Shinjuku, recorded by Nanana Mori.

Even in a city filled with skyscrapers, nature can be found everywhere—in parks and in the flowers and trees lining the streets. The North Face Purple Label creates outdoor wear that blends seamlessly into the urban landscape while cherishing these small touches of nature.

Among these, the Mountain Parka is known as a staple item that has been part of the brand’s lineup since its inception. The fabric features “65/35 Bayhead Cloth,” a high-density weave made from a 65/35 blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton. With four pockets large enough to hold a paperback book, it’s a reliable piece for days when you want to travel light.

Wearing the brand’s signature mountain parka, Nana Mori took a stroll through Shinjuku. We asked her to capture the cityscape and the natural elements found there in photographs.

Forest: It felt strange, as if my younger self were still wandering all over the city. I recalled walking around back then, wearing the backpack I used in high school, stuffed with textbooks and school supplies. When I feel like I’m about to lose sight of what’s truly important, I realize once again that this is a place I always want to come back to.

Forest: That’s the Docomo Tower. I’ve always loved it and used to go see it all the time. It’s especially beautiful on rainy nights; when there’s fog, the tower’s lights reflect off it, and sometimes it looks like the area is shrouded in the Northern Lights. I remember being moved when I saw that, thinking, “Ah, this is a view you can only find in Tokyo.”

Forest: It all started when I used a PENTAX MX camera to prepare for my role in the movie *When April Comes*. I had the chance to take photos of Takeru Sato on set, and they actually used those photos for the movie poster. That made me so happy, and I even started to flatter myself, thinking, “Maybe I’m actually pretty good at this?” (laughs). After that, I bought the same model, and I’ve been shooting on film for about four years now. As for the photos I post on Instagram, aside from the ones my manager takes, almost all of them are ones I’ve taken myself.

Forest: I totally bought it on a whim. The leather part looked exactly like the color of the school backpack I used to carry. It was this mysterious shade—somewhere between purple and red, like a deep burgundy. It was a favorite color of mine that still sticks with me, so the moment I saw it, I thought, “This is the one!” Plus, I’m drawn to things that seem to have a story behind them—like they’ve been well-loved by someone else. People around me did tell me, “Functionally speaking, the other one is easier to take photos with,” though (laughs).

Forest: I’ve actually been walking a lot lately. I started running at the beginning of the year, but then I thought, “Wouldn’t it be better to just walk?” (laughs). When I’m out for a walk, I can easily cover the distance of two subway stops while listening to my favorite music or chatting with friends. I love how it’s fun, and before I know it, I’ve lost some weight. Just grabbing my phone and house keys, putting on my headphones, and heading out into the city—that time is incredibly important to me right now.

Forest: When I heard that old-school mountain parkas were designed so that the natural fibers would swell up and repel water when it rained, I was amazed by the origins of outdoor apparel technology. I also really loved the fact that the hood had a brim. Details like that add a touch of playfulness and make the jacket a joy to wear.

Forest: It depends on the role, so it varies from time to time. When I was filming *Enjo*, I played a girl living in Kabukicho, so my clothes naturally became more flashy, and the brands I bought changed. I believe it’s important to get into character, so I end up buying a lot without even realizing it. Of course, that always leads to trouble later on (laughs).

Forest: Last year was a bit of a strange one, wasn’t it? I don’t think I did anything differently than usual, but it felt like all sorts of things just came pouring in all at once. Considering everyone’s reactions, it was a welcome change.

Forest: I’ve always wanted to be an actor people can trust. I want to keep doing what I’m doing now so that I can become the kind of actor who makes people think, “If this person is playing the role, I’d trust them even with a character from my favorite original work,” or “It’ll be interesting if this person is in it.”