Turkish Man traveling through Japan by bicycle has arrived in Kushimoto.
Mr. Caner Gurellier (26); a Turkish man traveling the entire length of Japan by bicycle arrived in Oshima, Kushimoto on May 14. Oshima is the place of the origin of the Turkish Japanese friendship. He visited the Ertugrul monument and laid a wreath there.
”Kushimoto is where I wanted to visit the most,” he said, when he visited the Mayor of Kushimoto.
Mr. Gurellier is working as a tour guide for Japanese tourists in Turkey. This year is The Year of Turkey in Japan. In order to deepen the friendship between Turkey and Japan, as well as to introduce more about Turkey, he decided to make a bicycle trip through Japan. He came to Japan on April 23, and started his trip two day later. He wishes to arrive at Soya Point, Hokkaido by the end of June. Wherever he goes, he gives away small Turkish gifts called “Nazar Boncuk” (Evil Eye - a traditional Turkish charm made of glass that wards off evil spirits) - to Japanese people.
Although it was raining, he went to the monument. “I knew that when a Turk visits Oshima, it rains all the time. It is the tears of the Turkish victims.”
He stayed at youth hostels and small guest houses during his trip. “Japanese people are very kind. They helped me a lot. I don't know how to express my thanks,” said Mr. Gurellier.
