Discover the Hidden Gems of Hyuga's Surfing Scene with Us

Looking for an epic surfing experience in Japan?

Head to Northern Miyazaki, where you can catch some of the most incredible waves in the country. The region boasts world-class surfing spots that are sure to impress even the most seasoned surfer.

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 7 | Sapporo Teine

In episode 7, we hit up Sapporo Teine, which is well-known for having some of the steepest and deepest powder snow in Japan. Sapporo is renowned for its delicious soup curry, a local dish that is a must-try for any foodie. "Chasing the Frozen Wave," is a YouTube series that follows the snowboarding adventures of us living the vanlife in Japan.

From tackling challenging slopes to exploring hidden backcountry terrain, the series captures the thrill of snowboarding in Japan's powder snow paradise. And in between the snowboarding adventures, viewers get a glimpse into our vanlife lifestyle and the amazing places we visit along the way.We pushed ourselves to the limit, carving our way through the snow and battling against the strong winds. The snowboarding segment in this episode is a true testament to our endurance and determination. We may have been cold and tired, but we never gave up...... Especially when Hiroma lost his Iphone!

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 6 | Arrived In Hokkaido

Get ready for the ultimate snowboarding and vanlife adventure in Japan! In this series, we'll take you on a journey through some of the most epic powder runs and stunning landscapes in the country, all while living the dream in our trusty campervan.

In the upcoming episodes, we'll explore different regions of Hokkaido. We'll take you on a wild ride through the mountains, seeking out the best snowboarding spots and uncovering hidden gems along the way.

But it's not just about the snowboarding - we'll also give you an insider's look at what it's like to live the vanlife in Japan. From finding the perfect parking spots to cooking up delicious meals in our tiny kitchen, we'll show you the ups and downs of life on the road.

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 5 | Hakkoda

In Episode 5 of 'Chasing The Frozen Wave', we ventured to Hakkoda in Northern Japan, where we encountered another snowstorm. Despite the blizzard conditions, we were determined to experience the legendary Snow Monsters that Hakkoda is known for. Unfortunately, the snowstorm made it difficult to see the Snow Monsters, but we still managed to have a blast.

We pushed ourselves to the limit, carving our way through the snow and battling against the strong winds. The snowboarding segment in this episode is a true testament to our endurance and determination. We may have been cold and tired, but we never gave up...... Especially when Hiroma lost his Iphone!

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 4 | Appi Kogen

We never expected to be caught in a roof avalanche during our snowboarding trip in Japan, but that's exactly what happened in Episode 3 of 'Chasing The Frozen Wave.' While we were preparing our BackCountry gear in the carpark close to Geto Kogen Ski Resort, a massive avalanche slid from the top of the Gondola Building and buried six tourists.

Episode 4 of 'Chasing The Frozen Wave' took us on a wild ride to Appi Kogen in North Japan, where we faced the coldest temperatures we've ever experienced due to a 10-year snowstorm cycle. But that didn't stop us from having an awesome time. Tomo and Hiroma upgraded to a fancy camper van, and spent the night in the snowstorm with frozen fingers and toes.

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 3 | Geto Kogen

We never expected to be caught in a roof avalanche during our snowboarding trip in Japan, but that's exactly what happened in Episode 3 of 'Chasing The Frozen Wave.' While we were preparing our BackCountry gear in the carpark close to Geto Kogen Ski Resort, a massive avalanche slid from the top of the Gondola Building and buried six tourists.

Luckily, we were quick to respond and joined the rescue mission. It was a crazy and intense experience that we'll never forget. We're grateful that we were there to help and that everyone involved made it out safely. Episode 3 of our series definitely had its share of thrills and chills, and we can't wait to see what else is in store for us on our snowboarding adventure in Japan.

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 2 | Zao Onsen

In episode 2, we explore the amazing slopes of Joetsu Kokusai, Kandatsu, Zao Onsen, and the beautiful Ginzan Onsen. With MONTEC, we've been able to stay warm and comfortable no matter how cold it gets outside. It's been an incredible journey so far, and we can't wait to see what the rest of our trip has in store for us. Join us as we live the dream of snowboarding in Japan with MONTEC!

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Chasing The Frozen Wave - Episode 1 | Nozawa Onsen

Join us as we hit the road in our trusty van, in search of the ultimate powder snow. Our latest episode of Living and Working from my Van takes us to the beautiful Nozawa Onsen in Japan. Our series "Chasing The Frozen Wave" explores the snow-covered landscape, meet new friends, and experience the thrill of skiing down some of the best runs in the world. Come along for the ride and let's chase that frozen wave together!

