Kamp KAVU

2018 - Japan Style

By KAVU

December 11^th, 2018

Since I first started hanging out with the KAVU crew I’ve heard stories of their legendary Japan trips. I’ve had my fingers crossed one year I would be invited to go and this year the stars lined up. I cleared my schedule, packed my bags and soon found myself headed east with four of the coolest KAVU cats on the block.

First things first

When Team KAVU hits the road, they take their traveling seriously. No taking a nap when you get to the hotel after a long travel day, it’s time to PARTY. There are only 24 hours in each day and we intended to make the most of it, jet lag or not!

Tokyo at first glance reminded me of New York City, but a lot cleaner and quieter. No taxis honking horns, no homeless people, and no rats. It was oddly calm for a city that holds 9.2 million people.

robot restaurant

After getting settled into the hotel our first stop was the one and only Robot Restaurant.

It’s really hard to explain what exactly happens in the basement of this mysterious tourist attraction, but the closest thing I could compare it to is if Transformers battled the Power Rangers inside Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory....all put to the theme of a Japanese Broadway Musical.

It’s really something you have to see to believe.

We spent the next few days “comp shopping”, taking a look at fashion trends that haven’t made it to America yet, to get inspiration ideas for future KAVU items.

With this goofy crew, there was never a dull moment. A&F employee “Shin” - our official navigator/tour guide - made sure we visited all the secret local spots and ate the most amazing food all week.

We even found an owl bar with REAL OWLS!

time to head to the woods!

Each year Kamp KAVU is held at a new location. This year it was held in a magical forest deep inside the city.

Sort of like Central Park in NYC, it's so large.... from the inside, you would never guess you were only a few minutes away from civilization.

So by now you must be asking yourself… .What is this Kamp KAVU you speak of?

Kamp KAVU is a weekend event hosted each year by A&F Corporation, the distributor of KAVU in Japan. This special event has been going on for a very long time. The first Kamp KAVU took place all the way back in 1999.

Nearly 20 years ago!

The campers show up on Friday afternoon and get to work setting up their spots.

There is a contest for best camp so the locals go all out. The level of creativity and detail was impressive.

all in the smiles!

Kamp KAVU is fun for all ages! The older gentlemen in this photo is Mr. Akatsu the founder of A&F Corporation and long time friend of KAVU.

Over the next two days there are different interactive work shops for the campers to attend. My favorite was learning how to make fire the old fashioned way.

Let there be light!

team work makes the dream work

Saturday afternoon is the annual cooking contest. It was neat to watch the families work together to make their best camping dish. If you only saw the finished product you would never have guessed it was made on a cook stove out in the woods. It was 5 star eating for sure!

My favorite camper to watch during the contest was this guy who used what I called the “caveman technique”. He didn’t use any modern tools. He cut wood with an axe, started his fire with flint, heated a cast iron stove, and grilled a steak. It was one of the best steaks I’ve ever had!

The camp featured special guest Itokin.

Itokin is an artist and inspiring character who travels around the world spreading his theme of “Make Smile”.

During the camp, Itokin set up a large canvas that the kids were encouraged to draw on. He then helps enhance their youthful creativity into a work of art!

Saturday evening the whole camp gets together to find out who won the various contests that were hosted during the day. This year we also showed some KAVU films featuring yours truly and then I talked a little bit about how I got into flying and what it’s like to work for KAVU as an athlete.

sunday funday

After an awesome weekend, it was time to start prepping to head back to the real world. But not before a dutch oven workshop from a professional chef.

I hung out with the kids and made fancy grilled cheese sandwiches with the addition of nutella and bananas.

Desert for breakfast!

Hot Coal Sandwiches!

dodgeball!

The grand finale of Kamp KAVU 2018 was an epic game of American dodgeball.

It was an awesome performance with the kids and adults letting out their competitive side. The teams changed each round so, it was more about having a good time then crowning a champion.

You know you are having fun when it’s raining and no one notices!

That's a rap!

Kamp KAVU was everything I expected and MORE.

It was so fun to see such enthusiastic fans of KAVU and the unique way that each camp showed off their own style, very much living life in their own KAVU way.

We connected with so many great people and made lasting memories. Japan is full of amazing food, adventures, stories, and HEART! The people are genuine and kind. I feel so lucky to have been able to see what Kamp KAVU is first hand and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Japan. This was my first trip there.....