Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and the sea, the Izu Peninsula is a paradise for outdoor lovers. In 2021, Wakana Yamazaki, known to friends as "Maru", opened SANKAKU STAND, the region’s first outdoor gear store, just steps from Shuzenji Station. We sat down with her to hear how discovering the mountains changed her life and how the Elemental Layer® finally ended her long search for the perfect bra for mountain adventures.
Maru’s Outdoor Journey – From the North to the West to Izu Peninsula
Maru grew up in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, at the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains. Although she had little exposure to outdoor life as a child, she joined high school mountaineering club and instantly fell in love with the mountains.
After college, she joined a major outdoor brand and spent her days sharing mountain stories and gear tips with customers.
In 2020, Maru relocated to Izu City in Shizuoka with her husband and opened SANKAKU STAND, the Izu Peninsula’s first outdoor gear shop. They later launched Shuzenji Hütte, a guesthouse and cafe, further immersing themselves in the region’s outdoor community.
A 520km, 24-Night Grand Alpine Traverse
A shot from the full traverse of the Japanese Alps (Photo courtesy of Maru)
Q: This summer, you completed a 520 km traverse across all three Japanese Alps over 24 nights, starting from the Sea of Japan and finishing at Mount Fuji. What inspired that challenge?
Maru: Our YouTube and Instagram community inspires us every day. After we hiked the John Muir Trail in the U.S. for our honeymoon, we shared the experience online and were surprised by the outpouring of comments. Some people even said they were moved by it. That feedback made us realize that our mountain journeys can resonate deeply with others, not just as information but emotionally. So when the idea for this full-Alps traverse came up, we decided to go for it. Knowing that people enjoy watching and following along became a major source of motivation. It gave us the push to keep taking on bigger and more meaningful adventures.
On the John Muir Trail. Covered 400 km over the course of 20 nights (Photo courtesy of Maru)
Q: In the video of your full Alps traverse, there were moments where you looked really exhausted. Was there anything in particular that helped keep you going through such a tough journey?
Maru: One big source of strength was the encouragement and support from everyone, as I mentioned earlier. The other was not being alone. Since I was hiking with my husband, I felt like this challenge wasn’t just mine, it was ours. That shared sense of purpose really helped me push through. If I had been doing it solo, I might have quit right at the beginning.
With her husband Shogo, a.k.a. Moja, during the full Alps traverse (Photo courtesy of Maru)
Discovering Mountaineering at Sixteen
Q: What sparked your passion for the mountains originally?
It all started when I joined the mountaineering club in high school. I’m from Asahikawa in Hokkaido, and although I had grown up always seeing the Daisetsuzan mountain range from where I lived, I had never actually climbed any of them. When I started high school, there was a club introduction day, and the seniors from the mountaineering club showed a slideshow of photos and videos they had taken in the mountains. Seeing the incredible scenery and the star-filled skies they had captured, I was shocked and said “Such amazing views were right nearby all along, and I had no idea.”
Mt. Yotei, Hokkaido (2011). Photo courtesy of Maru
More than thinking “this looks tough,” I just felt a strong urge to try it for myself. I basically rushed straight into the club room to sign up (laughs). The seniors had a great vibe, and I thought, “If it’s with this group, I can probably manage something totally new.” That’s how I ended up joining the mountaineering club.
Q: How did it feel when you finally saw the kind of scenery you had seen in the slideshow with your own eyes?
I remember being deeply moved when I camped in the mountains for the first time and spent a full day up there. It hit me. “This is the view I had always wanted to see from the mountaintop. And this is what it feels like to spend a whole day in that world.”
A Life-Changing Encounter with the Izu Peninsula
Q: You moved to Hyogo for university and later joined an outdoor gear company, right?
Maru: Yes. I worked in retail, and I loved talking with customers about the mountains. I met my husband at that job, and we would coordinate our days off to head out on mountain trips together. Whether at work or during our free time, we were always thinking about the outdoors.
Q: That sounds like a stable career at a big company. What made you decide to start your own business?
Maru: When we got married, we started thinking seriously about our future. What we both wanted was to live closer to nature and help people enjoy the mountains more directly. We decided we wanted to live without regrets, for ourselves.
Q: And that led you to look for a new place to live, where you eventually discovered the Izu Peninsula?
Maru: Exactly. One day we took a trip to Izu to scout potential areas, and we were amazed that such beautiful scenery could be seen on such easy hikes. When I looked at a mountain map of Izu, I noticed how many small peaks there were, yet there was barely any hiking information available. At the time, there wasn’t a single outdoor shop on the entire peninsula.
From my previous job, I knew that a lot of people want to get into hiking but don’t know what gear to buy or who to ask. That’s when I started dreaming of creating a place like a mountain hut that functions both as a gear consultation spot and a hub for local trail information.
Maru’s husband, Moja, had dreamed of running a guesthouse ever since his backpacking days in university, where he often connected with fellow travelers at hostels (Photo courtesy of Maru)
We moved to Izu in February 2020 to pursue that dream. But with the pandemic and challenges finding the right property, we couldn’t open a guesthouse right away. Still, our desire to support hikers and contribute to the local hiking culture remained strong. That’s why we decided to start with an outdoor shop first.
SANKAKU STAND is located just a 30-second walk from Shuzenji Station, tucked away on a quiet side street.
Challenges Only Active Female Hikers Understand – Finding the Right Underwear
Q: Let’s go back to your full traverse of the Alps. You were out for 24 nights. Honestly, what did you do about underwear?
Maru: For bras, I brought two of the same kind — the Elemental Layer® Cool Fit Bra. For shorts, I went with a wool-polyester blend to prevent heat rash, and I also had one spare pair. I basically wore the same bra and shorts continuously, only changing when I had the chance to bathe or wash my underwear. At one point, I wore the same set for up to ten days.
