FMG Guides

OUR GUIDES

By joining a tour with Fuji Mountain Guides, you're climbing with some of the most qualified guides on the mountain. Each group tour is led by native English speaking and bilingual mountain guides.

Mattias Åsenlund, Head Guide

Mattias was born to Japanese and Swedish parents. Growing up in a few different countries and educated in English, he is as multicultural as one can be. Mattias' days outdoors began before he could even walk. He has been skiing, hiking and camping for as long as he can remember and has spent the last couple winters guiding people to the driest and deepest snow on Japan's northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido. Mattias considers Japan's mountains to be its greatest treasure and he cannot wait to share good times with you on Mt. Fuji!

Certifications

JAN/CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1
Wilderness First Responder
CPR certified

Phil Welch, Head Guide

Originally from London, Phil served for 8 years in the British Army before leaving to travel the world. He now lives year round in Hokkaido. Working as a backcountry ski guide in the winter, raft guide in the spring and hiking guide/ farmworker in the summer, he is lucky enough to spend all year round in the beautiful Japanese outdoors.

Certifications

Wilderness First Responder
JAN/CAA Avalanche Operations 1
SBINZ 2

Motohiro Hayashi, Senior Guide

Moto was born and raised in Saitama, Japan. In his early 20's, Moto traveled to Nepal, exposing him to mountainous activities through the Himalayan mountains. This experience led Moto to seek a future in guiding and other outdoor pursuits. He is just back from spending a few years working in and exploring Australia and New Zealand. His time in New Zealand was spent guiding multinational guests on one of greatest walks in New Zealand, the Milford Trek. During the winter Moto works for the ski patrol team at Hakuba and enjoys backcountry skiing. His favorite past time these days is trail running. His love for trail running will take him on distance runs which sometimes span 100 miles!

Certifications

NZ Recreational Avalanche
Red Cross CPR/First Aid
Wilderness First Aid

Masato Ogata, Lead Guide

Masato was born and raised in Japan. He spent the summer of 2017 as staff at a mountain hut on Mount Fuji, introducing many of our guests and other international travelers to Japanese culture. Through this 2 month experience, Masato has gained valuable knowledge of both Mt. Fuji's culture and terrain, holding an "insider" view of Mt. Fuji. Masato enjoys traveling and climbing mountains both in his home country and overseas.

He looks forward to guiding foreign tourists to Japan, paying it forward to all the locals that have assisted him in his travels abroad. Masato enjoys music, traveling, nature and meeting new people from all over the world.

Certifications

Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Kotaro Terasaka, Summer Guide

Kotaro didn’t actually grow up liking the outdoors until he was 19 years old. Growing up in Ohio, he grew up walking around malls and playing video games. Once he got a job at a Halloween Store in southern California which exposed him to outdoor sports, he fell in love with it. While in San Diego he learned how to surf and was out most days before the sun came up. After a couple years he moved to the Bay area, learned to climb, bought a van to live in, and was chasing the nice weather. Kotaro has been in Moab Utah the last few years, working at cafes and bike shops, still trying to travel and bike when he has days off.
While not working or biking, Kotaro enjoys sewing/designing bags, working on his vehicles, running, traveling and drinking too much coffee when trying to relax.

Certifications

Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Yannis Karrer, Summer Guide

Growing up on the German-Swiss border, Yannis spent the better part of his childhood skiing and hiking in the Alps and developed a strong passion for the mountains from a young age. Upon finishing his Marine Biology degree and working as a SCUBA dive instructor at the Great Barrier Reef, Yannis moved to Australia’s hiking mecca, Tasmania, where he worked as a hiking guide on the prestigious Overland Track. Yannis is an outdoor enthusiast and loves to spend his free time rock-climbing, freediving, skiing and trail-running. Over the years, Yannis has developed a keen interest in Japan’s rich culture and is excited to share this passion as well as his expertise in the mountains with you on the trail to one of the world’s most iconic summits.

Certifications

Wilderness First Aid
CPR & Advanced Resuscitation
Marine qualifications: Marine Biology Bachelor, AIDA 2 Freediver & SCUBA Instructor

Daniel Busby, Bilingual Guide

Originally from the North East of England Daniel has had a passion for travelling and the outdoors from a young age. This love took him all over the world skiing and snowboarding before finding himself in Japan. In Japan he has worked in several different outdoor industries from bungee to ski patrolling and ski and snowboard instructing. Shortly after coming here he discovered a talent for Japanese leading to working in several Japanese companies. Currently living in Gotemba at the base of Mt. Fuji Daniel loves nothing more than a day hiking or a round of golf except for perhaps the beer afterwards.
Certifications

CPR/ AED qualification
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

CASI Snowboard instructor level 2
BASI Ski Instructor level 1

Victor Eby, Bilingual Guide

Victor was born and raised in Japan. After studying Elementary Education & Theology in Dubuque, Iowa he returned to Japan with a passion to teach and coach international school students. He has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and has been an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor at a lake near the Japan Alps for more than 10 years. Victor enjoys running, reading, photography and hot cups of tea. He looks forward to traveling the trail with you!

