FEATURE
COVERCHORD CULTURE
THE CREATORS’ CHOICE
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS
THE CREATORS' CHOICE
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS
‘THE CREATORS’ CHOICE’ series continues as we ask a group of outdoor enthusiast creators for their recommendations on how to best enjoy time spent in the great outdoors.
With vast experiences traveling in Japan and around the globe, the creators share tips on top locations, indispensable equipment and tasty outdoor cuisine.
Whether you a veteran or just starting out, this list offers a wealth of knowledge and advice on how to make the most of your time spent outdoors.
Setsumasa Kobayashi
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Suigen No Mori Camp Land
I was involved in the direction of this new campground, which just had its grand opening in March this year.
It's not a car campground (where you can park your vehicle right next to your site), but there is a full range of rental equipment available, so you do not need to bring much with you.
doshisuigen-mori.com
Essential Gear
Horse Blanket Research - Camp Blanket
Thick and warm, these 100% wool blankets are perfect for nighttime next to the campfire.
Photo courtesy of Ametsuti.
Outdoor Cuisine
Red Wine Braised Beef Ribs by Ametsuti
This is part of the "One-Pan Meal" series by Ametsuti, a reservation-only restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo. Dipping a piece of bread in this is really something special! Especially next to a bonfire or with a view of the lake or mountains.
Ametsuti’s One-Pan Meals are super convenient as they only need to be heated up but taste like a chef's cooking.
Setsuzumasa Kobayashi
Mountain Research Founder
With a focus on the mountains of Japan, Setsuzumasa Kobayashi’s brand Mountain Research develops unique products for use in the outdoors and daily life.
Website_www.anarchomountaineers.org
Instagram_@anarchomountaineers009
SHOP MOUNTAIN RESEARCH
wanderout
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Shobugahama Camping Village
This campsite is located on Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi Prefecture. At an altitude of 1269m, it is very cool and comfortable in summer. Since it is located in Nikko National Park, nature there is pristine and untouched. Seeing the sunrise touch the foot of Mt. Nantai is spectacular. Also, the moment when the stars and the morning glow coexist in the sky and are reflected on the shores of the lake is incredibly beautiful.
shoubugahama.co.jp
Paring Knife by Perceval
Perceval's household petite knife is made in Thiers, the birthplace of the French knife. The design is rustic and simple, but the level of sharpness is outstanding. It is sharp enough to cut a hard bucket without ruining it, or a soft tomato without stress.
Bringing the things you use in everyday life out camping where possible means not having to double up on equipment.
Outdoor Cuisine
Cooking in a Basket
Buy some fresh produce at local roadside grocers or vegetable stands.
Using a seiro steamer basket concentrates the flavor of the ingredients, so food only needs a touch of salt. By cooking without fuss, using naturals wines and vegetables, we can enjoy the time that passes slowly.
It's healthy and the thought of eating from it helps me to get out of bed. For breakfast, I steam hard bread with fruit and enjoy the morning glow with a cup of coffee.
wanderout
wanderout is a design / retail project carried out by a collective made up of a product designer, buyer and creative director. The aim of the project is to be "a compass for a society where people and nature coexist in harmony", and are engaged in various activities from corporate consulting to design.
Website_wanderout.jp
Instagram_@wanderout_official
Mihoko Mori
Enjoying the Outdoors
Photographer_Dai Iizaka
Destination
High Sierra, U.S.A.
You can walk anywhere, pitch your tent anywhere, and even build a fire if you choose. For someone who is used to hiking in Japan, there is no other hiking area that makes me feel so free.
Booking a permit, going through the formalities at the visitor center and preparing a bear canister can be a bit of a handful, but I still love this place where I can carry everything I need on my back, staring at the map and clock and walk through seemingly endless nature to find a comfortable place to sleep for the night.
Essential Gear
〈GOLITE〉の「Shangri-La 3」
It's just the right size for two adults and the occasional dog. The hexagonal, one-pole tent is simple in construction and offers a lot of flexibility in use, such as pitching just the fly or adjusting the inner lining to create a front room. The poles can be replaced to save on weight. Because it’s non-freestanding, there are some concerns when taking it to unknown places, but it has never failed to stand up. Above all, I love the beauty of a teepee tent standing in the middle of a vast landscape.
Outdoor Cuisine
「The Small Twist」
When we are in the mountains, we eat alpha rice with wakame seaweed and trail mix during the day, and usually something from ‘The Small Twist’ for dinner. It's easy to prepare, the ingredients and textures are fresh and the spices are delicious. I like to cook and I'm a bit of a picky eater myself, but after discovering these flavors, I decided to leave it up to them when I’m in the mountains. It's nice to be free from the everyday thoughts of what to eat and what to cook.
smalltwist.theshop.jp
Mihoko Mori
and wander designer
Mihoko launched and Wander in 2011, where she heads brand direction and clothing design. She enjoys hiking and river rafting in summer and backcountry skiing in winter.
