Guiding from Hakuba to the overseas destinations of your dreams
BLUECLIFF is a guiding service based in Hakuba Village, Tokyo, that operates in Japan and around the world. Founded in 2000 when its representative, IFMGA and UIAGM International Mountain Guide Michio Takimoto, moved to Hakuba Village, BLUECLIFF provides mountain guiding, backcountry ski & snowboard guiding, and climbing guiding services.
In Japan, they offer backcountry guiding services in the vast fields of the Hida Mountains, Northern Alps, and Hakuba Mountain Range. Their tours include short hikes suitable for beginners and experienced skiers alike, full-day ski tours, and expert tours for advanced skiers. They also operate ski tours throughout Hokkaido, based in Asahikawa.
BLUECLIFF has long established a strong backcountry style for skiing and snowboarding, operating in leading mountain areas both domestically and internationally. Based on the extensive experience of their staff, they provide safe and enjoyable experiences.
The scale unique to IFMGA/UIAGM International Mountain Guides
BLUECLIFF can also guide you to popular overseas destinations such as the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Dolomites, and the Haute Route. They will escort you on a large-scale journey, making full use of the know-how of international mountain guides
BLUECLIFF's signature "One Day Tour" for experienced hikers
The One Day Tour is Blue Cliff's main tour, which takes you into a full-fledged backcountry area, and is intended for experienced backcountry skiers. In the Hakuba area, where the Northern Alps are located, you can ski on open slopes with an elevation difference of over 1,000m and deep tree runs by efficiently using the lifts and taking short hikes.
To ski in Hakuba, where the mountains are large and the valleys are deep, you need not only skill and physical strength, but also preparation and mental readiness to avoid danger. Those who wish to participate should definitely check the details. The location and course will be decided the day before or on the day of the tour, depending on the conditions and the level of the participants.
Period: Until Golden Week in May (advance reservation required)
Time: 8:00-17:00
Level: Beginner and above
Equipment: Backpack, beacon, probe, shovel, etc.
Price: 13,200 yen (excluding tax)
*Lift ticket fee, lunch fee, and insurance fee are not included.
You must purchase mountain insurance or hiking insurance in advance. Those without insurance will not be able to participate.
representative
滝Michio Takimoto
At the age of 15, after reading Naomi Uemura's "Betting My Youth on the Mountains," he traveled 1,200 km on foot and camped his way from Ibaraki Prefecture to Takinoue Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido.
After that, he actively engaged in mountaineering and climbing in Hokkaido, Tanigawa, the Northern Alps, and the Southern Alps. At the age of 19, he became devoted to climbing, including the Mont Blanc Major Route and the North Face of the Drus. Since then, he has been active throughout Japan, mainly in free climbing and backcountry snowboarding. In 2000, he moved to Hakuba Village and began working as a mountain guide.
[Qualifications, etc.]
UIAGIM, IFMGA International Mountain Guide
Guide Area
| Main guide area | Hakuba Otari, Northern Alps, Hokkaido |
| Other areas | Hida, Kubiki, Myoko, Central Alps, European Alps, Dolomites, Norway, Chile |
| Representative name (guide qualification) | Tomoo Takimoto (International Mountain Guide) |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Kengo Shibata (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II), Yuki Shibata (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II) |
| Number of guides | 2 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees (including 3 qualified employees) |
| Guide Ratio | 1 guide: 5 guests |
| Percentage of guests | Skiing/Snowboarding (8 vs. 2) / Men and Women (8 vs. 2) |
rental
| Snow Safety Gear | Beacon Probe Shovel (Ant) |
| backpack | Something that can be fitted with a board (yes) |
| Skiing | Skis with touring bindings (available) |
| Climbing gear | Climbing skins (Ali) Snowshoes (Ali) |
Fee
| 1DAY | 13,200 yen |
| others | Powder Guide 11,000 yen |
The actual tour content
| First time participating | BC experience | The most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | About 4 hours | About 6 hours | About 8 hours |
| Cumulative elevation gain | 400 to 600 m | 600 to 1,200 m | Over 1400m |
| Average hiking time | 3 hours | 4 hours | More than 6 hours |
| Slope Contents | Gentle to medium slopes | Medium to steep slopes | steep slope |
Information
| address | 7077-1 Kitajo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture |
| TEL | 090-2430-5806 |
| mtaki@blucliff.jp | |
| WEB | http://bluecliff.jp/ |
| Social Media | bluecliff bluecliff |
*The information posted is as of October 2023
