- TOP
- COMMUNITY
We are as passionate about our community as we are about our products.
On this COMMUNITY page, you can find information about our Yamatomichi Hike Life Community (HLC) programs, hosted throughout Japan by our dedicated Yamatomichi Ambassadors and our friends.
- Upcoming events
- What is Yamatomichi HLC?
- HLC Annual Schedule
- HLC Hokkaido
- HLC Tohoku
- HLC Kita-kanto
- HLC Kamakura
- HLC Kansai
- HLC Shikoku
- HLC Taiwan
- HLC Program Descriptions
- Yamatomichi HLC Hiking Festival
- Yamatomichi HLC PLACE
- Ambassadors & Project Directors
Upcoming events
Currently the below application forms are only available in Japanese.
Please view the page with a translating engine of your choosing or with a good friend who reads Japanese.
Although all our events are of course open to anyone regardless of your Japanese level, please understand that English might not be spoken at any of our events. If you are interested in signing up but not sure which event is for you, feel free to contact us and we will help you out.
What is Yamatomichi HLC?
Yamatomichi HLC is a community that shares the joy of UL (Ultra Light) hiking, pursues its possibilities, and builds its culture. Programs are hosted by Ambassadors with specific areas of expertise.
Yamatomichi HLC recognizes that community, life, and hiking are not independent, but all part of your life. We hope our events will help to make you have more fun and enjoy life more, both on and off the hiking trails.
Yamatomichi HLC Project Leader Hideki Toyoshima
HLC Annual Schedule
HLC Hokkaido
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 22, Sat – 23, Sun | WORKSHOP Snowshoe Hiking Workshop in Niseko: 2-day/1-night |
| May 14, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| June 23, Fri – 25, Sun | AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE UL Hiking Workshop in Niseko; 2-day/1-night |
| July 7, Fri – 9, Sun | PRACTICE UL Hiking Practice: 3-day/2-night |
| Sep 2, Sat – 3, Sun | WORKSHOP UL Hiking Workshop in Niseko: 2-day/1-night |
| Oct 7, Sat | LOCAL STUDY HIKING Local Study Hiking at Niseko Old Sulfur Mine: Sequel |
| Nov 19, Sun | GUEST SEMINAR Mountain Weather Workshop |
| March 17, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
HLC Tohoku
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 15, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| May 20, Sat – 21, Sun | WORKSHOP UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| June 23, Fri – 25, Sun | PRACTICE UL Hiking Practice in mountain shelters; 3-day/2-night |
| Oct. 27, Fri – 29, Sun | PRACTICE Michinoku Coastal Trail UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| Nov. 19, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Winter Hiking for Beginners |
| Jan. 27, Sat – 29, Sun | WORKSHOP Michinoku Coastal Trail UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| March. 16, Sat – 17, Sun | LOCAL STUDY HIKING Michinoku Coastal Trail Local Study Hiking; 2-day/1-night |
HLC Kita-kanto
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 1, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| May 13, Sat – 14 Sun | WORKSHOP UL Hiking Workshop in Kita-Kanto: 2-day/1-night |
| June 17, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| July 12, Wed – 13, Thur | AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE Naka River Fly Fishing; 2-day/1-night |
| Aug. 25 Fri – 27, Sun | PRACTICE UL Hiking Practice: 3-day/2-night |
| Oct. 14, Sat – 15, Sun | WORKSHOP UL Hiking Workshop in Kita-Kanto: 2-day/1-night |
| Nov. 18, Sat | LOCAL STUDY HIKING Kita-Kanto Local Study Hiking |
| Jan. 20, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| March 23, Sat – 24, Sun | WORKSHOP UL Hiking Workshop in Kita-Kanto: 2-day/1-night |
HLC Kamakura
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 16, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners (Online) |
| June 17, Sat – 18 Sun | WORKSHOP Izu Ridge Trail UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| June 20, Tue | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| July 23, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Aug. 26, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners (Online) |
| Sep. 2, Sat – 3, Sun | WORKSHOP Mt. Hakone Somma Trail UL Hiking Workshop 2-day/1-night |
| Oct. 6, Fri – 9, Mon (National Holiday) | PRACTICE Mt. Yatsugatake, Kirigamine, Utsukushigahara UL Hiking Practice 4-day/3-night |
| Nov. 25, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Jan. 21, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Winter Hiking for Beginners |
| Feb. 16, Fri – 18, Sun | PRACTICE North of Ibaraki Long Trail UL Hiking Practice 3-day/2-night |
HLC Kansai
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 9, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| May 21, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| June 25, Sun | GUEST SEMINAR Diet and Nutrition for Hikers |
