FEATURE|My Jeep®, My Life: How I and My Jeep® Live. vol.02 "Agricultural Experience
My Jeep®, My Life.
How Boku and Jeep® live. vol.02 Agricultural Experience "Kato Farm: The Charm of Kamakura Vegetables
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Jeep® is loved by a wide range of people, including car enthusiasts, as a synonym for the American-born SUV. In this series, the members of the "Huynem Touring Club ♡" experience various activities in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has a lot of charms, such as its powerful driving performance, cargo capacity, and rugged design that tickles men's hearts. In the first installment of this series, we visited Mr. Tadayuki Kato, a buyer for BEAMS and a farmer in his family business, to experience farming.
The Huynem Touring Club ♡ was launched this spring with the hope of "enriching people's lifestyles by helping them learn how to have fun as adults. The club members will experience a variety of activities in a Jeep and delve into the fun of getting outside and the appeal of outdoor activities.
The department head is Kenichi Taira, a stylist who loves the outdoors and whose trademark is his shaggy hair style. He has selected Jun Nakata, the dynamic editor of the Huinamu editorial department, to be the deputy manager. The "Huinamu Touring Club♡" is centered around these two and welcomes a variety of guests each time.
Then, one day in June, when the sun's rays grew sharper by the day, two new members knocked on the club's door. Two new members knocked on the clubroom door. Good morning! Kei Matsushita and Rina Umimoto, both of whom work as press representatives for BEAMS, one of Japan's leading select stores that leads the fashion and culture scene. This time, we are going to enjoy an agricultural experience and barbecue at Kato Farm, which is famous for its Kamakura vegetables, with the two of them in addition to the general manager and deputy general manager. First of all, let's start with a special movie of the whole event!
The time is 7 am. Everyone starts with a greeting!
Mr. Taira〈All In One〉Vest ¥22,000(All In One),〈Mountain Research〉Shirt ¥18,000(..... Mr. Nakata [Sennelier] shirt ¥17,000 (Sennelier), [Gramichi x Grip Swanee] pants ¥14,800 (Ins.) Mr. Matsushita [All-in-one] vest ¥15,000, shirt ¥18,000 (Ins.) Mr. Matsushita (all-in-one) vest ¥15,000, shirt ¥18,000, overalls ¥23,000 (all-in-one), Mr. Umimoto (Phil the Bill) hat ¥23,000 (Phil the Bill Mercantile)
Modern and powerful design with subtle features. The charm of the Grand Cherokee.
This time, the club members will be riding in a "Grand Cherokee," nicknamed "Gracero. The vehicle, which is large enough to tickle a man's fancy, will be loaded with many tools, including farm goods to be used in the farming experience, and gear for barbecuing, before setting out for Kato Farm.
This car is very nimble and easy to drive. Acceleration is smooth and driving is pleasant. Also, when I operate the front panel, the seat ventilation system is activated, which makes the parts of the car where heat tends to accumulate when sitting comfortable. This is a great feature for me, as I tend to sweat a lot. It also seems that the seat can be made warmer in winter.
It's true! I feel like my back is soooo cool. I was impressed by the Grand Cherokee's clean, sleek interior and features that are designed with the rider in mind, despite its powerful appearance.
The "back seat is also spacious and comfortable. Three men can sit side by side and not feel cramped. It's a dynamic car, but it also takes into account the feelings of its occupants with great sensitivity. The Grand Cherokee is a real treat! (Matsushita)
After exchanging impressions of the car, the conversation turns to today's destination, "Kato Farm" in Kamakura. Kamakura vegetables are currently attracting a lot of attention, and in fact, Mr. Tadayuki Kato, known as the famous buyer of "BEAMS," grows various kinds of Kamakura vegetables. As we drove to our destination, Mr. Taira, the manager of the department, opened his mouth.
What kind of person is Mr. Kato known as at BEAMS? (Taira.)
Mr. Matsushita and Mr. Kaimoto, who are junior to Mr. Kato, respond to this question from the general manager.
