2011

UL Pad 15, ONE, Yamatomichi Sacoche released.

Akira and Yumiko Natsume founded Yamatomichi aiming to create the best ultralight gear in the world. The very first product was the UL Pad 15, followed by the ONE backpack in early summer.

In October, Yamatomichi hosted the first ‘Kamakura Hikers Meeting,’ bringing together Japanese ultralight garage brands. The event featured exhibitions, talk shows, and workshops. About 300 participants gathered, creating a lively atmosphere in the ultralight community scene. The ‘Kamakura Hikers Meeting’ continued to be held for the next five years.”

2012

MINI、Minimalist Pad was released.

We released our second backpack, the MINI and the Minimalist Pad. The MINI continues to be one of our most popular products and is known for being able to support quite a bit of weight despite its simple and lightweight design

2013

5-Pocket Shorts was released.

A long-cherished dream of making proprietary shorts since our establishment came true with the 5-Pocket Shorts. Featuring five pockets meticulously designed with hikers in mind, including a dedicated pocket for smartphones, these shorts set the standard for all our subsequent hiking wear.

2014

Yak Wool Cap (Now: Merino Knit Cap) was released.

Since launching Yamatomichi, Akira and Yumiko Natsume have embarked on hiking trips every year. This year, for the first time they walked through the Himalayas.

2015

THREE, 5-Pocket Pants, Stretch Mesh Cap, Zip Pack released.

Sales began in Taipei with ‘A.C.S.’ marking the start of overseas distribution, marking the beginning of a deep connection with Taiwan. (Later, due to the closure of the A.C.S, sales were transferred to ‘COW RECORDS.’ )

2016

Merino Henley T-Shirts (Now: 100% Merino Light Henley), Merino Hoody（Now: 100% Merino Hoody), Merino Wool Cap, MINI2, Winter Hike Pants released.

Yamatomichi’s first office, the ‘Kamakura Factory,’ opens in Omachi, Kamakura. Simultaneously, our first physical store began opening only on the weekends. Around this time, a shared vision with Takeshi Azuma of ‘PLANTLAB.,’ known for organizing ultralight gear events in Osaka, led to opening ‘Yamashokuon’ in Kyoto.

2017

Alpha Anorak, Alpha Haramaki was released.

A lot of new people started working with Yamatomichi. The nationwide “HIKE/LIFE/COMMUNITY TOUR 2017” was conducted at 23 locations. The realization that walking in the mountains, or “hiking” goes beyond a mere pastime and significantly influences their “life” and “community” prompted participants to search for clues on how each individual could mutually influence and enrich one another, creating a more fulfilling experience. To achieve this, talk shows by guest speakers with connections to each location and pop-up shops were organized.

Furthermore, we launched the Yamatomichi Journals, a web media platform covering a wide range of topics related to hiking, including ultralight (UL) hiking methodologies, equipment, trail information, history, and culture.

2018

UL Rain Hoody、UL Rain Pants、5-Pocket Light Pants (Now: Light 5-Pocket Pants), 5-Pocket Light Shorts (Now: Light 5-Pocket Shorts), 5-Pocket Merino Pants (Now: Merino 5-Pocket Pants) released.

Impressed by the kindness of the people in Taiwan, We wanted to establish a base for hiking culture in Taipei and opened “samplus,” serving as a bridge connecting hikers from Taiwan, Japan, and around the world. Additionally, we implemented a program to help to obtain hiking permits in Taiwan, which can be a challenge to acquire, especially for foreigners, due to complicated application system.

2019

Light Alpha Jacket/Vest, Merino Pullover (Now 100% Merino Pullover), Merino Zip Hoody (now 100% Merino Zip Hoody), Light Merino Kangaroo Pocket T-Shirt (Now 100% Merino Light Kangaroo Pocket), Light Merino Short Sleeve T-Shirt (now 100% Merino Light Crew Neck Pocket), UL Shirt, UL Short Sleeve Shirt, Bamboo Shirt, Bamboo Short Sleeve Shirt, Merino Shirt, β Merino Coach Shirt Jacket, Merino Knit Cap was released.

In Zaimokuza, Kamakura, we established our first office, the Yamatomichi Research Laboratory as a hub for product research and development On the weekends, we turned our office into our first shop. Our HLC program began in the same year, with Hideki Toyoshima appointed as the director with ambassadors from all over Japan. In September, the Yamamichi HLC Hiking Festival was held in Iwate Prefecture.

2020

Light Alpha Vest/Jacket Custom Edition, Light Merino Long Sleeve T-Shirt (now 100% Merino Light Long Sleeve), UL Rain Jacket PU Shinsui/Sosui, DW 5-Pocket Pants, DW 5-Pocket Shorts, Merino Coach Jacket, Only Hood, One Tuck 5-Pocket Pants, 5-Pocket Shorts Light was released.

With the COVID pandemic, we launched our Instagram live Q&A to keep connected with our loyal customers.

2021

Merino Short Sleeve Shirt, UL All-weather Hoody, UL All-weather Long Hoody, UL All-weather Pants, 100% Merino Light Tank, 100% Merino Light Sleeveless, 100% Merino Light French Sleeve, 100% Merino Light Hoody, 100% Merino Light Long Sleeve Zip, 100% Merino Hoody, Light Alpha Only Hood, Light Alpha Tights, Alpha Vest, UL Mittens, UL All-weather Jacket was released.

On April 1st, we celebrated our 10th anniversary as well as launched our English website. The ‘UL All-weather’ series was released , introducing a new perspective for waterproof fabrics.

2022

DF Mesh Merino Long Sleeve, DF Mesh Merino Sleeveless was released.

We developed BLACK UHPE, as our very own proprietary fabric. The ONE, previously available only through custom orders, became available for regular purchase. Major updates on the MINI were made. A new fabric was selected for the UL Shirt and UL Short Sleeve Shirt. The Yamatomichi Research Laboratory was transformed into a shop and reopened as Yamatomichi Kamakura. We moved our research and business hub, to our current Yamatomichi Daibutsu Research Laboratory in Fueda, Kamakura.

2023

5-Pocket Shorts Long, DF Mesh Merino Crew Neck, DF Mesh Merino Hoody, Yamatomichi Cap, Light Alpha Armsleeves, Alpha Socks, AW Hike Pants, All-weather Alpha Jacket was released.

Our direct partner store in Kyoto, “Yamashokuon,” closed, and we opened our own stand alone store in Kyoto.The Yamamichi Festival, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and typhoons, was held for the first time in four years, at Mt. Ishizuchi. We also also launched our monthly themed online articles, the YouTube series “Product Voice,” and the UL Hiking Training Program.

Yamatomichi has grown into an organization with over 50 people, including external staff.