Hiking through the Japanese mountains with Miwa Tateyama

“I love being outside in the fresh air with the quiet atmosphere of the forest and mountains. Surrounded by this gives me a feeling that nature is teaching me about a simple life.”

Hiking through the glorious Japanese ‘Oze National Park’ throughout the sunny months as a professional Trekking Guide, Miwa Tateyama is the perfect person to speak to for ‘National Walking Month this May.

Miwa’s lives in the idyllic Katashina-village based in Japan where her main passion is snowboarding through the glorious mountains. Since 2019, Miwa has run her very own snowboarding guide club, “Goma Seal.” The main purpose of the group is to provide snowboarding training and backcountry tours for newbies to the extraordinary Japanese slopes. There is no mountain that Miwa cannot conquer. However, before slicing the slopes, she was hired as a trekking guide at the ‘National Oze Park.’ Miwa enjoys taking large hiking groups on walks through the beautiful routes of the park when the weather is at its warmest.

Miwa stresses that preparation before taking on any ultimate hiking expedition is key. She advises to check the weather one day before leaving, all information concerning the route has to be carefully planned and outerwear must be fully prepped for the journey ahead. We were delighted to hear that Miwa has been using Storm Care for several years to clean and fully proof her garments before exploring the picturesque trails.

As you can imagine, Miwa is exposed to various weather conditions whilst hiking through the mountains. Temperature changes will increase moisture levels within the outerwear’s inner material, impacting on its overall performance and water repellancy. We truly believe that people should be able to ‘embrace the elements’ fully when outside, enjoying their walks. The weather should not spoil anyone’s adventures. Like, Miwa, exploring the great outdoors is ingrained within our DNA! Whether it be skiing down a mammoth mountain or simply venturing out for a little stroll – your outerwear should be able to protect you fully. Always.

It was a true privilege to take some time out and talk to Miwa about her passion for hiking, the preparation needed for a long walking excursion and gain more of an insight about trekking in some of Japan’s beauty spots.

Storm Q&A with Miwa Tateyama

Hello Miwa, being a professional trekking guide, what would you advise that people bring with them before going on a hiking exhibition?

“Collecting as much information as possible about the mountain you are going to trek is very important. A map is a perfect tool to learn about the mountain. It can tell you about routes you can take, how long each route would take, difference in elevation, and it will inform you where can find water sources, flowers, outhouses, dangerous spots, shelters, and huts. On the day before, it’s also important to check the weather in the area where you are going to trek. Observe, conditions such as thunder, heavy rain, strong wind, low temperature, etc. As for clothing and gear, what you should bring will depend on the elevation of the mountain and seasons, but I always recommend packing for sudden temperature swings. Pack T-shirts or undershirts with good breathability and moisture management which will prevent you from feeling chilly whilst taking breaks. Besides warm clothing, a headlamp, and a rain jacket, I also recommend bringing a big plastic bag. While rain cover is useful, it won’t completely protect the contents inside the backpack from getting wet. Putting the contents inside the plastic bag would keep your items always dry.”

Where are some of your favourite places in Japan to go hiking?

“I like to hike on Mt. Yakushidake Omine Okugake Michi trail and Nakahechi route to Kumano. I also enjoy river tracing in Akagisawa, the headstream of Kurobe river in Toyama prefecture.”

You are very lucky to experience Japan in both the summer and winter seasons. What inspired you to become a Trekking Guide?

“Firstly, my passion was Alpine snowboard races. About 20 years ago, I began practicing being a professional Alpine snowboard Racer. Back then I was helping at a ski resort where I was practicing my curving. While I was ski patrolling on weekends, I began backcountry snowboarding and it made me want to know more about mountains. The following spring, ‘Oze National Park’ was hiring a trekking guide and I thought learning about the summer Oze would help me understand more about winter mountains. So, I became a trekking guide.”

What is trekking throughout the ‘Oze National Park’ like?

“As soon as snow begins melting, skunk cabbages start to bloom and white flowers are in full bloom in the wetland. Then we have many visitors from all over Japan (normally from late May to early June). There are so many kinds of flowers blooming during this time. So, visitors can enjoy both flowers and sceneries during trekking. Personally, I love watching creatures living in the wetland such as Japanese fire belly newt, Japanese predacious diving beetle, dragonfly, and so on. Oze is the birthplace of the campaign to prompt people to bring trash back home. Oze National Park has been designated as special protection zone and there are manners and rules to follow such as always staying on the board walk and not to bring anything back home even a leaf.”

Can you tell us how you prepare your outerwear and footwear before going on hiking trips?

“To keep using them in good conditions, I frequently remove sebum, muddy stains, dust, etc. using footwear and apparel care products. I also use deodoriser to eliminate shoe odour.”

Why did you decide to use Storm Care products to clean and proof your garments?

“I started using Storm Care products because they are eco-friendly. I always use products that are good for the environment and I feel safe to use them. Also, I can use the products in the same way that I wash my regular clothes. It is easy and there are no extra steps. We also have lots of rainfall in Japan. Mist becomes round shape of water droplets on the rain jacket, and they can be flicked with your fingers – waterproof works perfectly!”

Why do you think it is important to look after your outerwear?

“Outerwear/Footwear does not work as they are designed to when they are not being cared for. It is necessary that you care for your items in order to keep them in good conditions and to use them longer. Also regularly caring for your items will give you a sense of security when you are trekking on the trail.”

Where else in the world would you like to go hiking?

“I’d like to hike the Camino de Santiago!”

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