[11/01 Update on Mt. Azuma] [OGZ's Yamamachi Exploration Vol.02] Kiryu, Gunma: Mt. Azuma and Mountain Stoles! "PRIRET" & Azuma Kitchen, Mt. Azuma's Kitchen
Written by yans
Last time, I had a great time at Tanaka Shoten, an outdoor style convenience store
Previous visit
We left the store and headed to our lodging for the night, the pre-opening Tanaka Shoten Campground (tentative name), which we had specially borrowed from the store
He is currently developing the area all by himself, and has finally finished leveling part of the slope, making it flat. This is quite a difficult job, and it takes time as he has to do it in between running the store
The official opening is scheduled for later this year, so please wait patiently!
The weather was still good at the time, but we'll talk about that in a future article
Since we had the whole place to ourselves, I was able to use the Nemo Hexalite tent, which I don't usually get to use. It's quite huge, and I can't set it up at most of the campsites I go to
Although it's huge, it's easy to set up even by yourself, but drying it afterwards is a pain (lol)
We will use this as our base camp and head to our next destination, Pleinette
It's about a 20-minute drive from Tanaka Shoten
Located right in the heart of Kiryu city, near Mount Azuma and Kiryugaoka Amusement Park, Plylet Azuma Kitchen is located at Azuma Base
I have visited Kiryu quite a few times, but this place is one I have never passed by before, so I am ashamed to say that I had never heard of it before
So how did I find out about Plylet? Well, it was a strange coincidence that I headed to Azumino a while ago to check out a new store, and when I first visited Trek Vogel, an outdoor shop that opened here this year, I happened to come across a Plylet pop-up shop
It's interesting how this visit came about because we became friends here and ended up buying a mountain stole
If the article is well-received, there may be an Azumino edition in the future
The author was attracted by the Airstream and walked past the showroom to Azuma Kitchen first (lol)
The size is quite impressive, and the glow of the body gives it a mysteriously cosmic feel
When our CEO, Kamikubo, noticed this, he immediately took us to the showroom
It's wonderful that the entire premises are a stylish space
The showroom has a chic black interior with a calm atmosphere
Jinbei appears to have been made using the same method as the mountain stole
We also sell selected items from Plylet
One of them is yoka, a brand that I personally use and like
Yoka products are sold on a made-to-order basis
Plylet's flagship product is the mountain stole!
Let's ask Kamikubo-san to tell us what this is
・Commentary by Kamikubo
A double-woven stole on a rare shuttle loom
Made entirely from natural fibers, primarily silk and cotton
Silk's functions (all-season material) - UV absorption - Deodorizing effect - Quick drying - Heat retention The thin fabric is woven in the traditional Kiryu method (Futsuori) and dyed in different colors on the front and back, a process that can only be done by skilled craftsmen
Although it is a scarf, it can also be used as a tenugui towel, making it extremely versatile
It's very light and feels good on the skin, so you can easily wrap it around your neck anytime, whether it's winter or summer
It has a double structure called "Kuzuori," a traditional weave from Kiryu City, so when you put it around your neck through the loop,
Can also be used as a neck gaiter
In other words, it is not the latest machine, but a special item that can only be made in this place thanks to the precious shuttle loom that existed long ago and has been passed down in Kiryu
That's Plylet's mountain stole!
In terms of functionality, as mentioned above, it has UV protection, deodorizing properties, quick drying, and is cool in summer and warm in winter. It is a versatile item that can be used stylishly in the city or for multi-purpose use in the mountains. Since it is loop-shaped, it can also be used as a headband
If you want to know more, check out the official website
Roughly speaking, mountain stoles come in short and long sizes
The basic material is a blend of silk and cotton, but there are also variations such as products that contain linen, and each has its own unique characteristics
Another feature is that the two patterns can be connected seamlessly without any weave (!), so some products are designed to allow you to enjoy two beautiful patterns and colors
However, when I bought it, I agonized over it and ended up choosing a single color, so it's a bit difficult to explain to others (lol)
Here we will hear about the origin of the word "Pleet" and also hear about Mount Azuma, which towers right in front of us
・Kamikubo-san's commentary again
PRIRET is a combination of the words "Private" and "Secret." The name was chosen with the meaning of "secretly making what we want."
