The New Year Half Marathon and the Upcoming Gift Show

(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.

How are you doing?

Now that the New Year’s mood has faded and we’re back to our usual routine, we might be about to experience our “first slight setback" of the New Year’s resolutions (laughs).

(In my case, I made a resolution on New Year's Day to "run a little every day," but by the 5th day, I had already failed.) I make the same vow every year, but have never managed to achieve it.

During this time, the “Frostbite Half Marathon” was held at Yokota Air Base.

Since it's on the base, this is technically the U.S., and you can't enter without a passport or other identification. This marathon is more like a friendly event for getting to know the people on the base than a competitive race.

Many participants wear costumes, including Michael Jackson and stuffed animal outfits—it's like a "running festival."

Water supply and course guidance are provided by the military personnel volunteer. Their enthusiastic cheers are really encouraging.

Here, I can always meet Michael. He does things like the moonwalk, but seriously, when he runs, he's incredibly fast.

Once you enter the base, the smell of BBQ fills the air, and they also grill large hamburgers. On a cold morning, the hearty, American-style broccoli soup with many ingredients on the base is a real treat.

The 21 km course loops around the runway, and unfortunately, we didn't see many airplanes this year, but last year the much-discussed Osprey was waiting on standby, and I got to see it up close.

The 21 km was tough after a long time, but I was able to cross the finish line with encouragement from my friends, shouting “just a little more!”

In February, the annual Spring Gift Show is coming up.

We should be able to showcase our new product: the “Natural Essential Oil Incense Plate Gift Set.”The “Incense of Natural Essential Oil” has come a long way after years of effort… It’s become so beloved by everyone, to the point where it’s hard to imagine how it was when we first launched it. It’s like a quiet, humble girl at the corner has now become the star of the show. As a mother, I’m very happy.

The scent is made only from essential oils, with a simple production method, and no dyes, giving it a refreshingly unadorned quality. If I had to sum it up in one word, it’s a product that has truly “embraced its uniqueness.”

The 2025 Spring Gift Show will be held on February 12, 13, and 14.

Our booth will be in East 5, T41-02.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Talking with you always make my fatigue fly away somewhere.

Even though the cold is harsh, please keep warm and make sure to visit us!