| July 23, Sun | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Aug. 11, Fri | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Sep. 9, Sat – 10, Sun | WORKSHOP Suzuka Mountains UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| Oct. 7, Sat – 8, Sun | STAFF’S SPECIALITY Beginner Bike Packing for Hikers; 2-day/1-night |
| Nov. 11, Sat – 13, Mon | PRACTICE Kumano kodo, Kohechi UL Hiking Practice |
| Jan. 13, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| March 10, Sun – 11, Mon | AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE Koheji Trail Fastpacking; 2-day/1-night |
HLC Shikoku
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 15, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| May 20, Sat – 21, Sun | WORKSHOP Kamegamori UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| July 15, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Aug. 26, Sat – 27, Sun | AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE Shimanto River Bike Packing/Camping; 2-day/1-night |
| Sep. 23, Sat – 24, Sun | WORKSHOP Mt. Miune, Tengudsuka UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| Oct. 27, Fri – 29, Sun | PRACTICE Mt. Ishizuchi Long Trail UL Hiking Practice; 3-day/2-night |
| Nov. 18, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Winter Hiking for Beginners |
| Dec. 2, Sat | STAFF’S SPECIALITY Yamatomichi Repair Workshop |
| March 9, Sat | GUEST SEMINAR Te Araroa Long Trail Report |
HLC Taiwan
| Dates | Category, Title |
| April 22, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| May 20, Sat – 21, Sun | WORKSHOP Dalu Forest UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| Sep. 9, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Oct. 21, Sat | LECTURE Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners |
| Nov. 18, Sat – 19, Sun | WORKSHOP Duojiatun Shan UL Hiking Workshop; 2-day/1-night |
| Dec. 15, Fri – 17, Sun | PRACTICE Lulu Hot Springs UL Hiking Practice; 3-day/2-night |
HLC Program Descriptions
For 2023, We added two new categories “LIFE & COMMUNITY” and “SHOP/STAFF/PRODUCTS” to complete all three elements of our Hike, Life and Community program.
As usual, we have the LECTURE “Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners”, which provides a lecture style workshop on our UL hiking methodology; the WORKSHOP, where you take the knowledge from LECTURE into the field; and PRACTICE, a culminating program where ambassadors and participants team up for challenging hikes to explore the possibilities of UL hiking. PRACTICE, a culminating program in which ambassadors and participants team up for challenging hikes to explore the possibilities of UL hiking; AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE; GUEST SEMINAR; LOCAL STUDY HIKING; STAFF’S SPECIALTY; and many more. STAFF’S SPECIALTY, and many other programs.
LECTURE
The LECTURE, the classroom-style program, is the gateway to Yamatomichi HLC and aims to provide an overview of UL hiking in the mountains and our methodology. The program is offered 3 or 4 times a year in several areas with seasonal content and is also available online at HLC Kamakura. This LECTURE is also a requirement for participation in the WORKSHOP and other programs. We encourage you to join online or offline, in a way that is convenient for you.
“Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners” etc.
HLC Kamakura, “Yamatomichi UL Hiking for Beginners”
WORKSHOP
The WORKSHOP is a 2-day/1-night workshop-style program to learn UL hiking tips onsite. The hiking distance and duration will be short, and there will be time for presentations by ambassadors and discussions with participants along the way to deepen the understanding of UL hiking. The program is scheduled to be held twice a year in several areas at different times of the year.
“UL Winter Hiking Workshop in Niseko Haute Route; 1 Night and 2 Days” “Michinoku Coastal Trail UL Hiking Workshop; 1 Night and 2 Days” “UL Hiking Workshop in Oku-Nikko; 1 Night and 2 Days” etc.
HLC Kita-kanto, “UL Hiking Workshop in Mt. Nasu; 1 Night and 2 Days”
PRACTICE
The PRACTICE is the climax event of the yearly Yamatomichi HLC for those who have already participated in the HLC programs in the past. Here, ambassadors and participants work as one team to complete challenging hikes.
“Mt. Horojiri UL Hiking Practice; 2 Nights and 3 Days” “UL Hiking Practice in Iwate and Akita; 2 Nights and 3 Days” “Kanto UL Hiking Practice; 3 Nights and 4 Days” etc.
HLC Shikoku, “Mt. Ishizuchi Long Trail UL Hiking Practice; 2 Nights and 3 Days”
AMBASSADOR’S SIGNATURE
This is a program that combines UL hiking with other activities in each ambassador’s area of expertise, such as bike packing, fastpacking, backcountry skiing, headwaters fishing, etc. The essence of UL hiking added, each activity will have new possibilities.
