Wataru
4.4
(14)
Mountain Guide
I am a Japan Mountain Guides Association (JMGA) mountain and ski guide, born and raised in Sapporo. I have been an avid traveller all my life, starting as a hitchhiker as a primary school child and travelled around 40 different countries in the world since then, including South America (Aconcagua and Andes), USA (Denali), Greenland etc. I have been involved with the JMGA for about 18 years now, guiding in the mountains both in the summer and in the winter on skis. I am a board member of Hokkaido Mountain Guides Association (HMGA). I also have an experience as a field guide in Antarctica between 2011 and 2013 as a part of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Since my return from Antarctica, I have been running my own guesthouse and a bar, SappoLodge, which is located at the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido. It has approximately 30 beds and is always filled with travelers from all over the world. I am happy to be able to guide these diverse and curious visitors in the nature around Hokkaido.
My main field of guiding is in the backcountry all around Hokkaido in the winter. My choice of toy in riding the pow is a snowboard but depending on the type of guests I’m happy riding on my skis too. In the summer, I enjoy guiding in the mountains (climbing and grand traverses), sea-kayaking and canoeing in the river or lake. I full heartedly recommend these fun activities to explore the nature of Hokkaido too!
Get in touch with me if you’d like to enjoy the nature of Hokkaido with me!
Programs
Reviews
Sascha Elsnik
5
October, 2023
Hello there, I didn't go on a guided tour and it wasn't intended to go there on the 14th February. I still had been chating with the guide Wataru, about the dates and arrangements. At 14th February it was never intended to go on a tour. Sorry, maybe my fault, but this did go wrong. Actually I have no access the chating-protocol with Waturu anymore to proof that we were still trying to find a date. Due to an infect I'm not going to be able to go on a tour with Waturu before I leave. Would you please be so kind to consider a refund of my payment, as to the above mentioned reasons. Kind regards Sascha
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Joshua Hall
4
October, 2023
I had a great day out with Wataru-San earlier this month (January 2017), we went to Sapporo-Kokusai and did some runs in really deep snow. Wataru enabled me to access terrain that I would not have been able to find without his knowledge and had I have known about him earlier, I would have stayed at his lodge and gone out with him for more than one day. The day was a very Japanese experience with the deep powder, traditional onsen and local dinner after the ski day. Although I had some of the equipment already, it's good that Wataru has all the equipment for hire, as not all the guides can do this.
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Liam Baker
5
October, 2023
Excelent, We had great fun, Wataru was very helpful, he taught us a lot about backcountry. He provided all the gear with skis snowboards, skins etc. Asahidake is a must do. We will come back again in the future to explore more mountains!
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Sean Jewell
3
January, 2023
Very poor communication in advance of trip from guide and zero support from explore share in helping to coordinate. Eventually logistics came together but only about 48 hours prior to the trip. Wataru was friendly and flexible on day of the tour.
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