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

Hello, this is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.

I hope this message finds you well.

The summer heat continues unabated. Here in Maebashi, the temperature has been consistently higher than body temperature—just like last year.

So, I thought, “Let’s escape to somewhere cooler.” During the long weekend for Marine Day, I went hiking in Kazefuki Daichi, located in the northeastern area of the Northern Alps. There, a person who once helped us greatly runs a mountain lodge.

New Year holidays two years ago, I summited Mount Kilimanjaro. But to be honest, I was a complete novice when it comes to mountain climbing, and all I have is a little physical strength. Before that, in a rush to prepare, I spent my weekends training with trail running around Nozori Lake and hikes up Mt. Fuji, Mt. Hakusan, and Mt. Shirouma.

In October,2023 we headed for Mt. Shirouma. We started our ascent early in the morning, and by afternoon we could already see our accommodation for the night. However, the snow had been heavier than expected the day before, and every descending hiker told us, “We're turning back—we don't have crampons.” We didn’t have any either. The snow-covered mountains were beautiful, but my inexperienced feet kept slipping. We had to make a decision while we still had daylight.

Checking the map, we saw another lodge in the opposite direction from Mt. Shirouma. After consulting with my team, we decided to change plans. From a nearby hut, someone helped us call the other lodge via satellite phone to let them know we were coming. For someone like me with little experience, the only thing I could truly rely on was the judgment of my more seasoned companions.

We descended the rocky terrain of Mt. Hakuba-Norikura for two hours before finally reaching a wooden path. The snow-dusted planks were slippery. I fell, covering my clothes and boots in mud. Once I slipped off the path, I couldn’t get up on my own—my teammates had to pull me and my pack back up.

As night fell and rain began to pour, I started feeling anxious. But it also became the first time I got to practice using the headlamp I had brought. We finally arrived at the lodge a little after 6:30 PM. It had been a long, exhausting day.

I still remember the concerned look on the lodge owner’s face when he saw us. He served us a warm, delicious meal and even brought out a special bottle of wine just for us—we were deeply grateful.

The next morning, we woke up to clear blue skies. After breakfast, the owner took us on a peaceful walk around a quiet lakeside—it felt like a dream. I even saw a salamander for the first time. It was cute.

That unforgettable experience was only possible because of my companions who brought me along, and because the lodge owner welcomed us so warmly. So, this time, I returned to visit him again—this time carrying a gift: dried salmon and a 900ml pack of sake from my recent business trip to Hokkaido. (Well, I did need help carrying it part of the way...)

The lodge is run entirely by the owner himself. He always tells us not to post anything on social media. And honestly, having a secret spot like that... it’s kind of nice.