Here are four shops that long trail beginners should turn to first.
VOL.2 Moonlight Gear (Iwamotocho, Tokyo)

It's different from camping. It's also different from mountain climbing. The most important thing is that the equipment you take on a long trail hike, where you walk through mountain paths and rural areas for a long time, is "ultralight." By being light, you won't get tired as easily, which will lead to walking longer distances. However, for beginners, it's hard to know what is right and what is wrong. So, let's go to a store like this, where there are staff you can ask about anything and there is a wide selection of equipment! The second store is "Moonlight Gear."

Chapter 07 | Shops for Trailer

The interior of the store is L-shaped and has a wide open space at the back. Items are lined up along the wall, giving customers plenty of space to try them out.

An import boutique in the UL world.
All field tested.

Jimbocho, Tokyo, is the center of outdoor culture. Moonlight Gear is located one stop away on the Toei Shinjuku Line. Hikers Depot, introduced in Vol. 1, was established in 2008. The founder, who was fascinated by long trail and UL equipment there, opened the store in 2010.

In the field of UL, overseas countries are one step ahead, so most of the products handled by "Moonlight Gear" are made overseas. The staff field tests all of them, and only those that are satisfactory are put on the shelves. That is why they have a deep attachment and knowledge of gear, and any staff member will give you an accurate answer no matter what you ask.

The interior of the store is L-shaped and has a wide open space at the back. Items are lined up along the wall, giving customers plenty of space to try them out.

Staff member Yamazaki originally worked in an industry completely unrelated to the outdoors, but moved to Moonlight Gear in 2022.

Yusuke Yamazaki, who showed me around the shop that day, is also someone who regularly retreats to the mountains. However, his purpose in retreating to the mountains is a little different.

"I don't go into the mountains to hunt peaks or walk long trails, but to photograph insects. I pack my bag full of camera equipment."

The process often takes several days, and involves traveling over uncharted territory, pitching tents and tarps in the fields and mountains, and spending the night there for days, closely observing and photographing insects and the ecosystem of the satoyama.

In the past, Yamazaki would carry a huge backpack for mountain climbing, packed with sturdy tents and tarps, and go out to shoot. One day, the weight of his luggage became too heavy and it became difficult for him to walk long distances, which is when he discovered UL. Now, he only has light gear except for his camera, and wanders the mountains for several days with a single 20-30 liter bag.

The apparel and sleeping bag sections are at the back, with many American and European brands.
Cooking utensils and other items are displayed on the handmade wooden furniture. There is also a wide selection of emergency supplies.

Moonlight Gear is visited by people who want to do long trails and hiking, as well as those who have a clear purpose for becoming an UL. For example, in Yamazaki's case, a camera is a must. For fishing enthusiasts, fishing equipment is a must, and for drunkards, alcohol is a must. In order to carry these things and spend a comfortable time in the mountains, UL gear is necessary.

Yamazaki says there are a few points to keep in mind in order to lighten your luggage.

"Firstly, try to have each piece of equipment have more than one role. If you do that, you will inevitably have less stuff and it will be lighter. Japanese people in particular tend to imagine all sorts of scenarios and get anxious. The weather forecast is sunny and warm, but what if it suddenly gets cold or starts raining? Then your luggage gets heavier and heavier. One of the joys of ultralight backpacking is being able to flexibly adapt to sudden changes in the weather or problems you may encounter on the mountain by using the equipment you have in a creative way. For example, you could use a quilted sleeping bag (see at the end of the article) as cold weather clothing, or stick your feet into a waterproof stuff sack to keep warm. With a bit of ingenuity, you can reduce the amount of luggage you carry.

Next, don't make your bag too big. Just like a house, the bigger it is, the more you try to cram in everything. If it's small, you try to fit everything in. Just by being conscious of these two things, your luggage will become lighter and lighter.

