Overview
We’re quite close now to publishing our newest topomap product – Daisetsuzan Backcountry. It brings together everything we have on HokkaidoWilds.org (and more) about backcountry skiing in the Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido. Like Niseko Backcountry, this is a non-profit initiative, with a portion of HokkaidoWilds.org’s profit from the map to be donated to mountain safety and sustainability initiatives here in Hokkaido. See here for donations we’ve made so far.
The map is set to retail for 2,500yen (approx. US$16) in Japan.
Pre-order
- Backcountry Books (UK): Order here
Project Details in Japanese
Detailed project information (in Japanese) is below.
- Project overview（PDF, 1.23mb）
- Map information（PDF, 2.41mb）
- Japanese translation of English（PDF, 8.6mb）
Where to Buy
We anticipate having the map available for purchase in Hokkaido (Furano, Asahikawa, Sapporo, Niseko), as well as online (UK, USA, and Japan). We’re still looking for stockists! If you’re a shop or accommodation provider in Hokkaido and want to stock some maps for your customers, just drop Rob a message at rob@hokkaidowilds.org.
| Store | Location | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Rhythm Furano | Furano (Kitanomine) | Click here |
| Asahikawa Ride | Asahikawa | Click here |
| Rhythm Niseko | Niseko | Click here |
| Whiteroom | Furano (Kitanomine) | Click here |
Features
- Printed in Japan on durable, pro-grade, waterproof, tearproof paper (made-in-Japan Yupo-paper)
- Large-format: 66cm x 97cm / 26″ x 39″ (folded: 107mm x 220mm / 4.2″ x 8.7″)
- Sold as a folded map (107.2mm x 220mm / 4.2″ x 8.7″)
- 30+ backcountry ski routes, including ascent and descent routes
- 50+ named mountaineering features
- Place names in English and Japanese
- Includes entire Tokachi Range from Furano-dake to Oputateshike-yama, plus the northern end of Daisetsuzan – Asahidake and Kurodake.
- Has a slope-angle shading overlay to assist in avalanche terrain decision-making, following SwissTopo conventions
- Features an easy-to-use 1km UTM grid for ease of planning and on-the-ground location communication using international-standard grid references
- Scale rule in meters and feet
- Includes detailed information about weather, safety, communications, etiquette, parking, and popular zones in the Daisetsuzan National Park.
Local Consultation
We’ve received and incorporated robust feedback on the map from local backcountry ski stakeholders, including local alpine clubs, guide associations, avalanche and rescue professionals, and local Hokkaido police.
Product Gallery
ABOUT HOKKAIDOWILDS.ORG
HokkaidoWilds.org is a non-profit voluntary association that exists to inspire people to explore and enjoy Hokkaido and the surrounding areas’ extraordinary outdoors by ski, bicycle, foot and canoe in an informed, safe and responsible way. In addition to detailed written route guides with great photography, we also provide GPS route files, custom English-language GeoPDF topographical maps (using Japan government map data), and safety notes. HokkaidoWilds.org is run by a Hokkaido-loving group of authors and contributors (see them all here).
HokkaidoWilds.org founder Rob Thomson is no stranger to adventure travel and expeditions. He previously cycled from Japan to Switzerland, and still holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Journey by Skateboard (12,159km).
CONTACT
Rob Thomson (Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder, HokkaidoWilds.org)
TEL: +81 (0)80-4228-6132 (Japan mobile)
Email: rob@hokkaidowilds.org
Instagram: @rob_tomo