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Nozawa Onsen | Ski Resort Guide

Nozawa Onsen is a historic ski resort in Japan with 36 courses and 297 hectares of skiable terrain. It receives over 12 meters of snowfall annually, making it one of the snowiest resorts in the world. The resort is also known for its natural hot springs, or onsen, which can be found throughout the town. Backcountry skiing tours and snowshoeing are also available for a more thrilling experience. It's important to respect the environment and follow Leave No Trace principles. With stunning views and untracked powder, Nozawa Onsen is a must-visit destination for backcountry skiing enthusiasts.

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Zao Onsen | Ski Resort Guide

Zao Ski Resort in Japan boasts spectacular snow monsters, also called Juhyo or snow ghosts, formed by harsh winds clinging to fir trees. Additionally, visitors can relax in therapeutic hot springs and explore a traditional onsen resort town. Zao Onsen is well-suited for beginner and intermediate skiers with a medium-sized ski resort and a vertical drop of 881 meters. However, the weather can be unpleasant during peak winter months, and transportation can be challenging due to the different lift companies. Despite this, Zao Ski Resort offers a unique experience with stunning views and a glimpse into traditional Japanese culture.

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Skiing in Style: Montec Wear Provides the Ultimate Ski Gear for Our YouTube Video Project

Montec Wear provided high-quality ski gear for a YouTube video project, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and quality. The gear featured stylish designs and technical materials that kept the team warm and comfortable on the slopes, and the gear was easy to care for despite harsh conditions. Montec's commitment to sustainability and quality make them a top choice for anyone looking for high-quality ski wear and outdoor apparel.

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スタイリッシュに滑る。モンテックウェア、YouTube動画プロジェクトに究極のスキーギアを提供

Montec Wearは、YouTubeのビデオプロジェクトに高品質のスキーギアを提供し、持続可能性と品質へのコミットメントを紹介しました。スタイリッシュなデザインとテクニカルな素材が特徴で、ゲレンデでチームを暖かく快適に保ち、厳しい環境下でも手入れが簡単なギアでした。モンテックの持続可能性と品質へのこだわりは、高品質のスキーウェアやアウトドアウェアをお探しの方にとって、最良の選択肢となることでしょう。

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Van Life in Japan: A Ski Photographers Guide to Van Life in the Land of the Rising Sun

For those who are passionate about skiing, Japan is a destination that is hard to beat. With some of the best snow-covered mountains in the world, Japan is a haven for ski enthusiasts. But what if you want to take your ski adventures to the next level? What if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and experience all that this country has to offer?

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"Chasing Powder: A Winter Van Life Adventure Snowboarding in Japan"

Chasing The Frozen Wave is a series about our experience living in a van and snowboarding in various locations in Japan during the winter season. We share details about our van, our travel itinerary, and the snowboarding destinations we visited. We also describe the challenges and joys of living in a van during winter and share tips for those who are planning a similar adventure.

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Nozawa Onsen | Tahuwhenua Powder Shoot

2 hour Birthday Powder Shoot in Nozawa Onsen.

Not the greatest snow conditions for January but we scored gold with a nice little weather window and some fresh tracks..

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Yuzawa Nakasato | Vanlife Snowboarding Trip

Meeting our mate and fellow vanlifer/youtuber/rider Tomo in Yuzawa area.

We headed to Nakasato after waking up in a road side station close to kogura ski resort. We had to change plans due to strong winds and most of the nearby resorts suspending their lifts. We got lucky with Nakasato as lower mountain was open and had somewhat a slight protection from the crazy storm.

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Zao Onsen Yamagata | Backcountry Tour with Donten Snow Zao

We took a long trip up north to meet our mate and Backcountry Guide Hiroto. We originally connected through Youtube and Instagram as both sharing a love for Van and Snowboard life in Japan.

Hiroto took us up to the backside of Zao Onsen where we could hike to a crater lake and look for some fresh lines to drop in on. Although the snow was a but wind affected we scored with perfect bluebird skies…

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Ride the Waves and Shred the Slopes: Converting a Toyota HiAce into a Surf and Snow Camper for Epic Japan VANLIFE Adventures!

Looking for a unique way to experience Japan's surf and snow scene? Consider converting a van into your very own snowboard camper. That's exactly what I did when I bought a used HiAce 200 DX 4WD Diesel and began the process of turning it into a cozy cabin on wheels.

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Nozawa Onsen | Tomo Side-country Powder Session

Mountain Swell Ski Guiding and Photography services in Nozawa Onsen. What a great start to an unforgettable season. No crowds due to COVID 19 and some record breaking snowfall.

Our Japanese Client from Shiga prefecture came to experience the famous Nozawa powder. 1 day side country powder session. Fresh lines all day….

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Montec - All Weather Apparel | Japan

This Winter our team was provided with full outerwear from Montec - All weather apparell to test and review in the harsh Japanese conditions. Unfortunatly according to the locals we was suffering from one of the worst winters in 37 years. We did not get the Powder shots we was hoping to acheive this season.

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