Bereaved child needs our help to catch a glimpse of one of their father’s fondest memories.
Earlier this week on Imgur, user “Cuddlethegiantdeathkitty” posted a picture of their recently deceased father along with a request for help.
https://imgur.com/gallery/GmnibED#4Xn2tNJ
The full message explains that a few years before his passing, Cuddle’s father achieved his long-held dream of becoming a biker riding around the U.S. state of California. During one of these road trips, Cuddle’s father encountered a tour group of “Japanese people” who were all impressed with his biker looks and took photos with him.
The story stuck with Cuddle who would love nothing more than to be able to see what that moment must have looked like. Since there was a bus load of tourists, there must be several photos of the encounter floating around.
The request has quickly picked up traction online and made its way to the internet in Japan in a matter of days with many putting out the call for any and all photos with this man’s likeness.
However, the main problem is this was just an anecdote told from father to child with very little in the way of hard details. All we know is that it was a rest stop outside of Vallejo, California.
Egawa Tasuku, a writer for our Japanese language site who lived in the area, says that it sounds like the place might be Hunter Hill Safety Rest Area on Interstate 80 just outside of Vallejo. It would have all the facilities that a Japanese tour group would probably make use of.
Also San Francisco and Sacramento are two popular sightseeing destinations for Japanese tourists. These two cities are joined by I-80 with Hunter Hill Safety Rest Area just shy of the halfway point.
This is just our best guess, however, and the actual location might still be totally different. It also isn’t certain that these people were even Japanese to begin with. The Japanese tour group is a rather long-running stereotype from back in the bubble era, so it’s entirely possible the father just assumed they were from Japan.
Another concerning detail is that Cuddle said everyone was “giving thumbs up.” This might suggest a group from another Asian nation since Japanese people seem almost genetically hardwired to give peace signs when posing for photographs. But again, we shouldn’t read too much into the finer points of a word-of-mouth story.
So if any of our readers from Japan, South Korea, China, or the rest of Asia happens to know anyone who rode a bus through California in the past few years, it might be worth asking to see their photos.
Of course, this guarantees you’ll be subjected to a long and boring vacation slide show, but could you take one for the team just this once? It would really brighten the day of someone who lost their dad and could use something special to remember him by.
Source, featured image: Imgur
[ Read in Japanese ]

How to get to east Japan’s best highway rest stop for foodies without a car of your own
Japanese school east of Tokyo is now a rest stop where you can spend the night【Photos】
Here’s where to find all of Japan’s new Pikachu Pokémon manhole covers in Yokohama【Photos, maps】
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]