Hello. I'm Toru Hirama. I create packs that connect the outdoors with everyday life from my home in Miyagi, Japan.

Nature teaches me a lot of things. I discovered "MYOG" after I started enjoying hiking. Learning more about "Make Your Own Gear" excited me and made me want to try it myself. I was also impressed by the structure of things I had never thought about before. I was a complete novice in making gear, but I became hooked. The first thing I made was an ordinary little pouch – the moment I completed it still resonates in my heart.

My grandfather was a leather shoe craftsman and ran a shoe store. He wasn't talkative, but I liked watching him work quietly. Seeing him make things when I was young left an impression.

When it comes to making items for hiking, I've developed a manufacturing method that fits into my lifestyle. I want to make a bag that can be used purely and comfortably regardless of the location without limiting the scene of use.

The smell of the wind will be different depending on the mountain. I pay attention to the sounds of nature. I enjoy eating delicious food while taking in a view. When I wake up from an overnight trip in the mountains, I think of the beauty of the sunrise. Additionally, there are so many things I don't know about mountains—I am encouraged to practice humility. The feeling of the "five senses" is stimulating and inspires creativity.

I'm thrilled that you felt that way. I'm conscious of the balance of shapes and form; it's hard to explain because I'm not aiming for anything special, and I prefer to let the ideas flow naturally. However, making something is an excellent opportunity to challenge myself, and I value that time.

My designs aim to be simple and intuitive, and I think a lot about scale. However, I don't aim for perfection. I like it when something is a little imperfect. For me, it's essential to make things suit my personality.

As a child, I liked building with LEGO – making and sharing things quietly. I think I'm still doing this; nothing has changed. It's always exciting.

Do you remember a few years ago when you contacted me about my "One Cylinder" bag and bought it? I still remember it clearly, and being interviewed by you makes it all the more exciting. I am happy when people like what I make and want to talk about it!

The challenges are well... I'm self-taught, so I'm more likely to stumble because of my poor sewing machine operation and adjustment. It's hard to practice and study every day. Additionally, I'm not good at numbers, so I always struggle when I draw patterns.

When I was hiking around Yumata, I had to hang my Luna sandals outside my backpack. While I'd typically put my sandals in a bag inside my backpack, I had forgotten my bag. I felt uncomfortable showing my dirty sandals while hiking around others, not to mention the sand and mud were dirtying my pack. While most people don't overthink how they store their sandals – I knew I wanted to make a sandal holder that can neatly and conveniently store them inside or outside a pack.

The cover can protect them from rain, and when flipped open, you can dry your wet sandals in it. Some people might also use the case to travel with indoor slippers.

When it comes to the design, I enjoy the apple-like shape when open. It's versatile and can be used for hiking or everyday carry. I'm pleased to be able to make a product that can take good care of your footwear.

We thank Toru for making time to share his story and perspective with us. If you’re curious to learn more about PLATFORM, purchase his Sandal Book, or one of his other brilliant packs - follow them on Instagram, or check out their online store.

All photos courtesy of Toru Hirama and PLATFORM.

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