Beyond the Powder: Discovering the Best Japanese Snowboarders
Japan. The land of the rising sun, steaming bowls of ramen, and some of the deepest, fluffiest powder on the planet. No, literally, japan gets the MOST snow in the world. It's no surprise that snowboarding thrives here, and a new generation of Japanese riders are pushing the limits of the sport. But who are the names you need to know? Who are the innovators shaping the future of snowboarding? This isn't just a list of talented individuals; it's a glimpse into a snowboarding culture that's both deeply rooted in tradition and fiercely progressive.
In this post, we'll dive into the world of Japanese snowboarding, highlighting some of the best riders who have made a significant impact on the global scene. We'll explore their signature styles, notable achievements, and the unique influences that have shaped their careers.
Unveiling Japan's Snowboarding Elite
Japan has quietly — and then not so quietly — become the dominant force in competitive snowboarding. At the ongoing 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Japan swept the top two spots in men's big air and took gold in women's big air, adding to an already deep trophy cabinet across halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. This list represents a blend of legends, established stars, and the explosive new generation that has turned Japanese snowboarding into a global powerhouse.
The Halfpipe Kings
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Ayumu Hirano: The name synonymous with halfpipe progression. Hirano is a three-time Olympic medalist — silver at Sochi 2014, silver at PyeongChang 2018, and gold at Beijing 2022, where he became the first Japanese snowboarder to win Olympic gold. He was the first rider to land a triple cork in halfpipe competition (at the 2021 Dew Tour) and famously repeated the feat twice in a single Olympic final to clinch gold in Beijing. He's also an X Games champion, the first Japanese rider to win X Games gold in snowboarding (Oslo 2016), and was the youngest ever X Games halfpipe medalist when he won silver at just 14. Beyond snowboarding, he represented Japan in skateboarding at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is competing at Milano Cortina 2026 while managing a fractured hip, testament to his incredible determination.
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Yuto Totsuka: A halfpipe powerhouse with a remarkable comeback story. Totsuka won his very first World Cup event at age 15 — a near-unheard-of debut — then suffered a horrific crash at his first Olympics in PyeongChang 2018 that left him stretchered off the halfpipe. He returned stronger than ever, winning the 2021 World Championship gold, 2021 X Games gold, and an Olympic bronze at Beijing 2022. He holds three Crystal Globe titles for winning the overall World Cup halfpipe standings, has 20 career World Cup podiums and eight victories, and won the inaugural Snow League championship in 2025. His runs are known for technical precision, massive amplitude, and variety — he spins all four directions and is one of the few riders to land a frontside triple cork 1440 in competition.
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Kazuhiro Kokubo: An icon who bridged the gap between competition and culture. Kokubo competed in halfpipe at both the 2006 Turin and 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and won back-to-back US Open halfpipe titles in 2010 and 2011. But his influence extends far beyond contest results — he's widely known for his incredibly stylish riding, distinctive fashion sense, and backcountry prowess that helped bring Japanese snowboarding culture to a global audience. He served as a mentor to a young Ayumu Hirano and later became the technical coach for Japan's national snowboard team, helping cultivate the next generation of talent.
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Mitsuki Ono: A rising star on the women's halfpipe scene. Ono won back-to-back Junior World Championship golds (2018, 2019) and Youth Olympic gold in 2020 before making a seamless transition to the elite level. She's a two-time Crystal Globe winner in halfpipe and won a World Cup event in Aspen in January 2026. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, she won the bronze medal in women's halfpipe — Japan's record-setting fourth snowboard medal of the Games.
The Big Air & Slopestyle Innovators
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Yuki Kadono: A legend in the big air scene and one of the riders who helped establish Japan as a freestyle powerhouse beyond the halfpipe. Kadono is known for his innovative tricks and willingness to push the limits, with multiple X Games medals to his name. He was a pioneer in bringing Japanese riders to the forefront of big air competition and continues to inspire the wave of talent following in his path.
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Takeru Otsuka: A force in slopestyle and big air, Otsuka burst onto the scene in 2018 with multiple FIS event wins and became the youngest snowboarder ever to win X Games men's big air gold at just 17 (X Games Norway 2018). He overcame a broken femur in 2019 that cost him an entire season, then made a strong comeback to finish in the top ten in both big air and slopestyle at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Riding for Burton, he's known for combining the most technical tricks with fully extended grabs and ultra-clean control.
