Yamano Makochan
Sapporo / Otaru
Activity photographs
Photographs supplied by the guide and from the guide’s own blog.
Experience & guiding approach
Based in Sapporo, he guides mountains, streams, crags, ski areas and backcountry across Hokkaido. He began hiking in 2014 and backcountry skiing in 2016, and became an instructor of the Hokkaido Avalanche Course (北海道雪崩講習会) in 2023. In December 2025 he founded the Hokkaido Backcountry Guide Association (HBGA), which he leads; the “Master Guide” under credentials is an HBGA level.
His blog and YouTube channel share information aimed at reducing mountain accidents and avalanche incidents.
The guide’s own rates and links
Prices and terms are the guide’s own; this is not a SnowWind booking. Each line names its source (as of 2026-11-04). Guide’s site: yamanomakochan.blogspot.com
- Private backcountry guiding (English-language page): Sapporo area ¥100,000 per day; Niseko, Furano, Asahikawa ¥120,000 per day (1–2 people) Source
- Day rates on the guide’s Japanese-language page: backcountry ¥100,000 per day, summer hiking ¥30,000 per day, climbing or stream climbing ¥60,000 per day (1–2 people; travel and lodging extra) Source
- Cancellation charges and weather calls are set out on the guide’s page
From the guide’s blog: the “Backcountry avalanche basics” series and a gear list (Japanese)
Work & stories
Get to know the guide through their own words and films.