I want to be a "pioneer" who builds a team with guests and moves through the mountains.
LEAD Mountain Guide is a guide club established in the 2024-2025 season by mountain guide and ski guide Hikari Shibusawa. The word LEAD means to lead or guide guests to the mountains. The club's name embodies the desire to create a team that is in sync with its guests and to be a "pioneer" who travels through the mountains.
"We mainly guide in the Hokushin area, centered around Shinanomachi in Nagano Prefecture, and the Myoko area in Niigata Prefecture. Our guides ski the surrounding mountains every day, so they can adapt the tour to suit the group and conditions of the day. We welcome anyone, even if it's their first time in this area!"
Guide Menu
Open Tour (2025-2026 season)
・January 11 (Sun) Powder training around Myoko Akakura: Intermediate
・January 17 (Sat) Powder training around Myoko Akakura: Intermediate
・January 18 (Sun) Fujimaki Ridge, Myoko BC: Intermediate
・January 24 (Sat) Myoko/Kurohime BC Entry Tour: Beginner/Intermediate
・January 25 (Sun) Myoko/Kurohime BC Tour: Intermediate
・February 7 (Sat) Myoko/Kurohime BC Long Tour: Intermediate/Advanced
・February 8 (Sun) Myoko/Kurohime BC Long Tour: Intermediate/Advanced *
For tour details and tours after the above dates, pleasethe official websitevisit
Private guide
Guide fee: From 40,000 yen per day.
* The number of people a guide can accommodate varies depending on the mountain and route, but is generally limited to 3 people.
* In addition to the above guide fee, guide expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and lift tickets will be shared among the guests. An estimate can be provided upon inquiry.
【Profile】
Hikari Shibusawa
Born in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he studied mountaineering and skiing at the Mountain Professional Department of the International College of Nature and Outdoor Environment in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. He excels at gritty, long-distance mountain expeditions and ski traverses. His achievements include: Traversing the entire Northern and Southern Japanese Alps (during his student years, summer), Denali Ski Expedition (2019), Denali Sea Summit (2023), Eastern European Georgia Ski Expedition (2024), Ski Patrol at ski resorts in the Myoko area (2018-present),
Japan Mountain Guide Association Certified
Mountain Guide Stage II
Ski Guide Stage II,
and JAN Avalanche Operations Level I certification.
Guide Area
| Main guide area | Myoko-Togakushi area |
| Other areas | Nagano Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture area |
| Representative name (guide qualification) | Akira Shibusawa (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II) |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Akira Shibusawa (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II) |
| Number of guides | 1 full-time employee (1 qualified employee) |
| Guide Ratio | 1 guide: 5 guests |
| Percentage of guests | Skiing and snowboarding (both available) |
Fee
| 1DAY | From 12,000 yen *Gear rental not included | |
| Private guide | 1 day from 40,000 yen |
The actual tour content
| For beginners | BC experience | BC advanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 2-4 hours around the slopes | Multiple hikes around the BC area, about 4-6 hours | BC area: 6 to 10 hours |
| Cumulative elevation gain | 400-600m (depending on the route) | 600-1000m (depending on the route) | 1000~m (depending on the route) |
| Average hiking time | About 1~3 hours | Approximately 3~5 hours | About 5~8 hours |
| Slope Contents | Gentle tree runs on slopes and nearby mountains | Various slopes, mainly in the BC area | Hike flexibly in search of good snow |
Information
| address | Shinano Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture |
| leadmountainguide@gmail.com | |
| Web | https://www.leadmountainguide.com/ |
| Social Media | hikarishibusawa |
*The information posted is current as of December 2025.