Website_andwander.com
Instagram_@andwander_morrimi
SHOP and wander
Kenichi Taira
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Lake Motosu, Yamanashi Prefecture
It’s cool in the summer, and the lake is beautiful, making it a great place for SUP, canoeing and other water sports.
There is also a great fireworks show held there, so bring the whole family.
We go there every summer with friends for SUP and canoeing. Last year we went for work as well, but when we left our inflatable SUP in the sun, it burst so we could only do a little bit of paddling. In summer, when the sun is hot, I recommend keeping it in the water to cool it down or put it in the shade. The fireworks and splitting watermelons with the kids are great fun.
Essential Gear
kozara12
The kozara12 is a collaboration between my brand ’T SPEC GEAR’ and ‘NERUDESIGNWORKS’.
It's an enamel plate that can be used as a lid or a small plate that fits perfectly on a shellac cup. It has a glossy finish with both brand's logos. You can use it multiple ways, even cooking rice in the shellac cup and putting the kozara12 on top to fry an egg, a convenient way to serve as a rice set.
Outdoor Cuisine
Churrasco-style BBQ
Enjoy roasting your favorite meat and vegetables on skewers placed between a Coghlan Camp Fork Rest over a large fire pit.
Once the meat is cooked on the surface, adjust the temperature slowly in the fire pit to avoid burning the meat. Enjoy turning the skewers and seeing meat cook slowly. Serve with your favorite sauces and spices. Delicious.
Kenichi Taira
Stylist
Active in consulting and production for magazines, brands and advertising.
Runs the pop-up store ‘Hiraya’ and his brand ’T SPEC GEAR’.
Instagram_@runrun1980
Instagram_@tairaya_
Instagram_@tspecgear
Andras
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Mount Donna Buang, Australia
On Wurundjuri-Woiwurrung land to the East of Melbourne, there’s a really popular route up to the summit of Mt. Donna Buang via the Don Valley. It’s wet, muddy and winds its way through a stunning canopy of huge Mountain Ash and Wollybutt trees. Plenty of accessible water on route, including a holy spring from a sacred PVC pipe that some locals believe brings eternal youth, etc. When it’s too cold and damp in winter, I like riding out in the You Yangs MTB park - lots of fun granite boulders to wind amongst, and as it’s sandy soil, the water drains off pretty well.
Essential Gear
Salt" for Leach Protection
A water bottle is handy and refillable en route. As there are plenty of leeches in the area, I tend to pack a baggy of salt (and some pepper in case the below-mentioned pub meal is under-seasoned). A long sleeve flannel shirt is my best friend - especially one with long sleeves to keep your wrists warm in winter - especially if there’s some Merino wool in the mix.
Outdoor Cuisine
Pub Food
I try to make it down the mountain before the pub closes, in which case potato wedges and a cold beer are in order. En route, I tend to snack on crystallized ginger and roasted almonds. I love olive oil and can’t stand ‘dry food’ so fairly likely you’ll find a Nalgene container filled with EVO somewhere in my pack.
Andras
Musician / DJ
Andras is the stage name of Andrew Wilson an Australian-born artist acclaimed for his eclectic take on electronica. He has released music using several aliases including Andras Fox, Art Wilson, and Wilson Tanner. In addition to his production work, Andras has toured the world extensively, performing at MoMA PS1, Meredith Music Festival, Roskilde Festival, Dark Mofo and more.
Soundcloud_andraaaaaas
Instagram @andras_dj
Ai Nitta
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Rokko Mountain Range, Hyogo Prefecture
There are a lot of different routes in the Rokko Mountains. My recommendation is a varied route along a stream that can be reached right from Shin-Kobe Station. I like to have a relaxing cup of tea at a sandbar along the way surrounded by forest and clear water. You can choose not to go to the top of the mountain, but to go back the way you came, with a full stomach. After going down to the mountain there is a bakery and café and shops to visit. It's a way to enjoy both the mountains and the city close to Kobe.
Essential Gear
‘Litet’ Backpack by Okara/ai nitta
We started Okara/ai nitta because we wanted something that would fit in with both the mountains and the city. This small 12-liter backpack is perfect for a day hike. With mesh pockets, side zips and 3 layer waterproofing, it's perfect for outdoor activities. The design and the balance of the pack are the most important elements to make it look good for everyday use in the city. It is also cute and recommended to pair with a sacoche made from the same fabric.
