About Us
HokkaidoWilds.org is a not-for-profit website, run by volunteers, that exists to inspire people to explore and enjoy the outdoors in Hokkaido and surrounding areas in an informed and responsible way by ski, bicycle, foot and canoe.
We strive to share images that will inspire people to visit and explore all corners of the great outdoors in Hokkaido and surrounding areas (here’s our Instagram).
We hope the route guides and English-language topographical maps we produce will give spatial context, promote awareness, encourage safety, and facilitate informed access to the great outdoors in Hokkaido and surrounding areas (have a browse of the routes).
We seek to educate outdoors-people about Hokkaido’s unique cultural, historical, legislative and natural environment in order to encourage exploration with context (see our Education tagged posts).
We connect, network, and work alongside Hokkaido outdoor industry stakeholders in the promotion of sustainable and safe access to the Hokkaido outdoors (we’re part of the Hokkaido Outdoor Network).
HokkaidoWilds.org exists as a non-profit, open-access platform committed to free cultural works and access to the outdoors for all (see our Foundation and licensing details).
HokkaidoWilds.org（ﾎｯｶｲﾄﾞｳﾜｲﾙｽﾞﾄﾞｯﾄｵｰｱｰﾙｼﾞｰ）とは、北海道やその周辺のアウトドア情報を英語で発信し、日本国内外の英語話者に情報を十分揃った上で北海道周辺の素晴らしいアウトドアを楽しもうという狙いで、任意団体「HokkaidoWilds.org」が2018年11月1日に立ち上げた非営利ウェブサイトです。
北海道とその周辺の隅々まで探求したくなるような、感動的なコンテンツを公開するように努めること（詳細）。
私たちが提供するルートガイドや英語表記地形図は、空間的な文脈を伝え、周りの状況を気づかせ、安全を促進し、そして北海道やその周辺のエリアの大自然へのアクセスを促す道具となること（詳細）。
大自然を愛する人たちに、北海道特有の文化的、歴史的、法的、そして自然的環境を理解した上で北海道を探求してもらうために教育活動を行うこと（詳細）。
北海道の大自然への安全で持続可能なアクセスを促進することを共に取り組むために、北海道のアウトドア業界の関係者と繋がり、ネットワークし、肩を並べて務めること（HokkaidoWilds.orgはHONのメンバーです）。
道内でも「アウトドア」が商品化していく中、HokkaidoWilds.orgはオープンアクセスの宣言をし、フリーコンテンツの精神を抱き、所得を関係なくどなたでもアウトドアにアクセスできるように努め、利益を追求しないこと（詳細はこちらとこちら）。
Founded in November 2018 by a Hokkaido resident from New Zealand, and supported by a number of Hokkaido local tourism associations and NGOs, we currently have over 300 ski touring routes, bicycle touring routes, hiking routes, and canoe routes on the site, with one new route added weekly. We also have detailed information about most of the backcountry huts in Hokkaido available for use by the public. All route documentation, from planning, photography, to written details, is researched and produced by the volunteer HokkaidoWilds.org team (see them below).
HokkaidoWilds.org Goals
By 2025, our goal is to have written detailed online routes guides for the following in Hokkaido and surrounding areas: 150 ski touring routes, 120 hiking routes, 50 canoe routes, and 120 bikepacking/cycle touring routes. Our aim is for at least half of those routes to be multi-day routes.
What’s special about Hokkaido?
We agree with others that Hokkaido is the adventure capital of Japan. It’s Japan’s largest prefecture and northern-most island, and at about 500km from north to south and east to west, Hokkaido covers an area only slightly less than Iceland. Best known for its apocalyptic powder-snow winters, it’s also home to vast networks of remote gravel forestry roads, great high-alpine traverse hiking, and pristine waterways. Historically, culturally, geographically and climate-wise, it sits at the southern reaches of the great Okhotsk basin – Kamchatka, Siberia, the Kurils, Sakhalin, Hokkaido. For the prepared traveler, expedition-style travel here is well within the realm of feasibility. Access from Hokkaido to surrounding areas – such as Tohoku in northern Honshu and Sakhalin Island to the north – is relatively easy too.
Indigenous place names
HokkaidoWilds.org is committed to acknowledging the historical and contemporary indigenous Ainu heritage of Hokkaido. On all mountain, river, and lake routes posted on the site, we try to research and display Ainu names for the destination.
