"From the Mountains of Hakone to the World's Best Waves." The Challenge Envisioned by Junior Surfer Yuumi Munemasa, Designated as a Japan Representative, and Kinnokake.

　Kinnokake Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Masaaki Hachiman), which operates 5 inns and 3 restaurants in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, supports April Dream, an initiative aiming to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is a dream of "Company/Organization Name".

This press release details our "dream": the journey towards world conquest with junior surfer Yuumi Munemasa.

｜Origin of the Dream: "Paddling for the World" Began at Age 3

　Yuumi Munemasa is currently 13 years old. She first stood on a surfboard at the age of 3 and decided to "become a professional" in her first year of elementary school.

In 2026, she was finally selected as a designated strengthening athlete for the Japanese national team (NAMINORI JAPAN), officially opening the door to the world.

Last year, she experienced the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing out on victory at the All Japan Championships by a mere 0.25 points. Fueled by this experience, she continues to head to the sea from 4 AM daily, pursuing a challenge with the world in sight. We genuinely believe in a future where she competes against top global athletes on the world's premier stage, the WSL (World Surf League), specifically the CT (Championship Tour).

｜Background of Encounter and Support

　The catalyst was a scene witnessed at the beach. Amidst many surfers waiting for waves, a single young girl, remarkably small in stature, paddled with more dedication and repetition than anyone else. That girl was Yuumi Munemasa. We were deeply moved by her courage to challenge even rough seas without hesitation, and at the same time, we realized the importance of supporting the challenges of the next generation. Hakone's "tranquility" will embrace and support her "powerful energy." With this unique tag team, born from that encounter, we will chart the course towards the dream of world domination.

｜Why Does a Hakone Ryokan Support a Surfer?

　Why would a ryokan in Hakone, surrounded by mountains, support surfing, a sport of the sea?

Behind this lies Kinnokake's cherished philosophy of "facing people's dreams." We believe that when each employee confronts their own life and goals, it ultimately leads to providing exceptional experiences for our customers. This sentiment extends beyond our company, resonating with the image of Yuumi Munemasa, who continues to challenge herself with the goal of reaching the world stage. We strongly empathized with her challenge and decided to provide our support. This initiative is by no means unusual; it is a natural choice born from our philosophy.
Kinnokake will continue to support those who challenge their dreams.

｜A New Form of Support Where "Stillness (Inn)" and "Motion (Waves)" Intersect

　At first glance, Hakone, surrounded by mountains, and surfing, a sport of the sea, might seem like polar opposites. However, Kinnokake has always valued the richness brought by both extremes: "time spent at a tranquil inn" and "active experiences." The time of "stillness" spent relaxing at the inn, and the time of "motion" spent challenging oneself in nature through surfing. Although different in form, both share a deep affinity in their essence: "moving people's hearts and enriching their lives." The sight of local young talent taking on an unprecedented challenge for world supremacy embodies Kinnokake's corporate stance of continuously creating new value. Supporting that "small back" is also our new challenge.

｜Yuumi Munemasa's Comment

　"Last year, my goal was to be selected as a designated strengthening athlete, so I am very happy. I feel reassured knowing there are people supporting the dream I've had since I was little. I will continue to achieve my goals one by one and work hard to aim for the top in the world."

｜Kinnokake Representative Comment

　"The moment I saw her paddling relentlessly in the sea, I instinctively felt, 'I want to support this challenge.' I strongly resonated with her passion to take on the big waves of the world from the 'stillness' of our ryokan, and I decided to support her immediately. The purpose of the work style reform promoted by Kinnokake is to build an organizational culture where each employee can cherish their own life and dreams. That is precisely why we could approach the challenges of the next generation with pure intention.

From the mountains of Hakone to the world's best waves, I believe supporting Ms. Munemasa's challenge will become a new driving force for us to continue creating 'overwhelmingly extraordinary experiences.' We will walk alongside her until she stands at the pinnacle of the world."

【Yuumi Munemasa Profile】

　Born January 18, 2013, from Yugawara Town, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Started surfing at age 3 and aspired to be a professional in her first year of elementary school. Based at her local Yoshiba Beach, she has steadily accumulated achievements. In 2026, she was selected as a designated strengthening athlete by the Nippon Surfing Association (NSA).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yusan_smile/?hl=ja

▼Main Achievements

2024: 5th NAMINORI Koshien - 3rd Place

2025: All Japan Junior Open Surfing Championship - 3rd Place

2025: All Japan Level Surfing Championship - 3rd Place
2025: All Japan Surfing Championship - Runner-up
2026: Selected as a designated strengthening athlete by the Nippon Surfing Association (NSA)

｜Future Outlook

　Kinnokake will continue to support Yuumi Munemasa's global challenge, while also strengthening initiatives to support next-generation talent in diverse fields such as sports and culture. We will promote the creation of "systems to support challenges" in Kinnokake's unique way, including human resource support in collaboration with the local community and the creation of new value by combining it with lodging experiences. From the region of Hakone to the world.
By supporting those who challenge themselves, we will continue to disseminate new value and possibilities.

｜About Kinnokake Resort

　Kinnokake Resort opened its first hot spring inn in Sengokuhara, Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1947. In 1999, we created a new way to enjoy hot spring inns and value through private open-air baths, which were rare at the time. Currently, we operate 5 inn facilities and 3 restaurants, and are diversifying into new businesses such as craft beer and opening new inn facilities with a different target audience than before, thereby aiming for sustainable growth by responding to changes in the external environment.