Outdoor Cuisine
Shinshu Inadani Vacuum Gohan
I learned about ‘Shinshu Inadani Vacuum Rice’ from a friend. The cooking method is so simple! Fill the pot with water, put the vacuum rice in and heat it up. When it comes to a boil, it is ready to eat. That's it! You can enjoy the taste of a restaurant just by boiling a bag. The pork stew rice bowl with lots of Inadani vegetables is so delicious. It's such a simple and tasty way to eat in the mountains.
flattonline.theshop.jp
Ai Nitta
Model, Brand Director, Hiker
Nitta has been working as a model since she was a teenager appearing in many advertisements. She started climbing mountains and her passion quickly grew, leading to her spend summers in a mountain lodge in the Northern Alps. She is also the director of "Okara / ai nitta", which develops products that fit in well with both the mountains and the city.
Website_okara-ainitta.jp
Instagram_@_nittaaaa_
Tomoya Tsuchiya
Enjoying the Outdoors
Destination
Sierra Nevada Mountains, U.S.A.
The Sierra Nevada is one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the U.S., and it’s easily accessible from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Yosemite National Park is the gateway, but it is in the backcountry that the vast nature lies. A few dozen kilometers across, a world without people or man-made structures, camping in a wilderness that has not changed in a hundred years, you will feel a sense of isolation, a sense of desolation and a real sense of the wonder of nature. It's not a question of which campsites or trail, it's a question of recommending the whole Sierra Nevada range.
Essential Gear
Self-Handmade Tarps
In 2015, I made this tarp by myself for a 300km mountain hike from the top of Mt. Kumotori in Okutama to the top of Mt. Oyama. It was light and windproof, and I put all my experience into it to explore the possibilities of minimalist UL gear. It was such an edgy piece of gear that I let it sit in the backyard after that trip, but it makes me want to use it again, to see what it can do. The tools we make for ourselves are the ones we love the most, no matter what they are. And even more so if you spend a long journey with it.
Outdoor Cuisine
Tortillas
I'm addicted to tortillas as a cold meal that doesn't require a fire, but still tastes good. Tortillas have been a favorite of mine when I’m on the trails in the U.S., but now they are becoming easier to find in Japan as well. They're still a bit expensive, but more and more shops are selling them, and I'm glad to see that tuna is now available in pouches rather than cans. Just wrap ham and cheese, tuna, chicken etc. with spices and you are ready to go. It's trail food that makes you feel American.
Tomoyoshi Tsuchiya
Owner of Hiker's Depot
Runs Hiker's Depot in Mitaka, Tokyo, specializing in ultralight hiking and long-distance hiking. He has hiked the John Muir Trail, the Colorado Trail, and the Long Trail in Vermont, the oldest trail in North America, in 2019. In Japan, he has hiked 300km from Okutama to the Northern Alps. He is also active in packrafting, and in 2013 spent two weeks rafting the Brooks Range in Alaska, the mecca of packrafting.
Author of ‘Ultra Light Hiking’ (Yama to Keirosha)
Co-author of ‘How to play in no man's land’ (Graphic Publishing)
Website_hikersdepot.jp
Instagram_@hikersdepot
Daisuke Yotsumi
Enjoying the Outdoors
Photographer_Shotaro Kato
Destination
Tengu-sanso Tent Site, Northern Alps
We traversed Japan's Northern Alps for a fortnight and this is just the most beautiful place. At 2,730m above sea level, it takes more than 7 hours to reach from the trailhead. Recommended for those who are confident in their physical strength and want to enjoy serene, solo camping.
Photographer_Shotaro Kato
Essential Gear
Arc Blast 55L Backpack by Zpacks
The lightest backpack in the world at 575g, it is waterproof and the back panel is made of mesh to keep your back dry. The design is great and the after-sales service is excellent. I use it for trekking for up to two weeks and traveling the world for two months.
Photographer_Shotaro Kato
Outdoor Cuisine
Baked Wild Rainbow Trout in Aluminium Foil.
Whenever I go on a week-long trek staying in unmanned huts along rivers in New Zealand, I always take my fly fishing rod with me. The taste of wild trout caught deep in the mountains and grilled over the hut's fireplace is better than any four-star restaurant.
Daisuke Yosumi
Japanese writer living in New Zealand.
He lives a sustainable and self-sufficient life on the shore of a lake surrounded by virgin forest, seeking an independent way of life where the only dependence is on nature. He is the first Japanese ambassador for Greenpeace Japan and Earth.Org, an ambassador for Japan’s Ministry of the Environment's Morisato River Sea Project, and the vice-president of the Organic Association. He is also the ambassador for the Ministry of the Environment's Morisato River Sea Project and vice president of the Organic Association. He is also the author of "Life's List of Things You Don't Have to Do", "50 Things You Should Throw Away in Your 20s to Stay Free", "Mobile Bohemian", and "Backpacking in Japan".
Website_4dsk.co
Instagram_@4dsk.co
