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-Cveto Podlogar

-Cveto

4.9

(147)

Mountain Guide

Saitama / Nagano, Japan

I’m an international IFMGA mountain guide; also the first non-Japanese mountain guide certified by the JMGA (Japan Mountain Guide Association); born in Slovenia.

My country is small but well known in the world as strong in sports and mountaineering. I used to compete as Olympic team member and on World Cup competitions as a Cross-country skier. After I left Slovenia and traveled all over the world, I ended up in Japan. I married a beautiful native lady, and have lived here for 30 years. I love Japanese mountains and feel privileged to be able to enjoy these mountains through the entire four seasons.

I’m based at the foot of Japan Alps; convenient place in winter for ski touring from Nagano to Hokkaido, winter mountaineering or ice climbing at Yatsugatake, and of course ascending the symbol of Japan Mt.Fuji.

In summer Japan is a great place for hiking, alpine climbing or popular shower-climbing and some fine sport/free climbing year around.

Since 2013, I’m working on NHK (Japanese national TV) programs, introducing Japan culture and outdoor activities, climbing skiing etc.

It is my absolute pleasure also to take and guide you in my home country, Slovenia. In addition to guide in the mountains, I also enjoy having the opportunity to teach mountain climbing skills to every level of climbers, here in Japan. This is because I wish everybody to be SAFE on the mountains. Please contact me on E&S if you would love to have great experience, as well as a tailor-made plan for other mountains and sport climbing all over SE Asia, EU, South America....in any season!

Contact the guide

Slovenian, Japanese, and English

Programs

 

Reviews with photos

Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. 5
Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. 5
Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. 5
Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. 5
Cveto was an amazing guide and a cool/funny guy! Took me to some cool spots based on my experience and level of climbing , also brought me fresh fruit from his garden which i had never tried before! I definitely reccomended him :) Thankyou !5
It was absolutely amazing! Our guide Cveto picked an amazing crag with a ton of shadow next to a running water with a lot of fun routes. Everything was just perfect!  🤩 5
-Cveto Podlogar4
-Cveto Podlogar4
-Cveto Podlogar4
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
We were very well informed in advance about everything we needed to bring with us. Cveto was very helpful through email and also helped arrange the equipment we could not bring with us because of the flight.
On the day of the summit, he was on time and started the day with great news that the weather was looking promising. From the beginning, the atmosphere was excellent. Maybe it helped that our home countries are neighboring, so we had a similar sense of humor, but aside from that, Cveto is simply a very enjoyable person to be around.
The ascent itself was great. He set the right pace, guided us safely to the summit, and also explained many interesting things about Mount Fuji, Japanese culture, and life in Japan in general. My colleague and I would gladly recommend Cveto as a guide.5
What an amazing experience! I can’t recommend Cveto highly enough. He was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm and personable throughout the entire trip.

All of the equipment provided was in excellent condition and clearly very well maintained. The day was thoughtfully planned and perfectly tailored to our experience level and goals. Cveto created a safe, supportive environment that gave us the confidence to push ourselves and achieve more than we expected.

This was part of our honeymoon and became a HUGE highlight of our trip. It was incredible to escape the city and experience some of Japan’s beautiful nature just an easy train ride from central Tokyo. 

Highly recommend! 5
What an amazing experience! I can’t recommend Cveto highly enough. He was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm and personable throughout the entire trip.

All of the equipment provided was in excellent condition and clearly very well maintained. The day was thoughtfully planned and perfectly tailored to our experience level and goals. Cveto created a safe, supportive environment that gave us the confidence to push ourselves and achieve more than we expected.

This was part of our honeymoon and became a HUGE highlight of our trip. It was incredible to escape the city and experience some of Japan’s beautiful nature just an easy train ride from central Tokyo. 

Highly recommend! 5
What an amazing experience! I can’t recommend Cveto highly enough. He was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm and personable throughout the entire trip.

All of the equipment provided was in excellent condition and clearly very well maintained. The day was thoughtfully planned and perfectly tailored to our experience level and goals. Cveto created a safe, supportive environment that gave us the confidence to push ourselves and achieve more than we expected.

This was part of our honeymoon and became a HUGE highlight of our trip. It was incredible to escape the city and experience some of Japan’s beautiful nature just an easy train ride from central Tokyo. 

