Stage 1. Starting the Journey: Discover the History of igus and Tokyo

Yuki Tsugehara | 19. March 2025

The igus:bike tour in Japan began in Kinshi-cho in Sumida, where igus Japan office is located. The temperature in Tokyo on 17th March morning is 10 degrees. The sun is getting brighter, and it feels like spring is coming.

Encouraged by the igus employees, the igus:bike set off into East Tokyo. This area is flat and has many rivers. The streets are well-organized, with many straight and wide roads.

The bike crossed the Arakawa River, one of Tokyo’s main rivers, created by the Shogun’s flood control project.

Shortly after crossing the river, we arrived at our first destination, Captain Industries, Inc.

Captain Industries is inseparable from the history of igus Japan. Mr. Yamazaki, General manager of Sales Department at Captain Industries explained that the company had been interested in igus products even before the Cologne factory was established and helped launch igus Japan. They continue to introduce igus products to many customers as a major partner.

After introducing the igus:bike to Captain Industries, we set out to explore the historical traces in East Tokyo. Sumo stables, dedicated to Japan’s unique martial art, are concentrated in this area. The Arashio sumo stable is about 3 km from igus Japan. Here, passersby can observe sumo training.

Finally, the igus bike reached Tokyo Station, a hub for railways across Japan. The Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964, the same year igus GmbH was founded. Running between Tokyo and Osaka in four hours (now, it takes less than two and a half hours), it was the world’s first high-speed rail line, and it remains one of the world’s busiest.

Observing the Shinkansen, which has spent the same years as igus GmbH in improvement and innovation, marked the end of the first day’s journey.

Our rider: Yosuke Yamada

Hi, I’m Yamada, Inside Sales in dry-tech Sales Department. My role is to respond to customer enquiries and requests for bearing products. Together with outside sales and product managers, I support our customers. I am grateful to be able to ride the igus:bike at the beginning of this Japan tour and to be part of the igus:bike World Tour.

Map of the tour