2025/05/26 00:00
Text: Yūya Yokoyama
My interest in outdoor activities began after my first camping trip in Hokkaido in October 2017.
I had camped with friends during my student days, but it never really caught my interest. I moved to Hokkaido in 2017, and soon after arriving, I ended up camping with friends. This experience became the catalyst that drew me deep into the world of the outdoors.
My memorable first camping trip was at Maabu Auto Campground in Fukagawa, roughly in the center of Hokkaido. I brought a Coleman tent and tarp borrowed from an acquaintance, along with a Snow Peak fire pit passed down from my father, and camped with several friends.
I remember how, while we were having a great time gathered around the campfire at night, we were suddenly hit by strong winds and heavy rain. I'm a rain magnet, but apparently I was already causing havoc? back then.
The morning of the second day brought a complete turnaround—clear skies. Waking up to the crisp air, I noticed the beautiful scenery that had been hidden from view the night before. The pleasant sound of the Oe River, flowing right beside the campground, reached my ears. I rarely get up early in the morning, but when camping, I always woke up early and went for walks, taking in the surrounding views. That experience might have been what sparked my connection with nature.
After that, I started obsessively researching camping gear. Just one camping trip was enough to get me hooked.
I immediately wanted my own tent and bought a Woolrich tent for 4,000 yen at a thrift store. I gathered most of the necessary gear by buying used items at thrift stores or getting hand-me-downs from friends. But things like the table and chairs not matching in height meant it was far from convenient. Still, I was satisfied.
Why did I become so obsessed with the outdoors?
Looking back now, I think it was because I could recharge through all those experiences.
Of course, there were fun times with friends and delicious meals, but also the beautiful scenery of mountains and forests, birdsong, the murmur of streams, the sound of wind rustling through trees, the pleasant feel of rain, and the crackling of burning firewood. Furthermore, camping is overflowing with charms that engage all five senses: beautiful starry skies, morning mist illuminated by the sunrise, and more.
I think each of these experiences gradually drew me in, and before I knew it, I was completely immersed in the world of the outdoors.
For me before, a day off meant “having free time.” I believed that to heal the fatigue of daily life, I needed “time to do nothing,” and that free time itself was “rest.”
I learned that Japanese and foreigners have different perceptions of holidays. In Japan, we spend our days off “healing” the fatigue of the workweek, while people in Western countries often use their holidays as time to “recharge” for the next week.
I realized that my ideal way to spend a holiday isn't just drifting through it, but doing things I enjoy to pour energy into my mind and body.
I think part of the background is Japanese cultural traits like “work comes first” and “overworking,” but personally, I want to actively ‘recharge’ on my days off. In other words, not just “being idle,” but making it “time to fulfill myself.” With that mindset, I want to continue cherishing my holidays.
