HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡Special Edition - I ran all over Niijima wearing Calfe Special
Niijima, located approximately 160 km south of Tokyo, is one of the Izu Islands and was once known as a "pick-up island" where men and women gathered to meet each other. The island is also very popular among surfers because of its good waves, but it is also a must-see destination for runners because of its rich and beautiful nature, mild climate, trekking courses with spectacular views, and hot springs that will soothe your tired body. So! One day in early autumn, the members of HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡ went to Niijima, where the heat was still lingering, for a two-day and one-night running camp, and ran around wearing KARHU, a shoe brand born in Finland!
Only 35 minutes by plane from Tokyo! Niijima is surprisingly close.
There are two ways to get to Niijima from Tokyo: by boat or by plane. In the case of ship, a high-speed boat or a large-sized boat leaving from Takeshiba Pier is available. The time required is about 2.5 hours by high-speed boat and about 8.5 hours by large-size boat. For air travel, small airplanes depart from Chofu Airfield.
If you fly, it takes only 35 minutes from Chofu Airfield to Niijima! . Yes, Niijima is much closer than you think. Incidentally, Niijima is also part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Five members of HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡ participated in this Niijima running camp.
From left to right: Issey Enomoto (writer), head of the department; Yui (civil servant), a member of the department; Mayu (company employee), a member of the department; Hiroshi Yamamoto (deputy editor of HOUYHNHNM's), vice head of the department; and Masato (company employee), a member of the department.
We gathered at Chofu Airfield a little before 8:00 a.m. to catch the 8:30 a.m. flight to Niijima. Chofu Airfield is located about 15 minutes by car from Chofu Station, and offers scheduled flights to the Izu Islands, including Oshima, Kozushima, and Miyakejima, in addition to Niijima.
This was the first time for all the members to visit Niijima , and they were all filled with anticipation. However, the weather that day was, unfortunately, rainy. Moreover, it was raining quite hard in the Chofu Airfield area. Furthermore, rain was also forecast for the Niijima region, which is the most important part of the island. ......
The airport's bulletin board says "Weather Survey Underway". I hope you fly safely. ......
Yui and Mayu frolic in the airport lobby while waiting for the weather survey.
The concept of this year's running camp was to run around Niijima wearing KARHU shoes! The concept of this year's running camp was to run around Niijima wearing KARHU shoes, a Finnish-born shoe brand with a history of more than 100 years.
All are from the "Legend Line" developed for town use. Clockwise from the front: "Aria" ￥16,800+ tax, "Albatross" ￥9,500+ tax, "Syncron Classic" ￥17,800+ tax, "Aria" ￥16,800+ tax, "Fusion 2.0" ￥18,800+ tax
After waiting in the waiting room for a while, an announcement was made that boarding was about to begin. Although the flight was a little later than scheduled, the weather had improved, and the flight was going to take off!
So, it was time to go to the boarding gate. Since the plane is a small propeller-driven plane, there is no such thing as a boarding bridge , so we walked from the boarding gate to the ramp.
The Niijima-bound plane up close is much smaller than expected! It is said to seat 19 passengers.
All members boarded the plane without incident. I've never flown in such a small plane before," said one member. Although the trip has only just begun, the tension among the members is already at its highest. Now, it is time to take off for Niijima!
As mentioned earlier, rain was forecast for the Niijima area on that day, but ......
Clear skies outside the window! The weather forecast was way off! When we finally landed on Niijima, we were greeted with a pleasant blue sky.
It took only 35 minutes from Chofu Airfield to Niijima Airport. . It was a comfortable flight.
Blue ocean , white sandy beach . A superb beach run while bathing in the sea breeze!
After arriving at Niijima, we got into the rental car and first went to the ryokan where we were staying. There we dropped off our luggage, changed into running clothes, and immediately set out for a run.
. The destination is Habushiura Beach on the east coast of Niijima. This beautiful beach stretches 7 km from north to south and is known as a great surfing spot.
As runners, not surfers, we decided to enjoy the Habushiura Beach while running. After tying the straps of our "KARHU" running shoes tightly and doing some light preparatory exercises, we were ready to go!
Picture-perfect blue ocean and sky , and white sandy beach. Niijima beach run, it feels too good! Incidentally, the white cliffs along the beach are called "Koga-ishi," which is a rare ore in the world and can only be found on Niijima in Japan.
The members take a short rest after running for a long time.
The footwear is, of course, KARHU. Both are "performance line" running shoes equipped with the latest technology.
These two pairs are both "Floyd 4". A well-balanced model with cushioning and resilience. Each ￥14,800+TAX
In fact, it was the first time for all the members to wear KARHU running shoes, but they were very comfortable. I heard comments such as, "I like the way they kick out," and "They go forward so fast! I could hear them saying things like, "I like the kick-off. That's because KARHU has a unique technology called "Fulcrum Technology," which is based on the "handcrab principle" and converts the impact of landing into forward propulsive force.
