小田川カヌー体験にグルメも！矢掛町に大手アウトドア用品店・モンベルが入居した大型施設がオープン　岡山 (26/04/28 18:00)

A large facility housing outdoor equipment stores and restaurants opened in Yakage Town, Okayama Prefecture on April 28th. Visitors can enjoy river activities and camping, and it is expected to play a role in attracting tourists during Golden Week. (Ribbon-cutting ceremony) (Okayama Prefecture Governor Ryuta Ibaragi) "It's a place that brings together the best of Okayama Prefecture—mountains, rivers, history, and more." "Outdoor Village Yakage," which opened in Yakage Town on the 28th, was developed by Yakage Town in cooperation with Okayama Prefecture, the river administrator. The site covers 4.6 hectares and houses one of the largest Montbell stores in western Japan. ◆The highlight of the Montbell Yakage store is the "Bouldering Tower." The store boasts 25,000 items, including store-exclusive products. (Reporter Nasa Toda) "Here, at the edge of the sales floor, there's a climbing facility that's about 7 meters high." The bouldering tower, reaching the height of the second floor, is particularly eye-catching. The store boasts a diverse selection of 25,000 items, including some exclusive to the Yakage store. (Local customers commented…) "They're cute and affordable. You can wear them casually, not just for camping." "It's bigger than I expected. I hope people from outside the prefecture will come and make it lively." ◆Enjoy Italian cuisine using local vegetables and canoeing on the Odagawa River (Reporter Nasa Toda) "This is a restaurant using local ingredients, and it's already bustling with people. It's completely full." The restaurant, operated by JA Hare no Kuni Okayama, offers Italian cuisine using local vegetables such as zucchini and strawberries, as well as nature activities like canoeing on the Odagawa River that flows right in front of it. (Governor Ibaragi, who experienced it, commented…) "It was fantastic." ◆The adjacent campsite is also being considered for use as a disaster prevention base The campsite, which can accommodate eight groups, has separate buildings with kitchens, toilets, and showers next to the tent pitching areas. Montbell, the company operating the facility, is also considering using it as a disaster prevention base, given that Yakage Town was hit by heavy rains in western Japan eight years ago. ◆Yakage Town Mayor: "We now have a major base that can showcase the charm of Yakage Town." (Atsushi Yamaoka, Mayor of Yakage Town) "Rivers are extremely dangerous places, but they are also places to become familiar with. By becoming familiar with them, people will understand the dangers and safety. I think visitors will come from far away and even from overseas. We now have a major base that can showcase the charm of Yakage Town." (Isamu Tatsuno, Chairman of Montbell) "There aren't many facilities with a river right in front of them. There are mountains behind it, so you can camp. (During Golden Week) I hope people will come here instead of going anywhere else." The Outdoor Village Yakage is expected to create new vibrancy in the area. Yakage Town anticipates attracting 200,000 to 300,000 visitors annually.