YAMAtune Athlete

KANBAYASHI TORU

Trail Runner/Fisherman

During his high school, university and corporate team days, Toru ran many Ekiden relay races as a representative of Hokkaido, including during the Annual Inter-Prefectural and Izumo Ekiden. He currently works as a third generation fisherman in his hometown of Betsukai, Hokkaido. His aim is to become "the fastest and strongest fisherman trail runner in Japan."

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS  / WORK SOCKS

KATAOKA TAKAYA

Skier/SAJ National Ski Demonstrator

Japan's Premier Skiing Innovator

akaya Kataoka is a leading figure in Japanese skiing, excelling as both a formidable competitor and a dedicated instructor. Based in Otaru, Hokkaido, Takaya is a National Demonstrator for 2026–2027, a prestigious recognition of his advanced technical skills and his commitment to advancing ski technique throughout Japan. His exceptional talent was further highlighted by his 13th place finish at the 2025 All Japan Ski Technical Championships and media features, including "Takaya Kataoka's Mogul Strategy" in Ski Graphic. Beyond his competitive prowess, Takaya is deeply involved in coaching the next generation of skiers, sharing his expertise at the Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort and various workshops.

YAMAtune: SNOW SOCKS / BOUCLE SOCKS

KIMURA TOMONORI

Trail Runner

Hokkaido's Trail Running Visionary

Born and based in the rugged heart of Hokkaido, Tomonori Kimura is not just one of the Hokkaido's top trail runners but a true leader in the local trail running community. His ambition extends beyond Japan's shores, as demonstrated by his victory at the "Tiger Balm 2019" in Thailand, marking a significant milestone as his first international race win. Tomonori's dedication and pioneering spirit make him a beacon for trail runners in Hokkaido and beyond, inspiring others to explore and conquer new terrains.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS

NAGAHAMA YASUE

Trail Runner

The Indomitable Ultrarunning Force

Yasue Nagahama is a testament to the ultimate limits of human endurance, a powerhouse in ultrarunning who consistently tackles the world's most grueling races. Her calendar is a relentless pursuit of monumental distances and elevations, showcasing an unwavering spirit. In 2024, she bravely challenged the iconic HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc (175 km) in France and the demanding OSJ ONTAKE100 (109 km) in Japan. Her 2023 season included Japan's ultra-long Kyoto Great Round (136 km) and Italy's legendary TORX - Tor des Géants® (352 km). Yasue's consistent drive in elite races truly embodies the spirit of an athlete thriving on audacious challenges, proving that no distance is too great.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS

SHIMIZU KOUHEI

Cross Country Skiing

He started cross-country skiing at a young age. During the 2011 Asian Winter Games, he won a silver medal in the 4 x 10-kilometre relay event with his team. He competed at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 in Oslo. In 2017, he won a gold medal in the relay as a representative of Japan at the Asian Games. Currently based in Toyama prefecture, he is an active sportsman and also focuses on community activities.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS & WORK SOCKS

SETO YUKA

Ski Jump

At the age of 17, she took part in her first FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and managed to achieve the 32nd place. After graduating from high school, she worked with a ski jumping gold medalist, Kazuyoshi Funaki, for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018. Currently, she is a member of Hokkaido High-Tech AC and aims to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS & TELEMARK SOCKS

TERUI SARA

Sprint Canoe

Japan's Rising Canoe Sprint Star

Sara Terui is a prodigious Japanese sprint canoeist from Hokkaido, currently training in Hungary with a clear ambition: to become Japan's first international medalist in the sport. She has already demonstrated her immense potential with a bronze medal finish in the K4 500m at the 2025 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships in Nanchang, China. This significant achievement, coupled with her 6th place in the K1 1000m at the same event, highlights her rapid progress toward elite international competition and her unwavering Olympic aspirations. Sara is a beacon of hope for Japanese canoe sprint, poised to make history.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS & ARM SLEEVE

YAMAGISHI NATSUKI

Orienteering/Trail Runner

Japan's Elite Orienteering Talent

Natsuki Yamagishi stands as one of Japan's top-tier orienteering athletes, consistently showcasing her competitive prowess on both national and international stages. Her 2024 achievements include a silver medal in the Middle distance at the Asian Orienteering Championships in Thailand, a clear indicator of her world-class ability. Domestically, she has secured multiple Top 15 finishes at the Japan Orienteering Championships across various distances. Natsuki's dedication and consistent high-level performances in events like the Orienteering World Cup underscore her significant standing in the global orienteering community.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS

YAMAKI TADAHIRO

Skier/Big Mountain Ski/Expedition Ski

The Pioneer of Uncharted Ski Descents

Tadahiro Yamaki, known as "Yamaki-X," is Japan's premier Big Mountain and Expedition Skier, renowned for his audacious yet elegant style. With a background in competitive skiing, Yamakix now dedicates himself to the formidable challenge of climbing and skiing the planet's most imposing and unskied high-altitude mountains. His fearless expeditions have led him to descend peaks over 5,000 meters globally, a testament to his groundbreaking spirit. A true representative of Japanese big mountain skiing, his adventures are celebrated in international films and magazines. Beyond his daring descents, Yamaki-X is a passionate advocate for mountain culture, sharing his inspiring stories and promoting the appreciation of nature through skiing.

YAMAtune: SNOW SOCKS

YAMAMOTO KENICHI 

Trail Runner/Skier

The Enduring Legend of Japanese Trail Running

Kenichi Yamamoto, affectionately known as "Yamaken," is a revered figure in Japanese trail running, transitioning from a teacher to a professional mountain athlete in 2019 to forge a legendary career. His extensive list of achievements includes winning the Hasetsune Cup in 2008 (setting a Japan record), placing 3rd at UTMF in 2012 as the top Japanese finisher, and becoming the first Japanese athlete to win a major international ultra-trail race at the Grand Raid des Pyrénées in 2012. Yamaken has consistently performed at the highest level, including two 2nd place finishes at Andorra Ultra Trail and an 8th place at UTMB in 2009. Despite currently rehabilitating from knee surgery, Yamaken continues to inspire and actively promote trail running, embodying an unwavering passion for the mountains.

YAMAtune: SPIDER ARCH SOCKS