"Sakura Sake Tour" Kicks Off With Epic Skateboarding in Japan

Originally posted on TransWorld SKATEboarding
By Blair Alley | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 2:32 PM ET

The AriZona Skate Team arrived in Tokyo at night, so after checking in to our hotel we went straight to Shibuya to scope the madness! Leo Heinert, Brandon “Bonestalone” Bonner, Caroline Duerr, Eugenia Ginepro, JJ Colõn, Jefferson “Yiyo” Obando, Blair Alley, Richie Löffler, Rodrigo Cabrejas and our Taiwanese filmer FIVE grabbed dinner with our host for the Sakura Sake Tour, Toshiaki Lida. As expected the scene in Shiubya was lit. We spent quality time filming in the famed intersection and playing with shutter speeds to get that Lost In Translation feel.

Video by Josh Zickert and Five. Photos by Blair Alley and Rodrigo Cabrejas.

We stayed at the Sakura Hostel in the Jimbocho district which is known for it’s visual arts, theater and book stores. The timing was perfect as the cherry blossom season kicked into full gear the first day we hit the streets. There were literally Sakura trees blooming every where you looked. It was truly majestic.

Chocolate / FTC / Asics ripper Leo Takayama from Osaka was our guest skater for the tour. We linked up close to our hotel at a nearby plaza with perfect marble blocks. The squad immediately began coppin’ clips.

After a full session on the Aka Banks in Asakusa, we crossed the bridge to Setagaya at the golden hour where Bonestalone snuck by security and knocked out the first NBD of the trip with a lofty ollie over a 14 stair.

That evening we kicked it hard in Shibuya and finished the night off at Toshi’s local hangout Hanchika Bar. The Sakura Sake Tour was off to an epic start!

Not many teams travel internationally and consistently as the AriZona Iced Tea team. They hit up Taiwan last year—peep the video:

This article first appeared on TransWorld Skateboarding and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: