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

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well.

We are now in the middle of Japan's rainy season, with hot, humid days continuing. The frequent rain has made the greenery even more vibrant, and everything around us is lush and glistening. Of course, the weeds in my garden have been growing enthusiastically too! (laugh)

Last week, I traveled to Hokkaido—a part of Japan that is generally free from the rainy season—for both a business trip and an ultra marathon.

This year marked my fifth time participating in the Saroma Lake Ultra Marathon, one of Japan's most popular ultra-distance races. The 100 km race is especially competitive; registration fills up almost immediately after it opens, making securing an entry the first challenge! Since I am not yet ready for 100 km, I entered the 50 km race instead. The 50 km and 100 km courses merge in the second half, so if I keep running steadily, I eventually meet up with friends taking on the longer distance.

For one day each year, runners are allowed to pass through the beautiful Wakka Primeval Flower Garden, located between Lake Saroma and the Sea of Okhotsk. Rare flowers bloom everywhere, as if celebrating Hokkaido's late arrival of spring.

After running through green forests, the course opens into the vast Wakka Nature Reserve. With nothing to block the strong sea breeze, endless views of the sea and grasslands stretch before you, allowing you to experience the magnificent scale of nature.

The weather here can be unpredictable. In hot years, there is almost no shade along the course, and the sun can be relentless. A few years ago, runners were even caught in a hailstorm, with many wrapping themselves in emergency blankets—the silver thermal sheets used for disaster preparedness. That was my very first Saroma race, and to be honest, it was quite intimidating.

Last year's race was held in temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F), making it an extremely challenging run in the heat. This year, however, we were fortunate to have cloudy skies with no rain—almost ideal conditions for running.

Since I had fractured my right wrist only a month and a half earlier, I wore a protective cover over my cast and started the race carefully. Rather than thinking about the full 50 km, I decided simply to enjoy each 10 km section as it came. Just being able to stand at the starting line after my injury already felt like a gift. Gratitude replaced my usual desire to run faster, and somehow freed me from worrying about my finishing time.

As I quietly continued, singing songs to myself and taking in the scenery, I finally reached the sign marking Lake Saroma. I was only about halfway there. Although my pace wasn't fast, I had managed to maintain a steady rhythm. Around this point, the course merged with the 100 km runners. Seeing them, I thought, "They've already run 75 km—and they're still going. If they can keep going, so can I." It was just the encouragement I needed whenever my spirits began to fade.

Along the way, I began to feel pain in my knees and in my healing wrist. At each aid station, I gratefully accepted bananas and rice balls, taking my pain medication with them before continuing on.

With about 10 km remaining, I finally met some of my fellow runners, and I realized that the end of today's journey was drawing near. It's strange, isn't it? Even though every part of my body was tired and aching, a part of me kept thinking, "I don't want this to end just yet."

As we approached the town, more and more spectators lined the streets to cheer us on. Even slow runners like me received warm encouragement from complete strangers. Their kindness almost brought me to tears.

Just before the finish line, I heard someone shout,

"You've got two and a half minutes! You can finish under six hours! Go! You can do it!"

The words were meant for me—a complete stranger. Someone had noticed my time and wanted to encourage me.

I made it—just in time!

For the first time, I completed the entire 50 km without walking. I hadn't won anything; I had simply finished the race. Yet tears came to my eyes with happiness.

Back in the changing room afterwards, my legs cramped so badly that it took me twenty minutes just to get changed! (laugh)

Business Visits Across Hokkaido

The day after the race, it was time to switch gears and begin my business trip. With a rental car, I traveled across Hokkaido, visiting customers in Kitami, Otaru, four locations in Sapporo, and Asahikawa.

One place I make sure to visit every year is Coach & Four Kitami Store. Since Memanbetsu Airport is the closest airport to both Kitami and Lake Saroma, I always stop by before or after the marathon. Not only the Kitami store but all the Coach & Four stores display our products beautifully. Every time I visit, I am reminded how much care and attention they put into presenting our incense, and I truly appreciate their continued support.

Every year I also visit Kitaichi Glass, for whom we produce original incense products. Their store is filled with beautiful glassware that creates a cool, refreshing atmosphere, and I am always impressed by the thoughtful and creative way they display our incense. Their merchandising naturally invites customers to stop, pick up the products, and enjoy discovering them. What I admire most is the sincere care they show toward every customer. Each visit gives me new ideas and inspiration.

The gentle sound of the glass wind chimes drifting through the store creates a wonderfully refreshing atmosphere. It's almost impossible to walk past without stopping to listen.

One unexpected incident almost caused me a great deal of trouble.

Before leaving Maebashi, I had sent my suitcase ahead to my hotel in Sapporo using a parcel delivery service. Unfortunately, I accidentally wrote the delivery date one day later than my arrival date! When I realized my mistake, I panicked. Fortunately, the staff at Yamato Transport kindly helped me. Since one of their offices happened to be very close to my hotel, they brought my suitcase over themselves, saving me from a rather stressful situation. Once again, I was reminded how many kind people helped make this trip a successful one, and I felt truly grateful.

Today, the weather in Maebashi is surprisingly cool. I'm even wearing a long-sleeved cotton sweater. The weather at this time of year can change quickly, bringing cool, rainy days despite the season. I hope you will all take good care of yourselves and stay healthy.

Until next time,