01Story
Born in a village of snow.
Raised by the mountain.
Born and raised in Niseko, Hokkaido, Gen first clicked into skis at age two, raised on these mountains by his father, his brother and his friends. He represented Japan in Slopestyle and Big Air World Cups and won the Japanese national slopestyle title. After turning to freeride in 2019, he became Japan's freeride champion, winning the JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN in 2023 ─ the same year he became the first Japanese skier in a Matchstick Productions film, the pinnacle of ski cinema.
In 2024 he released the first-ever Japanese signature goggle from SMITH and joined blackcrows. He leads the freeride collective Bonz, and runs Cottage Bongo Hiroba, his family lodge in Niseko. Riding, filmmaking and place-making ─ all of it flows from Niseko, as skiing becomes expression.
NISEKO
Home, born & raised
No.1
Japan freeride champion (2023)
1st
Japanese in MSP films / SMITH signature
In Japanese, "arigatai" (gratitude) is written as "hard to have."
Hardship itself is what turns into gratitude.
His Words
Roots
Started skiing at age two on Niseko's mountains. His teachers: his father, his brother, and the terrain itself. (b. 1995)
Age 12
Decided to become a pro skier. A self-made promo video caught the eye of pro skier Takeshi Kodama, leading to his first sponsorship with outerwear brand SOS.
Japan
Selected for the junior national team. Competed at the FIS Junior World Championships and World Cups for Japan. National slopestyle champion.
2019
Took over the family lodge, Cottage Bongo Hiroba, and turned to freeride ─ becoming a true all-round skier.
2023
Won the JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN ─ Japan's freeride champion. First Japanese skier in a Matchstick Productions film.
2024
First Japanese signature model from SMITH. Joined blackcrows.
2026
Won Ski Men Best Trick at Swatch Nines in his hometown Niseko, beating Olympians. Landed a quad backflip. Announced his latest film, VOLCANO.
Main Results
2025/26
Swatch Nines (Niseko) ─ Ski Men Best Trick Award
2025/26
JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN ─ 2nd & The Man Award
2023/24
JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN ─ Champion
2022/23
Freeride World Qualifier HAKUBA 4★ ─ 1st
2021/22
Japanese Nationals ─ Slopestyle 1st / Big Air 3rd
2019/20
FREERIDE KIRORO OPEN ─ 1st / FWQ KIRORO 2★ ─ 1st
2014-19
Slopestyle World Cups for Japan. FIS Junior Worlds ─ 13th
2019-
FWT Challenger. Competing alongside film projects
