Inside

Kammui Launch Event Supported by Suicoke, Wasted Co & Clase Azul

Text by Max Mackee (Kammui Founder)
Photos by Gaku Kamimura

2022.12.29


Our goal at Kammui is to connect more people to awe-inspiring, life affirming experiences in the outdoors.

To celebrate our launch in September, we held a community event where we invited guests to join us for a two-day 4-curated experiences in Nozawa Onsen.

Our guests and guide in Nozawa Onsen


The Experiences

Meditation

The event started with an introduction to zazen meditation at Kenmei-ji Shrine. This was the first time for many to experience meditation and we were able to do this in an incredible Shrine high up in Nozawa Onsen. The meditation lasted for around 15 minutes, soundtracked by the sound of water trickling through the mountain. After the meditation, the Chief Priest (who also happens to be a specialist on water) Toshio Otani talked through the history of Nozawa onsen and the importance of water in our diet. A perfect experience to clear the mind and get in tune with nature.


Dinner in a Treehouse

On the first evening, guests were invited to a dinner in the spectacular treehouse created the Nozawa Green Field team. The incredible dinner was prepared by Chef Kensaku Katagiri of Haus St Anton, using local ingredients.

Following dinner, Mariana Matsui, played an acoustic live set around the fire.

And after that, I recall some dancing in the treehouse. Surely one of the more memorable locations I have experienced for dinner in my lifetime.


E-Mountain Biking

The second day started with e-mountain and e-road biking guided by Yuta Ueno and the Compass House team. I haven’t been on a mountain bike for 20 years, but the advance in technology is unbelievable. The suspension, the support from the electric motor ensures this sport is now accessible and enjoyable for any level. These bikes are a game changer.

The mountain bikers were lead into off road terrain, relatively advanced but completely manageable due to the guides and e-bikes. The road bikers on a route meandering through the nature surrounding Nozawa Onsen.

Towards the end of the biking, both groups met for a soba lunch at the base of the sacred Mt. Kosuge.


Sauna & Sup

The final experience was a SUP and Sauna experience guided by Kenji Kono (Nozawa Green Field) and Hayato Takano (Cosmic Sauna). The perfect experience to cool off post mountain biking.

Our guests were instructed on SUP (stand up paddleboard) in the heart-shaped, Hokuryuko, a peaceful lake created from winter snowmelt.


All throughout our guests stayed at the incredible Residence Yasushi, a boutique hotel with private onsen in Nozawa Onsen, with incredible food and service.

The main thing that remains in my memory from this event was the smile on everyone’s faces from start to finish.

There's nothing really more I need to add here beyond some of the testimonials below.


Guest testimonials


Finally, we had incredible support for the event from some great brands. Thank you Suicoke, Wasted Co and Clase Azul Tequila.



Profile

Founder: Max Mackee

Max is a Japanese-British lawyer & entrepreneur based in Tokyo. He founded Kammui Inc. in 2021 to help connect more people to nature. Max is passionate about backcountry snowboarding and DJing as well as helping scale Japanese culture globally.
Instagram: @max_mackee


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