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Spending time and living in the forest
CHICKA Mountain Tour
WHY CHICKA
A local guide who knows the mountains of Echigo-Yuzawa.
LOCAL
Based in Echigo-Yuzawa, I know the local mountains, forests, snow and changing conditions throughout the seasons.
EXPERIENCE
With more than 25 years of guiding experience, I choose routes according to the season, weather, snow conditions and each guest's experience.
SAFETY
Safety comes first. I carefully assess mountain conditions and choose an appropriate route for each group.
NATURE
With a background in plant science, I enjoy sharing not only the scenery, but also the plants, forests, snow, wildlife and natural environment of Niigata.
PRIVATE
Every trip can be tailored to your interests, experience, fitness and schedule.
[ MEET YOUR GUIDE ]
HIKING & TREKKING
Explore the mountains of Japan with a local guide.
Day hikes, hut-to-hut trekking and multi-day mountain trips are available.
[ Explore Hiking Tours ]
SNOWSHOEING
Walk through the deep snow of Echigo-Yuzawa.
First-time snowshoers are welcome.
[ Explore Snowshoe Tours ]
PRIVEAE & CUSTOM TOURS
Your trip, your way.
Want to hike a particular mountain?
Travel with your family?
[ Plan Your Trip ]
Empower
Growth
DESTINATION
Echigo-Yuzawa & Minami Uonuma
My home base and one of Japan's snowiest mountain regions.
Tanigawa Mountain Range
Dramatic mountain landscapes close to Tokyo.
Mt. Naeba
Hiking, snowshoeing and winter adventures.
Sado Island
Beautiful coastal mountains, forests and unique island landscapes.
The Japanese Alps
Multi-day hiking and trekking in the Northern and Southern Alps.
Mt. Fuji
A private 2-day, 1-night guided climb with an English-speaking local guide.
HOW TO
GET HERE
CHICKA is in Yuzawa-machi, Niigata Japan.
Echigo-Yuzawa is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in the world and is also rich in forests and mountains.
70 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo station.
It is a country side with plenty of nature and very easy access from Tokyo.
Hot springs with 800 years of history.
This is a hot spring town with 800 years of history. It offers delicious food and sake, and the people are friendly.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Chikako Iida
Mountain Guide · Professional Snowboarder · Gardener
Based in Echigo-Yuzawa, Niigata, I have been guiding in the mountains of Japan for more than 25 years.
I grew up in Tokyo and started skiing when I was three years old. Since my late teens, I have spent time skiing and traveling in snowy mountains in Japan and overseas, including New Zealand, North America and Europe.
Today, I work mainly as a mountain guide in Niigata, guiding hiking, trekking, snowshoeing and backcountry tours.
I am also a professional snowboarder and have a background in plant science. I enjoy sharing not only the mountains themselves, but also the forests, plants, snow and local culture that make each place unique.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Japan Mountain Guides Association — Certified Mountain Guide
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JSBA — Professional Snowboarder
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Japan Avalanche Network — Avalanche Operations Level 1
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Niigata Prefecture — Natural Environment Conservator
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Board Member, Japan Mountain Guides Association (JMGA)
