At first, I wanted to report on Nagano in a report earlier, but due to various circumstances, I was late and before I knew it, it would be a spring of 2025. In the first place, I visited many stores at the same time as last year's Alps Outdoor Summit.
Past event reports can be found here
Visit at the summit
The inside of the store is this wonderful space
I revisited the products in the store at this time, when the store was switched to approximately 2025AW, so I would like to introduce you to YAU, an outdoor shop in Azumino, Shinshu.
table of contents
YAU Azumino Outdoor Gear & Equipment
In the lap of these vast and magnificent mountains of Nagano
YAU, there is.
It is no exaggeration to say that this space itself is an outdoor field.
There is also a terrace leading to the store, and events such as pop-ups and workshops are held here. Of course, a little break would be fine.
Search inside the store!
Now we've started infiltrating the store!
First, there are plenty of bonfire stands from the bottom shelf on the right side of the entrance to the store.
Among them, take a look at this one that was placed in the middle! Tools Manufacturing Bonfire Stack UL! This ultra-thin stainless steel bonfire stand weighs approximately 168g, and can also be used as a trivet for an alcohol stove. It's about the size of about two adult palms, so you can take it to the mountains at all. However, considering the current situation, can fire be used in the mountain range? Is it possible to use it? In addition, each individual's awareness is questioned, such as cleaning up properly. It may seem like anywhere, but especially when using it in the mountains, please adhere to the rules and manners.
Stylish and elegant brass oil lamps and LEDs are the norm, but items with this kind of roomy are sometimes necessary outdoors.
It's safe to have one power supply and charging items on the top shelf, no matter where you use it in today's world.
If you go straight to the back, you'll find a wide selection of Evernew products, and YAU is more of a camp-oriented selection, but what makes it different from a typical camping tool shop is that it emphasizes weight and gives a noticeable impression. Therefore, I feel like there are many UL-oriented items that can be used even in the mountains.
It's also nice that the products are displayed with well-used tools as a sample product, which I think is surprisingly not the case.
We also select frying pans in various sizes, from mountains to camping.
Make your own cutlery! There's also a kit like that. If you cut out the finished cypress to a certain extent and create the shape you like, you will also become attached to it.
The compact table also features THOR. containers, which have become a standard in the camping community.
is typical of YAU's only store in the country , has a stylish look that doesn't look like an item used for smoking. It can be used on an induction heater, so it can be used as a steamer on a daily basis.
When you look back, you'll notice the sacoches/staff sacks.
There are also UJMT.'s DCF accessories, and I think it's easy to understand that they clearly state the product features.
There are a lot of apparel items at the back of the store. NOMADIX is a towel, but it is quite large and can be used as a blanket, so it's convenient to have one.
We have a lineup of clothing stamps that are easy to use at camping.
Other signs are available
There were accessories too.
Made in Japan TAIKO. We have a wide selection of socks that can be used from everyday life to running, trail running, and hiking.
When you turn around the U-shaped passageway, you will first find a mono tarp, LELEKA hammock, and accessories that can be used for them.
This is the only outdoor shops!? Cast aluminum pegs are also available.
Looking down, I saw coffee beans from Brightfield, a guide to the forest and coffee. This information will be later.
Even retorts you don't see very often in other places might be good for the mountains if they're about the size of this.
If you look further down, you will see a fascinating refrigerated corner.
Iyoshi Cola is cold!
I feel like NIKWAX is finally in the back, and the washing and water-repellent treatment of outdoor wear has finally become popular these days. Of course, we've also featured it in the past on Outdoor Gear Gin.
Past event reports can be found here
Going back to the wall, you can find accessories and other authentic, yet delicious, instant pasta/ramen, as well as the curry series, which can be made with just a little effort. I've eaten both and they're quite delicious.
We reached the edge of the wall and in front of the register. Imabari's dust is popular as it's a fire starter. It can be used in camping or in the mountains.
Oh, there was something a little weird next to the match in FIRESIDE (bitter smile)
There are selected used items next to the register, which have recently begun to be available.
Cash register. Written talk is OK, and you can get a glimpse of YAU's kindness.
What was the beginning of YAU?
