In the city of Sapporo stands a barber shop where many young bicyclists pedaling their way across Japan's northern island of Hokkaido make a stop. Any rider who is making a complete circuit of Japan receives a free haircut from the owner, Yutaka Oyamada, who decades ago did a circuit of Japan himself. He offers this advice to young people bearing burdens of struggle and strife as they ride: "Keep moving forward". Oyamada sends them on their way with encouragement to ride on through storms and scarce funds, to ride on believing that somewhere on the open road, they will find what they are really looking for: themselves. Our cameras follow youthful journeys of self-discovery in the open spaces of Hokkaido.

• lae astra