About The Japow Academy
Why "Japow"?
"Japow" is what the world calls Japanese powder snow — the light, dry, seemingly bottomless snow that falls on Hokkaido almost every night in winter. It's the reason skiers cross oceans to get here. It's also the reason this school exists.
Our founder BOBO was a software engineer before he was a ski instructor. One powder season in Hokkaido rewrote his plans: he retrained, certified across both ski and snowboard systems, and started teaching friends — then friends of friends — until The Japow Academy grew into a full team. The engineering habit stayed: clear methods, honest feedback, no shortcuts marketed as magic.
Today we are a team of 14 certified instructors teaching in English, Mandarin and Cantonese at Niseko Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro. Five of us hold Level-3 certifications — the top rung — across CASI, AASI and CSIA, a density few Chinese-speaking schools anywhere can match.
Our teaching philosophy is simple: safety first, fundamentals before tricks, and fun as the fastest teacher. We would rather you learn one thing properly than ten things approximately.
What do CASI, AASI and CSIA mean?
CASI
Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors — Canada's snowboard teaching certification, respected worldwide. Level 3 instructors can coach advanced riding and train other instructors.
AASI
American Association of Snowboard Instructors — the US snowboard teaching system. Level 3 is the highest field certification, examining advanced riding, teaching and movement analysis.
CSIA
Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance — one of the world's most recognised ski teaching certifications. Level 3 certifies high-level technique and teaching on all terrain.
Why it matters
Certification means a coach has been examined on how they teach, not just how they ride. It is the difference between "skis well" and "makes you ski well" — and it is why we list every credential on every coach card.
Company
- Company name
- Chen Bobo & Friends K.K.
- Address
- Kita 6-jo Nishi 4-chome 1-31, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0056, Japan
Based in Kutchan — the gateway town to the Niseko resorts.
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.
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