LOOK: Japanese man ends 6,000km rickshaw trek to Cape Town
Japanese adventurer Yuji 'Gump' Suzuki completed a 6,000km journey from Kenya to Cape Town on foot, pulling a 100kg rickshaw and inspiring supporters with his passion for travel and connection.
A 34-year-old Japanese man arrived in Cape Town on Sunday, completing an incredible journey of over 6,000 kilometres from Kenya to South Africa – on foot and pulling a rickshaw.
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Yuji 'Gump' Suzuki was emotional as he thanked his supporters for their backing during his latest quest, which started in the Kenyan capital in July and took him through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
"I couldn't make it without you guys," Suzuki said. "I am running for fun. I have been travelling for nine years already and I get the power from you guys so I give you guys power, too. That's my life."
Among his other journeys, Suzuki has already pulled his two-wheeled cart from China to India (2016–2017), for 2,500km in Europe (2017) and 5,100km across the United States (2022–2023), according to his website.
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His rickshaw weighs more than 100kg.
Suzuki wears a version of Japan's traditional tabi socks while on his journeys, which he posts about on social media.
Look here:
Gump Suzuki, a Japanese rickshaw tour guide and viral TikTok sensation, completed his 210-day, approximately 4400km journey from Kenya to Cape Town with a run alongside his fans from Green Point to the @VandAWaterfront this afternoon. 👏 pic.twitter.com/E0hVwPIrpM
— Love Cape Town (@lovecapetown) January 26, 2025
Yuji “Gump” Suzuki was spotted in Glencairn this morning, heading toward Cape Point. The Japanese adventurer is running from Nairobi to Cape Town while pulling a rickshaw, as part of his quest to become the first person to traverse five continents with a rickshaw. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/d5QBuwUbvi
— Zanele Calitz (@iamtheZanele) January 24, 2025
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Image: AFP