This is an outdoor stole brand that makes mountain stoles designed specifically for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, and camping, taking advantage of the high-quality feel and functionality of natural fibers
・And Mount Azuma
It is a low mountain with an elevation of 481m, so it can be enjoyed all year round. Most Kiryu residents have probably climbed it at least once
There is a parking lot, and it's about a 15-minute walk from Kiryu Station to Azuma Park, the starting point of the trail. It's also close to the city, so you can enjoy the mountain and the city of Kiryu in half a day each.
In winter, the air is clear, so you can catch a glimpse of the Skytree and the top of Mt. Fuji, and on some days a sea of clouds appears.
It's also a great mountain for training, so some people make multiple trips there and back
Some brave souls make 19 round trips in one day
People of all ages and genders climb it every day, and kindergarten children also climb it on field trips
Those with good stamina can also head further in to Mount Narukami
Many people climb the mountain every morning before work, and some even go on a clean-up climb every morning
Mount Azuma in Kiryu, Gunma, is a mountain that is truly loved by the locals
After listening to the explanation, we headed to Azuma Kitchen, which we had left earlier
It's right next to the showroom
There are homemade rice balls on the kitchen counter!
It was past lunchtime and I was hungry, so this was just what I needed, thank you very much
To sum up, Azuma Base is a store like this
・A shop that acts as a base camp for Mt. Azuma, located at the foot of Mt. Azuma
・There is a Yamastall store and Azuma Kitchen on the premises
・Onigiri are also sold at Azuma Kitchen on weekends
-There is a large roof so you can enjoy it on hot summer days and rainy days
- The kitchen hosts event days and night beer gardens
So I bought two types of rice balls to satisfy my hunger
I'm also curious about the gelato, I'll try it next time!
As we were chatting in the kitchen, some information about Kiryu Town came out
On the day of our interview, we were told that various events were being held around town on the first Saturday of every month, so when we heard that, we knew we had to go and see it for ourselves!
Next time, we will be taking a stroll around the city of Kiryu and having fun.If you usually go to the mountains around Kiryu but never go to the city, you will be surprised to find out that Kiryu has this side to it!
I hope you can feel that this is the case, as the journey to Kiryu has only just begun
We climbed from Kiryu, Gunma, near Mount Azuma, to the summit with some guidance from Kamikubo-san, so I would like you to see what it was like
In the morning, we arrived at the meeting point, Prairiet/Azuma Base
The weather hasn't been good lately, but today it's beautiful, blowing it all away
Now, let's set off with Kamikubo-san and head towards Mt. Azuma
First, we entered Azumayama Park, the entrance, but there was so much parking that it was hard to believe it was a weekday morning!
It's probably not the case for everyone, but I have a feeling that many people will head to the mountains from here
There is a vending machine at the entrance so you can buy water just before you start climbing
Continue heading towards Mount Azuma
If you walk a little further along the paved road in the park and turn right, you will find a path that leads to it, where you can already see hikers
We followed the hiker
Yes, we started the mountain from here! But Kamikubo-san said it was just a walk in the park (laughs)
It seems that Mount Azuma can be used as a starting point to go in a variety of directions
It seems like the leaves in this area have only just started to change color, so it's still to come
There are a lot of rocks, which is characteristic of the mountains in this area, but the area is relatively flat so it is easy to walk around
Finally! We have arrived at the trailhead for Mt. Azuma
As mentioned in the guide, there are rocky areas and the hiking trails are quite rocky, so it's best to wear shoes that are strong against those. Of course, if you're used to walking, regular shoes should be fine, but it's best to consult with yourself
The bulletin board has information about upcoming events at Mt. Azuma and other locations
It seems that an event will be held at Azuma Base soon!