We’re safety focussed
At HokkaidoWilds.org we take pride in going beyond just inspiring Instagram photos. We strive to provide the sort of depth of information that makes adventure in Hokkaido more accessible and safer.
Hokkaido Wilds is a non-profit initiative
In order to support Hokkaido and surrounding areas’ local groups and organizations achieve the goal of providing sustainable, responsible, and safe access to the outdoors, we are pledging 100% of revenue from the Hokkaido Wilds website to a fund dedicated to financial support for those groups.
これまで北海道周辺の山スキールート、自転車ツーリングルート、登山ルート、パドリングルートを300本以上、そして多数の道内の山小屋を英語で紹介してきました。すべてのルートガイドは計画から執筆まで（写真などを含む）、HokkaidoWilds.orgのボランティアーチームがプロデュースしています。ルート案内などの投稿はおおよそ一週間に一本といったペースで公開しています。
取組の目標
2025年までに北海道周辺の隅々まで、山スキールート150本、登山ルート120本、カヌーツーリングルート50本、自転車ツーリングルート120本の掲載を目標としています。その半数以上を、一泊以上の本格的なアドベンチャーに値するルートにすることを目標にしています。
北海道というロケーションの魅力
日本のアドベンチャーツーリズムを代表する北海道は、ワイルドな旅を求む欧米豪新のインバウンド・アドベンチャー・ツーリストにかなりの魅力があり、そういった冒険旅行者の数が爆発的に増えているため、北海道やその周辺ならではの冒険に関する充実した情報を発信していきます。
安全第一
HokkaidoWilds.orgでは、Instagram（https://instagram.com/hokkaidowilds）などで写真を利用して国内外の読者にアドベンチャーの刺激を与えることは一つの目的ですが、それに留まらず、天気予報へのリンク、川水位のライブ情報やウェブカメラ映像、GPSファイル、印刷できて自分の現在位置がわかるGeoPDF地形図、公共交通機関に関する情報など、アウトドアのエキスパートでも求む情報を掲載し、細かく情報提供しています。
アイヌ語の地名について
アイヌ民族の、北海道への根強い繋を尊重し、それを伝えるために、各ルートガイドの主要な地名（山、川、湖など）をアイヌ語でも表記するようにしています。
HokkaidoWilds.orgは非営利ウェブサイト
HokkaidoWilds.orgは、非営利の取組です。ウェブサイトから得られるすべての収益は、北海道周辺の山岳自然保全、山岳利活用の持続可能性、山岳安全などを目的とした団体へ寄付する方針です（現在は非営利型一般社団法人へ向けて準備中です：https://hokkaidowilds.org/foundation）。
HokkaidoWilds.orgに関するお問い合わせはトムソン・ロバートへお願いします（rob@hokkaidowilds.org – 日本語可）。Facebook、Instagram、Twitterでも連絡が付きます。
Rob Thomson is a Kiwi, and co-founded HokkaidoWilds.org with Haidee as a space on the web for their Hokkaido adventure stories, originally posted on 14degrees.org. He still holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Journey by Skateboard (12,159km). He also previously cycled 12,000km from Japan to Switzerland. He works at Hokusei Gakuen University (Associate Professor, Media & Communications – lab website). Member of Steering Committee for Hokkaido Outdoor Forum. Vice-chairperson of Hokkaido Outdoor Network.
Haidee is a Kiwi, and is co-founder of HokkaidoWilds.org. She has lived in Hokkaido for almost 10 years, having lived and worked in Sapporo, Niseko, Muroran, and Chitose City. Keen on the outdoors and birdwatching, Haidee planned most of the multi-day cycle touring routes on The Hokkaido Wilds, including campgrounds, daily distances, and onsen hotsprings. Haidee is a Ph.D.-holding associate professor of applied linguistics at Hokusei University.
Rick is originally from the UK and has lived and worked in Japan for 20 years, 10 of those in Hokkaido. In that time he has hiked, biked and skied over much of the island. He’s also an anthropologist who spent his early career working with the Ainu indigenous people of Hokkaido. Even before his adventures in Hokkaido, he had passed more years than he would like to remember tramping the bogs of his native Peak District and the wild hills of Scotland, and trekking in the mountains of Europe and the Himalayas.
