PROFILE
He works at "Guru’s Cut &
Stand," a hair salon in Yutenji, Tokyo, known for its strong cultural vibe. In 2020, he turned his hobby into a business and founded the fishing apparel and gear brand *Metropolis Fishing* with a friend.
Instagram:@tane.___
An exhilarating trail run.
As someone involved with *Metropolis Fishing*, Takamine is passionate about fishing in the ocean and lakes. However, it seems he also enjoys a variety of other outdoor activities. Here’s what he has to say about that.
"When I take up a new hobby, I keep in mind that it should be something I can enjoy even as I get older. After all, I want to be able to keep doing it for a long time. Also, being able to enjoy solitude might be a common thread among the things I like to do."
“There’s an old saying that goes, ”Fishing is one of the few places left on earth where a man can be alone without feeling lonely.“ While this isn’t limited to fishing or men, ”being alone without feeling lonely” might be an essential part of taking the time to reflect on oneself. Apart from the joy of heading out to the field with friends, Mr. Takamine apparently also values spending time alone in nature.
"When I start something new, I discover new ways of thinking that connect to my work and daily life. Even in fields that seem completely unrelated, I believe everything is interconnected."
Takane-san took up trail running last year. She says it all started with a solo hike she went on.
"On the way down from the summit, I was so exhausted that my legs were giving out with every step. I thought, 'If walking is this hard, why not just run?' So I gave it a try, and that’s when I discovered the joy of running on mountain trails. I was like, 'What is this wild, free-spirited fun!?'"
Hiking and trail running. Although both activities take place on the same mountain trails, he was surprised by how different they felt. You have to instantly assess where to place your feet so you don’t trip over tree roots or rocks, and the sense of speed as you race down the slopes was something he had never experienced before.
"The moment I start running, I get a huge rush of adrenaline and immediately get into the zone. It’s the perfect way to clear my head when I need to unwind. If it were just about mountain climbing, I don’t think I would have become this hooked on the mountains."
Since then, trail running—which involves running in the low mountains, such as the Kamakura Alps, from early morning and returning before noon—has become my second hobby, right after fishing. Because it’s quite physically demanding, it’s reportedly given an extra boost to my already strong health consciousness.
"When I want to get pumped up, I go trail running instead of fishing. Even just running through the woods behind my house will give you a taste of how awesome trail running is. This time of year is especially great because you can pick some wild greens on the way home."