Highly recommend! 5
Hidetaka Suzuki is a legend. I cannot believe I got to climb with him. What an amazing day!5
Cveto was a wonderful guide. He kept us safe and entertained throughout the difficult climb up Mt Fuji. We enjoyed talking to him about his adventures and experience. He was extremely skilled and knowledgeable and we hope we get to share another climb with him again soon! Lastly the booking process was very streamlined and allowed us to keep connected to our guide during the weeks leading up to Mt Fuji. 5
Great guide, the day was perfect, great views from Mount Fuji 5
Great guide, the day was perfect, great views from Mount Fuji 5
Great guide, the day was perfect, great views from Mount Fuji 5
Great guide, the day was perfect, great views from Mount Fuji 5
Great guide, the day was perfect, great views from Mount Fuji 5
I had a great time on my climbing day with Cveto. He was a great guy I felt immediately comfortable and enjoyed our chats. I was also cold and he let me borrow a jacket which was very kind. We went to a beautiful crag and did some climbing. Even when it started raining a bit we continued and switched to top rope for safety. Overall I enjoyed the day despite the weather as it was a new experience for me and the forest was beautiful.5
Awesome hike up to the top of mt. Fuji. Cvetko was a great guide, kept the pace perfect for our 10 hour day and spoke perfect English. Towards the top required crampons and helmet which Cvetko was able to provide. 5
Amazing guides, a total blast. The best by far!5
Mikio was a great guide!5
Mikio was a great guide!5
Had an enjoyable climbing experience in Odawara thanks to Cveto! Highly recommend climbing with him if you’re in Japan - would book him again the next time around. 

Communication: 
-Clear communication. He shared the when, where, and transportation info ahead of time. He picked me up from the train station, which was convenient. 
-Very knowledgeable about the area and culture as he's made it his home base for many years.

Experience:
-Took 1.5 hour train ride to Odawara train station from Akasaka. Meet up with Cveto. Stopped by convenience store for food. Car ride was minutes from the station. Hike was about 20-25ish minute to the climbing spot.

Climbing:
-Gives the right amount of beta without taking away the satisfaction of figuring things out on my own.  
-Went on a Friday and we basically had the place to ourselves except for like four other people.
-Rock was dry so had some grip. Not too hard but not too soft of a feel.
-Has variety of routes of varying difficulty. Did not do many as I would've hoped to since I was at the tail end of my trip to Japan and was exhausted.

Extra: 
-Has a calm and straightforward demeanor. He literally calmly killed a ginormous Japanese hornet that kept flying around me with his flip flop as I'm terrified of hornets and just creepy bugs in general. Good vibe to have in general as climbing's a risky sport, haha.
-Went the extra mile to help set up my phone for the perfect video spot of my climb. His son is a photographer, so he has an eye for the right angles.5
-Cveto Podlogar5
-Cveto Podlogar5
Cveto was great, we had a wonderful and funny time together. He let us feel safe and we’re glad to have him. Easy communication, good preparation and accommodating with the pickup. The speed was perfect, not too fast and not too slowly, especially coordinated to us. 
Would do it ever and ever again, thank you! 5
Cveto is a really experienced rock climber and mountaineer. We learned a lot in his course so we can do sport climbing on our own now. He was very obliging: postponed our course when we booked the wrong dates, offered to pick us up at our accommodation, let us park at his house, move to another crag when it rained, and so on. We had a lot of fun and are grateful having the course with Cveto.5
We had an amazing rock climbing experience in Bled with Cveto, an excellent and highly experienced guide. He knows the area inside out, from beginner-friendly crags to challenging multi-pitch routes. Always calm, safe, and professional, Cveto adapted the day perfectly to our level and goals.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for authentic and safe climbing experience in Slovenia5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Cveto was the best! Very experienced and attentive guide. He showed us how to breath at high altitude properly to get more oxygen in. The walking pace was perfect. He would give up/ swap his equipment if necessary. Cveto is very knowledgeable when it comes to mountaineering but also told us a lot about Japan and culture. It is really nice and easy to chat with him. Since we were a group from Slovenia, and Cveto is Slovene as well, guiding us made it extra special for us as we felt instant connection. We would surely recommend  Cveto's mountaineering expertise to anyone. 5
Fun, professional, attentive.5
Amazing trip with Cveto to the summit of Fuji. He takes great photos and is very motivating to keep going. There were parts I wasn’t sure I could do it but we were able to finish.5
Really good experience from pickup to dropoff.
Safety was paramount at all times.
Great person to be around!5
Great guy that I really enjoyed spending time with.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5
It was a great tour with Cveto. He set the perfect pace for me, was helpful with the planning, and answered every question quickly. The personal conversations with him were very interesting. Thank you for the time we spent together on the mountain. I highly recommend Cveto.5

What people are saying about -Cveto

Abhijeet

Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me.

Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me. Cveto was a wonderful guide. My son and I enjoyed the climbing experience. We covered everything from basics for my son, for whom it was the first time sport climbing, up to lead climbing for me.

Katarina

Cveto was an amazing guide and a cool/funny guy! Took me to some cool spots based on my experience and level of climbing , also brought me fresh fruit from his garden which i had never tried before! I definitely reccomended him :) Thankyou !

Cveto was an amazing guide and a cool/funny guy! Took me to some cool spots based on my experience and level of climbing , also brought me fresh fruit from his garden which i had never tried before! I definitely reccomended him :) Thankyou !

Dagmar

It was absolutely amazing! Our guide Cveto picked an amazing crag with a ton of shadow next to a running water with a lot of fun routes. Everything was just perfect! 🤩

It was absolutely amazing! Our guide Cveto picked an amazing crag with a ton of shadow next to a running water with a lot of fun routes. Everything was just perfect!  🤩

Todd

Had a great time with Hide my guide. Fantastic day.

Adam

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