WELCOME | A Snowboard Video Recap From Japan’s Last Frontier

Masaaki Irie, Tatsuya Nagumo, PJ Gustafsson & Reo Yasuda set off for Rishiri Island and a snowboard adventure that they will remember for the rest of their lives

Rishiri Island is one of the most secluded snowboarding destinations in the world. It remains a relatively untouched destination in the very northern part of Japan. The island has just over 5000 inhabitants and it’s about 60km to drive all the way around it. In the very center lies Mt.Rishiri, a dormant Stratovolcano, rising to the elevation of 1721 meters. Riding powder in Hokkaido is world renowned because of the abundant light, fluffy, amazing powder that results from the weather systems that blow down from Siberia.

“Real adventure is defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive, and certainly not as the same person.” -Yvon Chouinard

Compared to other Hokkaido ski areas, Rishiri Island is much further north and closer to Siberia and the weather source, so the powder, locally known as Shimapow, is generally even better than the Japow you get anywhere else in Japan. On the other hand, the snowpack is also way more unpredictable compared to the rest of Hokkaido, in part due to the huge snowfalls and the mega proximity to the ocean.

Mount Rishiri isn’t perfectly cone shaped like for instance Mount Fuji, time has carved out a wide array of ridges and valleys stretching from the center of the island to its coast, meaning that the wind can’t just wrap around it. It’s more like several mountains in one. A full 360-degree self-powered snowboard paradise for the experienced backcountry aficionado. Despite being pretty much always windy, you can always find shelter and most likely the best powder in the world if you know where to go.

Riding in a place like this requires lots of specific skills and experience when it comes to avalanche awareness, route planning, emergency preparedness and the essential gear you will need to bring along. In case of an accident, help is usually far away.

On the evening of February the 2nd 2024 Masaaki Irie, Tatsuya Nagumo, PJ Gustafsson & Reo Yasuda set off for Rishiri Island and a snowboard adventure that they will remember for the rest of their lives.