A look back at this year's Hiker's Gin
Hiker's Gin went on sale in June 2022. It's been almost a year and a half since then. This year, we've been asked to set up booths at more events, and it's been a year in which we've been able to get closer to the hiking community.
Looking back at the events we participated in this year, we'll consider what we learned through Hiker's Gin, how it was received, and what we plan to do next year.
Events attended
June: Mountain Path Festival (Mt. Ishizuchi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture)
Toyoshima Hideki, who was also involved in the development of Hiker's Gin, serves as community director for Yama to Michi, a garage brand of mountain equipment.
The brand, which is so popular that everyone in the hiking scene knows about it, decided to participate in the Yamamichisai Festival , which is hosted by the brand, in June 2022. That was exactly one year ago. However, that year's event was canceled due to a typhoon. I still vividly remember the feeling of dejection I felt when I heard the news.
This year is the year! We spent a year preparing for this event, and with the help of local farmers and nature schools in Ehime, we created Hiker's Gin 2nd Trail "Citrus and Japanese Cinnamon", which we participated in at the Yamamichi Festival.
Here, we would like to introduce the mandarin orange farmer Tangerine, who has provided us with considerable cooperation in developing the 2nd Trail "Citrus and Japanese Cinnamon" product for our Mountain Trail Festival stall, and Saijo Nature School .
Tangerine is a mandarin orange juice and apparel brand run by Yuichiro Wakamatsu, who returned to his hometown of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture. Wakamatsu is trying to create added value for mandarin orange juice like wine (not to mention the fact that it's the tastiest thing you've ever had), and is trying new things to change the way things are perceived from various angles, such as by creating cool labels that incorporate skate culture and collaborating with Tokyo brands.
This collaboration was made possible by the blood orange peels that were provided after the cold press juice was squeezed at the POP UP. By using the peels that would normally be thrown away at the event location, we were able to reduce waste.
Saijo Nature School is an NPO that protects, researches, educates and produces local flora and fauna, including the mountain range of Ishizuchi mountain range in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, where the Mountain Path Festival is held. Led by Yamamoto, who was originally a museum curator, the school operates under the theme of "making nature your job" at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, and has an incredibly deep knowledge of the more than 1,000 species of plants that grow naturally in the Ishizuchi mountain range.
During the development of the 2nd Trail, we were able to hear some interesting local stories, such as what herbs are found in the area and how they are used, and how "long ago, people would hike Mt. Ishizuchi while chewing on cinnamon roots."
When I meet the producers in person and talk to them like this, I can picture their faces when I tell someone about Hikers Gin. Then, I naturally put more passion into the words I say. I think that passion is sure to be conveyed. I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience this at my first event.
July YOYOGI MOUNTAIN & CRAFT DAY (FarmMart & Friends, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
This event was held at Farm Mart & Friends , and was themed on craftsmanship by mountain lovers. At this event, we sold craft beer @passificbrewing , vegan food @mountaingrocery , hiking goods such as backpacks @rainadole_works2277 and socks @hikertrash_official , and of course we had donuts. It was a very fun and perfect event.
Hikers Gin is not only sold by the bottle, but also in gin and soda topped with fresh fruit and herbs. (Gin and soda is the best on a clear summer day!)
This event helped us introduce Hiker's Gin to our neighbors.
On the day, we had the opportunity to listen to talks about real overseas trails by long-trail hiker Kawado Ryosuke (aka Iwashi-kun), who also drew the illustrations on the Hiker's Gin bottle, and donut chef and hiker Ken, as well as get a look at the actual equipment they used on long trails, making it a very exciting event for hikers.
Although it was a small-scale event, we had the opportunity to meet many interesting people with a background in hiking culture, and I think this set a trend that led to us setting up booths at subsequent events.
August: Yuma Camp (Yumatashou, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture)
Ito Shindo is a mountain climbing route that makes it easier to access the innermost part of the Northern Alps, but the road and suspension bridge collapsed due to the geology and the effects of gas, and it was almost abandoned. I participated in the route opening commemorative event "Yuma Camp" organized by Kei Ito of Neo Alps, who reopened the Ito Shindo, through an introduction from Iwashi-kun, who drew the event poster.
More than 20 exhibitors gathered at the event, and the exhibitors had been deepening their interactions since the day before. They talked about the gear they had brought and hiking. And to my delight, several people said they knew about Hikers Gin. "The illustration on the bottle is great," "The gin smells great," people said to me, and my anxiety about being on a solo business trip quickly disappeared. This place, located in a valley with no mobile phone reception, was somewhat closed off, but also filled with an open mind.
During the day, it was still comfortable to wear a tank top. But at night, it was cold even with a down jacket. At the end of that summer, the feeling of being drawn into the depths of a deep community has stuck in my mind.
