching it develop into a summer cycling destination?
It’s great that Niseko offers a more comfortable environment for cycling, with lower temperatures and humidity compared to mainland Japan. I think a lot of people head to Hokkaido to escape the summer heat anyway, and I could really see Niseko becoming the kind of place where you can spot cyclists everywhere, and think, “This is a really fun place to ride.” As it’s my first time here, I’m especially looking forward to cycling to Lake Toya.
What would you want riders to know about Hokkaido that they might not expect?
The region’s aged potatoes! They’re delicious.
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What did you love most about your stay at Intuition Niseko with The Luxe Nomad?
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Having a refrigerator, kitchen and washing machine made Intuition an ideal base for cyclists like me and I loved being able to store my bicycle indoors! I was really happy to be able to properly rest and recover in such a clean and comfortable space.
What was the most memorable or surprising moment of the trip?
I initially had the impression that staying here would be quite expensive, but I found summer to be much more accessible compared to winter. I can see how rooms with kitchens and multiple bedrooms would also be great for groups travelling together.
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