Here we will ask YAU Osato about the launch of the shop.
"The idea for launching YAU was launched in the spring of 2020. The camping boom was just around the time when many manufacturers from different industries were entering the outdoor goods market, and the venue was filled with gear. I felt uncomfortable with the fact that outdoor activities were becoming more attention from the field of "nature" and "things" to the activities that unilaterally enjoy the bounty of nature and consume, so I decided to launch a shop where outdoor activities, such as camping, should be an activity that is both enjoying and learning in nature!."
"To run the shop, we think it's better for customers to enter the store near the interchange or station, or along the national highway, but the reason YAU is located in the forest at the foot of the Northern Alps in the suburbs, far from the city is to serve as an entrance to nature. We hope that it will help people feel the "pleasant" and "fun" time spent in nature, such as riding a hammock, drinking coffee, and bonfire in the forest adjacent to the store, and will give them a deeper interest in nature."
Scenery during a terrace event.
"After about two years of searching for land, we arrived at the current location and opened in June 2023. Nowadays, we hold a variety of workshops and events, mainly on weekends, and many people who don't camp or climb are able to visit us!"
One from the field event.
"When selecting the products we handle, we are conscious of being "simple, functional and long-lasting." By visiting manufacturers and exhibitions across the country directly and interacting with manufacturers, we are able to stock a large selection of items that only YAU in the country handles! I think that customers who visit us also enjoy this."
YAU is not just selling things in the store, but is a wonderful shop that always offers respect for nature and offers fun moments in the outdoor field.
Tableware that will cleanse just with water!?
The most interesting thing about YAU was this tableware series that will cleanse just with water!
I wrote about it using oil-based magic because I could demonstrate what it was.
You can pour just water in a spray bottle there.
Ohhhh!? It just comes off when you rub it with your fingers!
All you have to do is wipe off any magic that has mixed in with moisture and get it back to normal! Apparently, it looks like water gets between the plate and the magic, floating dirt. And its usefulness is approximately 10,000 times (!) and its effectiveness is definitely semi-permanent. It's not super lightweight because it's sluggish, but it's not too heavy and it's a very good item to put on one piece. It seems that YAU is the only one to sell this in a physical store.
Bright field!
And here are the details of the coffee beans mentioned earlier, Bright field.
"Yada from Bright Field is active on the theme of "From a cup of coffee to connect people and the forest," and has been sympathizing with YAU's store concept and has been opening stores regularly since the store opened, and has been conducting forest guides at events. Currently, he is once a month, on weekends, and offers time to drink coffee at YAU's forest."
Bright field is the guide to forests and coffee, which are now indispensable to YAU.
The finale is the 2025 YAU event information!
On June 14th, 2025, an event will be held to help you feel the connection between nature and life, beyond the "fun of the outdoors" that you can see, know, and feel! Again from Osato
"YAU operates daily on a daily basis not only selling camping and mountain climbing equipment, but also looking at the field, and not just making outdoor activities a part of the activities that consume nature, but rather learning and cultivating. As part of this, it is an event where you can learn about the animal damage that is a problem in the Northern Alps!"
It turns out that a hunter, a former manager of the game processing plant facility, will also explain the hunting and demolishing exercises using actual deer, and explain outdoor game cooking and camping in a hammock, making it a special day that you won't be able to experience anywhere else. LELEKA pop-ups will also be held at the same time!
For more details on the event, please see https://r.goope.jp/yau-outdoor/reservation/event/detail/31233
How did you like it -YAU- Azumino Outdoor Gear & Equipment. Although it is a bit out of the suburbs, the appearance of the shop that makes use of its nature and its event activities are very well matched with the local area. Cheers to the location with Iyoshi Cola. The Nagano chapter continues, so please continue to enjoy it!
YAU Azumino Outdoor Gear & Equipment
・7350-46 Hodaka Ariake, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture
・℡0263-74-5532
・Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00-19:00, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 7:00-19:00 (April-November) 9:00-18:00 (December-March)
・Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays/every Thursdays
・Parking available
Official website https://r.goope.jp/yau-outdoor/
Official Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yau.outdoor/
Online Store https://yauonline.theshop.jp/
Yans
