Hi everyone, it’s Sun again. Today, I would like to share my experience from my factory tour last year.
Hyogo prefecture has so many tourist spots, but today I would like to share what we have around our Nakata factory.
There are many activities and experiences you can get from places near our factory. Starting from the famous Kinosaki Onsen renowned for its tattoo friendly natural hot spring bath. Kannabe Ski Areas, a family and kids friendly ski resort. Izushi Sara Soba, a unique dipping soba served on a small plate.
However, there is a place which I have visited and would love to share with you all today. It is the Uemura Adventure Museum.
Naomi Uemura was born and raised in town where the Nakata factory is located, and this museum was built to honor his incredible achievements. He climbed many of the world’s most famous mountains, including Mont Blanc (4807 m), Kilimanjaro (5895 m), Aconcagua (6960 m), McKinley (6194 m) — now called Denali — and Everest (8848 m).
Uemura was the first Japanese person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. This also made him the first person to conquer the highest peaks on five continents.
He was also the first person to climb Mount McKinley (now Denali) in harsh winter conditions. Sadly, he disappeared while descending, and only his belongings were found. Despite this, his story continues to inspire many young explorers around the world.
Though his story is tragic in some ways, Uemura was a true phenomenon whose life was filled with achievements that motivated people worldwide. One quote that has always stuck with me is: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.” It really resonated with me during my visit to the museum, as I reflected on Uemura's courageous journey.
Looking at his life, I felt inspired to live my own life more fully. Of course, maybe not in the snow like him, since I am more of a tropical girl.
The museum itself has a very modern vibe, with an industrial loft-style design. There are many exhibits, including Uemura’s actual mountaineering gear, such as his climbing boots, crampons, backpack, and ice axes.
One exhibit is a 25 kg sample backpack that weighs the same as the one he carried to the top of the mountain. Every visitor can try it on. I myself also gave it a shot, but it was so heavy that I could not even stand up, let alone carry it up a mountain.
The museum located just 10 minutes away from our Nakata factory, I highly recommend checking out the Uemura Adventure Museum whenever you have a chance. It is not just for adults to find inspiration, there also has a large playground called Donguri Base, where kids can play both indoors and outdoors.
In Japan, his story is still taught to young people, encouraging them to dream big and step outside their comfort zones, just as he did. Uemura’s spirit of adventure and perseverance, especially his ability to push through extreme challenges, made him a role model for many and including us, NAKATA HANGER.
Each person has their own mountain to climb, and we are also trying our best to achieve our summit which is craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. We are inspired to always challenge ourselves and never stop improving. Everyday is a new beginning, and we will always do our best to provide the best hanger one has ever made.
Business Hours: 9:00~17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Holidays / Closed: Wednesdays (the following Thursday if Wednesday is a national holiday
For more details please visit: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/uemura-naomi-memorial-museum/