ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) has opened ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE in the CI Plaza, a commercial facility adjacent to ITOCHU's Tokyo headquarters, in October 2012 with the objectives of training future generations, contributing to the local community, and promoting arts and culture in Japan and abroad as part of ITOCHU’s social contribution activities through the medium of art.

ITOCHU announced today it will hold “The Bicycle Expo IN AOYAMA” starting Friday, April 26, 2013 as a new event at ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE. Bicycles are said to originate from a two-wheeled vehicle Baron Karl Drais created in Germany in the 1810s. Riders kicked the ground to propel themselves on what was called the Draisine. Bicycles have evolved in diverse ways through their practical, racing and recreational use since then, during which time technological innovations, such as what transpired in the Industrial Revolution, took place. Bicycles have reclaimed the spotlight in recent years as a healthy and eco-friendly means of getting around. They continue to evolve today.
Many rare models that blazed trails in the history of bicycles will be on display at the upcoming event, which will also feature models that have never been exhibited in Japan and others that convey a sense of adventure or fantasy. This event will be a valuable opportunity to learn the history and origin of bicycles, and at the same time appreciate their diverse design characteristics from an art perspective in Aoyama, a town the Federation of Aoyama Shopping Malls declared a “bike-rider-friendly district” in 2009 and which is dotted with more than 20 stores selling bicycles and related goods.

Event Details

The Bicycle Expo IN AOYAMA