FounderChen BOBO
Founder
A former engineer who turned one powder holiday in Hokkaido into a whole ski school.
CASI Snowboard Level 2CASI Park Level 1CSIA Ski Level 2AST Avalanche Skills Training Level 1
Ski Japan's Best Powder. We'll Handle the Rest.
Private ski & snowboard lessons in Rusutsu, Kiroro and Niseko Moiwa — taught by internationally certified instructors in English, Mandarin or Cantonese.
Official partner instruction team of Rusutsu, Kiroro and Niseko Moiwa, holding commercial teaching season passes — fully licensed, fully compliant.
The Japow Academy
What We Offer
Private Lessons
From first turns to black runs. One coach, fully focused on you (or your group of up to 3). Half-day and full-day options.
Powder & Tree Guiding
Japow is why you came. Ride Hokkaido's legendary powder safely with a certified guide who knows where the fresh lines hide.
Gear Rental, Delivered
Skis, boards, boots and full outfits delivered free to your Niseko hotel between 6–11 PM. Walk out the door ready to ride.
Japow Story
We Moved to Niseko for the Powder
Our founder's story in 2 minutes 44 seconds (spoken in Chinese).
CASI · AASI · CSIA
Meet Your Coaches
Our team of 14 includes 5 Level-3 certified coaches across CASI, AASI and CSIA — one of the strongest Chinese-speaking instructor lineups in Japan — with decades of combined teaching across Hokkaido, Chongli and Xinjiang.
Founder
Level 3Yugan
Head Coach & Director of Instruction
AASI Snowboard Level 3AASI Freestyle Level 1CASI Snowboard Level 2CASI Park Level 1DNS Ski Level 2300+ teaching days a year
Level 3Kevin
Head Coach
CASI Snowboard Level 3CSIA Ski Level 1
Level 3Ke
Instructor
AASI Snowboard Level 3AASI Freestyle Level 1CASI Snowboard Level 2CASI Park Level 1CSIA Ski Level 2
CASI L3 · AASI L3
Head Coach Masterclass
Limited sessions each season, taught personally by our Level-3 head coaches. For riders who want to break through plateaus with the highest-certified Chinese-speaking instructors in Japan.
Enquire on WhatsApp
Plan Your Trip
Local knowledge from the team that skis here every day.
When Is the Best Time to Ski in Hokkaido? The Whole Season, Broken Into Seven Windows
Hokkaido's ski season runs from early December to mid-April, but snow, prices and crowds change completely from one window to the next. A Niseko-based instructor with seven years of teaching breaks the season into seven windows: the ten best days of the year, the one week you should never gamble on, and where to go when the snow turns bad.
Read more →
Which Hokkaido Ski Resort Should You Pick? A Niseko Local's Guide by Itinerary
Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Sapporo Kokusai or Teine? A Niseko-based instructor who teaches at all of them matches the resort to your itinerary: one day from Sapporo means Teine, a stop in Otaru means Kiroro, nightlife means Niseko, three days or more means adding Rusutsu, and beginner families should start with Rusutsu or Kiroro.
Read more →
Ski or Snowboard for Your First Time? Honest Advice from an Instructor Who Teaches Both
Snowboarding looks cool, skiing looks elegant, but don't choose by looks. Skiing is fast at first and slow later, snowboarding is slow at first and fast later, and the two curves cross. An instructor who teaches both gives you a one-line answer and busts the myth that skiing is uncool.
Read more →Frequently Asked Questions
Are there Chinese-speaking ski instructors at Niseko Moiwa?
Yes. The Japow Academy is a Chinese-speaking ski and snowboard school based at Niseko Moiwa. All 14 instructors teach in Mandarin, and many also teach in English or Cantonese. Lessons run at Rusutsu, Kiroro and Niseko Moiwa.
Are there Chinese-speaking snowboard instructors at Kiroro?
Yes. Snowboarding is our flagship discipline: instructors hold CASI / AASI snowboard certifications, including 4 Level-3 snowboard coaches. Guests staying in the Niseko area who book a lesson get free transfers to Kiroro.
Are you an official, licensed partner of Kiroro and Rusutsu?
Yes. The Japow Academy is an official partner instruction team of Rusutsu, Kiroro and Niseko Moiwa, holding commercial teaching season passes and operating in full compliance. Every instructor holds CASI, AASI or CSIA certification, and the school is a Japanese company registered in Kutchan, Hokkaido.
How much does a one-on-one private lesson cost?
In the 26/27 peak season (Dec 15 – Mar 2) a private half-day lesson (3 hours) is ¥2,400 CNY and a full day (6 hours) ¥3,800; regular season is ¥2,100 / ¥3,300. Groups of 2–3 share one coach: peak half-day ¥2,700 for 2 people, ¥3,000 for 3. Prices are in Chinese Yuan; see the Lessons page for the full table.
I am staying in Niseko — is there a transfer to Kiroro or Rusutsu for lessons?
Yes. Guests staying in the Niseko area who book a lesson with us get free transfers to Rusutsu or Kiroro from the instructor team, so there is no transport to figure out. Niseko to Rusutsu is about a 40-minute drive.
Is it suitable for a complete beginner who has never skied?
Absolutely — beginners are the students we teach most. Start with a half-day (3-hour) private lesson; most beginners are linking turns on gentle runs after one or two sessions. Kids can start skiing from about age 3 and snowboarding from 5–6, and there is no upper age limit.
How do I book, and how far ahead?
Send us your dates, group size and level by WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat or email and we reply within 24 hours with a coach match; you can also book directly in our WeChat mini-program. Christmas through Chinese New Year sells out first, so book 2–3 months ahead. Cancellation is free with a full refund 30+ days before the lesson.
What certifications do the instructors hold? (CASI / CSIA)
Every instructor holds CASI (Canadian snowboard), AASI (American snowboard) or CSIA (Canadian ski) certification, and 5 of the 14 are Level 3 — the top rung. Each credential is listed on every coach card on the Coaches page.
The 26/27 Season Is Booking Now
Peak weeks (Christmas – Chinese New Year) fill fast. Tell us your dates and level — we'll match you with the right coach within 24 hours.
Book a Lesson