ZANE ARTS

ZANE ARTS is a Japanese outdoor equipment brand founded in August 2018 in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, at the gateway to the Northern Alps. The company was established by Kei Kosugi, a former product developer at a major Niigata outdoor manufacturer, together with his wife. Its name derives from Kosugi's personal motto, 'Sit on half a tatami, sleep on one tatami.' The brand's concept is 'the fusion of functionality and art,' aiming to create highly artistic products that combine reliable support for outdoor enthusiasts with forms that foster a sense of unity with nature. ZANE ARTS designs and sells tents, shelters, and camping accessories for activities such as mountaineering, camping, backcountry skiing, and rock climbing. Its product line includes the Zeku series of shelter tents, the Uka solo two-room tent, the Yoma high-end solo shelter with a TC roof and wood stove chimney port, and the Kiira tent, along with inner tents, floor mats, footprints, and accessories like the Yama Shirt Lite, Square Bottle 750, and Titanium Stacking Tumbler. The brand emphasizes simple, minimal design and targets the mid-price segment between high-end and low-cost outdoor gear, aiming to offer quality products at fair prices. Manufacturing is outsourced while repairs are handled in-house. The company opened its online shop in November 2022 and launched its first directly operated retail store in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, and a second in Kanda Jimbocho, Tokyo, in 2025. ZANE ARTS has received recognition including the 2020 Good Design Award Best 100 for the Zeku M shelter. The brand continues to expand its product range and retail presence, with future overseas expansion in view.

ZANE ARTS was founded in August 2018 in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, by Kei Kosugi and his wife. Kosugi, born in 1972 in Niigata Prefecture, had been an outdoor enthusiast since high school. After graduating from Niigata Design College, he worked in product development at a major outdoor equipment manufacturer in Niigata. He left that company in 2018 to start ZANE ARTS. The company name 'ZANE' comes from Kosugi's personal motto: 'Sit on half a tatami, sleep on one tatami.' Matsumoto was chosen as the base because it is the gateway to the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps) and Kamikochi, and is centrally located between the Kanto and Kansai regions, offering logistical and lifestyle advantages. In April 2019, the company launched its first products, including the shelter-type tent 'Zeku M' and three other items, which were well received. In July 2020, a second wave of products was introduced. The 'Zeku M' was recognized for its design, functionality, and affordability, winning the 2020 Good Design Award Best 100. The product concept is 'the fusion of functionality and art,' with a focus on balancing well-ordered design that harmonizes with natural landscapes and practical functionality. The company distinguishes its approach from mere 'functional beauty,' which it defines as functionality alone. Product names such as 'Zeku,' 'Gigi,' 'Roga,' and 'Geu' are derived from words evoking natural beauty: 'form is emptiness,' 'majestic,' 'exposed rock,' and 'summer rain,' respectively. Analyzing the outdoor market at the time of its founding, ZANE ARTS observed a polarization between expensive high-end goods and low-quality cheap goods. By targeting the mid-price segment, the company aimed to increase consumer choice and contribute to the healthy development of the market. Rather than passing on increasing fixed costs (such as labor) to product prices, it seeks to keep costs down through a small, elite team and provide quality products at fair prices. It collaborates with like-minded retailers to expand sales channels and has future overseas expansion in mind. Manufacturing is outsourced, while repairs are handled in-house. On November 27, 2022, the company announced the opening of its online shop, citing progress in establishing a stable production system. In 2025, it opened its first directly operated store in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, and a second in Kanda Jimbocho, Tokyo. The founder and representative director is Kei Kosugi. In addition to its own brand, the company is involved in product development for A&F Country's 'SABBATICAL' brand.

• Founded in Matsumoto, Nagano

• First product launch including Zeku M shelter tent

• Second product launch

• Zeku M wins Good Design Award Best 100

• Online shop opened

• First directly operated stores opened in Aichi and Tokyo

Mid-price outdoor gear brand combining functionality and artistry, targeting the gap between high-end and low-cost products.

• ZEKU M

  Shelter-type tent, first product, Good Design Award Best 100 2020

• UKA

  Solo two-room tent with overhang structure, full-open panels, and wide mesh

• YOMA

  High-end solo two-room shelter with TC roof, chimney port for wood stove, and inner tent

• KIIRA

  Tent model released in 2025-26

• TOIRO TC

  TC material tent

• YAMA SHIRT LITE

  Lightweight shirt, direct store and EC limited

• SQUARE BOTTLE 750

  Square bottle 750ml

• TITANIUM STACKING TUMBLER

  Titanium stacking tumbler

1. 1ZANE ARTS Official Websitezanearts.com
2. 2UKA | PRODUCTS | ZANE ARTSzanearts.com
3. 3YOMA | PRODUCTS | ZANE ARTSzanearts.com
4. 4ゼインアーツ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
5. 5Zane Arts - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6アカウントzanearts.com