[OGZ's Yamamaterichi Exploration Diary Vol. 01] Do you know the Kiryu edition? Outdoor Style Convenience Store "Tanaka Shoten" - Outdoor Gearzine "Outdoor Gearzine" (2024)

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Well, OGZ's "Yamamarachi Exploration Diary" has suddenly begun. Each time, we will visit unique shops and spots from all over Japan that are connected to mountains and at the foot of the mountains, and introduce them to you.

I'm yan, and I'm going to help you. See you later.

This time, the editorial department apparently caught the information that Kiryu in Gunma is a hot town, and thought, ``You'd be interested in that!'', so we took a road trip to Kiryu.

First, let's head to Kiryu, our first destination is Umeda, which is a little further out from the center of Kiryu.

At first glance, it looks like a private store that you often see in rural areas.

However, the reality is quite different from what it appears to be: a mysterious store that calls itself an ``outdoor style convenience store.''

So what exactly is outdoor style?

Let's go into the store right away to find out.

This is (excuse me) a stylish and fashionable space that you wouldn't expect from the outside.

It's true that it's a "convenience store", with a variety of food items lined up...

The counter on the left side of the entrance is full of knives.

Proceeding to the side of the counter, you will find a lineup of cookers, gas burners, and wood stoves, all carefully selected by the owner.

If you look to your right, you'll see an array of fresh foods such as vegetables and eggs. There are items that are probably grown in nearby areas, and they're cheap!

There are also several items sold by weight that vary depending on the time.

Frozen meat corner.

The main dish here is local chicken from Kyushu, as the owner is an acquaintance of mine.

First of all, I bought some black pepper flavored chicken for camping and it was excellent.

We also have a wide selection of ice creams that are essential for the upcoming season.

There is also a corner for freeze-dried foods and seasonings, which I also use as a purveyor.

If you forget it when climbing the mountains in this area, you can buy it here.

We also have products from Prilet, who is famous for the mountain stalls we are planning to visit next.

There is also a line of thin strips, and next to them are SOTO products.

And one of the highlights of Tanaka Shoten is the STATIC product, which is only available at two stores in Gunma Prefecture (at the time of interview)!

In the first place, it is valuable because even in Tokyo, you may not be able to see it.

Sealson, a brand from Taiwan that is currently recommended by the store owner

Our store opened in Japan for the first time last December. I have explained it in detail below.

This kind of maniac gear is also a little curious.

And irresistible for alcohol lovers!? From the commonly seen items,

I don't drink much, so I don't know much about products that seem to be made overseas that I've never seen before.

Now, let's ask the owner, Mr. Kainose (not Mr. Tanaka!), to appear.

First of all, we asked Q about the background of Tanaka Shoten.

A. During the Meiji period, my wife's great-great-grandmother opened Tanaka Shoten as a tobacco shop.

After that, my great-grandfather made and sold firewood and charcoal, and my grandfather continued the business in keeping with the times, selling alcohol, food, and daily necessities.

In 2011, my grandfather passed away and the business closed.

My wife, who I have been dating since the beginning of 2020, heard that a neighbor wanted to use the vacant Tanaka Shoten store to sell leftover vegetables from their home garden, so I wanted to open a store. So, the first step is to revive Tanaka Shoten from selling vegetables on consignment.

In late fall 2020, the store was unable to be used due to rain leaks, so an open-air market was held in the parking lot on weekends only. Since moving across America, I have loved the outdoors, so I sold vegetables while setting up a tent, tarp, and bonfire.

2021 The open sky market has attracted cyclists and others who enjoy the nature of Umeda, so in July we re-opened Tanaka Shoten as an outdoor-style convenience store that sells local vegetables while also supporting outdoor enthusiasts.

The following August, a cafe corner was opened as a place for local residents to relax before and after activities.

In this way, we operate as a shop where local residents can buy food, an outdoor base, and a cafe where they can take a break.

Q: What are your future prospects?

A: As a store, we would like to create an environment-friendly store.

These include STATIC and other environmentally friendly products and company activities, product sales methods, and the spread of Leave No Trace. Since the outdoors is surrounded by nature, we would like outdoor enthusiasts to look at environmental friendliness as well as design and functionality.

Since our store is located in Umeda-cho, Kiryu City, which is relatively surrounded by nature compared to other outdoor shops, we would like to hold events that take advantage of Umeda's nature.

In the future, I hope that more people will come to enjoy the natural beauty of Umeda. (Supp, canoeing, cycling, mountain climbing, etc. at Lake Umeda)

Q: Please let me know if you have any recommended products in the future!

A: The products we would like to recommend are the following.

Hydrascape Stickers A long sticker from Washington State, USA. Our store was the first in Japan to start selling this product in February of this year, but it is currently being sold at other stores as well. A stylish sticker that will help popularize water bottles.

Lightheart Gear We don't have it in stock yet, but we recommend this brand's silnylon rain jacket. Although it has zero moisture permeability, the zipper on the side allows your arms to be exposed long enough to allow you to wear it like a vest, and since it is not DWR (durable water repellent), there is no need to reapply water repellent. .

Sealson is a backpack brand from Taiwan. Our store opened in Japan for the first time in December last year. Our focus is on ultralight products that connect the city and the mountains. We are also developing our own eco-friendly nylon fabric, Ecoya. The item we receive the most inquiries about is the M2Cross body bag.

Rab A British brand that is environmentally friendly, actively using recycled materials and using PFC-free water repellent treatment. Although it has the same specifications as other imported brands, the price is lower, and it is rarely the same as other brands, so we receive many inquiries!

I'm glad that there are many brands that I am interested in and that I also use.

What do you think, Tanaka Shoten?

Wouldn't you like to go there? There is a place in Umeda, Kiryu that connects the mountains, shops, and people.

That alone makes me excited, so I went there once between this interview and writing (lol)

For more detailed store information, please visit our official website and Instagram.

I think you should check them out.

https://www.tanakashoten2020online.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tanakashoten2020/

This time, I was actually able to secretly rent the Tanaka Shoten campground, which was pre-opening, so I left Tanaka Shoten and drove to a place about a three-minute drive away, and from there I headed into downtown Kiryu. The interview continues.

Thank you for your continued support of the Kiryu edition of the sightseeing diary!

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