On the morning of the second day of the event, I walked the Ito Shindo Trail. I had never done it before, but I was instantly captivated by the beauty of the Yumata River, known as Yumata Blue, the ever-changing scenery as it zigzags along, and the sense of adventure. I turned back midway because I didn't have enough equipment, but next time I'd like to take this route to the depths of the Northern Alps.
September Outdoor Experience 2023 (Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Thankfully, we received pushback from several exhibitors at Yuma Camp (naturally, they were like, What? They're not coming?), and we were able to set up a stall at short notice, even though it was only two weeks before the event.
This event, held on the shores of Lake Yamanaka, is based on "Experience," as the title suggests. Exhibitors will be holding some kind of workshop.
Various workshops were held, including kayaking classes, hammock experiences, and hand-drip classes.
Meanwhile, Hikers Gin held a tasting (of gin, of course) which was very well received.
The three principles of Hiker's Gin are: 1) Connect with people and make it together, 2) Use the vegetation that lives there, and 3) Enjoy the mountains with the spirit of UL. I think people were able to experience these things more. And most of all, I'm really happy to hear so many people say it's delicious! That's right, Hiker's Gin isn't just a gin for the mountains. It's delicious.
The social gathering continued late into the night around the fire. That day, we spread out Tyvek sheets and sleeping bags on the slightly chilly ground and slept under tarps. I remember feeling more one with nature and connected to the community, which was a very comfortable experience.
December Hokkein Gathering 2023 (Hokkein Onsen Sanso, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture)
We will be participating in Hokkein Gathering 2023, organized by Kyushu hiking community "Happy Hikers." The theme for this event, which will be the third time it has been held in five years, is "Lifestyle." Following on from the first event's "Ultralight" and the second "Local," the theme will provide hints and inspiration for one's own life through hiking.
Before the event, the organizers asked each exhibitor to comment on their "lifestyle." Here's the statement I submitted for Hiker's Zine:
Hikers Gin is a great companion that takes me to many places.
Since I released this, my lifestyle has changed dramatically.
I was able to meet people I would never have met before and go to places I would never have been able to go to before.
Someone appeared who thought he was amazing and found him interesting, and then that person invited another person, and so on and so forth.
And Hikers Zine pulled me deeper and deeper into the community.
Not just in people and places, but in ways of thinking too.
In the UL spirit, choose what you really need, carry it in your own hands, and walk with it on your own two feet.
Hikers Gin taught me that.
Where will it take me next? I can't wait.
By the way, this event had about 300 guests, but only four organizers. At the end of the social gathering, when I heard the organizers' introduction by the organizer, Mr. Toyoshima, I was deeply moved by their passion. The organizers/volunteer members, the mountain lodge staff, and the guests. I was at a loss for words for a while, as I felt like I was witnessing the source of everything: gratitude for all people, things, and events, deep insight and love that involve the people around them and generate so much energy.
What I felt through this event is that we should not overlook the emotions that well up from the bottom of our hearts. Whether we are in the mountains feeling free or in the city where it is hard to notice something out of place, we should not overlook fleeting emotions. Small things make each day. There were many incidents that made me think this, including Toyoshima's words of gratitude.
The day after the event, I walked down the mountain from Hokkein Temple. The ground was covered with a soft layer of snow, which made a crunching sound every time I walked forward. The road was foggy in places, and somehow it felt like I was walking in heaven, a more abstract reflection of my life, which has become ambiguous and difficult to distinguish between boundaries.
What I felt throughout the year and looking ahead to next year
Walking on your own two feet
Basically, mountains have few resources. It is common to find that there is no water or paper when you want to go to the toilet (or there are no toilets in the first place). Water sources may dry up and you may not be able to resupply as planned, and of course there may be times when you can't set up a tent due to strong winds or when the hiking trails are not well maintained.
How do you overcome that situation and enjoy it? That is what you are constantly being asked to do in the mountains. The people I have met in various situations over the past year and a half that I have spent with Hikers Gin all know this very well. Whether you are in the mountains or in the city, what kind of environment are you in right now, and how can you make it more enjoyable? It is about improving the environment little by little, not just by being considerate of yourself but also of those around you.
And the main premise is that we are all walking on our own two feet. That's why even when we meet again at events, we can always respect each other and have a good time.
At the events I attended this year, I was asked several times, "Oh, did you bring all the gin yourself?" Whenever possible, we hand-carried our own supplies to events held on the mountain. It's not that relying on delivery (there are various ways to deliver supplies, such as helicopters, crawlers for rough roads, and hand luggage, depending on the mountain) is bad, but it's important to make the right choice in the right situation.
This year, I went to many places with Hiker's Gin and made many different encounters and discoveries. I would like to go to different places next year. And no matter what environment we are in, how can we make that place better? What will we have at that time? I would like to continue this activity, talking with my friends about a bright future. While enjoying the mountains and the feast.
HARASAWA Shogo