“Wearing a ”GAR" and hiking with a fan.

Seven of us got together that day. We all wore our favorite “GAR” clothes and set off for the mountains of Hakone. We met at Hakone-Yumoto Station at 8:30 a.m. Since we were traveling from Tokyo, everyone had to get up earlier than usual that day. I felt a little sleepy, but hiking on a sunny day feels great. This time, we chose a gentle mountain that even beginners could climb. Passing through Mt. Asama and Mt. Takasu, the hike took about four hours in total.

Adjust your running vest to hold your smartphone, wallet, hand towel, and a snack for when you get a little hungry. For a light spring hike, you don’t need to bring a lot of gear.

All set. The lightweight, soft "GAR" hoodie is perfect for hiking this time of year. It’s breathable and comes in handy when it gets a little chilly.

Among the group climbing with us, there are seasoned hikers with official certifications, as well as beginners who have only been on a few hikes. Although some of us are meeting for the first time, the trail is gentle—more like a stroll or a picnic—so we’ll take our time climbing while chatting with each other.

About an hour into the climb, we took a short break. We drank some water and ate the fruit we’d brought along to build up our energy for the final stretch to our destination, Mount Asama.

"By the way, it seems the 'Mount Asama' we're heading to is actually pronounced 'Sengenyama.' Huh, really? I totally thought it was 'Asamayama'!"

That’s right—Mount Asama in Hakone is pronounced “Sengenyama.” It’s true that more people seem to pronounce it “Asamayama” using the on’yomi reading. The area is open and grassy, and on a clear day, you can get a great view of Mount Fuji. At 802 meters above sea level, it’s a gentle, low mountain, so even those who aren’t confident in their physical fitness can easily tackle it.

When we arrived, it was just lunchtime. We spent some time in the square, eating the rice balls and soup we’d brought with us.

"It's hot today, isn't it? I'm sweating more than I expected. But it dries right away, so it's actually pretty nice."

The long-sleeve T-shirt he’s wearing is made from 100% cotton and 10% T-polyester—a natural fabric that offers quick-drying performance comparable to synthetic fibers. That’s because it uses “FLASHDRY NATURE,” a fabric developed exclusively by The North Face. It feels great against the skin and dries instantly after sweating or washing, making it incredibly convenient.

Once we're done eating, it's time to play Frisbee. It's been a while since I've played, and it's surprisingly hard!

"Phew... I played so much I'm exhausted (lol)"

We took a bus via Mt. Takanosu to Hakone-Yumoto Station. There are fewer buses than in Tokyo, so the wait is longer, but when we’re all waiting together, the time flies by.

"Since we're here anyway, why don't we stop by The North Face store at Hakone Nature Base? I heard they serve craft beer, too."