Pursuing Comfort & Design for Rainy Days! The Appeal of "AME TO HARE" Bicycle Rain Poncho

Recently, it's become rare to see people riding bicycles with umbrellas on rainy days. This is partly because changes to the Road Traffic Act now classify that act as "dangerous driving." Moreover, from April 2026, blue ticket penalties will also apply to bicycle violations, so we can expect to see even fewer people riding with umbrellas in the future. Alongside this, demand for specialized rainwear for cyclists is expected to rise further.

That's why we'd like to spotlight Kajimeiku Co., Ltd.'s specialized rainwear brand, AME TO HARE. Their unique lineup includes rainwear and ponchos designed especially for cycling—items that are gaining widespread popularity.

This time, we spoke with Yoshihiro Sugano of the sales department and Kazuko Takahashi from PR to learn more about AME TO HARE's approach to craftsmanship and their dedication to fabric and design in product development.

Kajimeiku Co., Ltd. is a long-established company founded in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, in 1925. The company began with Japanese umbrella production and now specializes in a variety of rainwear.

"Toyama Prefecture, where our company was founded, is known for its particularly heavy rainfall throughout the year. For many years, we've supported life in the Hokuriku region, a part of Japan where living with rain is the norm," (Takahashi).

With a deep understanding of the inconveniences rain brings, the company launched its EC site "AME TO HARE" to reach even more people. What sets them apart is their commitment to developing products in-house.

"The experience and knowledge we've built up over the years fuel our product development. Instead of just chasing trends, we're focused on delivering long-lasting, high-quality products with simple designs.

We also uphold the belief in offering genuinely good products at prices customers can easily afford," (Takahashi).

Obsessive Attention to Film Materials

A star of the AME TO HARE lineup is their cyclist-specific rainwear. Following the 2015 amendments to the Road Traffic Act, rules on dangerous cycling became stricter, and customers began asking for dedicated bicycle rainwear.

So, how does the company’s expertise shine through?

"When developing our rainwear, we select distinctive materials based on each item’s model. One example is 'NEO 2 LAYER.'

In the past, polyurethane resin (PU) coatings were used for breathability, but these suffered from hydrolysis and aging over time. However, with recent advances, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) laminated materials have become much more affordable, so we adopted the 'TPU10000 Laminate,"' (Sugano).

Thanks to technological advances, new, advanced material options are now available—and their effectiveness is proven beyond doubt.

"With a water resistance rating of 10,000mm, even if you stack a 10-meter column of water on top of the fabric, it won’t seep through. On top of that, a breathability rate of 5,000g means that 5,000g of moisture can escape per 1㎡ over 24 hours.

Additionally, by adding microscopic texture to the film’s surface, we’ve managed to keep the material from feeling sticky against your skin as well," (Sugano).

With materials boasting such top-tier performance, you’d expect comfort in any weather, but AME TO HARE's technological innovation doesn’t stop there. They're also developing an even more sophisticated "Sugo-Raku 3 Layer"—an upgrade over "NEO 2 LAYER."

"The technology to manufacture high-performance fabrics—originally used for outdoor gear such as GORE-TEX—at a lower cost is now established, allowing us to use them in everyday rainwear.

We’ve also succeeded in adding stretch, and by bonding tricot fabric to the inside, the material feels less sticky and is even more comfortable to wear.

In particular, the use of a more breathable TPU laminate compared to 'NEO 2 LAYER' allows for efficient ventilation of internal moisture and sweat vapor, helping maintain comfort," (Sugano).

Toward More Refined Designs

Listening to the conversation, it's clear the material has impressive functionality, but how about design? This time, let's focus on the popular item "Cycle Mode High Poncho EX." The first thing you'll notice is its sense of luxury, quite different from ordinary raincoats.

"To make it easy to wear even after the rain stops, we chose a thin and lightweight material. We also finished it with a matte texture to reduce shine, opting for earth colors that blend well in the city," (Takahashi).

When you think of raincoats, you might imagine clear vinyl and a crinkly texture, but this product was thoughtfully designed to break that stereotype. For instance, the addition of belt loops is a surprising touch. The goal is for you to enjoy wearing it like a coat after the rain has passed.

Pushing for style is great, but not if it sacrifices the comfort you need when cycling—a fundamental concern thoroughly addressed here.

"Many people worry about their knees or feet getting wet. That's why we've added snap buttons at the hem to keep flapping to a minimum. We've also equipped it with double zippers so you can adjust the fit from the bottom if pedaling is tricky.

There's a hood that connects to a custom-developed guide rail system, so your field of vision isn’t blocked even when you turn your head. The attached visor helps those with glasses see more clearly and reduces makeup smudging for women," (Takahashi).

Supporting a More Comfortable Everyday Life

While rainwear has grown increasingly high-tech and has become somewhat of a fashion item, it's not just about endlessly piling on features.

"Using better fabrics does improve performance, but it pushes up the price, too. It’s crucial to strike a balance between price and which functions to prioritize. If a product is loaded with features but uncomfortable to wear, or if it's too expensive for most people, the whole point is lost. We develop our products in response to customers’ needs and market trends," (Sugano).

Deciding which features are truly non-negotiable for the price becomes extremely important. So, what kind of product development lies ahead?

"Since our brand name is 'AME TO HARE,' we're looking past just rainwear—we also want to develop products for sunny weather. For example, we're starting to sell windbreakers with UV protection, and we plan to keep exploring this direction.

We're also considering items that merge style and portability for outdoor events or sports spectating," (Takahashi).

A glance at their website reveals a wealth of enticing products—you'll be amazed they're classified as rainwear at all. In reality, it's rare to find rainwear dedicated to cyclists in physical stores. That’s exactly why, if you haven’t found rainwear that truly satisfies you, you should definitely check out "AME TO HARE."