[OGZ's Yamato Town Exploration Story Vol. 10] Tochigi Mooka Edition - Amazing Walking around the City and Nruc/NRUC NEST!
written by yans
Well, this is the two-day, one-night expedition that started in Kiryu, Gunma. In the last two posts, we made our way to TMR, which is very popular for its otherworldly cookware, and from there we also introduced Raysmore and noicoyamaico, who are both in the same place
Previous visit
And now, finally, the final act of this visit report. I have personally been friends with Nuruku since before the atelier was established, so this article is likely to be quite long, but I hope you will stick with me until the end
We arrived in front of the store, but it started raining a little while after we arrived at TMR
Despite the unfortunate weather, the shops are bustling with activity. I actually wanted to walk around the town of Moka a bit, but gave up on that this time and instead took a stroll around the town to take in a little bit of the outdoor event GENTLE HIKER STAND -MOKA-, which was held in Moka and is also involved with Nuruku, which I visited a little before my visit, so I'll start by reporting on that.
Near the parking lot next to the venue
Spring 2024 is almost here
This is the venue. Starting this year, it will be co-hosted by four mountain equipment stores in Tochigi Prefecture, including Nuruku, and will be the first of a new event.
I arrived about 30 minutes after the opening, but look how lively it was! There were 30 brands exhibiting, which is four times as many as last year, so it was no surprise how lively the event was
I would like to introduce some of the exhibitors, including Noico, who helped us with this tour
The all-star lineup included Raysmore, TMR, Kawara Kitake, and other exhibitors. Of course, the other exhibitors also had attractive brands. I'm sure the event will be held again next year, so I'm looking forward to it
Now, let's leave the event and take a walk around Mooka city!
I was casually walking from the event venue, Gogyogawa River Green Space, towards Moka Station
Well, there are some nice carp in the waterway next to it
!!!???
...Maybe it's a duck, it doesn't move at all (lol)
From a distance, it looked like a typical inflatable toy, but it was clearly the real thing!
This is Moka, where fantastic events like this happen, so let's move forward
We have almost reached the center of Moka. The free municipal parking lot, which can be seen in the center left of the image, is convenient for walking around the city
Almost across from the parking lot is the Mooka Cotton Hall, where you can buy souvenirs and try your hand at weaving and dyeing. Advance reservations are required for these experiences
Diagonally across from it are the tourist souvenir shop, art museums, and other facilities. There is plenty to see just around the parking lot
Furthermore, next to the souvenir shop is Mooka Benzaiten
Moka is a place where old and new buildings are mixed together, allowing you to enjoy both the good old days and the modern appearance of the city
If you go past Benzaiten to the southwest..
If you understand this, you are quite an expert on Nuruku
There are a lot of cats in this neighborhood, and perhaps because of the relaxed atmosphere of the town, they don't run away at all
This is the street where Nruc's original small studio is located, to the left of the hair salon. This is the dawn of the legend, and I walked along, lost in emotion
From there to Mooka Station is almost the same as going to the current atelier/store, Nuruk Nuruk Nest
This is Moka Station. The station building is shaped like a steam locomotive, which is very stylish
Next to the station is the SL Kyuroku Museum, which houses a real steam locomotive. On the day I visited, there was an event where the steam locomotive was in operation, albeit for a short distance. This seems to be an event that is held occasionally, so there is still a chance to see it in operation before the end of the year
Nurukunest is located in front of Mooka Station, and there are other popular stores on the premises
In front of the store is a stylish space that was renovated from a storehouse
First, enter the store and look from the front and start at the mountain equipment store, Seagal Mountain Equipment Store, on the left
Visit during an event
Thanks to the synergistic effect of the event, it was a great success. Now, since a lot of time has passed since the first interview, I will switch to the latest lineup, photographed for October 2024
I happened to be passing by for another reason so I took some more photos. The layout of the store has changed a bit and the product range is now even more extensive as this season's Fall/Winter items have just started to arrive
The owner, Mr. Wood, said that he thinks that most privately owned stores stock a lot of cookware. From major brands such as Evernew,
It certainly has a wide selection of TMR products, which are familiar from our visit reports
Past Visits
Nruc's main product is backpacks, but they also carry other brands
I thought this was a bit strange, but I guess that's typical of Mr. Wood. The store was packed with products from Gossamer Gear, Exped, Granite Gear, Pargo Works, and more
We also have a wide selection of mountain essentials and emergency equipment
You can get all the fuel you need and most of the supplies you need to prepare before heading out to the mountains here. There aren't many independent stores that are so well-equipped
We also have aftercare and repair products for when you come back from the mountains
And the products from Raysmore that we introduced last time!
