Recently, I visited Portland, Oregon, a city I'd always been interested in. Why Portland? Because I was intrigued by its vibrant community, eco-friendly lifestyle, independent creativity, and the geeky vibe it offers. I've been to LA, San Francisco, San Diego, and other West Coast destinations several times, and I've always loved the West Coast, so I was very interested in Portland. Oregon borders Washington to the north and California to the south, and is blessed with lush, majestic natural scenery, earning it the nickname "Pacific Wonderland." Mt. Hood, where you can enjoy winter sports year-round, the majestic Columbia Gorge, and wine country, home to some of the world's best Pinot Noir, are all within easy driving distance of Portland. I also wanted to snowboard, but for some reason I had to give up this time.

The city has dedicated bike lanes, and the riverside promenades allow runners and cyclists to blend seamlessly into the cityscape, making it a truly cyclist-friendly city. Surrounded by abundant nature, this area is home to sports brands like Nike and Adidas, as well as outdoor brands like Danner, Keen, and Columbia. Other Portland-based outdoor brands include The Polar and Tanner Goods. I felt that the interaction between established and new brands, and the physical activity contributes to the vitality of the city as a whole.

There are many opportunities to get active and experience nature here. During my stay, I explored the city by bicycle to truly blend in.

And this city is home to an independent, creative people who value their connection to the land.

My stay this time was at the ACE HOTEL in downtown. I'd stayed there before in New York, but the authentic hotel had a relaxed atmosphere and was completely different.

On the morning of the first day, I read my guidebook and make plans while drinking a cappuccino at STUMPTOWN COFFEE next to the hotel. I decided to focus on food and relaxation on this trip.


--In Vol. 2, we'll take a food tour of Portland, visiting the farmers' market, the restaurant where the salami boom began, and Oregon wine.