Tell us about Harajuku.

Harajuku is where I fell in love with fashion. I loved the Ura-Harajuku culture of the 90s and often visited the flea market in the nearby Yoyogi Park. It hasn’t been open lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These days, dropping by the flea markets in my hometown Yokohama, if they’re open, on the way back from my jogs is my consolation (laughs).

What are you mindful about at work?

In addition to being a mixed martial artist, I’m currently also working as a brand director and trainer. I’m doing all the things I love. My late father said, “Even if you’re working for a single penny, you have to be a professional.” This is why I believe that it’s important to work without compromise, no matter what the job is.

This year will be my 25th year as a mixed martial artist since my debut in 1996. I never thought I’d be able to do something I love so much for this long. I’m so grateful to my family, friends, dojo students, and fans. I’ll keep pushing forward until I’m satisfied with myself as an athlete.

Tell us your daily routine.

I don’t really have a particular routine. I actually think not having one fits me best. For example, I change my commute depending on the weather and my schedule for the day. It’s a bit of a luxury, but this way the people I see, the places I visit, and the scenery changes with my mode of travel, whether it’s by train, bicycle, or car. Not having a fixed routine works well for me as a designer.

Tell us your impressions of the GTX Hooded Down Coat

I’ve liked Goldwin ever since it launched its lifestyle line. In addition to the coat, I also own two or three of the brand’s pants. I’m actually wearing a pair today. When I feel that a pant is a good match, I begin to like the brand that created it. I become a loyal customer when I feel like I have a base to build on (laughs). I think the GTX Hooded Down Coat will be a very useful item in this coming season. The GORE-TEX® makes it resistant to rain and it’s also ideal for working on-location in winter when we don’t move around much.

Tell us your impressions of the Spur Down Parka.

It looks ordinary but is actually light and warm. I personally don’t wear flashy clothes, so I like its simple design.

What are you mindful about at work?

I’ve been doing competitive skiing since I was little. After the Turin Olympics, I shifted to basic skiing. For a while now, I’ve been checking out videos of people skiing beautifully on-piste and have been relentlessly in pursuit of those skills.

When I went backcountry skiing last year, the climb was incredibly tough. However, the view from the summit I saw when I was preparing was stunning and skiing down felt great. I’d love to continue to take up more challenges and broaden my horizons.

Do you have any upcoming goals?

As an athlete, I’d like to deliver a great performance in a basic skiing competition taking place next March. It tests how fast and elegantly we ski in various styles and is the biggest competition of this kind. It was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope to do well in it next year.

Tell us about Marunouchi.

Marunouchi is a business hub with elegant skyscrapers and droves of businesspeople. But there’s also plenty of nature just a short walk away—the tree-lined Naka-dori Avenue and Imperial Palace grounds let you enjoy the changing seasons. You’ll see lots of families visiting the area in weekends. I also recommend the winter illumination event which takes place between the Otemachi and Yurakucho area on Naka-dori Avenue starting November.

What are you mindful about at work?

Creating a good atmosphere in the workplace is important to me. I pay careful attention to how I can provide a comfortable shopping experience for customers and a positive vibe for the staff members.

What are the best features of the Spur Down Parka?

The down tube is the best feature. Ordinary down jackets don’t have down behind the fastener. This creates cold spots. Placing a down tube vertically behind the fastener ensures that the down is distributed evenly around the body. Although it looks voluminous, the item is very light. The outer material is nylon, so it’s very soft. I also recommend it for ladies.