Waka-san as tour operator and Ito-san as guide gave me an unforgettable day at Zao Onsen.
I have been to Japan many times and visited a lot of ski stations, often with guides, but today may have been the best day yet in Japan. Even though the snow was old, Ito-san found some amazing lines in fresh powder. We mixed up gentle but fun terrain through the snow monsters, along with steeper and deeper stuff in other parts of the resort. Snowshoes were provided to allow us to access some great untapped terrain.
Ito-san was really responsive and flexible to my wishes and also adapted our plan to include dropping in on my non skiing partner who was in the mountain top cafe. He had a great friendly but professional attitude and bought lots of positive energy, and a winning smile.
Waka-san as tour operator was really responsive to my enquiry and subsequent emails, his Englush is excellent, and he ensured everything went off super smoothly.
We were interested in doing the night cruise to the snow monsters and Waka-san actually stayed online to book the tickets for us when the came available (they are snapped up super quick as soon as they are released) - he really went above and beyond my expectations.
Ichiban guide; ichiban company - arigato gozaimasu!
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A group of us one of the best days skiing I’ve ever experienced with Waka and the other guides.

I felt super safe and comfortable when we explored Mount Zao. We wanted to explore areas we wouldn’t be able to find on our own and we were not disappointed!

Overall had the most increasingly day and would happily book again the next time we are in the area!

Thanks Waka!
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Wow. What a fantastic day. Amazing skiing, great care, fun and laughter, Would never have found the places we went and appreciated the real desire for us to enjoyed the day. Totally recommend Waka and guides.
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Waka and his team provided an amazing day of exploring the hidden powder areas of Zao Onsen. We explored areas we wouldn’t have known about, and they looked after us perfectly. They were very fun to spend the day with also. The tea break in the Snow Monsters was a highlight! 10/10 recommend to anyone visiting Zao Onsen looking for a a bit of an adventure. The tour will look after the range in ability levels and make you feel very safe.
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Waka & his dad & Ito were a terrific start to our family of 5 ski holiday in Zao Onsen.
Helped book, deliver & fit gear to hotel day before & we had a very full day skiing & learning & exploring until we could ski no more! Very friendly and helpful. 5 stars!
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Wakatsuki (Waka) Yu is the best guide ever! If you're ever in Zao Onsen or in the Yamagata area, Zao Guided Day Tours is a must. You will find powder paradise. We were blessed with a bluebird powder day to snowboard among the snow monsters. Although he said it wasn't a good season for snow, we found some freshies. And, there was good coverage. Waka used his phone and a go-pro to video my rides, which were well filmed. We went through some trees and found some Ja-pow. Waka carried a tea and a hot snack drink, oshiruko or zenzai. He set up his skis in the powder for a mid-morning break among the trees. It was the most amazing guided experience I've ever had, and I've gone heli-boarding with a guide in Whistler and Teluride, had a guide through back country Jackson Hole, and also Asahidake (no trails). Waka stands out as best of them all!

Being a very fast telemark skier, Waka could get through flats easily and would always give me a push or pull (as a snowboarder).

We found some nice trees and the steepest slope, Yokokura Wall 38 degrees, at the end of the day.
After riding, we found a local fish shop that also cooked and served the freshest seafood for lunch! It stood in the shadow of the Kaminoyama Castle and a lovely bakery with mochi. We visited both.

Waka had some Japanese glove tips that the guides use, and we went looking for the special 850 yen riding gloves. Then we visited a local farmer's market and a beautiful onsen on the way back to Zao.

This was a magical day with the knowledge, skill, expertise, kindness and generosity of Wakatsuki Yu of the Zao Guided Day Tours! I recommend them highly!!! Five stars *****!!! Domo arigato!!!!
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