“Fishing Trip in Upstream of Naka River; 1 Night and 2 Days” “Fastpacking in Koheji Trail; 1 Night and 2 Days” “Shimanto River Bike Packing/Camping; 1 Night and 2 Days” etc.
HLC Tohoku, “Tent Camping and Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding in the Snowy Mountains; 1 Night and 2 Days, Site TBA”
GUEST SEMINAR
In this program, various guests are invited to each session to learn knowledge and methodology useful for hikers, such as meals for hikers, making your own gear, experiences in the long trail hiking, etc.
“A Day to Talk about the Brown Bears” “UL Hiking in Historical Trail of Sanriku-city; 1 Night and 2 Days” “Recollections of UL Hiking in the Long Trail” etc.
HLC Kansai, “Food workshop by Azuma Higashi from Yamashokuon”
LOCAL STUDY HIKING
This program provides new insights and perspectives on trails and mountains by knowing the local attractions and learning about the history and background of the area through walking, a hiker’s specialty.
“Local Study Hiking in Mt. Kogashi” “Shikoku Pilgrimage Local Study Hiking” etc.
HLC Kansai, “Choishimichi Local Study Hiking”
STAFF'S SPECIALITY
This is exclusive to HLC Kamakura, by our staff with full of knowledge and experience in UL hiking and many other areas. Come build a hiking community with our staff and fellow Yamatomichi HLC members!
“Bike Packing and Camping; 1 Night and 2 Days, Site TBA” “Yamatomichi Repair Workshop” etc.
HLC Kamakura, “Bike Packing and Camping; 1 Night and 2 Days, Site TBA”
LIFE&COMMUNITY
This category is for programs about LIFE and COMMUNITY at HLC. We will conduct “MEET UP” and other programs related to lifestyle and community building related to UL hiking.
HLC Kansai Meetup
SHOP/STAFF/PRODUCTS
This program focuses on Yamatomichi products, the shop and our staff.
HLC Kamakura
Yamatomichi HLC Hiking Festival
The “Yamatomichi Festival” is a festival by hikers, for hikers.
“Yamamichi-sai” is an annual festival for hikers.
After being postponed two years in a row since 2019 due to COVID-19. “The third time’s the charm” we thought in 2022. However, typhoon no.14 hit the area, canceling the event once more.
The preparation for Yamamichi-sai was only possible because of the support from many people and fans. When the 3rd attempt failed, it made us reconsider everything
and wondering if we should cancel everything.
This all changed when our supporters from the local area, Saijo City and Matsuyama City, and our staff showed great enthusiasm and high hopes for 2023. We came to a decision to hold Yamamichi-sai once more in Shikoku, Ishizuchi.
Furthermore, we decided to hold the festival in June to avoid the possibility of the typhoon season ruining our Yamamichi-sai once more. We will not turn off the lanterns yet!
Yamatomichi HLC Hiking Festival
Date: June 3, Sat – 4, Sun, 2023
Venue: Ishizuchi Ski Resort (Saijo City, Ehime)
Details: To be determined
*Details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
Yamatomichi HLC PLACE
Yamatomichi HLC PLACE is the hub for our HLC activities in each area. It will serve as a place to hold programs, meet and exchange knowledge with other UL hikers.
Hokkaido Region
Camp&Go
〒044-0051 Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Kutchan-cho, Kita 1jo Nish,i 3-11
https://campandgo.jp/
Tohoku Region
Knotty
〒028-3318 Iwate, Shiwa-gun, Shiwa-cho, Shiwa Chuo Eki-mae, 2-3-94, Ogar center
TEL:019-601-5512
http://knottysports.com/
Kita-kanto Region
lunettes
〒325-0051 Tochigi, Nasushiobara-shi, Toyomachi, 8-37
TEL:0287-74-2405
https://www.lunettes-yamanodouguya.com/
Kamakura Region
Yamatomichi Laboratory
〒248-0013 Kanagawa, Kamakura, Zaimokuza, 1-13-16
https://www.yamatomichi.com
Kansai Region
Taninokisha Mountain Gear
〒542-0012 Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 7-1-25
TEL:06-4305-7600
https://www.instagram.com/taninoki_yamadougu/
Shikoku Region
T-mountain
〒790-0004 Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama City, Okaido, 3-8-12, Honda Building 1F
TEL:089-946-2936
http://www.t-mountain.com/
Taiwan
samplus
2F, No. 11, Lane 107, Sec. 1, Fuxing South Road, Daan District, Taipei, Taiwan
https://www.yamatomichi.com/stores/7277/
Ambassadors & Project Directors
Below, are the local ambassadors and project directors that work with Yamatomichi, and make HLC possible. They are dedicated to building local hiking communities through programs in their areas of expertise.
