Kamikawa Town, located near the center of Hokkaido, and Columbia Sportswear have opened a concept shop, "Columbia Field Store Kurodake Ropeway," on July 30th (Friday).

Kamikawa Town is situated near the center of Hokkaido. Though a small town with a population of only about 3,500, it has been focusing on branding and job creation utilizing its vast natural environment for several years.

In the past, they have engaged in various initiatives, such as collaborating with DJI JAPAN, a drone and action camera company, to promote the town's charms through aerial photography, and partnering with the digital content creators teamLab to establish a programming learning facility within the futuristic community center "Daisetsukamikawamukumo."

The concept shop, "Columbia Field Store Kurodake Ropeway," which opened on July 30th (Friday), is one such endeavor.

This facility, opened within the Kurodake Ropeway station building, the northern gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park, sells Columbia sportswear. In addition to items needed for climbing the Daisetsuzan mountain range or for outdoor experiences in Kamikawa Town, visitors can purchase exclusive collaboration goods from Kamikawa Town and Columbia.

This facility is located at the trailhead to Mt. Kurodake, one of the Daisetsuzan mountain ranges, within Japan's largest mountain nature park, "Daisetsuzan National Park." Nearby flows the clear stream of the Ishikari River, Hokkaido's longest river. In summer, visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, rafting, and camping. In winter, skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding are popular. In autumn, many tourists visit to witness "Japan's earliest autumn foliage."

The store features an adjacent cafe space, "Black Mountain Coffee by Columbia," where visitors can relax while gazing at the Daisetsuzan mountain range spread out before them. It's also the perfect place to unwind after outdoor activities.

It also houses an adventure desk for disseminating tourist information, making it a multifaceted store offering various ways to enjoy the area.

The newly opened "Columbia Field Store Kurodake Ropeway" is part of a comprehensive partnership agreement signed between Kamikawa Town and Columbia Sportswear this past March. Moving forward, this facility will serve as a base for developing outdoor experience content, promoting outdoor leisure, and undertaking initiatives for the conservation of the Daisetsuzan mountain range's natural environment.