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Hiroto Ogiwara: The big air specialist who became the first snowboarder to land a 2340 (six and a half rotations) in competition, at the 2025 X Games, where he won back-to-back gold medals. He's part of the new wave of Japanese big air riders who have pushed rotational limits to extraordinary levels. Though he had a tough day at the 2026 Olympic big air final (finishing 12th after crashing all three runs), his technical ceiling remains arguably the highest in the sport.
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Kira Kimura: The newest addition to Japan's gold medal roster. The 21-year-old won big air gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics in dramatic fashion — falling on his second run, then landing an all-or-nothing switch backside 1980 on his final jump for the highest score of the night (90.50). He led a historic Japanese 1-2 finish alongside teammate Ryoma Kimata. Though he hadn't yet won a World Cup event before the Olympics, his clutch performance under pressure announced him as a major force for years to come.
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Ryoma Kimata: The reigning big air World Champion (2025), 20-year-old Kimata took silver behind Kimura at the 2026 Olympics. His consistency across World Cup events and his world title mark him as one of the most reliable big air competitors in the sport, and a key part of Japan's dominant pipeline of young talent.
The Women's Vanguard
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Kokomo Murase: A superstar in big air and slopestyle who has been making history since her teens. Murase won X Games big air gold at just 13, becoming the youngest ever to do so. She took Olympic bronze in big air at Beijing 2022, then returned to win Olympic gold in big air at Milano Cortina 2026 with a dominant score of 179 points, executing two triple cork 1440s to become the first Japanese woman to win Olympic gold in snowboarding. She also holds a 2025 World Championship title. Her win cemented Japan's dominance across the snow park — three big air medals (two gold, one silver) between the men's and women's events at these Games.
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Reira Iwabuchi: One of the most accomplished women in big air and slopestyle. Standing at 4'11", Iwabuchi's reputation as an envelope-pusher is outsized. She turned pro at 13, won her first big air World Cup at 15, and has earned two Crystal Globe titles in big air. At the 2023 X Games, she made history as the first woman to land a triple in snowboard competition — a frontside triple underflip — winning gold in the process. She holds five X Games medals overall and has been a top-five presence in big air and slopestyle at every major competition for years, including a near-miss fourth in big air at her Olympic debut in PyeongChang 2018.
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Miyabi Onitsuka: A slopestyle and big air competitor who made history at age 16 by becoming the youngest-ever snowboard World Champion at the 2015 FIS World Championships in Kreischberg, Austria. She's accumulated 12 World Cup podium finishes in big air, along with four X Games medals including a gold. Alongside Murase and Iwabuchi, she forms part of the fearsome Japanese women's freestyle trio that has pushed the level of women's snowboarding globally.
Why Japan Dominates
Japan's rise to snowboarding supremacy isn't an accident. The country has invested heavily in year-round training infrastructure — particularly airbag facilities that allow riders to practice dangerous tricks safely in all seasons. As Kimura explained after his Olympic gold: "It's not only the winter season, it's the summer season, as well. We practice on the air bags. Our coaches are really good." This systematic approach, combined with a deep talent pool and a culture that values both technical mastery and stylistic expression, has made Japan the team to beat across virtually every snowboard discipline.
Beyond the Competition: While competition is a big part of snowboarding, it's important to recognize the riders who are contributing to the culture in other ways. Japan has a thriving scene of backcountry riders, filmmakers, and artists who are shaping the future of the sport. Exploring resorts like Hakuba or Niseko, you'll often find local riders pushing the boundaries of freeriding. Look for independent films and online edits from these riders to get a true taste of the Japanese snowboarding experience.
Embracing the Japanese Snowboarding Spirit
The best Japanese snowboarders aren't just talented athletes; they're ambassadors for a unique culture. They embody a spirit of dedication, innovation, and respect for the mountains. By studying their riding styles, following their careers, and even visiting Japan to experience the snowboarding scene firsthand, you can gain a deeper appreciation for this incredible sport.
Remember the names: Ayumu Hirano, Yuto Totsuka, Takeru Otsuka, Reira Iwabuchi, Kokomo Murase, Kazuhiro Kokubo, and Yuki Kadono. These are the riders who are shaping the future of Japanese snowboarding and inspiring a new generation of shredders around the world. So, next time you're on the mountain, channel your inner Japanese snowboarder, embrace the powder, and find your flow. The slopes await!