He is very inquisitive about what he likes and is well-liked within the company. He is charismatic and has a kind of charm that attracts people.
She is a very charming person, and her manner of speaking is very charming. She is very charming and very nice to talk to.
In addition, there is no end to the topics that can be discussed about Mr. Kato, such as his deep knowledge of skating and surf culture, his knowledge of things that we do not know and his ability to draw us into his world, and his strong support not only within the company but also in the fashion industry. Hearing these stories, Nakata, the assistant manager who loves street culture, was already excited, saying, "I can't wait to meet him and hear what he has to say. As the fever of the talk reached its peak, the Grand Cherokee drove past the coastline of Kamakura and came to a lushly green farm near the farm.
The charm of Kamakura vegetables! It all starts with Mr. Kato's commitment to vegetable production.
The "Hui-Nam Touring Club ♡" group arrived safely at Kato Farm. We got there so fast when we were chatting with everyone. Driving with a big group is fun after all! said Mr. Taira, the general manager of the club. At the farm, Mr. Kato welcomed the members with a smile as he prepared for work.
Mr. Umimoto: [Napron] apron ¥6,500 (Napron), [and Nat] glove 2-pair set ¥1,200 (Ambai General Goods Store Harajuku) Mr. Taira: [Assob] apron ¥9,000 (Ambai General Goods Store Harajuku), [Briars]. Gloves ¥2,400 (Lifetime) Ms. Matsushita: [and Nat] gloves, set of 2 pairs ¥1,200 (Ambai General Goods Store Harajuku) Mr. Nakata: [Grip Swanee] boots ¥9,800, gloves ¥4,500 (Swanee Sales), [Casa Hat: Reference product (Casa), apron ¥8,000 (Napron)
Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us today! This time we will harvest our first corn and zucchini, which are in season now. No difficult skills are required, so we hope you can enjoy the fun of farm work in a casual manner.
Kamakura vegetables have been gaining attention in recent years. The vegetables harvested by Mr. Kato are sold at the Kamakura City Agricultural Cooperative Union Sale (commonly known as "Lembai"), a historic market that has been in existence since 1928. Mr. Kato is the fourth generation to take over the Kato Farm, and he grows vegetables in the traditional way. The vegetables are so fresh and lush that customers come from outside of the prefecture to visit. We grow most of our vegetables without using plastic greenhouses," Mr. Kato said.
In greenhouses, we can control the climate, so we can grow a variety of vegetables regardless of the season. However, we want our customers to enjoy seasonal vegetables grown in the right season, so most of the vegetables we produce are grown in the open. We also want to grow the healthiest vegetables possible, so we use very little pesticides, but we put a lot of time and effort into it.
After hearing this story, the members began to harvest the vegetables with gentle hands, as if they were feeding a small animal.
They all look delicious, and just looking at them gives me an appetite," said Matsushita.
Vegetables are so cute! I feel like it's a waste to harvest them.
The two members of "BEAMS" also seemed to enjoy the farming experience. The manager and assistant manager were just as enthusiastic as the two, and by the end of the day, they had harvested a large number of fresh vegetables.
Stussy Livin' General Store, bucket, ¥3,500 (Stussy Japan)
A.Y. Casa, container, ¥3,200 (Ambai General Goods Store, Harajuku)
Fun after the harvest! Barbecue with freshly picked vegetables!
After harvesting the vegetables, it is time for the barbecue that everyone has been waiting for! The manager, who is also involved in outdoor space design, will take the helm and create a barbecue space just like a real campsite. The main dish will be barbecued Kamakura vegetables, while chicken stewed in tomato sauce and cold pasta will also be prepared using vegetables. Everyone will work together to prepare the meal.
Poggila x Old Joe] knife, ¥54,000 (Old Joe's Flagship Store)
Ms. Kato〈Napron〉 Apron ¥6,000 (Napron)
When the meal was safely prepared and the participants put their mouths to the food, they all shouted, "Delicious! When the food is safely prepared and put in one's mouth, one can hear the echoes of "Delicious!
