Based in Echigo-Yuzawa, backcountry beyond imagination
Echigo Yuzawa, where JUNRINA is based, is home to vast outdoor fields such as Mount Tanigawa, Mount Naeba, Mount Makihata, and the Echigo Sanzan mountains. Taking advantage of this blessed environment, the company offers a variety of backcountry guided tours.
Yuzawa is only a 2.5-hour drive from central Tokyo, making it extremely accessible. Yet, its popularity is immense, as it allows visitors to fully enjoy the backcountry skiing of the Echigo Sanzan mountains, where unimaginable wilderness abounds. JUNRINA will celebrate its 15th anniversary in the 2025-26 season.
Backcountry skiing and avalanche equipment rentals are also available, and tours are set from Level 1 for experience to Level 5 for experts depending on skills and experience.
Thanks to the detailed level division, even beginners can participate without hesitation. By skiing with skiers of the same level, there is no wasted time lost, and the session is purely enjoyable. In addition, you can expect to receive good stimulation and level up. The satisfaction level of the participants was very high at all levels.
Tour settings at 5 levels from experience to expert
JUNRINA arranges hiking times and locations according to the five levels.
Level 1 (Backcountry beginners/Training available)
Skis and splitboards only,
able to safely ski down ungroomed slopes. Climbing time: 1-2 hours
Level 2 : (Backcountry experience/Beginner-Intermediate)
Enjoy skiing on ungroomed slopes.
Skis and splitboards only. Possess and master the use of skiing and climbing equipment.
Climbing time: 2-4 hours.
Level 3 (Backcountry experience / intermediate to advanced)
Skis and splitboards are required
and can safely ski on any slope. Also . Climbing time: 4 to 7 hours.
(Backcountry experience)
Skis and
splitboards that can slide safely on any slope Possessing and using skis, climbing tools, and backcountry equipment,
Level 3 or higher BC experience, or other companies Climbing
time: about 4 hours
Level 5 (Backcountry experience)
Advanced/Enjoy skiing on any slope.
who have experience of JUNRINA Level 3 or higher tours
limited to skis and that they possess sliding equipment, climbing tools, and backcountry equipment, and ease cannot participate.
representative
Jun Nagai
After quitting his job and working at Tateyama Raichoso, he underwent guide training and started working as JUNRINA mountain service in 2010. With his partner Rina, he has skied downhill from the summit of North America's highest peak, Alaska McKinley, and has experienced many overseas backcountry trips such as North America, Europe, and South America. Active as a mountaineering guide in the Alps and Joshinetsu in summer and autumn, and as a backcountry ski guide in winter and spring.
[Qualifications, etc.]
・JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage III
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
・JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1
・Wilderness First Aid 50h
・Japanese Red Cross First Aid First Aid
*JMGA…Japan Mountain Guide Association/JAN…Japan Avalanche Network
guide area
| main guide area | Kagura BC, Mt. Naeba BC, Tanigawa Mountain Range BC, Mt. Hotaka BC, Tateyama BC (November, April-May) |
| Other areas | Uonuma BC, Shinetsu BC, and others |
| Representative name (guide qualification) | Atsushi Nagai (JMGA Ski Guide Stage II, JMGA Climbing Guide Stage III, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1) |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Jun Nagai (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage III) / Rina Nagai (JMGA Ski Guide Stage I, JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage III, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1) / Takahiro Nakahori |
| Number of affiliated guides | 2 full-time employees (2 of whom are qualified) and 1 part-time employee |
| guide ratio | 1 guide: 6 guests |
| percentage of guests | Skiing/Snowboarding (8 vs. 2) / Men and Women (8 vs. 2) |
rental
| snow safety gear | Beacon, Probe, Shovel (Ant/Beacon 1100 yen, Probe 550 yen, Shovel 550 yen) |
| Backpack | Something that can be attached to a board (ant/backpack 550 yen, poles 550 yen) |
| ski | Skis with touring bindings (available/5,500 yen, splitboard 5,500 yen: stickers included) |
| climbing gear | Climbing skins (included with test skis) Snowshoes (pear) |
price
| 1DAY | 19,800 yen (depending on field and level), cash or bank transfer |
| other | Group tour (up to 6 people) 99,000 yen per guide (bank transfer required) |
Actual contents of the tour
| first participation | BC experience | most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| action time | 3-4 hours | 4-6 hours (Intermediate) | 6 hours or more |
| Cumulative elevation difference | about 400m | About 1,000m | 1,000m or more |
| average hike time | 1-2 hours | 3-4 hours | 5 hours or more |
| Slope content | Gentle to moderate slopes in forested areas and open slopes | Medium to medium/steep slopes in wooded areas or open slopes | Medium to medium/steep slopes in wooded areas or open slopes |
Information
| address | Inside Mitsumata Station, Mitsumata Kagura Ski Resort, Yuzawa Town, Minami Uonuma District, Niigata Prefecture |
| TEL | 090-2430-5806 |
| guide@junrina.com | |
| WEB | https://www.junrina.com/ |
| SNS | junrina.mountain.service Junrina |
*This information is current as of August 2025.
