Rishiri 3-day guided backcountry snowboarding

Come on this 3-day guided backcountry snowboarding adventure in Rishiri with the only local JMGA certified mountain guide in this Japanese island, Toshiya!

3 Days

Jan - Mar

Intermediate

Beginner

Description

Born and rase in Rishiri, it will be my pleasure to show you this remote and exotic island located in the north of Japan!

With a circumference of only 60 kilometers, Rishiri Island is located about 20 kilometers off the northwest coast of Hokkaido. Since there are no lifts but the snow here is legendary, Rishiri is the perfect destination for backcountry snowboarding.

Mount Rishiri (1721 m) stands in the centre of this small and circular island. This dormant volcano is also known as Rishiri-Fuji due to its resemblance with the most famous peak in Japan. While exploring this amazing volcano and several other peaks, we will use snowmobiles to cover the long and flat distances and skins when we’ll need to go up.

During this 3-day guided adventure, we will go where snow and weather conditions are best but most importantly, I will organize this program depending on the participants wishes and level experience. As there will be 2 guides, we will divide into two groups (either by level or by friend groups).

Regarding our accommodation, participants are welcome to stay at my own hostel. A cozy and peaceful place where you will be able to relax in the hot spring baths called onsens while enjoying some delicious homemade Japanese food. A great opportunity to explore the Japanese culture and its traditions!

Keep in mind there are no rental shops on the island so please take all your equipment with you, including your avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, your crampons and ice axe.

Suitable for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, if you are tempted by this adventure, request to book this trip and join me on this unique Japanese experience!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner

Price details

The price will depend on the number of people joining (whether you came as a group or you are joining an existing one).
Please note that for this 3day trip, 4 nights of accommodation are included (with breakfast and dinner).
Bath Tax is included in the price.

Details

More info

You will have to arrive on Rishiri island the night before and it is recommended to leave the day after the tour.

As we will be 2 guides running the program, we will split the group by friends or by level.

Price: the price at the time of booking depends on the group size at that time. If the group size changes on the actual day, then the difference will be refunded (if more clients) or will have to be covered by the clients (if fewer clients).

I can help you with the transportation from the ferry terminal or the airport to the lodge. Participants will be able to come by plane which will only take 45 minutes coming from Sapporo or by ferry (1:40 hr) in case you are coming from Wakkanai.

Please note that there will be additional cost as below to be paid directly to me on the spot:

Onsen tax: JPY 150 per person per night, if you are staying at my guesthouse
Snowmobile cost: JPY 1,000-3,000 per person per day depending on the route chosen for the day

Insurance: please ensure that each member of your group is covered by an appropriate insurance policy that also covers mountain rescue operations

Meeting point

You can fly from Sapporo's Okazu Airport to Rishiri Airport or from Haneda Airport to Wakkanai Airport, where you can come to Rishiri Island by ferry from Wakkanai. If you come by ferry we'll be able to pick you up at the ferry terminal for free.

About the guide

-Toshiya

4.8

(22)

Ski Guide

I was born on the island of Rishiri in 1969. I still live here today! Since my childhood, I have spent most of my time in the sea, going fishing, and in the mountain going skiing. I’m a ski guide (level 2) from the Japanese Mountain Guide Association. I’m the only one on the island. I have reached the summit of Rishiri more than 500 times… It’s my great pleasure to guide here and let people from all around the world discover this beautiful island all year round. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you are looking for a local expert to guide you in Rishiri. Besides mountain guiding, I'm managing a family hostel here so I can help you with the accommodation as well.

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

JMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about -Toshiya

We had an amazing experience on Rishiri, perfect snow, good weather and a guide who knows the island like his pocket. The very steep slopes and the overwhelming nature satisfied every wish we had. We have been looking for a guided tour avoiding the normal tracks on Hokkaido and then saw the pictures of the floating mountain. And definitively the adventure included. We went to the southern part of the island, as Toshi-san knew that there would be the best snow conditions. The first 5km we have been toed in by a snow mobile and then climbed up a several times, riding different gullies each time. Toshi-san is an amazing person, always happy, friendly and very welcoming. As said before, he knows every bit of the island and guided accordingly bringing us to breathtaking places. We all would and will totally recommend him to friends visiting Japan. The reality was much better than expectations! We had some concerns regarding the weather conditions and difficulty but got lucky with the weather and never felt that Toshi chose a route too difficult. Rishiri is a floating mountain! Steep like in the Swiss alps, but just one single mountain, which makes the it much more imposant. On the sunny day, we could see the Sibirian mainland. What are your top 3 memories during the trip ? Riding very steep slopes in perfect snow, Toshi-san with his warm and welcoming attitude, and the travel to get there and back

Our two guides have been really great and showed us the beauty of Rishiri and Rebun Island by sharing their knowledge and passion. We did learn a lot about the flora on Japan's most Northern islands! Rishiri-Zan was a great, pleasant summer hike and must be beautiful and fun for ski touring in Winter time. thanks again!

denis

We had a great trip, no powder but fabulous Spring ski, thanks to Toshiya who is super friendly and excellent at picking the right route according to the weather especially in windy conditions. Thanks a lot

Mikko

Outstanding service in pension and guiding.

Ben

Had a great time on Rishiri with Toshi. He really knows how to make the best out of all weather conditions. Had some of the best skiing of my life, plus the food was great!