Depending on the timing, you can find all sorts of popular items that tend to sell out on the official e-commerce site here!
And lights
Milestone has a wide range of products, and my personal recommendations are the MS-G2 and MS-J1!
The G2 has a short illumination distance but an overwhelming horizontal spread, making it suitable for use as a sub-light, while the J1 is easy to use as a handheld flashlight, and the internal battery (sold separately) can also be used as a mobile power source, making both excellent
The shoe selection was quite sophisticated, with Merrell, CRV, and Zero Shoes on offer
Perhaps due to the colors on display, there are a lot of subdued items, but since these are Wood's selections, they are all products that you can really appreciate when you wear them. I've seen a lot of people around me wearing CRV shoes lately, and they've all said they're in great shape. When it comes to mountain boots, appearance is important, but performance is even more important, so it's important to choose carefully
Mountain Collector thought it was very typical of Wood to select this
Apparently he makes handkerchiefs with the scenery he sees in the mountains. I think there are people out there who think up interesting things
Whenever I come here I tend to be won over by the accessories selected by Mr. Wood (lol) and this time the hit was this!
This is a tiny brush for cleaning around your nails! It's a really good brush, small, cute, and very practical. I bought it for myself. Wood said that we're probably the only mountain equipment store that carries this (lol)
The cashier counter is in the foreground and the studio is in the back
Now let's move to the next door to the main building of Nruc and Cafe Zukkoke Coffee. Of course, they are connected inside the building, and there is a toilet at the central entrance
There's a lot of material prepared and there's nothing missing (lol)
June time
Enter the building on the right side next to the cash register and you will see Cafe Zukkoke Coffee. The photos in boxes are from my visit in June, while the others are the latest
When I visited the shop, it was already past 4pm, but Mr. Wood was on a late lunch break, so I took this as an opportunity to take a break at the cafe
For today's dessert, I'll have a chocolate muffin and iced coffee
I've known Zukkoke-san and Nuruku-san since before they were completely tied to each other, so I'm deeply moved by how well they've grown. Both are delicious. Being able to immerse yourself in the outdoor gear space while enjoying a cup of coffee is the best moment for a gear enthusiast
There are plenty of rest areas located inside and outside both wings of the store, and on the second floor above the atelier
Nruc's Sanctuary and Atelier
Behind the register is the atelier, where Nuruku's products are created every day. I think it's amazing that they operate in an open style, but this is also a reflection of the mindset they inherited from their small atelier
Now let's take a look at Nruc's gear
First of all, here's the one we want to highlight from Nruc's side: the highly acclaimed copper GENTLE HIKER'S COOKER, a masterpiece by Wood, and a product made in Moka in collaboration with Sano Kiko. There's also a gas cartridge cover with the same concept.
Nuruku's philosophy of "Beyond Waste," and is a one-of-a-kind cookware that makes no compromises except for weight. It's a complete romantic piece, but for those who appreciate it, it will be a supreme item. You can keep it polished to a shine, or let it age with the passing years and enjoy it. Once you get it in your hands, it will be a lifelong possession.
