- Seasons
- Summer
The World is Our Playground
The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido
The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead
Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
The Knights in White Lycra
Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
Sea to Table in Yamagata
An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
- Autumn
Cycling Ancient Roads from Kyoto to the Sea
When you are a ...
Japan In Cider: A Glass Half Full (of Cider)
Japan In Cider ...
Beyond the Brand: Pow Bar
An interview with Megumi Scott, the founder of Niseko brand Pow Bar.
Churamura: Footprints in the Sand
Churamura, an NPO in Okinawa, work to conserve marine life and protect endangered sea turtles in Japan's southernmost prefecture.
Fall in Love with Kawazu
Enjoy waterfall hikes and hot springs, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood in Kawazu on the western coast of Izu Peninsula.
- Winter
The Guardians of Zao
As winter e...
Snow Surfing Japan’s Biggest Mountains
Interview with ...
The Seduction of Touring
It’s a perf...
The Return to Japan
The past se...
Wandering Nagano’s White World
Nagano is k...
- Summer
- Regions
- Near Tokyo
Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
Ike-Sun Park Farmers Market
The Ike-Sun...
Paradise Found in No Man’s Land
Imagine startin...
Day Hikes from Tokyo
Whether you are...
Peak Cuisine on Mt. Iwatakeishi
Imagine sitting...
- Near Kyoto
Take a Trip to the Wild Side : From Kansai to ...
Visitors flock ...
Kansai Canyoning in Kiho
Hidden in t...
Kochi, a Nature Paradise in Shikoku
Kochi Prefectur...
The Naked Stranger – Episode 10: Kawayu ...
As the Crow Fli...
Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi
Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.
- Near Tokyo
- Activities
- Ocean and Beach
Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
48 Hours in Katsuura, Chiba
Chiba’s stu...
The Landscape Hunter
Interview with ...
The Surfing Life – Hata Style
Intrepid su...Kochi, a Nature Paradise in Shikoku
Kochi Prefectur...
- River and Lake
Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
The Submerged Forests of ...
Yamagata’s ...
Dig Deeper into Eastern H...
Hokkaido winter...Take a Trip to the Wild S...
Visitors flock ...Kansai Canyoning in Kiho
Hidden in t...
- Sky
Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
Shizuoka Road Trip: The Mt. Fuji Loop
As green season...
Hunan’s Floating Mountains
A crisp fo...
Paragliding, Camping and Caves in Japan!
As you drive in...
Q&A with Bungy Japan’s Charles Odlin
Japan’s highest...
- Snow and Ice
Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled
Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.Dig Deeper into Eastern Hokkaido
Hokkaido winter...The Guardians of Zao
As winter e...Snow Surfing Japan’s Biggest Mountains
Interview with ...The Seduction of Touring
It’s a perf...
- Travel
The World is Our Playground
The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido
The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
Weaving Stories with Maota
Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.The Knights in White Lycra
Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
- Food and Drinks
The World is Our Playground
The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido
The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.Weaving Stories with Maota
Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.The Knights in White Lycra
Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
- Races and Events
2023 Summer Events and Races
World Aquatics ...
2023 Summer Music Festivals
Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan
Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.
2023 Spring Events in Japan
Japan Cider Cup...
Addressing Japan’s Empty House Problem
Interview with ...
- Ocean and Beach
Long-time Hokkaido resident Neil Hartmann wears many hats. During his 30-year Japan career, he has been a director, photographer, editor, cafe owner, Airbnb host, Youtuber, Instagrammer, and always a snowboarder. This father of three girls is the creator of the snowboard movie series “Car Danchi." He was the MC at the Nagano Olympic snowboard halfpipe competition in 1998 and DJ on Hokkaido’s FM radio station Air-G from the early to late ’90s. Neil formed a small creative company called IAC (I am Creative inc.) and he now jumps from one project to the next, directing TV commercials for Hokkaido resorts and promoting tourism across Japan and has a long history working with brands like The North Face, Burton Snowboards, Niseko Grand Hirafu and more. Now he is focused on traveling with his family and making fun movies about life outdoors to share with the world through his YouTube Channel.
Hokkaido
Friends Behind the Lens
Winter is a special time to explore Japan’s wilderness. Light and shadow can create stunning compositions on the frozen landscape...
Art and Film
A Decade of Danchi
Neil Hartmann looks back at more than a decade of Car Danchi adventures and his latest film, “Car Danchi #10: Arigato." Ca...
Snowboarding
10 Years On the Road – A Car Danchi Flashb...
Time is a fickle creature, sometimes creeping along, other times so fast you can’t keep up. There are many ways to measure time, ...
Art and Film
Car Danchi 6: On Location in Kusharo
The Car Danchi filming style has always combined searching for new locations and the unwritten rule we must have fun wherever we ...
Snowboarding
Powder Room With a View
Akita Prefecture's Lake Tazawa region barely registers on Japan’s tourism radar. Yet it is paradise for winter lovers and a “Top ...
Cat Skiing
Hikarigahara Highlands
Masanori Takeuchi is a legend in snowboarding. Hailing from the Joetsu area of Niigata, he was raised a skier and then discovered...
People
Remembering Jake Burton
This article was originally published in Spring 2010. Outdoor Japan contributor Neil Hartmann sits down with Jake Burton in Ni...
Heliskiing
Beeline for the Best Lines
My name is Neil Hartmann and I am a self-admitted “Heli Addict.” My name is Neil Hartmann and I am a self-admitted “Heli ...
Backcountry Snowboarding
Powder March on Eight Peaks
It is deathly silent, the snow seems to absorb every sound, and we marching without saying a word through waist deep snow. The wi...
Japan Snow Guide
Japan Snow Guide: At a Glance
Most travelers visit Japan in spring and fall for the mild temperatures and vibrant colors, so the white season is often overlook...
Backcountry Snowboarding
The Gods’ Playland
Kamui Minara is a backcountry playland high above the valley where raw adventure meets mellow relaxation. A long, long time ag...
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Latest posts
The World is Our Playgrou...
The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
Adventure Travel World Su...
The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
Getting Dirty in Japan
“Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
