COMMUNITY

Yamatomichi HLC is a community that shares the joy of ultralight hiking, pursues its possibilities, and builds its culture.

Activities are carried out at eight locations, including seven across Japan and one in Taiwan, with each area managed by local ambassadors. Various programs are conducted to build richer connections between hiking, life, and community.

Director's Letter

2026.08.17

At Yamatomichi HLC, we have created a program category called “LOCAL STUDY HIKING,” where we explore local trails through perspectives and approaches unique to hikers, uncovering their stories and gaining new insights along the way.

By tracing the history of a trail and learning about its natural environment, local industries, and culture, even landscapes we thought we knew can begin to tell an entirely different story.

Rather than simply gathering information, we walk these trails and experience them firsthand, deepening our understanding with every step. It is a way of learning uniquely suited to hikers.

Through insights from experts and conversations with fellow hikers, why not update the “map” you carry within?

Let’s walk our familiar trails with fresh eyes. New discoveries are waiting.

Hideki Toyoshima

Yamatomichi HLC project leader

Hideki Toyoshima is a hiker, telemark skier, surfer, art curator, vegetarian, and off-grid enthusiast—constantly moving between the worlds of art and outdoor adventure. With a diverse creative background, he is involved in planning, writing, editing, filmmaking, and directing. Splitting his time between Kyushu and Hokkaido, he embraces a lifestyle deeply connected to nature, art, and exploration.

AREA

HLC locations

Ambassador :

Shingo Numata

Ambassador :

Koji Kurinami

Ambassador :

Tomoyuki Meguriya

Ambassador :

Hidenori Maehara

Ambassador :

Riku Yamamoto

Ambassador :

Yuji Nakagawa

Ambassador :

Tetsu Kanno

Ambassador :

John Lin

BASIC

Yamatomichi's
Introduction to Ultralight Hiking

Our beginner program is now available online in article format.

PROGRAM

Upcoming programs

Currently the below application forms are only available in Japanese. Please view the page with a translating engine of your choosing or with a good friend who reads Japanese.

Although all our events are of course open to anyone regardless of your Japanese level, please understand that English might not be spoken. If you are interested in signing up but not sure which event is for you, feel free to contact us and we will help you out.

PROGRAM CATEGORY