Wood Cup "Klaatu" by Nruc × Maruyama Woodworking
These are rare pieces that are only available in store, and as each piece is unique and one of a kind, the artist hopes that customers will come to the store, take a good look at them, and find their favorite
The folding Toretto chair is currently extremely popular and offers the ultimate in relaxation in the mountains
Orders are going well not only in stores but also at various events
Early prototype
I heard that this was still in the prototype stage, and that the strength of the carbon pole on the backrest was the key during testing
Improved type
It may be hard to tell from the image, but the initial model was slightly weaker, but this one has been made a size larger and is much stronger.Nuruku products are perfected through constant prototyping
This is a prototype that has yet to be released
When I saw it from the front, I wondered if it was a one-harness design, but it turns out it has two. Nruc's backpacks are primarily designed to seamlessly connect the mountains and the city, but this one seems to be focused on seamlessly connecting the mountains, the city, and commuting. It has already been released on Instagram and has received a great response, so they want to put it into production as soon as possible
On top of that, the new clothing for next season will also be a base layer type, although it is not yet decided whether it will be released in full
Nruc backpacks are basically made to order, so you'll have to wait patiently, but that's part of the charm of Nruc - the handmade spirit. You can customize them, so you can create your own unique favorite
The arrangement patterns are fixed, but occasionally there are models available for immediate sale at events
Other small items and
Generally, you can purchase clothing on the spot, but some special items may be made to order, so it's best to ask the staff about this
is just the right amount of insulation for the upcoming season . It's a hybrid of the familiar Octa and OLOTEX® x AEROCAPSULE® ECO insulation, which offers an excellent balance of warmth, lightness, and resilience, and it's said to gently keep your stomach warm. Its design makes it suitable for both mountain and city wear.
Of all the different types of clothing, the one that I personally think is the best is this one: with Octa cpcp ! I think the orange color is particularly vivid and I happen to share Wood's opinion on that (lol). I don't think you see that often on the mountains, but... I love flashy orange.
The relatively thin fabric and octaliner make it suitable for a wide range of uses, from innerwear to mid-layers
Items like these too
It's also nice that they sell short parts that you can use when you're in trouble with broken parts or when you want to make a little customization, and it's also nice that you can buy line locks separately
NRUC NEST as a whole mainly sells mountain equipment, but they also carry some lifestyle and household goods
It's about time for the long-awaited appearance of Mr. Makoto Inoue Wood, the representative of NRUC, nicknamed Mr. Wood. In fact, some of you have been calling him Mr. Wood since earlier (wry smile)
It's a nickname that's so familiar in the area that people wonder if Wood is his real name
Let's hear from Wood about his time before NRUC and the beginning of NRUC
"Going back to my late teens, sewing was one of my hobbies, so I started doing MYOG around 2002 when I started climbing mountains
Of course, there was no social media in the beginning, and the only source of gear information was catalogs. I would pore through catalogs and then "if it's not there, I'll MYOG it!" That was how I enjoyed the mountains. Also, concerned that mountain accidents were not decreasing, I had been running a small blog back then where I would dramatize my mountain climbing reports in an entertaining way, with the hope that "there's no need to be obsessed with reaching the summit" and "I want people to enjoy the mountains more casually."
During that time, he worked in the food service industry, and after retiring he traveled around Japan, then worked for an outdoor manufacturer for seven years. In 2015, he was invited to become a guide by the president of a guide company that was a business partner during his time at the manufacturer
For several years since then, quite a few people had been saying they wanted my MYOG items, so I decided to try making things on a small scale while continuing to work as a guide, and thus "Nruc" was born. However, what really got me going was the encouragement of the owner of my favorite mountain equipment store, and the realization that I could express the ideas behind the aforementioned blog - "You don't have to be obsessed with reaching the summit" and "I want people to enjoy the mountains more casually" - through making things and running a brand
Nruc was officially launched in April 2017, and in 2018 we set up a small atelier in Mooka City
Source: Wood's Instagram, the original Little Atelier
At the time, while the image of UL and garages was gradually becoming more prevalent in fashion, Nruc had a lot of items that took a silly (in the sense of being more entertainment-oriented) approach that ignored "cool" (all of the items were focused on tissues lol), and I think they were looked down upon quite harshly by people in the city
However, the "essence" of the content is "not to be swayed, but to think for yourself", and thanks to users who fully understand this and spread the word on social media, I quickly became busy, and was able to quit my job as a guide and make a living solely from NRUC
Then, needing more manpower, they moved to a larger stone storehouse eight times larger in 2020, which is now NRUC NEST. When they first moved, NRUC NEST started with just three people: one sewing staff member and one staff member for the coffee stand that was attached to it, but thanks to everyone's support, they now have a staff of 10, who are not only responsible for product manufacturing, but also for running the directly managed store, select shop, and coffee stand
Of course, my initial idea was to continue acting like a garage with just one person or a small group of people, but there were so many things I wanted to create and express that I decided to organize myself into a company
NRUC NEST, the base of this business, is not just a place to sell things, but also an environment where items are created right before the eyes of the customers, and where they can constantly interact with the makers. Since many customers take the time to come here, we want them to get to know Moka better, and we want to introduce other shops that they should visit, and help liven up Moka...
