Le Tour visits Saitama

Riders from Le Tour de France are in Japan this weekend for Saitama Criterium 2015. Before Saturday’s race they were given a demonstration of Japanese traditions and a tour of the Railway Museum.

Saitama Criterium 2015 riders experience traditional Japanese culture

Le Tour de France champion Chris Froome tries his hand at Kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) at a demonstration held by students from Urawa Municipal High School on October 23, 2015 in Saitama, Japan. Froome hit the target two times out of three in his custom yellow outfit. (Photo by Kumiko Saotome/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015 riders experience traditional Japanese culture

Students from Urawa Municipal High School art club pose with their hand-made welcome banner with riders from Le Tour at Omiya Budokan. (Photo by Kumiko Saotome/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015 riders experience traditional Japanese culture

The visiting cyclists enjoy a performance of Koto (Japanese harp) by students of Urawa Municipal High School at Omiya Budokan. (Photo by Kumiko Saotome/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015 riders experience traditional Japanese culture

Cyclist Joaquin Rodriguez finally hits the target in a Kyudo (Japanese archery demonstration) at Omiya Budokan. (Photo by Kumiko Saotome/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015

The cyclists also visited The Railway Museum and were greeted by hundreds of local elementary school children. (Photo by Mark Eite/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015

Cyclist Joaquin Rodriguez and colleagues sit inside one of the first Shinkansen carriages on display at The Railway Museum. (Photo by Mark Eite/AFLO)

Saitama Criterium 2015

Cyclist Chris Froome poses for a picture with the Saitama Criterium logo at the Railway Museum on October 23, 2015 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mark Eite/AFLO)