Respect The Mountain, It's Alive.
Who is Yama-no-Kami?
Yama-no-Kami (山の神) are the mountain deity protecting the slopes, forests, and animals. Central to mountain lore, this spirit commands respect and balance — the core of mountain etiquette.
With bountiful snowfall and epic riding in the trees, Niseko’s mountain scene is resurgent. Yet with more people, comes mountain traffic. Queuing up properly is a national pastime in Japan, so please step in line and do as the locals do, gently and politely, without jostling or line cutting.
On the mountain, give each plenty of space to ride safely. For those chasing the peak, be respectful of those who broke trail for you and make your hike easier. Poaching someone’s line is like eating their breakfast.
With so much snow also comes the risk of avalanches. There is an incredible group of volunteers who have put years into backcountry safety research and reporting. Please listen and respect the rules put forward by the professional ski patrol.
The Yama-no-Kami are everywhere. In the trees, the rocks, the mountain. So be gentle how you step! If you are littering or smoking on the slopes, or splashing yellow lines, the Yama no Kami are watching!
