Step out of the south exit of Tachikawa Station, and at the corner of a building on Suwa Street, you’ll find a shop specializing in trail running gear. The shop has a wide variety of products for runners, and many come here to find the perfect items. Let’s go!
Step inside the shop, and you’ll find shelves displaying various products such as shoes, bags, and clothing. You’ll be surprised by the variety!
From the left in the picture: Kei Ogawa, a staff member; Takuya Tomonaga, the shop owner; and his wife, Chika. Not only Tomonaga-san but also other staff members have trail running experience.
Equipment is essential for trail runners who run in nature. The required functions differ from regular running, so the specialized gear is recommended. However, for beginners, just shoes and a bag are enough. Asanaga-san has carefully selected items suited for those starting out.
▽Clockwise from the top left in the picture. All prices include tax.
A perfect bag, large enough to fit your body comfortably
Salomon / Active Skin 12 [Men’s] – 13,090 yen
A very light rain shell weighing less than 200g, making it easy to carry
Teton Bros. / Feather Rain Full Zip Jacket [Unisex] – 31,900 yen
A perfect mesh cap with excellent breathability
Milestone / Original Cap MSC-013 – 6,930 yen
Easy-to-move and quick-dry bottoms
Patagonia / Men’s Strider Pro Shorts 5-inch [Men’s] – 12,100 yen
A watch designed for long-distance races with solar power
Garmin / Enduro 3 – 148,000 yen
A light that ensures clear visibility with high illumination performance
PETZL / Swift RL – 19,800 yen.
Wind-resistant gloves with a windproof hood
R×L / Multi Gloves with Wind Hood – 6,930 yen.
Easy-to-run, lightweight shoes that allow you to feel the surface of the road
HOKA / Torrent 4 [Men’s] – 19,800 yen (All prices include tax)
Chika-san will remake your race bib. If you’d like to keep a memory of the race, please ask her.
The sacoche in the top right of the photo is 4,950 yen, and the various pouches are priced from 2,750 yen (All prices include tax)
The owner, Asanaga-san started trail running in 2011 when it was still considered a minor sport. “At that time, most sports shops didn’t have dedicated sections for trail runners.” said Mr. Asanaga, “I tried using gear designed for mountain climbers, but nothing felt quite right. I simply couldn’t find what I needed. That frustration led me to the idea of opening my own trail running shop. By then, I was in my 30s and eager to take on a new challenge, doing something I was truly passionate about. Around that time, I discovered an entrepreneurial support program called Tachikawa Challenge Shop Collabo, which pushed me to open my shop Trippers in 2017.
“The shop’s name comes from the essence of trail running,” said Mr. Asanaga, “where you can enjoy ever-changing scenery. Many people think running is a tough sport that requires a lot of energy, but with trail running, you hike up the mountain and run downhill. You don’t have to run the entire way. Those with experience in running or mountain climbing will definitely enjoy it.”
Trippers also holds beginner-friendly events about once every two months to teach the basics and proper etiquette of trail running. If you’re looking for a new hobby, why not give trail running a try? Trippers is here to support you!
※The content of the article is as of the time of publication. (Posted in February 2025)
Shop Name | Trippers |
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Address | 3-1-1 Shibasaki-cho, Subaru Building 6F |
Hours | Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Thursday & Friday: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Closed | Monday & Tuesday |
Phone Number | 042-808-9500 |
Website | https://trippers-wtrc.com/ |