Included:

• • 8-day self-guided ski touring Japan adventure
  • Accommodation: 4 nights in a hotel in Hirosaki and 3 nights in a hotel at Hakkoda (double occupancy)
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts & 3 dinners
  • Rental van for the full duration of the trip
  • Daily avalanche hazard briefing and snowpack review from a certified avalanche forecaster
  • Detailed logistics package with route information and area guides
  • Adventure sports swag

Add-ons:

• • Single occupancy room — please leave a note at checkout if interested

Not included:

• • Flights & airport transfers
  • Personal ski and safety equipment (touring skis or splitboard, boots, poles, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe)
  • Lift tickets and ropeway fees
  • Meals not indicated in the “Included” section above
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout

This self-guided ski touring Japan trip is designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and splitboarders with existing touring or splitboarding experience. You should be comfortable skinning uphill for extended periods and skiing variable backcountry conditions, including powder, crust, and wind-affected snow. 

Aomori Springs uses ski lifts to access the backcountry, while Hakkoda involves more demanding ropeway-accessed exploration. You don’t need to be a professional athlete, but solid technique and good physical fitness are essential, as routes are self-navigated and mountain conditions can change quickly.

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Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.

Ski & splitboard equipment:

• • Touring skis or splitboard
  • Touring boots
  • Poles
  • Climbing skins, cut and fitted to your skis before the trip
  • Ski crampons

Snow safety equipment:

• • 3-antenna digital avalanche transceiver
  • Shovel and probe
  • Helmet (recommended)

Backcountry gear:

• • Ski pack
  • Sunglasses and goggles
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Ski straps
  • Water bottle or thermos (1-2L)
  • Packed lunch supplies

Ski and boarding clothing:

• • Wool or synthetic ski socks, at least 2 pairs
  • Wool or synthetic base layers
  • Light jacket
  • Gore-Tex or equivalent jacket and pants
  • Warm insulated outer jacket, down or synthetic fill
  • Beanie, wool or synthetic
  • Brimmed cap
  • Face warmer
  • Light gloves
  • Insulated gloves or mitts

Other clothing:

• • Casual clothing for evenings out
  • Comfortable footwear for evenings
  • Slippers
  • Bathing suit (for the onsen)
  • Sleepwear

Electronics:

• • Mobile phone with charger and headphones
  • Camera, optional
  • Spare batteries or portable power pack
  • Spare memory cards as needed
  • Electrical adapter (Japan uses Type A plugs, 100V / 50-60 Hz)

Travel documents and personal items:

• • Passport and wallet
  • Spare credit card
  • Travel insurance info and itinerary
  • Medications
  • Blister kit if prone to blisters
  • Toiletry bag

Luggage:

• • Boot bag (may be part of your ski/snowboard bag)
  • Ski or snowboard bag, preferably wheeled
  • Carry-on bag

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Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided ski touring Japan adventure, we take care of lodging, meals, rental van, daily avalanche hazard briefing and snowpack review, and a detailed logistics package.

Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!

As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.

Group sizes and pricing

• • This tour can operate even with only 1 participant. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

A ski touring Japan adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The price for this ski touring Japan adventure is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. If interested, please leave a note at checkout.

The starting point of your ski touring Japan adventure is Hirosaki. To get there, most people fly into Aomori Airport (AOJ). From there, you can take a limousine bus or a taxi to reach Hirosaki.

Insurance is mandatory for this ski touring adventure in Japan. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.