Ski Tohoku Japan

Overview

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Japanese Powder

Introduction

A Japanese powder trip to the mountains of Tohoku in the far north of Honshu. Like the Japanese Haute Route this is 100% immersion in the real Japan. We will be skiing far from the international crowds that now plague the popular spots in Hokkaido and Hakuba. If we are unfortunate to bump into other ski tourers Hiro and Jim will almost certainly know them!

For the experienced ski tourer with good downhill technique this trip gives 9 days skiing and offers a great insight to Japanese culture. We shall be staying in some truly wonderful places and the snow often has to be skied to be believed.

What to expect

Skiing in Tohoku is a pretty unique experience. It snows abundantly almost all the time so it’s goggles on and into the powder. It can be cold too, very cold. Make sure you bring sufficient warm clothing, gloves/mitts and face protection.

We will be day touring, sometimes lift assisted, on un-glaciated terrain and the emphasis is on skiing the best snow. That said, if we get some nice weather there are several great summits we can do such as Takata-otake and Iwaki-san, the local Fuji. Days will give around 7 hours on skis and the uphill will vary from 2 – 5 hours. On some of the days we will be ‘yo-yoing’.

Accommodation is in comfortable traditional Japanese style guest houses and hotels with excellent food and natural thermal baths. One highlight will be the nights we spend at one of the oldest and most famous onsens in Japan.

The Team

Hiro Ishizaka an English speaking Japanese UIAGM Guide and ski expert is with us once again. Jim Blyth thinks this will be his tenth trip Hiro and he lead together. Hiro's knowledge, client care and organisational ability are appreciated by all. There is space for 8 skiers.

Start point: Aomori, Japan

Share this on Facebook We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Japan on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• All costs for Guides.
• Japanese style hotel and guest house accommodation on a twin-share, half board basis.
• All ground transport in Japan.
• Lift passes.

What the price does not include

• International flights (can be booked on an individual basis - please contact us for a quote)*
• Visa Fees
• UK and Foreign Airport taxes
• Lunches
• Optional sightseeing tours
• Travel Insurance
• Bar bills and laundry
• Tips

*We can help with the choice of flights when the time comes so we all arrive at roughly the same time. We fly into Aomori and out of Sendai.

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Aomori, Japan. Arrive at Aomori to be met by Hiro. One hour drive to Hakkoda, our base for the first couple of days.
Day 3 - 11:	Nine day's powder skiing.
Day 12:	Depart from Sendai airport to Tokyo then onwards. Those from Europe should get home this day.

Books and Maps

• Japan general travel guide. The Lonely Planet ‘Hiking in Japan’ covers the areas we will be skiing at and Mt Fuji.
• Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japanese Alps by Walter Weston. A reprint of the 1896 edition. ISBN 1-4021-9393-9
• We can pick up 1:50 000 maps in Japan. They make good souvenirs.

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