Head to backcountry beyond your imagination, based in Echigo Yuzawa
JUNRINA is based in Echigo Yuzawa, which boasts a vast outdoor field encompassing the Echigo Sanzan mountains, including Tanigawadake, Naebayama, and Makihatayama. Taking advantage of this blessed environment, they offer a variety of backcountry guided tours.
Yuzawa is easily accessible, just a 2.5-hour drive from central Tokyo. Yet, it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wild and untamed backcountry of the Echigo Sanzan mountains, making it immensely popular. JUNRINA will celebrate its 15th anniversary in the 2025-2026 season.
They offer a wide range of rental equipment for backcountry skiing and avalanche gear, and tours are offered at levels ranging from Level 1 for beginners to Level 5 for experts, depending on skill and experience. Thanks to the detailed level divisions, even beginners can participate with confidence without feeling intimidated.
Skiing with skiers of the same level eliminates wasted time and makes the session purely enjoyable. You can also expect to receive good motivation and improve your skills. Participant satisfaction is said to be very high at all levels.
Tours are set up at five levels, from experience to expert
At JUNRINA, we arrange hike times and locations to suit five levels
Level 1(Backcountry Beginners/Lessons Available)
that can safely ski down ungroomed slopes.
Limited to skis and splitboards
Ascent time: 1-2 hours
Level 2: (Backcountry experience/Beginner to Intermediate)
Able to enjoy skiing on ungroomed slopes.
Skis and splitboards only. Must possess and be proficient in using skiing and climbing equipment.
Climbing time: 2-4 hours
Level 3(Experienced Backcountry Skiers/Intermediate to Advanced):
capable of safely navigating any slope.
Must possess and be proficient in using skiing equipment, climbing gear, and backcountry equipment.
Climbing time: 4-7 hours
Level 4(Experienced Backcountry Skiers)
Intermediate to Advanced / Must be able to ski
or splitboard
. Must possess and be proficient in using skiing equipment, climbing gear, and backcountry equipment. Must
have experience in BC at Level 3 or higher, or have experience on equivalent tours with other companies.
Climbing time: Approximately 4 hours
Level 5(Experienced Backcountry Riders):
Advanced/Able to enjoy skiing on any slope.
, including skiing equipment, climbing gear, and backcountry equipment.
proficient in using skis or splitboards
This tour is only for those who have experienced JUNRINA Level 3 or higher tours and can enjoy it with ease.
First-time JUNRINA participants are not eligible to participate.
representative
Jun Nagai
He quit his job and began working as a guide while working at Tateyama Raichoso, before starting his own business as JUNRINA mountain service in 2010. He has skied downhill from the summit of Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest peak in North America, and has also participated in numerous backcountry trips overseas, including North America, Europe, and South America, with his partner Rina. In summer and autumn, he works as a mountain guide, mainly in the Alps and Joshinetsu region, and in winter and spring as a backcountry ski guide
[Qualifications, etc.]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage III
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
・JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1
・Wilderness First Aid 50h
・Japanese Red Cross 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) | Jun Nagai (JMGA Ski Guide Stage II, JMGA Mountaineering 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 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) |
| Skiing | Skis with touring bindings (available/5,500 yen, splitboard 5,500 yen: stickers included) |
| Climbing gear | Climbing skins (included with test skis) Snowshoes (not included) |
Fee
| 1DAY | 19,800 yen (depending on field and level), cash or bank transfer |
| others | Group tour (up to 6 people) 99,000 yen per guide (bank transfer required) |
The actual tour content
| First time participating | BC experience | The most difficult | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 3-4 hours | 4 to 6 hours (intermediate) | More than 6 hours |
| Cumulative elevation gain | About 400m | About 1,000m | Over 1,000m |
| Average hiking time | 1-2 hours | 3-4 hours | 5 hours or more |
| Slope Contents | Gentle to medium slopes in forested areas and open areas | Medium to medium-steep slopes in forested areas and open slopes | Medium to medium-steep slopes in forested areas and open slopes |
Information
| address | Inside Mitsumata Station at Mimata Kagura Ski Resort, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture |
| TEL | 090-2430-5806 |
| guide@junrina.com | |
| WEB | https://www.junrina.com/ |
| Social Media | junrina.mountain.service Junrina |
*This information is current as of August 2025