Chris Auld is a Kiwi (from Rotorua, NZ) living in Asia. As a whitewater kayaker, mountain biker and skier with a cabin in Hokkaido he’s keen to share both high adventure and family fun trips here on Hokkaido Wilds. Chris is a qualified ski guide, avalanche and whitewater rescue technician, outdoor first-aider and he makes a mean backcountry jet-boil wagyu shabu-shabu.
Hugo is a long-time Niseko resident, originally from the south of France. He started kayaking age 8 in his local kayaking club in France and has paddled in more than 15 countries around the globe in search of beautiful whitewater. As the owner-operator of Niseko Flyfishing and Tenkara, and as an avid kayaker and river guide, he lives and breathes rivers in Hokkaido.
Rob Thomson is a Kiwi, and founded The Hokkaido Wilds as a space on the web for his Hokkaido adventure stories, originally posted on 14degrees.org. He still holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Journey by Skateboard (12,159km). He also previously cycled 12,000km from Japan to Switzerland. He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science, and currently works at Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo City as an associate professor in media and communications (specializing in Internet pschology – lab website).
Haidee is a Kiwi, and has lived in Hokkaido for almost 10 years, having lived and worked in Sapporo, Niseko, Muroran, and Chitose City. Keen on the outdoors and birdwatching, Haidee planned most of the multi-day cycle touring routes on The Hokkaido Wilds, including campgrounds, daily distances, and onsen hotsprings. Haidee is an associate professor of applied linguistics at Hokusei University Junior College.
Rick is originally from the UK and has lived and worked in Japan for 20 years, 10 of those in Hokkaido. In that time he has hiked, biked and skied over much of the island. He’s also an anthropologist who spent his early career working with the Ainu indigenous people of Hokkaido. Even before his adventures in Hokkaido, he had passed more years than he would like to remember tramping the bogs of his native Peak District and the wild hills of Scotland, and trekking in the mountains of Europe and the Himalayas.
Chris Auld is a Kiwi (from Rotorua, NZ) living in Asia. As a whitewater kayaker, mountain biker and skier with a cabin in Hokkaido he’s keen to share both high adventure and family fun trips here on Hokkaido Wilds. Chris is a qualified ski guide, avalanche and whitewater rescue technician, outdoor first-aider and he makes a mean backcountry jet-boil wagyu shabu-shabu.
Hugo is a long-time Niseko resident, originally from the south of France. He started kayaking age 8 in his local kayaking club in France and has paddled in more than 15 countries around the globe in search of beautiful whitewater. As the owner-operator of Niseko Flyfishing and Tenkara, and as an avid kayaker and river guide, he lives and breathes rivers in Hokkaido.
Rob Thomson is a Kiwi, and founded The Hokkaido Wilds. He still holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Journey by Skateboard (12,159km). Member of Steering Committee for Hokkaido Outdoor Forum. Vice-chairperson of Hokkaido Outdoor Network.
Haidee is a Kiwi, and has lived in Hokkaido for almost 10 years. She is the brains behind planning of most of the multi-day cycle touring routes on The Hokkaido Wilds.
Rick is originally from the UK and has lived and worked in Japan for 20 years, 10 of those in Hokkaido. In that time he has hiked, biked and skied over much of the island. He’s also an anthropologist who spent his early career working with the Ainu indigenous people of Hokkaido. Even before his adventures in Hokkaido, he had passed more years than he would like to remember tramping the bogs of his native Peak District and the wild hills of Scotland, and trekking in the mountains of Europe and the Himalayas.
Chris Auld is a Kiwi (from Rotorua, NZ) living in Asia. As a whitewater kayaker, mountain biker and skier with a cabin in Hokkaido he’s keen to share both high adventure and family fun trips here on Hokkaido Wilds. Chris is a qualified ski guide, avalanche and whitewater rescue technician, outdoor first-aider and he makes a mean backcountry jet-boil wagyu shabu-shabu.
Hugo is a long-time Niseko resident, originally from the south of France. He started kayaking age 8 in his local kayaking club in France and has paddled in more than 15 countries around the globe in search of beautiful whitewater. As the owner-operator of Niseko Flyfishing and Tenkara, and as an avid kayaker and river guide, he lives and breathes rivers in Hokkaido.
Contributors are those who have helped The Hokkaido Wilds happen with photos, know-how, gear and stories. We’re super proud of the international team of contributors, without whom this site would waay less interesting.
