Japanese Outdoor Gear Manufacturers
As a follow up to my recent blog post about Japanese outdoor brands I have decided to make the list a little more expansive thanks to some reader suggestions. The aim is to include outdoor manufacturers which offer at least some UL gear tailored towards backpackers. Many are “cottage industry” startups such as ‘and wander’ and PaaGoWORKS both launched in 2011 with the later literally walking distance from my place others like Arai Tent have been in the game for 50 plus years.
Where possible I have indicated those companies, which manufacture exclusively in Japan so kudos to the likes of finetrack who continue to yarn, knit, cut and sow locally. Companies such as Iwatani-Primus and Goldwin that licence foreign brands as well as outdoor brands primarily catering to the auto camp (car camping) crowd for example Captain Stag and Logos are not included.
If you see any inaccuracies or happen to know of other Japanese backpacking and outdoor companies, please leave a comment below and I will add it.
Aichi
SOTO（ソト）
Toyokawa City: Stoves, gas cartridges, cookware and accessories made in JAPAN
KS Ultralight Gear
Komaki City: UL packs and accessories made in JAPAN
Chiba
FREELIGHT（フリーライト）
Kashiwa City: UL packs, tarps, shelters and trekking poles made in JAPAN
Hokkaido
ifyouhave（イフユウハブ）
Sapporo: UL packs and wallets made in JAPAN
YAMAtune（ヤマチューン）
Higashikawa: ‘Darn Tough’ quality socks, arm sleeves and leggings
Hyogo
finetrack（ファイントラック）
Kobe: Tents, tarps, outdoor wear and sleeping bags made in JAPAN
Kanagawa
LOCUS GEAR（ローカス・ギア）
Sagamihara City: Tents, shelters, bivvies and quilts made in JAPAN
YAMATOMICHI（山と道）
Kamakura: UL packs, sacoche bags, outdoor wear, sleeping pads and accessories made in JAPAN
inga（インガ）
Zushi City: Climbing wear including climbing pants and tops made in JAPAN
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR（リッジ マウンテン ギア）
Zushi City: Clothing, storage bags and pouches made in JAPAN
T’s Stove
Kawasaki City: UL backpacking stoves made in JAPAN
Nagano
Sinano（シナノ）
Saku City: Ski and trekking poles made in JAPAN
HERITAGE（ヘリテイジ）
Azumino City: ESPACE tents, packs, sleeping bag covers and accessories made in JAPAN
Niigata
Snow Peak（スノーピーク）
Sanjo City: Cookware, stoves, tents and tarps
UNIFLAME（ユニフレーム）
Tsubame: Aluminium cookware, forks and spoons
Osaka
Montbell（モンベル）
Nishi-ku: Down jackets, packs, tents and sleeping bags
ISUKA（イスカ）
Tondabayashi City: Sleeping bags, sleeping pads and accessories
Saitama
Arai Tent（アライテント）
Tokorozawa City: Tents, shelters and packs made in JAPAN
EPIgas（イーピーアイ）
Kawaguchi City: Stoves and gas cartridges made in JAPAN
MIZO（ミゾー）
Soka City: Ice axes made in JAPAN
EXPERT OF JAPAN（エキスパート・オブ・ジャパン）
Kawaguchi City: Snow shoes, ice axes and crampons made in JAPAN
TORAYA EQUIPMENT（ヤックワークス）
Wako City: Clothing and satchels made in JAPAN
Shiga
Nanga（ナンガ）
Maibara City: Sleeping bags, down wear and accessories made in JAPAN
Tochigi
Nruc（ヌルク）
Mooka City: T-shirts and satchels made in JAPAN
Shelt（シェルト）
Nasushiobara: UL shelters made in JAPAN
Tokyo
PuroMonte（プロモンテ）
Chuo-ku: Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and clothing made in JAPAN
PAINE（パイネ・石井スポーツ）
Shinjuku: Packs, sleeping bags, tents and clothing
Foxfire（フォックスファイヤー）
Sumida-ku: Packs and clothing
TETON BROS.（ティートンブロス）
Chuo-ku: Base, mid layers and soft shells
PHENIX（フェニックス）
Shinjuku: Clothing and accessories
PaaGoWORKS（パーゴワークス）
Kokubunji City: Packs, tarps and stuff sacks
OGAWAND（オガワンド）
Shinjuku: UL packs, stuff sacks and accessories made in JAPAN
MONORAL（モノラル）
Machida: Tarps, folding fire pits and accessories made in JAPAN
WANDERLUST EQUIPMENT（ワンダーラストエクイップメント）
Shinjuku: Tarps and stuff sacks made in JAPAN
and wander（ウェブサイト）
Setagaya-ku: UL packs, sacoche bags, clothing and accessories made in JAPAN
atelier Blue bottle（アトリエブルーボトル）
Nerima City: UL packs, sacoche bags and socks made in JAPAN
AXESQUIN（アクシーズクイン）
Chiyoda-ku: Rain wear, clothing and gloves made in JAPAN
EVERNEW（エバニュー）
Koto-ku: Titanium cookware, alcohol stoves and collapsible water carriers made in JAPAN
PRO TREK（プロトレック・カシオ）
Shibuya: Sport watches
SIRIO（シリオ）
Koto-ku: Hiking shoes
