A time shared by three runners, beginning at a log cabin.
"Pheasant Yamanakako," nestled in the forests of Lake Yamanaka. Operated by , a residential brand specializing in log cabins and wooden homes, this timeshare resort is a place where you can fully enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle while staying in accommodations such as log cabins and dome houses. The setting for this feature is one of these properties: “Country Log.” This model features a large deck and an earthen-floored entryway, with a design that allows you to experience the surrounding nature even from inside the home.
The three people who came to this place were Sho Masuda, Takumi Tsuchida, and Taiga Nagashima. They are running buddies and also coworkers at Vivobarefoot.
From left: Takumi Tsuchida, Sho Masuda, and Taiga Nagashima. This close-knit trio spends a lot of time together, both at work and in their personal lives.
What these three have in common is not just running, but the fact that each has experience hiking long-distance trails. Ms. Masuda has completed a through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, Ms. Tsuchida has done the Arizona Trail, and Ms. Nagashima has hiked Te Araroa in New Zealand—each spending several months on these journeys. For them, both running and hiking are part of their daily lives.
Then, as soon as they entered the house, Mr. Nagashima remarked, “The scent of wood is amazing,” while setting down their bags. Mr. Masuda added,
“I often pitch a tent and sleep in the mountains, and when I open the zipper, the forest spreads out right before me. The log houses from also have lots of windows, so you can feel nature no matter where you are in the house, and when you open the door, nature is right there. It might sound like an exaggeration, but in that sense, they’re perhaps similar to a tent.”
There are no special activities planned for this two-day, one-night stay. The idea is simply to experience this house as if you were living there. We arrived at 1:00 p.m. First things first: time to grab a bite to eat.
