FOCUS IT.] Kyotango, an exquisite experience to be savored with all five senses, co-created by Bshop and The North Face.

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination. With its many historical landmarks and new, noteworthy stores, it attracts visitors from all over Japan and abroad. There are many attractive spots in Kyoto, but this time we will focus on Kyotango, a town located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. Located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, it is known as the "Kyoto of the Sea.

Our destination is Holiday Home, located on the shores of Kumihama Bay. On Friday, September 15, Bshop and The North Face teamed up to open a new store on the premises. We went to Kyotango to fully enjoy the "Holiday Home" in its entirety.

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A co-created store that seamlessly connects the everyday with nature .

The spacious and open store, renovated from a "Bshop" warehouse, consists of "The North Face Kyotango" on the first floor and "Bshop Kumihama" on the second floor. The concept is "Bring Together. The concept is "Bring Together," combining the lifestyle of "Bshop" with the outdoor style of "The North Face," and offering a wide range of items from clothing to camping gear that are rooted in daily life.

The North Face Kyotango store. Sunlight pours in, and plants placed throughout enhance the mood of the outdoors.

The North Face Kyotango's selection is based on the keywords "camping," "performance wear," and "kids' wear. The North Face Kyotango offers a full lineup of products that respond to the abundance of nature in the surrounding area. In the future, the company plans to offer sea kayaking, SUP, and other activity tours, as well as a kids' nature school. The campground next to the "Holiday Home" will allow visitors to experience the world of "The North Face" with their whole bodies.

A full range of children's wear.

Also a selection of camping gear that can be used at home. Ready to use at nearby campgrounds.

. items exclusive to The North Face Kyotango. T-shirts, parkas, and stainless steel bottles featuring designs of the location are available.

The North Face teamed up with Bshop to open a store here because this is a San'in Kaigan National Park, and in 2020, The North Face signed an official partnership agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to promote the nature, history, and culture of Japan's national parks. The NORTH FACE" is an official partner of the Ministry of the Environment.

Then, he hit it off with Bshop, which had been running a hotel and restaurant here for many years, and decided to open The North Face Kyotango. This was The North Face's fifth field store in a national park. The North Face will be storytelling the charm of San'in Kaigan National Park through the filter of The North Face.

The second floor is the spacious "Bshop Kumihama". The interior design, which retains the atmosphere of a warehouse, gives a stylish impression.

Simple and functional , a wide range of clothing and daily necessities. You will never get tired of using them.

Bshop Kumihama is one of the largest sales floors in "Bshop" and offers a relaxing shopping experience. The retro atmosphere of the renovated warehouse is calming, and the glass walls offer a view of Kumihama Bay.

The view outside from the second floor. The Japan Sea is behind Kumihama Bay.

Under the theme of "The Best of Ordinary," Bshop Kumihama offers a carefully selected selection of timeless clothing and daily necessities, so you are sure to find your favorite items that you will cherish for a long time. Encounters with timeless items that will be handed down to the next generation await you at Bshop Kumihama.

. The best space and exceptional gastronomy.

Leaving the store and walking down the hill, you will see the Hotel Holiday Home in a wooded area. Only six couples can stay in the guest rooms in total, and the attention to detail is reflected in the colorful details of the rooms.

The hotel was designed and constructed by Kyoto's , which is in charge of renovations at Eiheiji Temple and Katsura Rikyu, among others.Yasui Moku Koumokuten." . It incorporates both Japanese and Western traditions, but in a modern way.

The furnishings also resonate with the "Bshop" worldview. The time spent surrounded by the stylish interior design that makes you want to use it as a reference for creating your own room will provide you with the most comfortable feeling.

Superior Suites are maisonette type with a sense of freedom. They can accommodate up to 6 people, allowing you to spend quality time with your family and friends. The interior is decorated with Scandinavian furniture by Hans J. Wegner, G-Plan, and others, and a fireplace is installed in the living room.

There are two bedrooms , and the view from the second floor is of nature stretching out before you.

The terrace on the second floor overlooks Kumihama Bay. The time spent doing nothing but relaxing on the terrace is a luxury in itself.

Dining at the "Reception Garden" restaurant is one of the best parts of the "Holiday Home" experience. The dishes using fresh local vegetables and seasonal seafood are all exquisite. Of course, you do not have to stay at the hotel to use the restaurant just for a meal. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can indulge in lunch, café, or dinner and taste the nature of Kumihama with your taste buds as well.

Here is the menu for the meal we received that day.

Front: pear and brie cheese salad , Back: carpaccio of kampachi

Top: Offshore Cod Fritters, Right: Fava Bean and Bacon Quiche, Left: Cod Croquette

Roast Beef with Kuroge Wagyu Beef

In the morning, it is recommended to wake up early and take a walk around the area. You can see the beautiful sunrise.

Breakfast is also delicious. . hearty and hearty, it will energize you in the morning. Here is a partial list.

Local vegetable salad

Grilled Vegetable Plate

Get in touch with nature in the San'in Kaigan Geopark.

. You can enjoy the true value of this place only if you also enjoy the activities. Hotel Holiday Home offers e-bike rentals as a service for its guests, so we decided to go for a spin around Kumihama Bay.

The e-bike available for rent is Specialized's Turbo Como SL, which is a comfortable bike to ride for long periods of time.

Only the sea and the mountains are in view. . If you look into the sea, a variety of fish pass before your eyes.

. to the opposite shore of the "Holiday Home." The small, high mountain is Mt. Kabuto. It is named after its distinctive shape, which looks like a helmet. . When watching the sunset from here, the reflection of the light on Kumihama Bay is beautiful.

. where the satoyama and the sea are adjacent to each other, it is pleasant just to pedal on a bicycle. Just as soon as you think you are enveloped by the scent of rice fields, the smell of the sea soon wafts over your nose. Only a few traditional weaving factories still exist, and the sound of the weaving machine echoing along the road will give you a sense of the extraordinary.

Sea kayaking is easy even for beginners. It is a rare opportunity to ride a sea kayak , so it should be a valuable experience.

. Next, we will experience sea kayaking and SUP in Kumihama Bay. Kumihama Bay Canoe Center, an outdoor club based in the Tango Peninsula, will give us a lecture. On this day, there were no waves in the bay and it looked like a lake. A relaxing time floating on the sea is a feeling that cannot be experienced in city life.

. Once you get the hang of SUP, you can stand up in no time. In summer, it might feel good to dare to fall!　Those who experience SUP wear a life jacket, so you don't have to worry.

The view from Kabuto Mountain .

I also recommend hiking up Mt. Kabuto, which rises near the Holiday Home. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the observatory, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Kumihama Bay and the Sea of Japan!

The comfort of abundant nature and high hospitality.

. A luxurious time spent in contact with the nature of the sea and mountains, enjoying gastronomic delicacies made from local ingredients, and relaxing in a wonderful space. Through the "Holiday Home," we were able to fully experience the charm of Kyotango.

The clothing, food, shelter, and entertainment offered by "Bshop" and "The North Face" will all leave you with special memories. The "Holiday Home" will continue to grow and open new stores and events will be held in the future. In the coming holiday season, we recommend that you consider "Holiday Home" in Kumihama as a potential travel destination.

Photo_Kazushi Toyota
Text_Shogo Komatsu