It's a bit of a luxury to be able to eat the vegetables we harvested ourselves. It makes me happy.
'I may have never eaten such sweet and fresh vegetables!' (Nakata)
Hearing his voice, Mr. Kato begins to speak.
To be honest, farm work is a very simple job. I get up early in the morning, plow the fields, plant the seeds, harvest, and continue this simple work for hours on end, so it requires a lot of physical strength. But it makes me very happy when people eat the vegetables I grow and say how delicious they are, and I feel rewarded the moment I hear them say that.
Mr. Kato usually works as a buyer at "BEAMS" while working in the fields every day before work. The manager asks, "Have you ever thought that you don't want to work in the fields? the department manager asks.
No, I don't. I've been helping my parents with their work since I was a student. I've been helping my parents with their work since I was a student, so this is a normal or daily routine for me. It's like working two jobs at once, so it's physically demanding at times, but the company recognizes the farm, and I want to continue to grow delicious vegetables while feeling grateful for that.
You are a farmer and a fashionista. Is there any connection between these two jobs?
Perhaps it is because I was born into a farming family, but I have a feeling that I don't want to do the same things as other people. The standard for farmers is to keep growing the same vegetables on a large farm. In other words, mass production. However, we grow many kinds of vegetables, and the yield of each vegetable is small. This is because we want our customers to taste a variety of vegetables and, as I mentioned earlier, to enjoy the seasonality of each season.
Ms. Kato says that "not doing the same thing as everyone else" and "enjoying the season" are points in common with fashion.
Re-producing the same clothes is efficient and easy, but it lacks some of the fun. For my original line at BEAMS, I don't reorder the same items, but rather add new designs to the items. I value what I can create because of who I am at the time. That's why I put my heart into each and every item, and I can recommend them to customers with confidence.
A day spent with Jeep®.
While listening to Mr. Kato's story, the fun time passed quickly, and it was time to head back to Tokyo. It is time to clean up and get ready to head home.
Thank you very much, Mr. Kato, for the fun time we had today! I really enjoyed the farming experience. The feel and smell of the soft soil and the toughness of the vegetables grown in that soil is something you cannot experience in the city. I think I understand why Mr. Kato continues to work in the fields in Kamakura.
Mr. Kato responds to this director's words with a big smile.
I had a really good time today! I had never barbecued and eaten vegetables I grew myself like this, so it was kind of refreshing. Thank you!" (Kato)
After saying goodbye, the members get into the Grand Cherokee. Nakata, the deputy manager, was also empowered by the Kamakura vegetables and said he would be able to concentrate on driving home. They stuffed the extra vegetables into the trunk, closed the rear hatch, and departed for Tokyo.
'Good work today, everyone! How was the farm work and the barbecue?" (Nakata)
I felt refreshed because I had an experience that I normally don't get to do. I feel like talking to Mr. Kato again and helping him with the harvest (laughs).
I don't get a chance to play with soil very often, and it was nice to walk on a fluffy field instead of concrete," said Umimoto.
I think having a car as big as this one allows us to pack a lot of luggage and experience extraordinary activities while enjoying a comfortable drive with friends. I look forward to the future activities of the handsome Huynem Touring Club.
The members of the "Huynem Touring Club ♡" were on their way to Tokyo, looking back on a day of wonderful experiences and talking about their thoughts and feelings. The mood in the car was lively from start to finish, with not a single person looking tired. What will the next club activity be? Let's keep an eye on their activities in the future.
Jeep Free Call
Phone: 0120-712-812
Jeep® Grand Cherokee Limited
¥5,961,600- (National manufacturer's suggested retail price [ including tax ])
Major equipment
Right-hand drive
4,835mm x 1,935mm x 1,825mm
Seating capacity: 5 passengers
V6 DOHC
Total displacement: 3,604 cc
Maximum output (kW/rpm): 210 (286ps) / 6,350 (ECE)
Maximum torque (N-m/rpm): 347 (35.4kg-m)/ 4,300 (ECE)