Neil Hartmann
Long-time Hokkaido resident Neil Hartmann wears many hats. During his 30-year Japan career, he has been a director, photographer, editor, cafe owner, Airbnb host, Youtuber, Instagrammer, and always a snowboarder. This father of three girls is the creator of the snowboard movie series “Car Danchi." He was the MC at the Nagano Olympic snowboard halfpipe competition in 1998 and DJ on Hokkaido’s FM radio station Air-G from the early to late ’90s. Neil formed a small creative company called IAC (I am Creative inc.) and he now jumps from one project to the next, directing TV commercials for Hokkaido resorts and promoting tourism across Japan and has a long history working with brands like The North Face, Burton Snowboards, Niseko Grand Hirafu and more. Now he is focused on traveling with his family and making fun movies about life outdoors to share with the world through his YouTube Channel.
Hokkaido
Friends Behind the Lens
Winter is a special time to explore Japan’s wilderness. Light and shadow can create stunning compositions on the frozen landscape...
Art and Film
A Decade of Danchi
Neil Hartmann looks back at more than a decade of Car Danchi adventures and his latest film, “Car Danchi #10: Arigato." Ca...
Snowboarding
10 Years On the Road – A Car Danchi Flashb...
Time is a fickle creature, sometimes creeping along, other times so fast you can’t keep up. There are many ways to measure time, ...
Art and Film
Car Danchi 6: On Location in Kusharo
The Car Danchi filming style has always combined searching for new locations and the unwritten rule we must have fun wherever we ...
Snowboarding
Powder Room With a View
Akita Prefecture's Lake Tazawa region barely registers on Japan’s tourism radar. Yet it is paradise for winter lovers and a “Top ...
Cat Skiing
Hikarigahara Highlands
Masanori Takeuchi is a legend in snowboarding. Hailing from the Joetsu area of Niigata, he was raised a skier and then discovered...
People
Remembering Jake Burton
This article was originally published in Spring 2010. Outdoor Japan contributor Neil Hartmann sits down with Jake Burton in Ni...
Heliskiing
Beeline for the Best Lines
My name is Neil Hartmann and I am a self-admitted “Heli Addict.” My name is Neil Hartmann and I am a self-admitted “Heli ...
Backcountry Snowboarding
Powder March on Eight Peaks
It is deathly silent, the snow seems to absorb every sound, and we marching without saying a word through waist deep snow. The wi...
Japan Snow Guide
Japan Snow Guide: At a Glance
Most travelers visit Japan in spring and fall for the mild temperatures and vibrant colors, so the white season is often overlook...
Backcountry Snowboarding
The Gods’ Playland
Kamui Minara is a backcountry playland high above the valley where raw adventure meets mellow relaxation. A long, long time ag...
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