Our friends
Some of our favourite sites and people who share our goals and aspirations
Organisations
PEPY – Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself
After being inspired by her time on BEE, PEPY co-founder and director Daniela Papi decided to cycle across Cambodia and raise badly needed funds for education and development. 4 years later PEPY is a registered charity in the US and Cambodia with a full time staff based in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. They conduct cycle tours to support their educational and sustainable development programs in rural areas and they also work with some fantastic NGOs in Cambodia such as RDIC and Sustainable Cambodia.
Peace Boat: Cruising around the globe to promote peace since 1983. Well, it isn’t that easy, but you get the gist of it. Peace Boat volunteers promote people-to-people connections around the world, believing that this kind of inter-human exchange is the way to create a new peaceful world society. Many BEEs, such as Emilie & Nerys of 2004, as well as 2009′s Rocio Otero!
FJET (Fukui Japan Exchange and Teaching)
www.fjet.org
FJET is the Fukui branch of AJET. Run by JETs for JET in Fukui. FJET organises social events, works with the Fukui Board of Education to support ALTs on arrival in Japan and also carries our charity work and has community events throughout the year. BEE is happy to count on the support of the FJET committee and indeed, all Fukui JETs.
Fuji Eco Park Village
www.fujieco.co.jp
ringospermaculture.blogspot.com
Fuji Eco Park is a permaculture education center and one of our generous hosts for this year’s ride. Visit the site to find a wealth of information on permaculture, composting and living off the grid. Or, for a hands-on experience, why don’t you join Ringo for his composting workshop this summer.
Japan Cycling Association
BEE Japan on JCA
JCA Home Page
Fukui Branch of the JCA
BEE Japan is proud to be supported by the Japan Cycling Association (JCA). The JCA will be following our journey on their website. Please drop by and have a look. (Japanese only)
http://www.rainfroginvestment.com/
Founded in part by 2002 BEE Rider, Tucker Gilman, RainFrog is for people who want to invest their money in an environmentally responsible way. Partners commit to creating a sustainable future by putting their money where their mouth is: renewable energy, organic farming, health care, etc.
Friendly Day International (FDI)
FDI is the maker of the BEE Japan 2009 Team’s Reused T-shirts. On top of making these innovate eco-friendly Tees, FDI also aims to make people aware of Friendly Day (April 14th), as a day for “All people to work toward building better interpersonal relationships.” FDI’s Kaori Fujita is a special friend of BEE, who has helped make our 2009 reused T-shirts possible! Thank you Mrs. Fujita!
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): An excellent group, raved about by anyone I know who’s visited a WWOOF farm. For an annual membership fee you can get connected with organic farmers across the world. We’re really happy to have WWOOF’s support in helping us arrange great homestays and experiences at several WWOOF registered farms during our ride! If you haven’t tried WWOOFing, please do!
Companies
Ostrich (Azuma Sangyo CO LTD) makes a variety of cycling bags, and is a must for anyone considering cycling seriously around Japan. Company President Mr. Imi, cares deeply about craftmanship–in fact, all of Ostrich’s products are made by hand at their Tokyo factory. We recommend the ‘REPET’ models which are made from recycled PET Bottles (plastic bottles).
Patagonia
Patagonia has been a BEE sponsor for almost as long as BEE has been cycling Japan. Every year, Patagonia provides the BEE team with essentials such as rain gear, and also gives us the opportunity to organize events at their stores. This year, BEE will hold events at the Nagoya (September 8th) and Fukuoka stores (September 28th). Please join us!
Mt Borah
Mt Borah is the American custom jersey company that is making this year’s BEE Team jerseys using Repreve 47% recycled fabric . They have amazing customer service! Thanks for all your help!
Jig.jp
Jig.jp is a software company based in Sabae and Tokyo, Japan. Their main product is an innovative web browser for cell phones which cleverly compresses data at the jig server so that you don’t have to play expensive packet charges. The jig browser is avaliable in English and Japanese.
Jig was started by Fukuno Taisuke, who we are proud to be working with on the BEE Japan website.
www.alishan-organic-center.com
Devoted to providing delectable, organic and vegetarian food to people throughout Japan, The Alishan Organic Center and partner Tengu Foods have been a dedicated supporters of BEE for many years. In past years BEE has received countless pounds of Alishan’s famous granola and other goodies, and has been fortunate enough to stay and hold events at Jack’s Big Red Barn in Saitama Prefecture. If you ever get the chance, please visit one of their farmer’s markets, or drop in a yoga or tai chi class, all of which take place at the Alishan Organic Center.
Map My Ride has given BEE Japan Premium Memberships which allows us to use their online mapping system to plan our routes. In addition to this, MMR’s site allows us to print maps, download to our iTouch/iPhones, upload our maps onto the site here easily, and keeps track of “green stats”–how much gas and money we’re saving by traveling by using bikes over cars!
Mr. Takeuchi was working at a seat belt producer for many years, until one day he realized that he couldn’t continue working for a company that supported the unsustainable automobile industry. Following his passion and hobby for years, he opened a cycling shop with the plan to work for a world his children could also enjoy as they grew into it. Mr. Takeuchi has supported BEE since 2008 with cycling advice, assisting in event planning, and even helping to get BEEs discounts on bicycles & related products. Thanks again Takeuchi-san!
People Tree: We’re proud to have the support of People Tree, champions of Fair Trade (International Fair Trade Association) clothing, coffee, dried fruits, and a ton of other great products. People Tree supports disadvantaged artisans and farmers in the developing world by providing a place for organic and handmade products in the market.
Japan Hopper
In 2008 Bee Japan is proud to welcome Japan Hopper as our supporters. Japan Hopper is a community driven website that allows users to add their favorite spots in Japan to the Japan Hopper database and map which means you have access to all the best Japan has to offer by the people who know it best. During the BEE Ride Japan Hopper will be hosting our blog entries and providing our readers with our current location on their map. We’d especially like to thank Tsutomu Kodama for setting up this new partnership.
Tokyo Explorer
Learn how the long timers feel about the city they call home, the city they live in and the city they write on.
Hi guys,
We enjoyed having you here in Japan and have now uploaded our photos and videos onto FLICKR here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gethiroshima/sets/72157607464618885/
let us know if we can tag it with anything in particular so it appears on your website too.
Also, please add Gethiroshima to your list of friends of BEE on this page when you have a chance
All the best for the rest of your trip ahead, we will remember you all fondly,
Joy, Paul and family