Certifications

Wilderness First Aid
CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers Instructor

Andrew Quirk, Bilingual Guide

What Andy lacks in karaoke talent, he makes up for in the sporting field! After playing rugby for 20 years, Andy took up snowboarding in Fukui, Japan first, then the famed Furano, which was akin to surfing on snow and an addiction soon surfaced. After over eight snow seasons, Andy decided to run eight marathons. His most recent was in Berlin, training in the outback of Australia. He's worked as a Japanese speaking guide at Vald'isere, Whistler and Australia. Andy has a keen interest in travel, languages, Japanese food and culture as well as the sake.

Certifications

Wilderness First Aid
New Zealand Snowboard instruction certificate
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Anna Janzen, Bilingual Guide

Anna was born and raised in the beautiful province of British Columbia, Canada. Growing up surrounded by mountain peaks and an expansive coastline, she developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Her love for rock climbing and hiking led her to complete a diploma in Outdoor Recreation Management, where she gained extensive knowledge and skills in guiding, risk management, and outdoor education. Among her outdoor industry experiences are guiding guests through glacial melt on heli-kayak excursions, working at ski resorts, and guiding on Mt. Fuji! Continuing her education, Anna is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physiotherapist. Anna is always eager to learn and broaden her knowledge, whether it’s about exercise science, the great outdoors, or the unique experiences of people she meets from all around the world!

Certifications:

Wilderness First Aid
Avalanche Skills Training Level 2
Sea Kayak Skills Level 1
BC Sports Aid Certificate

John Llyweyn, Summer Guide

John was born in North Wales and grew up hiking the mountains of Eryri National Park. After spending 8 years in the Merchant Navy he decided to continue pursuing his passion for the outdoors by chasing the winter as a Ski Instructor in Canada, New Zealand and eventually Japan. Now a year-round resident of Hokkaido he skis in the winter and rafts in the summer, although he doesn't have much time for that now as he continuously takes on more renovation projects than he can handle. John is soon to be the landlord of a pub in Niseko and invites anyone who shares his love of the outdoors to come for a drink.

Charles Yates, Summer Guide

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Charles now lives full time in Japan based on the island of Hokkaido. Aside from guiding on Mt. Fuji Charles spends the summers rafting, hiking and camping. During the winter he works as a cat ski guide and operator in Hokkaido.

Matthew Rascone, Summer Guide

Matthew was born in Philadelphia and has grown up in the US and Canada. While living in Japan he turned his love of rock climbing to mountain guiding on Mt. Fuji. After living in Japan for four years he returned to Canada to pursue his Master's in psychology. When he is not studying Matthew likes to spend time with his family, run, and do yoga.

He is fortunate to combine his love for Japanese Culture with his love for the outdoors and cannot wait to see you on your upcoming Mt. Fuji trip!

Joseph Croft, Summer Guide

Born in Birmingham, England, Joseph discovered his passion for hiking after moving to Japan, where he has lived for sixteen years and climbed over two hundred different mountains. He has travelled all around the country and has many stories to share.

Joseph is now doing his best to learn different martial arts, and has a keen interest in science and philosophy, but above all he loves the outdoors and being in nature.

Michael Chan, Summer Guide

Michael was raised in Sydney Australia and was born to Cantonese and Vietnamese parents. Rock climbing, exploring mountains, and snowboarding are his life passions.

Michael quit his full-time job as an architect for the dream of pursuing a life exploring and working in the mountains. He worked as a Snowboard Instructor in Hakuba Nagano and has sport climbed across Australia and Japan. And the next chapter for him is to guide people through the amazing wonder of Mt Fuji!

Certifications:

CASI Level 2 Snowboarding Instructor
APSI Level 1 Snowboarding Instructor
Avalanche Safety Training Level 1 & Companion Rescue Skills
Outdoor Rock Climbing Course - Sports/multi-pitch

Keita Sugawara, Summer Guide

Keita was born and raised in Tokyo. He spent his childhood immersed in Japan's nature, snowboarding and hiking in the Japanese Alps as well as catching waves on the pacific.
During university, Keita spent time as an exchange student in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Portland. He looks forward to traveling the trail with you and providing insights into Japanese culture.

Certifications:

Wilderness First Aid

Ayako Kuroda, Summer Guide

Ayako was born and raised in Tokyo. During her high school years in Canada, she became fascinated with freeride skiing. Since then, she has been spending her winters skiing in mountains overseas and in Japan. Joining the FMG team in 2017, Ayako is thrilled in being able to meet and guide people from all over the world on Mt. Fuji. When she is not skiing or climbing Mt. Fuji, she enjoys traveling, reading, and CrossFit.

Certifications

CSIA level 1
AST level 2
Red Cross First Aid

Takaya Kawaguchi, Summer Guide

Certifications

Japan Mountain Guide Association Certified Backcountry Ski Guide / Mountain Guide
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter English
ProSkier riding for ARMADA / NORDICA / SweetProtection etc...
AvSAR Advanced certificate of completion

Off Season 2 Day Tour

Sep 11 - Oct 15

Enjoy a more relaxed hike. Avoid the crowds and summit Mt. Fuji during the day instead of just before dawn. All transportation fees, lodging, and three hot meals included.

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In Season 2 Day Fuji Tour

June 25 - Sep 10

Our most popular summer offering. This trip will give you ample time to reach the summit for sunrise. Round trip transportation from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, two meals, and mountain hut included.

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