The towering presence of the Tokachi mountain range, part of the Daisetsuzan National Park, is one of the main reasons people live in Central Hokkaido. The snow-capped peaks seem to speak to the souls of people, drawing them close to realize just how powerful and bountiful nature truly is. Seven large connected mountains stand tall at a range of 1800 to 2291 meters (7,516 ft) high. Five of those towering peaks are stratovolcanoes. Even from Furano City, you can see the ongoing volcanic activity rising up as smoke from multiple craters. The natural onsen (overflowing volcanic hot springs) are also a must visit to let nature heal you inside and out. It would take years to explore all of these mountains, but that is exactly what former half pipe pro snowboarder Katsunori Motomura did when he moved back to Asahikawa, Hokkaido from a busy life of touring Japan and the world.
Why snowboard on man-made half pipes, when you can ride nature’s best mountain courses in Hokkaido?
Motomura realizes how lucky he is to live in Hokkaido. He’s made his home in Asahikawa City, just 45 minutes from the tallest mountain on the island: Asahidake (Daisetsuzan). You can ride a cable car to 1600m to get a closer look at the volcano’s craters billowing smoke. It’s also a thrilling ride for skiers and snowboarders to jump down the side of the volcano’s cliff, feel the soft powder snow (aka Japow), and see the endless panoramic view of Hokkaido all around. Beats any man-made course to ride, that’s for sure! And this is just one of the mountains in the area. Motomura loves to explore these paths in every season, but he’s noticed something over the years: “the mountains are changing.”
“How can we live in harmony with nature?” Or “The mountains give us so much. What can we do in return?”
It started as an idea. “Instead of just focusing on our daily society, let’s look to the nature that allows us to live here in the first place. The earth around us is the field in which we grow. This is our ‘Field Earth.’” These words inspired people to start thinking of how our lifestyle affects our environment. Since the year 2000, Motomura has shared that phrase “Field Earth” on stickers and gear to inspire people to respect and protect nature. Now, anyone is welcome to join the fun trash pickup hikes up the mountains organized all year round.
Don’t just ride the mountain, feel it.
When Motomura moved from Tokyo to Asahikawa and started riding Hokkaido’s snow covered peaks, something didn’t feel right. “What if these boards designed by someone living in the city, aren’t made for the snow here in the wild nature of Hokkaido?” Motomura wanted to feel the snow under him instead of just cutting through it. So he set out on a difficult task to create a board like no other. Instead of just a flat plank curved only on the ends, he wanted to slightly curve the edges of the whole length of the board, so riders could flow through and over snow with ease. With a drawing of his idea out on paper, he started to ask manufacturers to make prototypes, but most factories responded with “that’s an impossible design. You can’t make it without the wood snapping.”
“That’s an impossible design.”
Motomura didn’t give up. He finally found a manufacturer keen to try this impossible idea, but it wasn’t smooth riding from the get-go. 0000 boards and 000 years later, the boards were finally ready to sell publicly. “Each board you have actually makes the experience riding down the mountain different. So instead of just owning one, why not have a few in the back of your car, and choose the board depending on how you want to feel on the mountain? There’s so many ways to enjoy the ride, I hope everyone can experience how completely different the mountain feels on these different boards.”
How would YOU like to feel riding down Hokkaido’s magnificent mountains?
No1▷ For first-time backcountry
BAMBOO LTA is a complex, three-dimensional assembly that differs from the usual vertical core combination. The flex and torsion of the board is therefore very sensitive and responsive, allowing for a high degree of freedom of maneuverability. The board responds to even the smallest force, making it ideal for advanced skiers as well as backcountry beginners. Without having to concentrate too much on the board, you can freely ride in a natural way, creating a sense of oneness with nature.
No2▷ For carving
The CRUISER Model C has a secure edge hold and a firm torsion to catch the snow surface firmly. The smooth rail-to-rail motion ensures a smooth entry into the turn, allowing the rider to accelerate at high speed on any slope and make turns exactly as imagined. The length of each model allows for a more versatile turn experience. Experience turns and acceleration as if the board is clinging to the snow surface.
No3▷ For a whole new feeling
The 3D shape of the X1 is the 3D board for those who want to experience something new. From pressurized snow to deep powder, this front-loaded board will keep the board parallel to the snow surface at all times without stalling. The board also reacts very smoothly to the movement of the upper body due to the low resistance between the board and the snow. The curved sole always catches the snow surface, making the board smooth and responsive in turns. This responsive 3D board offers a wide range of maneuverability depending on the rider’s movements. Enjoy nature freely with your own unique style.
Website: www.fieldearthdesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldearth/