Greg and Mari are one of the most prolific Canadian canoeing couples in Hokkaido, with a host of multi-day canoe trips under their belt. Hokkaido Wilds leans heavily on their experience and knowledge when planning canoe trips.
Domi is an award-winning graphic designer, based in Poland. She’s also a passionate outdoors-person. She created the look-and-feel/visual branding of the Hokkaido Wilds, along with custom graphics.
Andrew is a self-proclaimed ski-bum, but behind the scenes is a talented and experienced systems engineer who we’re thrilled to have on board making sure all our website content gets delivered to users around the world reliably, efficiently, and fast.
Timbah Bell is from Aspen, USA, and lives in Shimukappu Village in the Hidaka Range. He’s a keen outdoors instructor, with numerous sea kayak, sailing, ski, trekking, and bicycle expeditions under his belt. He has led and instructed expeditionary skills courses for over 10 years.
Danielle is a UX Intern, currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. She is helping us out by listening to HokkaidoWild.sorg users and their experiences on the site, in order to get insight into how we can make the site better.
Joe is a talented digital artist, best known by his moniker @joekkaido. He has produced some custom badges for special routes on HokkaidoWilds.org. He also produces art for @twinmoonsupply.
Palm Equipment Japan has given us great support in our Hokkaido sea kayaking documentation project, with gear that helps keep us safe and comfortable on the water.
Biwako Canoe Center is one of Japan’s largest importers of foreign-made kayaks and canoes. They’re based just north of Kyoto, near Lake Biwa. They gave us a generous discount on a new sea kayak.
A.k.a. The Hokkaido Bush Pig. As the most experienced and prolific foreign mountain guide Hokkaido has known, Leon provided a wealth of insight early on when we were starting our Hokkaido exploring. He now lives in New Zealand.
Guide House Canoa is a Canadian canoe guiding service on Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido. They ooze passion for everything canoeing. They provided us with two amazing Nova Craft Prospector 16 canoes for our Hokkaido canoeing project.
Micro Raft Systems (MRS) is a premium packraft manufacturer based in China’s wild and mountainous Sichuan Province. MRS provides us with lightweight durable gear to explore Hokkaido’s remote waterways.
Stay North Adventure Co. is a booking site providing access to down-to-earth cabins around Hokkaido for adventure-seekers. They’ve allowed us to crash at their pads in Niseko and central Hokkaido.
Donors are awesome people and organizations who have helped us out with financial support in some way. Read more about how to help here.
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If everyone visiting HokkaidoWilds.org donated just $1 each, we’d be able to donate well over $10,000 (1,500,000yen) to Hokkaido outdoor initiatives each year and cover all our web costs.
Learn about supporting our mission here, or donate, or buy a map.
We’ve got affiliate links on HokkaidoWilds.org to help fund the Hokkaido Wilds foundation.
The Foundation gets a small commission on sales from affiliate links, but we only link to stuff we think is worth checking out for people keen on the outdoors in Hokkaido and Japan.
The Hokkaido Wilds Foundation is a fund where 100% of funds are donated to Hokkaido volunteer groups involved in sustainable, safe, and responsible access to the Hokkaido outdoors.
Filter by location
REGION: The general mountain/geographical region the route is in.
BEST MONTH(S): Time of year a route is suited to visiting. Some pop all season, some are more limited.
DIFFICULTY: How strenuous a route is, and how technical it is. Full details here.
FREERIDE/SKITOUR: Very subjective, but is a route more-of-a-walk-than-a-ski or the other way around? Some routes are all about the screaming downhill (freeride), some are more about the hunt for a peak or nice forest (ski-tour). Some are in between.
MAIN ASPECT: Which cardinal direction the primary consequential slope is facing, that you might encounter on the route. More details here.
ROUTE TAGS: An eclectic picking of other categories that routes might belong to.
SEARCH BY LOCATION: You can find routes near your current location – just click on the crosshairs (). You may need to give permission to HokkaidoWilds.org to know your GPS location (don’t worry, we won’t track you). Or, type in a destination, such as Niseko or Sapporo or Asahikawa etc.
Please let us know how we can make it easier to narrow down your search. Contact Rob at rob@hokkaidowilds.org with your suggestions.
Category
Grade
Points
Strenuousness
Vertical Gain
25
Time ascending
0
Technicality
Altitude
0
Hazards
Navigation
Totals
25/100
GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.