In addition, the stylish design and beautiful coloring are only possible with a brand born in Scandinavian Finland. Some of the ladies said, "The bear logo is cute ♡.
Yui and Mayu are busy taking commemorative photos. And Masato is in charge of the camera.
A panoramic view of the beautiful nature of Niijima . Enjoy the spectacular view on a trail run!
The beaches are not the only attraction of Niijima. There are also easy trekking courses on the island, where you can enjoy mountain climbing and hiking. HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡♡, who has recently become a trail run enthusiast, decided to take the "Ishiyama Trekking Route," which seemed the most scenic of the four routes.
. This is the trailhead for the Ishiyama trekking route. It is about 2 km to the highest point, the Stone Mountain Lookout, and takes about 1.5 hours round trip on foot . If you run, the round trip takes less than one hour.
All of them are "Performance Line" running shoes. Fast 6" ￥14,800+tax in the front, "FLOW 5" ￥13,800+tax in the back center, "Floyd 4" each ￥14,800+tax in the upper left, upper right and lower right
Since hydration is important for trail runs, each person will carry his or her own sack.
After running hard up the not-too-tight incline, we were rewarded with a tremendous view below us!
The view of Habushiura Beach, where we did our beach run, was spectacular, but looking down from a higher elevation, the blue of the ocean stands out even more , making it even more beautiful.
During the entire ride, I was overwhelmed by the magnificent scenery, which I could not believe was in Japan.
At the Stone Mountain Lookout, the turnaround point, sits a statue of Moyai made of Koger stone.
By the way, did you know that the Moyai statue in front of Shibuya Station is also made of Niijima's Koga stone? It was donated by Niijima to Shibuya Ward in 1980 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Niijima's transfer to Tokyo.
Cool down your burning body in the ocean from ...... , and then go to the hot spring! And a sunset run to end the day!
. It would be a waste to come all the way to Niijima and not go in the sea. Since we went all the way to Niijima, we decided to enjoy swimming at "Mamashita Beach" on the west coast of Niijima. The water here is crystal clear, and unlike the east coast, which is a surfing spot, the waves are gentle, making it a good place for swimming.
Jang! So, I changed from my running clothes to a swimsuit (*Masato is a running clothes mom because he is not in a swimsuit).
Director Enomoto is excited to be swimming in the sea for the first time in a long time, and Yui is happily running away, saying, "Kyaa~ stop it~♡. Showa era, huh?
Although the climate on Niijima is mild, the season is already autumn . The sea water was fairly cold, but it cooled down my body moderately after the beach run and trail run.
Our summer was not over!" . Yui and Mayu enjoyed the sea of Niijima more than anyone else.
After enjoying the beautiful sea of Niijima at the Mamashita Coast , go to the "Yunohama Open-air Hot Springs" located right next to it.
Facing the ocean and offering a view of the sunset on the horizon, this hot spring is a mixed bathing experience that requires a bathing suit. Surprisingly, it is open 24 hours a day , and it is free of charge! . It is loved not only by tourists but also by locals.
Enjoying a beach run and a trail run , swimming in the sea and soaking in hot springs . HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡♡ has tasted the charms of Niijima to the fullest, but "The purpose of this event was to "Run down Niijima! Right? We haven't run enough yet! said Mr. Yamamoto, deputy director of the club. After dropping the women off at their lodgings, the men went for a sunset run along the coast!
This one feels better!" said Deputy Director Yamamoto, who took off his T-shirt and started running with his upper body nude. Niijima is an island where surfers gather, and they are not blamed for being naked.
Well, we ran and ran. And so the day on Niijima came to an end.
A morning run through the island's villages with their old-fashioned townscapes!
After a long night, it is the second day of the Niijima Running Camp. This morning, of course, also started with a run. Putting on my KARHU running shoes, I decided to go for a light jog around the Honmura area where the inn is located, just for the sake of sightseeing.
Yungoi no Michi" lined with walls of Niijima's specialty koga stone. There was a scene unique to the remote island, unchanged from the past.
This one feels better!" . Deputy Director Yamamoto was still naked on top of his body. It seems that he has gotten a taste of it.
After a long ride, have breakfast at a local bakery.
After a light run and a sweat, we had breakfast with freshly baked bread . It was the most delicious.
. Now, it is time to leave. With a feeling of regret, we decided to return home. . I flew there on the way to the airport, but on the way back I will take a high-speed boat to Takeshiba.
So, our fun two-day and one-night Niijima running camp is now over. The weather was fine, and we were able to successfully carry out our concept of "Running around Niijima in KARHU shoes! We were able to successfully carry out our concept of "Running around Niijima wearing Calfs!
What I strongly felt throughout this trip was the splendor of the island of Niijima. I had no idea that a paradise with such beautiful nature could be found just 35 minutes away from Tokyo. For all the members, their first visit to Niijima was even more wonderful than they had imagined.
And I am reminded once again that "travel" and "running" go hand in hand. Traveling is fun, no matter where you go, but running through a place on your own feet gives you a different view of it than an ordinary trip.