Let's enter the mountain! We are greeted by a rocky staircase
After walking a little further, there was a choice between women's slope and men's slope. Since this was my first time, Kamikubo recommended the easy women's slope
That said, this place is also rocky
If you continue straight you will reach Tombi Rock
It feels like we're a little lower than the middle of the mountain, but we can still see a great view from here. Some people are satisfied with this and head back
At Tombi Rock, I encountered a legend! He's 88 years old! And he's climbed Mount Azuma over 4,500 times!
He is an amazing person who has hiked many mountains in the past, and kindly agreed to be featured in this article
I hope you continue to stay healthy and enjoy mountain climbing at your own pace in a good way
We will now move on and say goodbye to this legend who shared many wonderful stories with us
Basically, it's almost all uphill, as is common on low mountains, so it does require a fair amount of physical strength
As mentioned earlier, it's the first slope, so now it's the second slope. Of course!? It's the women's slope (lol)
Be careful as there are some dangerous areas where you may lose your balance
This is the final climb before we reach the ridge, so we just have to hold on
We reached the ridge of Mt. Azuma, and it was easy as Kamikubo was keeping a good pace
All that's left is to walk along the ridge a little
There it is, the summit of Mount Azuma! We have arrived
A beautiful view awaits you as a reward
There are many handmade benches at the top of the mountain, making it easy to take a break
I've been using this Stout Air water bottle a lot lately during breaks. I also love that the Azuma Base sticker fits perfectly on the cap
This view! The cityscape of Kiryu is in full view, and if the weather is clear, you can even see the Skytree in the distance
At 481m above sea level, it's not a particularly high mountain and it doesn't take long to reach the summit, but I felt that it was a mountain packed with the charm of mountain climbing
Since it's the first time, we'll return with a quick piston
The descent is quick and easy, but be careful where you step
Just a little more
Yes, we made it down the mountain safely and returned. It was a compact climb of about an hour and 40 minutes, and it made me want to take a day to go further into the mountains from Mt. Azuma
Would you like to take a short break? I took him up on his offer and relaxed at Azuma Kitchen
When I think of Azuma Kitchen, I personally think of rice balls, but they also have a wide selection of desserts
There's also the fascinating term "natural ice from Kamikochi."
It's a relaxed atmosphere
They made me a special coffee, it was great!
And the cup was from Nodate, who had also helped us out at the Nagano Matsumoto Alps Summit the day before
From past event reports
As for some information about Plylet, there was a water bottle with the Plylet logo that is OK for carbonated drinks
Kiryu will also be hosting a flurry of events over the long weekend (November 2-4, 2024). There will be some kind of event happening almost throughout the city, and there's plenty to see!
After having our coffee, we left Azuma Kitchen and then came back to say hello to Tanaka Shoten
Tanaka Shoten is also full of fascinating items, including Light Heart Gear, which you will probably only find here in Japan. If you're interested, check out the previous Tanaka Shoten edition, Part 1 of the Alps Summit
So I was finally able to climb Mt. Azuma with Plylet Kamikubo, which was my dream
Just as Kamikubo-san had said, it was surprisingly crowded for a weekday, with so many mountain enthusiasts that it would be like a weekend on other mountains! I was also surprised to see that greetings often led to conversations more than on regular mountain trips, and everyone seemed friendly
I really felt that this mountain is loved by the local people. It's a great mountain, and I would recommend climbing it if you have the opportunity. With that, I would like to conclude my postscript to Mt. Azuma
The restaurant we visited this time was "Azuma Base Plylet/Azuma Kitchen"
Irregular business hours
3-6-30 Miyamotocho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture
Contact: 090-6316-1388
Official website : http://priret.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/priret/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3IXHuzwKm8TnfRNlO4-XBQ/feed
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yans
My love for gears has led me to write for Gearzine. I'm a hardcore gear enthusiast who loves modifying and building things, and I also love outdoor events. I'd like to focus on brand exploration and shop reviews
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