THE NORTH FACE's outdoor event "MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL" was held from Saturday, September 7 to Sunday, September 8, 2024. This is the first time in five years since August 2019 that this event will be held.
The venue is "Kizakiko Campsite" in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. It is a pleasant place surrounded by pine trees. Located on the southern shore of Lake Kisaki, it offers a beautiful view of the mountains over the lake.
Overnight stay will be camping style. The North Face tents will be set up at the venue, and all participants will sleep there. All tents will be provided by The North Face, and the staff will take care of setting up and taking down the tents. For meals, there will be a variety of food booths set up on site, so there will be no need to prepare food and no hassle. Even beginner campers can feel at ease.
Beginners are welcome to try various activities!
This event offers a variety of contents in the great outdoors. In addition to SUP, a waterfront activity, bouldering on a specially constructed artificial wall, trail running, trekking, and cycling on a gravel road bike were among the five activities available, and participants experienced two of them. Athletes and guides from The North Face gave lectures in each category, so participants were able to enjoy activities they were trying for the first time without worries.
Many people feel that the first step is a hurdle when they want to start a new activity. However, if you participate in this event, gear and fields will be prepared in advance, and experienced athletes and guides will carefully teach you how to do the activity. It's the perfect environment for your first step into the activity.
After the activities are over, there will be some free time. There is a permanent barrel sauna by the lake in the venue. After leaving the sauna, you can take a plunge into the lake right in front of you to cool down your body. Afterwards, you can take a bath in the open air surrounded by the great outdoors. There is no reason why you can't relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Workshops were also held at the venue, where participants could try their hand at mud dyeing, a traditional Amami Oshima craft, and making their own original magnets using thinned wood. These workshops were popular among the participants.
At night, music will intoxicate you by the lakeside.
After sunset, live performances by singer/songwriter Satoko Shibata and rapper Daichi Yamamoto will begin.
The night goes on as the two singers' voices intoxicate you in the great outdoors. The compact size of the venue allowed us to be close to the artists and return to our tents as soon as we had enjoyed the content. The sense of realism and convenience made this festival different from other festivals.
Yoga in the morning. Start the day in a healthy way!
The next morning, wake up early and experience yoga by the lake. Under the guidance of an instructor, you will tone your body and mind.
On the second day, each participant continued to enjoy his or her favorite activities, and the tour came to a close in the early afternoon. The second day ended with a full two days of enjoying the charms of the great outdoors.
What the editors and writers who attended the Mountain Festival thought and felt.
Eagerly awaiting the next meeting!
There are many fun things to do in everyday life, but nothing beats actually moving your body and experiencing nature through all five senses. This event combined that with a spectacular location, music, and beer. Of course, I had so much fun that I could not cool down for a while. The event also gave me the chance to try bouldering and other activities that would be difficult for me to try on my own. It was a sight to see the participants high-five each other as they climbed the same challenge. I also appreciated the at-home atmosphere created by the coaches and staff. On a side note, I woke up in the morning and went for a run along the shores of Lake Kisaki. The sensation of waking up with sweat running down my body and the gentle air of this place. Running is a routine part of my daily routine, but I was surprised at how different the act of running can feel in a different location. I wonder if they will hold the "Mountain Festival" at this location again. How about it, The North Face? (laughs)" (Hideki Shibayama, editor, Huinamu)
The North Face style event in full swing.
This is the second time in five years that I have participated in this event. This is the second time in five years that I have participated in this event, and I felt again that it is a truly unique event for The North Face. The North Face has an abundance of highly functional and stylish clothing and gear, and is closely linked to various cultures such as music, art, and fashion, while being deeply committed to all sports and activities as a brand and having strong ties with top athletes. It is precisely because of The North Face that this kind of event is possible. I was again impressed by the nice plan that makes the most of the brand's characteristics, including the wide range of participants and the down-to-earth management. I enjoyed the activities, music, and sauna even more than last time. However, the most memorable moment for me was an unremarkable chill time. On the evening of the first day, I sat by the lake with a beer in my hand, watching the sky turn dark. The breeze that felt like the arrival of autumn was pleasant, and the feeling of euphoria was overwhelming. The outdoors is great, isn't it?" (Issei Enomoto, writer)