The establishment of an NPO to put into practice the "town revitalization" initiative, which began with the desire to "liven up Mooka," continues to create a unique style that connects the outdoors with the city
Since its founding, Nruc's main concept has remained unchanged: "Going beyond waste..." As things have become more "simple" due to the influence of UL, it is natural that "waste" is simply eliminated
But personally, I sometimes think, "That's kind of sad." UL is merely a "means," a means to lighten your load and go further, faster, and with more freedom. And beyond that freedom, I think literary ideas are born, and each person has their own goal
In short, what someone else presents is not the "answer," and it would be a shame to simply accept it as a fashion statement. It is a tool that can "nurture each individual's freedom."
There's something romantic about stoically reducing base weight, and there's also something romantic about the fun of creating space in your standard base weight and filling that gap with "waste." Are those weight reductions and simplifications really necessary for you? We deliberately present "waste" to make you question this question once again. Everyone has their own mountaineering style. Peak hunting doesn't have to be the only purpose. Everyone can have different reasons for going into the mountains. So, for each purpose, the things that lie "beyond waste" will become "necessary." We want to be a brand that brings that awareness
Nruc's goal is to have people say, "Nruc's name recognition has increased and mountain accidents have decreased." There are so many "accidents that didn't need to happen." I believe that if each person becomes more conscious of "not being swayed and thinking" and not being too swayed by vanity or desire, these accidents will decrease
It may be a very difficult goal, but the fundamental idea behind this has remained unchanged since before I started NRUC. In the future, I would like to put more effort into disseminating information that expresses this idea
And even after crossing that finish line, Nruc's grand dream continues
Here, those who have known Mr. Wood for a long time will reminisce, and for those who don't, there will be some stories from his past that are a little personal
<The Story of Extreme Ironing>
Source: Wood's Instagram
My mountaineering friends and I didn't have much of a desire to summit from the beginning. I think it all started with Kita-dake
Simply saying "Let's aim for the summit of Kita-dake!" didn't motivate me (lol). I started aiming for the summit with the goal of trying extreme ironing, which is quite popular in Europe and the United States, and after that I also did night hikes to the summits of Mt. Yari, Mt. Jonendake, and other local mountains
People today probably wouldn't understand at all (laughs), and I wouldn't be able to resume it now due to physical reasons
Source: Wood's Instagram
It was an exciting time in a way that is different from now (laughs)
This may be one of the driving forces that propels Mr. Wood to run NRUC today
Mr. Wood, who used to do things like this, is now a master of Mooka
Finally, I was curious about what was going on under the eaves of Nurknest, so I asked about it
<Story of opening a store under the eaves>
There are also various stall owners under the eaves
The stalls under the eaves of NRUC NEST are not limited to the outdoor genre, but are open to a wide range of businesses, including independent artists, food and beverage businesses, bakeries, and more. Our style is "If you want to do it, go ahead and do it however you like." Of course, garage-type businesses are also welcome!
So if this sounds like you, this might be your chance to open a store!
At the time of the interview, Mr. Wood was with the staff who were still at work until the end
What did you think? I believe it was a fitting conclusion to our two-day, one-night trip
We also asked about his future plans, and it seems he has many grand dreams, all of which are very much like Mr. Wood. I'm sure that when the project is finally unveiled, everyone will think he's started something exciting
This series of explorations continues, and next time I might be visiting a mountain you know, a mountain you climb, or a town you live in. I look forward to seeing you again!
Nruc/NRUC NEST
Nruc official website https://www.nruc.net/
NRUC NEST EC site https://www.nrucnest.com/
Nruc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nruc_mountaingear/
NRUC NEST Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nrucnest_mountain/
Zukkoke Coffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zukkoke_coffee/
Yans
A person who has grown into a gear lover and finally ended up writing on Gear Gin. He has been a tough gear enthusiast and loves modifying and making his own gear, and also loves outdoor events. We would like to place emphasis on brand exploration and shop reviews.
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