What kind of satisfaction do you seek from solo camping?
I started solo camping in 2021, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was overwhelmed with work that was mostly remote. After work, I'd open YouTube, eat dinner while staring at the screen, and then drink alcohol until I went to sleep. I noticed that the videos recommended to me were increasingly camping videos, and that's what sparked my interest."Teru-san TV""Tokui Video""The Master Angler of Izu"I started watching only these three channels, and they became a place of respite where I could escape from the stresses of everyday life.
One weekend morning, I had a sudden idea. I had a car, so I thought I'd just head to Okutama, which is about an hour's drive from central Tokyo. I drove towards Haraizawa Falls in the Akigawa Valley, which had been featured on the TV show "Teru-san TV" at the time, and that was the beginning of my love for the outdoors.
I was surprised to learn that waterfalls and mountains are actually quite close by, which led me to go to Montbell, buy some gear, and then drive alone to Okutama the following weekend. I kept doing that, and before I knew it, I had become a camper.
Without worrying about anyone else, cooking as much of what I want to eat as I want, not talking about things I don't want to talk about, not thinking about things I don't want to think about, thinking only about what I like, and seeing only what I want to see. At least for the duration of this camp. Having a good conversation with myself, doing some self-treatment, and then returning to work on dealing with the things I'm carrying around every day.
Everyone has their own reasons for going solo camping, but I think one of the joys of solo camping is cooking.
Simple cooking: just put it in a mess tin and heat it over a fire.
Each bag contains enough pre-washed rice for one serving and the ingredients, and all you have to do is measure out 300ml of water using a Sierra cup and add it.
After placing the mess tin on the burner for about 10 minutes, remove it from the heat and let it steam on a towel or similar surface for about 10 minutes to cook fluffy and delicious rice. The mess tin will be hot, so be sure to use gloves or a towel when handling it.
Once cooked, mix the rice well before serving.
About rice knots
Rice shop Katagiri is based in Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, and cultivates rice from the Gozusan mountain range. Niigata Prefecture is home to the Shinano River, Japan's longest river, which flows through the Niigata Plain, and is dotted with numerous mountains of varying sizes. While it experiences heavy snowfall in winter, summer brings many days with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
Niigata Prefecture, with its magnificent natural scenery and significant temperature differences, is one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions.
Many people visit Agano City to hike Mount Gozu, which has five peaks from Ichinominé to Gonominé.
Mount Gozu, with an elevation of 912 meters, is a mountain that can be easily enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Agano City was blessed with abundant water resources from the Agano River, so much so that it was called "Shirakawa no Sho" during the Kamakura period.
This region has a long history as a rice-growing area. Furthermore, over 5,000 swans migrate to Hyoko Lake, which is registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland, every year. The rice from the Gozu Mountain range is nurtured by the pure spring water and clear water of Gozu Mountain, the rich soil, and the magnificent natural environment. Although the grains are small, it is said to have an exquisite sweetness, stickiness, and gloss, and a chewy texture. It is also known for being delicious even when cold, making it a great rice for camping meals as well as packed lunches.
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