FRF Favorite Space_PYRAMID GARDEN A slow space with peaceful vibes.
PROFILE
After working at a vintage clothing store, he opened "Bamboo Shoot" in Nakameguro in 1998. In addition to selecting quality outdoor brands from Japan and abroad, he is currently focusing on planning his own brand. With his wealth of experience and knowledge, he is known as a sounding board for outdoor style.
Instagram: @kazuhikokai
-What year have you been coming to Fuji Rock?
Since we moved to Naeba, so 1999? About 20 times .
-What is the unique attraction of Fuji Rock compared to other festivals?
It has everything, or you can always have fun. Some booths are organic, some are festival-like, some suddenly have a circus, some have a place for children to play, and some have a river to play in. The stages are filled with artists from a wide range of genres, and everyone from adults to children can enjoy themselves. As one would expect from a festival of this scale.
-Fuji Rock certainly has a good balance. While keeping the deep side, there is plenty of content for the masses as well. Has anything changed since you started coming to Fuji Rock in 1999?
The good parts are still there, but all the bad parts have been improved to make it easier to spend time there. If I had to use an analogy, I would say it's like an outdoor Disneyland. The staff who work there are really great.
-Fuji Rock is clean and easy to spend time at. There are plenty of things to do besides live music.
In the past, the purpose of the festival was to see live performances, but now there are more things to look forward to than that. Fuji Rock has evolved in a positive sense. It is a luxurious festival, isn't it?
PYRAMID GARDEN
A grassy camp site produced by candle artist Candle JUNE . In addition to the stage, there will be a café serving mainly organic foods and booths selling outdoor goods.
-. Now, you have chosen "Pyramid Garden" as your favorite place in Fuji Rock. What attracted you to it?
Is it this relaxed atmosphere? . And there are a lot of young people here. I have the impression that there are many people who know how to enjoy festivals differently from our generation. Many people at Green and White are used to Fuji Rock to some extent, but I don't get that impression here. It's a nice, relaxed space.
-The scale of the event is also nice. In addition to the stage, there are food, drink, and merchandise sales, all in a small space.
Yes . It's not cramped, and the people there are peaceful. It's a rare place in Fuji Rock, isn't it? I think everyone would gather here if they heard that (laughs). (laughs) . It's well-balanced and easy to spend time here.
-Today you're wearing a pair of "Keen" Pyrenees. What are you looking for in outdoor festival shoes?
. The prerequisite is that the shoes should be easy to walk in and sturdy. The other factors are, of course, functionality, such as waterproofing, but also the design of the shoes themselves. If it's "Keen," I think I can generally get away with any model (laughs). (Laughs) Also, they come in a wide variety of colors, and I find them very useful every year.
-I heard that Mr. Kai did the coloring for this Pyrenees.
This model is a collaboration between Keen and Leave No Trace, an organization that promotes an environmental ethics program to help people enjoy the outdoors with minimal impact on the environment. I was in charge of the coloring. The base color is the color of the earth, with a hint of green. The brown color was intended to be an unlikely color, and I was conscious of a color scheme that would remind people of nature.
KEEN x Leave No Trace Pyrenees ¥25,300
Classic European style all-leather hiking shoe. This edition is a special order color for the non-profit organization "Leave No Trace" , and the logo will be engraved on the heel counter. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the product will be donated and used for Leave No Trace's activities.
-The color scheme is somewhat 90's. . And it certainly reminds me of nature.
Yes, that's right. . the outdoor sneakers or boots that were often seen in those days. . I tried to come up with a theme based on the typical coloring of that era. Also, this model is made of water-repellent suede.
-Finally, what stage are you looking forward to?
I wonder . There are so many bands I would like to see , I know. I want to see the Allman Betts Band, which is the Allman's sons who play at the Haven, Kim Gordon from White, and Noel from Green. But all of them are so time-consuming (laughs).
. It might be fun to hustle up a stage for the first time in a while. . I think I will be greedy and see a lot this year.
