Snow Peak | Japanese Metal Craftsmanship Meets the Outdoors
History of Snow Peak
With every great tool, there exists a climate and history that is blessed by nature. For outdoor lifestyle specialist Snow Peak, the innovation of outdoor lifestyle equipment is inspired by their vision to reconnect with the natural world. Snow Peak originated in the rugged peaks of Tanigawa mountain, which stretches across the borders of Gunma and Niigata prefecture in Japan’s Northcentral Honshu region.
Known as the ‘mountain of evil’, the notorious slopes and sublime beauty of the mountain’s summit has attracted many adventurous mountaineers including Snow Peak founder Yukio Yamai. The exploration of the local climate originally inspired Yamai to create functional climbing equipment powered with the local knowledge and craftsmanship of his hometown, Sanjo.
Japanese Metal Craft
Japan’s longest river, Shinano-gawa, meanders through the region of Tsubame-Sanjo - where agriculture and industry meet. The region is historically renowned for its metalworking tradition, which flourished four hundred years ago in the Edo period. As a leading area for the production of metal tools and cutleries today, Tsubame-Sanjo is home to numerous workshops specialising in forging and metal polishing techniques that are rooted in the rich tradition of swordsmithing.
Snow Peak draws on the expertise of Tsubame-Sanjo’s metal craft history, merging their contemporary sensibility to carefully craft high-quality outdoor equipment using age-old skills that adhere to the local climate. Their expanding vision continues to inspire new outdoor enthusiasts and dedicated mountaineers alike to find harmony with nature.