The Official Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide

Guide

place：Onuma

Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide System

The Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide System is a new certification system of adventure travel guides by the Hokkaido Governor.  Certified guides should meet certain standards, including international qualifications, in order to introduce the unique attractions of Hokkaido such as the blessed natural environment, the Ainu culture and the Jomon ruins to adventure travelers visiting Hokkaido, and to ensure that they can enjoy adventure travel in Hokkaido safely.  The operation for this certificate system has started since July 2023.
Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide

https://at-guides-hokkaido-japan.com/

Criteria for Certified Guides

Guides accredited under the Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide System are required to undergo training based on the Adventure Travel Guide Standards (ATGS), which are the standards for adventure travel guides, as proposed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), an international organization for adventure travel, and to obtain an international qualification in outdoor first aid.  This ensures that they have the knowledge and competence to handle adventure travel.  As a criterion for the accreditation, it is also required that they have sufficient continuous experiences including a certain number of days of guiding experiences at the time of certification.

Areas of Certification for Activity Guide

  • Mountain (summer/winter)

    Mountain (summer/winter)

  • Nature

    Nature

  • Canoeing

    Canoeing

  • Rafting

    Rafting

  • Trail Riding

    Trail Riding

  • Cycling

    Cycling

  • Backcountry Skiing (including sidecountry skiing)

    Backcountry Skiing (including sidecountry skiing)

  • Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)

    Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)

Certification of Through-guides

In addition to the certification system for activity guides, a new certification system for through guides has been set up. Through guides are guides who accompany adventure travelers and assist them on their journeys.  They are required to have the certain English speaking skills and diverse knowledge of Hokkaido to act as a coordinator between adventure travelers and activity guides.

Find Your Adventure Travel Guide

On 4th September 2023, a ceremony was held at the Hokkaido Goverment Office to certify the new guide system for adventure travel. The first 11 guides to be certified were 10 activity guides specialising in outdoor activities, and one through guide who accompanies a tour to manage itinerary and serve as an interpreter.  More guides are now getting this certification and their profiles can be found on the exclusive web site.

For further information please visit;

Contacts

Adventure Travel Coordination Officers
Bureau of Tourism, Department of Economic Affairs,
Hokkaido Government
TEL　+81 (0)11-206-6944
E-mail　kanko.web@pref.hokkaido.lg.jp