Maru's pick: Elemental Layer Cool Bra
Q: Ten days? That would be rough with a regular sports bra. The smell alone...
Maru: That’s what you’d think, right? But surprisingly, even after ten days, the Cool Fit Bra didn’t really smell. During the ten-day North Alps section, I didn’t have any opportunity to take a bath or change. Even so, the bra kept drying well. It never got to that point where it felt like it wasn’t drying properly.
Wearing a wool-blend sleeveless top over the Elemental Layer® Cool Fit Bra. (Photo courtesy of Maru)
Q: What do you look for most in a bra?
Maru: After this trip, I’d say quick drying is number one. Then odor resistance, and fit. For me, itchiness is the most stressful part of a long mountain trip. If a bra stays damp, it tends to cause irritation. But that never happened with this one. It really made me appreciate just how good the Elemental Layer is. I trust it even more now, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
Q: Do customers at your shop ask about underwear too?
They do, especially after I posted a video about choosing mountain bras on YouTube. Some people have even come to the shop just to ask about bras. I often get questions like, “I’ve never worn a bra made for outdoor use, is it really that different?” or “How many should I bring for a multi-day trip?”
Q: In the video, you mentioned that you used to prefer bras with hooks because changing was such a hassle.
Maru: That’s right. At first, I looked for bras with hooks because changing felt so difficult. But after I found the Cool Fit Bra, I realized I didn’t even need to change. It dried quickly, didn’t smell, and stayed comfortable. That made me realize I didn’t need the hook. I just didn’t need to take it off in the first place. Changing clothes in the mountains is a hassle for women, right? Even in a tent, you have to be a bit cautious. So really, the easiest thing is not needing to change at all. I’m so glad I found this bra.
Why I Still Choose “Cool” in the Winter
Q: Finetrack’s Elemental Layer lineup includes short sleeve and models with built-in bra cups. Did you start with the Cool Fit Bra?
Maru: Yes, I did. Among all my mountain gear, bras caused me the most frustration. So I figured I’d start by trying one. Once I wore the Elemental Layer® Cool Fit Bra, I realized how quickly it dried and how it prevented that sticky, sweaty feeling around the chest. It was a game-changer.
Q: The “Cool” version you use is designed to feel cool against the skin, making it great for hot weather and high-output activities. But there’s also the Regular Elemental Layer® Fit Bra, which balances warmth and moisture control better for colder conditions.
Maru: That’s true, but I’m on Team Cool all year round, even in the dead of winter. I really need my bra to dry fast. I sweat a lot, and I don’t want any moisture sitting inside or building up heat. Even in snowy mountains, I only use the Cool Fit Bra. I often tell customers who sweat a lot and end up with a cold, damp chest in winter to give the Cool version a try. Even when it’s cold out.
Q: If someone’s trying to decide between “Cool” and “Regular”, what would you recommend?
Maru: If you tend to sweat a lot, I’d say go for the Cool Fit Bra first, no matter the season. But if sweat chill is your biggest concern, then the Basic version is probably the better option.
Q: Do you have any other favorite pieces from the Elemental Layer series besides the Cool Fit Bra?
Maru: I use a few, but honestly, the Cool Fit Bra gets the most mileage. No matter what kind of trip I’m on, I always start by building my layers around that bra. For summer, I usually go with the Cool Fit Bra plus a short sleeve or tank base layer made from wool. In winter, I’ll wear the Cool Fit Bra with a long-sleeve Elemental Layer® Basic top, and then add another long sleeve base layer depending on where I’m headed.
Q: So you really wear the Cool Fit Bra year-round?
Maru: Totally. I think a lot of customers would agree that outdoor bras aren’t something you buy a ton of. That’s why I think it makes more sense to invest in a bra you love and just adjust what you wear on top of it depending on the season. That way you stay comfortable and ready for anything.
A Full Day of Mountains, Food, and Hot Springs in Izu
Mt. Daruma on the border of Izu City and Numazu City. The trailhead is accessible by bus from Shuzenji Station. (Photo courtesy of Maru)
Q: Lastly, can you share your personal recommendations for enjoying the Izu Peninsula, the place you and your husband fell in love with and chose to call home?
Maru: The mountains in Izu are relatively small, so instead of exhausting yourself all day, I recommend enjoying a half-day hike, then spending the rest of the day relaxing with a good meal and a soak in a hot spring. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the local restaurants, and there are plenty of refreshing hot springs at the base of the mountains. Of course, the seafood is amazing, but there are also some great places serving delicious wild game. At our guesthouse, Shuzenji Hütte, we’re always happy to give recommendations, so feel free to ask when you stay.
In other words, Izu’s trails offer a satisfying experience even in just one day. You don’t need a long vacation to enjoy it. I’d love for people to come out for a weekend or even a regular day off and experience it for themselves.
Wakana Yamazaki (Maru)
Co‑founder of SANKAKU STAND (opened 2021) and Shuzenji Hütte, the first outdoor gear shop and guesthouse serving the Izu Peninsula. Her YouTube channel “Diary of Hiking Immigrants by MojaMaru” has over 80,000 subscribers. She hosts weekend café events at Shuzenji Hütte and actively shares trail tips and gear insights across platforms.
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@mojyamaru
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/moja_maru_0501
Shuzenji Hütte:
SANKAKU STAND:
The thinnest and smoothest in the Elemental Layer® series, this version offers a cool, refreshing feel against the skin. Ideal for high-output activities like summer hiking and trail running. Our original 3-layered bra cups have minimal moisture retention and reduces feeling cold, damp, or sticky from perspiration around the chest area.