Waterfront Launches 'SAKASANANO,' the Ultimate Water-Repellent Umbrella with Toray's NANODESIGN® and Inverted, Replaceable Fabric Design

Waterfront Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tetsu Yoshino) announces the launch of 'SAKASANANO,' the ultimate water-repellent umbrella utilizing cutting-edge technology from Toray Industries, Inc., available from 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Waterfront JIYUGAOKA/TOKYO and the official Waterfront online store.

In recent years, specific PFAS chemicals (such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS) widely used in water-repellent treatments have raised concerns regarding their impact on the environment and human health, leading to increasing global regulations. As efforts to reduce environmental impact intensify, achieving the high level of water repellency once common has become challenging, posing a significant challenge for the entire textile industry.

'SAKASANANO' directly addresses this challenge as the first product in the industry to apply Toray's 'NANODESIGN®' technology to umbrellas, achieving high water repellency without relying solely on chemical water-repellent agents. Furthermore, by incorporating a structure that allows for fabric replacement, it introduces a new value proposition: the 'growable umbrella'—an umbrella designed to be used and cherished for a long time.

Product Name: SAKASANANO 61cm

Price: ¥14,300 (tax included)

Sales Start: June 17, 2026 (Wed), 5:00 PM~

Purchase Site: https://www.water-front.co.jp/sakasanano/ Sales Locations: Waterfront JIYUGAOKA/TOKYO, Waterfront Official Online Store

Limited-Time Sales Location: Daikanyama T-Site, Building 2, 1F Architecture & Design Floor

Introducing SAKASANANO: Delivering Peak Water-Repellent Performance

The ultimate long umbrella that combines cutting-edge technology for superior water repellency with an inverted structure and replaceable fabric for long-term durability. It is an item for discerning individuals who value both the fundamental functionality and refined design of an umbrella.

- Changing Rain Patterns and the Demand for Water-Repellent Performance -

Japan's precipitation environment has undergone significant changes in recent years. While the number of rainy days shows a long-term decreasing trend, global warming has increased atmospheric moisture, leading to a higher frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall.※ The climate is becoming more extreme, characterized by 'fewer rainy days, but heavier when it rains.'

Amid such climate change, high-quality umbrellas that remain comfortable even in harsh rain represent a premium need in modern life, offering a high level of both practicality and ownership satisfaction. At the same time, as environmental considerations drive a reevaluation of water-repellent treatments, achieving the high level of water repellency once standard has become difficult, making it an area that the umbrella industry must now seriously address. In response to this background, Waterfront has directly confronted this challenge and embarked on a quest for a new paradigm in water-repellent umbrellas.

※ Japan Meteorological Agency 'Annual occurrences of hourly precipitation of 50mm or more, 80mm or more, and 100mm or more nationwide (AMeDAS) (https://www.data.jma.go.jp/cpdinfo/extreme/extreme_p.html)'

1. Next-Generation Water Repellency Without High-Environmental-Impact Chemicals

Adopting Toray's innovative patented technology, 'NANODESIGN® (Nano Design).' NANODESIGN® is a revolutionary technology that allows precise control over fiber thickness and cross-sectional shape at the nanoscale. By combining surface textures and fiber thicknesses, it creates microscopic irregularities on the fiber surface, enhancing water repellency through its unique structure. This enables the achievement of the highest level of water repellency, where water droplets roll off easily, without relying solely on 'water-repellent agents'.

2. Inverted Structure for Staying Dry and Clean

Even fabrics with high water repellency gradually lose their performance over time due to dirt and oils from hands. This often leads to premature replacement. To address this issue, 'SAKASANANO' adopts an inverted structure that minimizes contact with the water-repellent surface. This enhances the longevity of the water-repellent performance. When the umbrella is closed, the wet surface is on the inside, preventing your hands and clothes from getting wet and allowing for comfortable use when getting in and out of vehicles or on trains. This also shows consideration for yourself and those around you. Additionally, it retains the conventional functionality of inverted umbrellas, such as a self-standing structure that eliminates the need for an umbrella stand.

3. A 'Growable Umbrella' with Replaceable Fabric

Even as water repellency degrades over years of use, 'SAKASANANO' can maintain its function by simply replacing the fabric. This allows for long-term use without discarding the entire frame. In Japan, approximately 80 million umbrellas are discarded annually, and most are disposed of without being recycled.※ Furthermore, umbrellas are often abandoned or left behind due to the inconvenience of carrying them, leading to premature disposal. This situation contributes to the social issue of waste burden.

This product contributes to reducing this environmental burden by enabling fabric replacement. In the future, fabric-only sales are planned, allowing users to easily replace the fabric themselves. By proposing a new concept for umbrellas that is both sustainable and satisfying for users, it offers a product that users can truly be happy with.

※ Environmental issue of Umbrella (Value Creation Lab, Department of Design, Salesio Technological High School)

4. Minimalist Design

'SAKASANANO' has been reimagined by product designer Yota Kakuta, focusing on functional rationality and eliminating all unnecessary elements. Rather than offering a wide range of variations, it focuses on a single long umbrella. It features a unisex aesthetic that elegantly suits both men and women, with meticulous design down to the smallest detail. It is finished with a refined design that harmonizes with its functionality. It is a beautiful umbrella, even when closed.

Product Designer: Yota Kakuta

Designer / Creative Director. Born in Sendai. Moved to the UK in 2003, gaining experience at the studios of Shino Aki and Ross Lovegrove. After graduating from the Royal College of Art (RCA) Design Products program, he worked as a product designer for MUJI before founding Yota Kakuta Design Office in 2011. He has worked both domestically and internationally and was selected as a finalist for the HUBLOT DESIGN PRIZE (first Japanese). He has won awards such as the Good Design Award and the iF Design Award.

Limited-Time Exhibition and Experience at 'Daikanyama T-Site' and 'T-Site DENKI+'

At 'Daikanyama T-Site' and 'T-Site DENKI+,' we have set up a limited-time exhibition and experience space where you can touch the actual product and experience its highest-level water-repellent performance. Additionally, sales of the product will begin at 'Daikanyama T-Site' on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, allowing for on-site purchase.

Daikanyama T-Site

Centered around Daikanyama T-Site, which has the concept of a 'cultural fortress for adults,' this cultural complex connects several small specialty stores via pleasant walkways. With architectural design and spatial planning that inspires the sensibilities of mature adults, it responds to adult intellectual curiosity with its unique 'propositional power.'

Exhibition Period: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 ~ Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Business Hours: 9:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM, open year-round (except New Year's Day)

Location: Daikanyama