Recruiting reviewers and testers
Outdoor Gearzine needs your stories to be trusted
We actually purchase the latest mountain climbing and camping equipment, compare and review them, and introduce the most recommended gear from an objective perspective. Outdoor Gearzine aims to be the most reliable outdoor gear review site in Japan, and we continue to publish every day through trial and error, aiming to be a new media that tells trustworthy stories like never before
We are not satisfied with the current quality and quantity of our content, and would like to provide a wider range of users, regardless of age or gender, with more objective and reliable information that compares various tools, independent of the biases of manufacturers or shops
Therefore, we are always looking for members who want to join Outdoor Gearzine. Specifically, we welcome anyone who has any of the following special skills or passions.
- Specialized knowledge and experience in outdoor gear (even in a specific genre)
- Ability to communicate clearly and logically
- I love the outdoors as a culture and want to share its wonders
If you would like to join the Outdoor Gearzine team as a contributor to gear tests, how-to guides, recommendations, and other content, or to help with gear testing, please get in touch using this contact form
In principle, all members will write under their own names, but if there are any circumstances that make this impossible, please let us know. Please feel free to contact us first
Outdoor Gearzine Reviewer Introduction
Takashi Yokoyama
An outdoor writer living on Yakushima. In this beautiful environment with both sea and mountains, he is a boy (at heart!) who loves nature from skin diving, mountain climbing, cycling, bouldering to trail running. He is currently interested in American trail running culture. He is training every day with the goal of completing the Western States Endurance Run and Hardrock 100, two of America's biggest races. He continues to take on various challenges with the motto, "Just give it a try." He is also an avid mole lover
Aiko Matsubara
These days, I'm really interested in places like Iceland and Alaska in the north. However, if possible, I'd also like to dive in the waters of the Galapagos Islands. Six years have passed since I began my journey to visit the places I want to see before I die, climbing all 100 of Japan's most famous mountains. I climb mountains all over the country in Hiraide model shoes (shoes chosen by alpine climber Kazuya Hiraide). I'm from Osaka and love craft beer and drinkable yogurt
Makoto Hamaguchi
After quitting his job and spending time at a ski resort, he saw his friends enjoying powder snow and became interested in powder snow riding. After that, he worked as a clerk at a ski shop before joining his family's soba noodle restaurant. In the summer, he works at the soba restaurant. In the winter, he aims to become a skier
Kazuya Tojo
He grew up in Ibaraki Prefecture and focused on swimming during his student days. He made his triathlon debut as a working adult. In his first year as a working adult, he completed the first Japan Mountain Endurance Race (Hasetsune). He became fascinated with the sense of accomplishment that comes with mountain sports. In his 30s, he moved to Saitama Prefecture and became independent. After being shown around Oku-Musashi by Mr. T, he became fascinated with trail running and ultramarathons. He currently focuses on domestic trail races. He has completed consecutive long races in the Shinetsu Gogaku, Joshu Hotaka, and KOUMI100. He also provides race support for the NPO Koedo Oedo Trenic World and the NPO Sainokuni Ultra Project (SUP). He is also dedicated to educating people on how to maximize the performance of their gear and ensure safety in trail running
Kohei Tsushima
A runner who loves travel and nature. As a student, he climbed mountains all over the place and even traveled to Tibet to see Mount Everest. After entering the workforce, he started running to get some exercise, but became addicted. Not satisfied with full marathons, he started running ultramarathons (100km) and ultratrails (100 miles). Having achieved the grand slam of amateur runners (sub-3 marathon, sub-10 ultramarathon, and completing the summit of Mt. Fuji climbing race), he is now challenging himself in races both in Japan and abroad, aiming for even greater heights! He posts about the races he has run and gear reviews.
Blog: Because it is there
Aya Fujiwara
After working for a publishing company, she became a freelance editor/writer in 2007. She currently works mainly on print media such as women's magazines, brand mook, books, and catalogs. She covers a wide range of genres, including fashion, lifestyle, and culture. In her private life, she had an epiphany after a chance visit to Utsukushigahara, and now enjoys exploring nature all over Japan. From Hokkaido to Kagoshima, she climbs beautiful mountains, large and small, views magnificent waterfalls, and soaks in hidden hot springs. She is currently exploring the possibility of moving to a rural area
Azusa Uehara
From a young age, I grew up surrounded by nature, camping and mountain climbing in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. I'll never forget the memories of learning so much while playing in nature, and even now, I often find myself suddenly booking an overnight bus and heading out in search of nature. Nowadays, I spend my weekdays surrounded by computers and internet, and on weekends I travel in search of nature. Recently, in addition to mountain climbing, hiking, and hot springs, I've been aiming to try new activities. I also love gear, and I'm not limited to the outdoors, so I'm always searching for the moment when my desires, product concepts, and preferences match through experience. I hope to be able to convey my preferences through my experiences
Michiko Sone
Part-time Triathlete and Full-time Dreamer.
An amphibious writer who enjoys triathlons with the motto "Take it easy and go at your own pace." In 2015, she launched a planning and editing production company and is currently working as a freelancer. She strives to provide articles that are easy to understand and convey the heartfelt message in kind words. She has the energy to hop on her bike and rush off to cover any location within a 100km radius, and if requested, she will ride through the mountains, dive into the ocean, or fly around the world. She is proud of her keen nose for finding interesting things and events.
Planning and editing production company: Office Astro Writing
Blog: Rinko's Diary
Soichiro Hanazono
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Discovered surfing at age 40 and moved to Kamakura. Started running when there were no waves and completed his first full marathon at age 47. After that, he discovered trail running and finished Shinetsu Gogaku, Hasetsune, Utsukushigahara and other races just within the time limit, and finally managed to complete UTMF at age 55. He wants to share the performance of gear that can only be understood by making the most of his time