Hanging from above is a backpack from OMM, a UK brand born out of a mountaineering event that has been running since 1968. The brand develops items based on the concept of producing gear and clothing that can withstand the harsh mountain races known as the Original Mountain Marathon.
There are backpacks lined up on the wall just inside the entrance. Just tell the staff your purpose and preferences and they'll help you find the perfect bag.
A collaboration between BROWN by 2-tacs and Moonlight Gear. The popular merino wool shirts are available in four new colors: green, black, mustard brown, and dark purple.
Left: Shoes from Bibo Barefoot, which is distributed by Moonlight Gear's parent company, NOMADICS. They are becoming increasingly popular as street wear. Right: They also have a wide selection of organic body care products. Even in the mountains, you want to keep your body as clean as possible.

In addition to their performance, everything at Moonlight Gear looks good. They are so well designed that you'll want to use them in the city. Yamazaki's style today is also designed to withstand a trip to the mountains.

"Many functional clothes and bags are expensive, but it would be a waste if they could only be used in the mountains. That's why many of the items we have are designed to seamlessly connect the mountains and the city."

What's comfortable in the mountains is naturally comfortable in the city too. If you're looking for such gear in Tokyo, Moonlight Gear is a good choice.

The first 5 pieces of gear every beginner should have

Sunglasses easily disappear and blur during vigorous exercise. They also break easily if you sit down while putting them in your back pocket. Ombras sunglasses have successfully overcome these drawbacks. They are structured somewhere between goggles and sunglasses, and use elastic strings instead of temples. When not being worn, they can be hung around the neck, providing an excellent fit and preventing the glasses from blurring. They are also durable enough to withstand being run over by tandem rollers and rammers, which are often seen on construction sites (according to durability tests in the country).

Sunglasses by Ombras ¥28,600
When sleeping in a regular sleeping bag, the weight of the bag causes the feathers on the back to get crushed, reducing their effectiveness. "If that's the case, let's just get rid of it to save weight," was the idea behind this quilted sleeping bag, which does away with the back section. If you remove the straps on the back that secure it to the sleeping mat, it can be used like a futon, so when cooking, you can keep warm just by wrapping it around your body. This item kills two birds with one stone, and can also be used as a cold weather garment in addition to being a sleeping bag. It can withstand temperatures down to -1℃ and weighs 545 grams.

Enlightened Equipment Sleeping Bag ¥64,900
For trail beginners, choosing the right bag is the most important thing. Making the bag lighter and smaller will ultimately lead to a lighter load. Parente bags are not only lightweight, but also designed to allow you to reach your destination without putting the bag down. The shoulder harness has two drink holders and a pocket at the bottom for snacks. Capacity is 37 liters and weight is 536 grams.

Backpack from Parante ¥49,500
The original "Take shorts" are quick-drying and stretchy, but also have a very wide hem. This allows for good ventilation and makes it easier for sweat to dry. These shorts are perfect for long mountain walks without discomfort. The silhouette easily blends into your lifestyle, making it a piece you'll want to take every day. Moonlight Gear's originals are "tools that are unconventional in shape, but more minimalist and support the development of new ways to play." They're made by UL's veterans pooling their knowledge, so they're bound to be great!

Moonlight Gear shorts ¥19,800
Modern people rely too much on shoes, and are unable to utilize the inherent potential of their feet. VivoBarefoot shoes were developed to help restore that power. The soles and uppers are soft, and the toes are spread out, giving you the feeling of walking barefoot on the ground. By continuing to wear the shoes, you can restore the natural power of your feet and gain strong legs and hips.

BiboBarefoot shoes ¥35,200

Ask this person at "Moonlight Gear"!

Yusuke Yamazaki

Born in Tokyo in 1994. Influenced by his father, who loved the outdoors and insects, he has been familiar with the mountains since he was a child. Even now, he mostly goes into the mountains to observe insects, and he spends several days wandering the mountains with a camera in hand, taking pictures of the insects he encounters. He joined Moonlight Gear in 2022. He also had experience as a Boy Scout.