Backcountry snowboarding in Tohoku, northern Honshu
Explore the region of Tohoku (northern Honshu) with your snowboard on this 3-day adventure led by local JMGA-certified guide Kenichi and discover the deep powder snow of Japan.
3 Days
Jan - Apr
Intermediate
Intermediate
Description
In the northeastern end of Honshū Island is situated the remote and lonely region of Tohoku. Only 2 hours from Japan’s capital Tokio, Tohoku is still an unspoiled place with virgin landscapes and high quality snow.
If you’re planning to spend some days snowboarding far from the crowds you should then join me on this 3-day backcountry adventure. We’ll depart from Morioka, a Japanese prefecture in the northeast of the country. Our destination for these backcountry snowboarding days will be Iwate and Akita.
We will mainly ski in two ski resorts: the Hachimantai, a mountainous region with some rustic hot springs and volcanic sceneries, and the Geto Kogen ski resort, which is particularly famous due to its deep snow.
In the Hachimantai area, we will hike up to the top of Mount Chausu (1578 m) from where we will enjoy some downhill freeride snowboarding. As for our goals at Geto Kogen, we’ll get to the top the ski area (20 to 30 minutes hike) for more backcountry snowboard.
If the weather conditions do not help we can go to Shimokura or Nawabari ski resorts, use the lifts to ascend and ski in the tree areas. As you can see, in Tohoku there are options for everyone!
Skiers and snowboarders who want to join me on this program must be physically prepared and be able to ski in deep powder snow.
If you want to be part of this 3-day backcountry snowboarding tour in Tohoku, send your request and make your reservation now!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
Price details
- Not included:
- Transport during tour (12000jpy)
- Road tolls (1500 jpy per day if applicable)
- Accommodation
- Lift tickets or snowcat(if applicable)
- Guide expenses (accommodation , lift ticket or snow cat)
Meeting point
Details
More info
Equipment that you´ll need:
- Avalanche gears
- Touring Gear (AT ski and boots, split board, skins, snowshoes)
About the guide
Kenichi
5.0
(15)
Mountain Guide
I'm a ski and mountain guide from the Japanese Mountain Guide Association (JMGA). I guide backcountry skiing, mountaineering, hiking and canyon climbing (Sawanobori) mainly on Honshu, the main island of Japan.
When I was younger, I spent a couple of years in Canada and in Salt Lake City skiing and working as a rafting guide, as well as spent 2 summer seasons in Switzerland as a hiking guide.
I started backcountry ski guiding when I based myself in Minakami and started one of the first backcountry ski guide companies in the area in 2002. I'm travelling every year to Europe and North America for ski trip with my clients.
Please contact me if you wish to come to Japan and would like to enjoy our beautiful environment while doing an exciting outdoor activity.
Certificates
JMGA
What people are saying about Kenichi
Paul
Kenichi is an excellent guide and skier and super fun to spend a long day together with him on Fuji. Conditions were perfect so after reaching the top we even got to ski down into the crater which was unique. We rented touring skis from Kenichi (very good condition and relatively new) and he came to our hotel the afternoon prior to the climb to meet us, adjust bindings, etc. His English is very good and it was fun to compare notes with Kenichi on the long list of mountains around the world that my wife and I have also climbed and/or skied. He seems to be a true powder hound who knows the best places to go so I hope to return to Japan to ski tour with Kenichi next time.
Nathan
Kenichi was amazing! He was super helpful in making this an absolutely unforgettable experience! Highly recommend!
Isabelle
Unfortunately, bad weather and wind prevented us from reaching the summit. But we were able to climb part of Mount Fuji with the skis on our backs and do a bit of the descent. It was still magnificent and a moving moment to ski this mountain. Kenichi, the guide, was very professional and friendly. I had an excellent day. Thank you for this exciting adventure.
Samuel
Great moment with Kenichi, very friendly and professional.
Brian
A group of five of us from USA hired Kenichi to use Morioka as a base and explore tree skiing at the various resorts in the area for 4 days. Having lived outside of Japan, extensive outdoor and backcountry experience, perfect English, ability to drive a van around so we could relax, effort in picking best location for each day by balancing weather/snow conditions/mountain knowledge , and true desire to make the entire experience enjoyable from breakfast to the last drink at night, we will all highly recommend him. We also were able to explore the local onsens done properly as well as all the varieties of cuisine available in Japan. Thank you Kenichi!
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