About Rising Sun Guides
Rising Sun Guides is a professional backcountry ski and snowboard guiding service based in the Niseko area of Hokkaido, Japan. Founded by experienced mountain professionals with deep knowledge of Hokkaido's terrain and snowpack, they specialise in taking intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders beyond the resort boundaries into the legendary powder stashes that make Niseko famous. Their guiding philosophy emphasises safety, education, and finding the best untracked snow each day.
Their core offering is backcountry day tours using ski touring (AT) and splitboard equipment, accessing terrain around Mt Annupuri, Mt Yotei, and the broader Niseko Range. They also run cat skiing operations — using a dedicated snowcat to access high-alpine terrain that would otherwise require hours of skinning — delivering 8-12 runs per day through waist-deep powder in terrain that very few visitors ever see. All tours include certified guides, avalanche safety equipment (transceivers, probes, shovels), and group ratios are kept small for a personalised experience.
What distinguishes Rising Sun Guides is their equipment rental programme — they maintain a fleet of high-end alpine touring skis, splitboards, boots, and avalanche safety gear specifically selected for Japan's powder conditions, so visiting riders don't need to ship their own backcountry setups from overseas. Their guides hold IFMGA, CAA, or Japanese equivalent certifications, and their local knowledge of Hokkaido's unique maritime snowpack is unmatched. For anyone wanting to explore Niseko's backcountry safely and efficiently, Rising Sun is the gold standard.
