What does your daily routine look like, and what kind of training environment do you usually ride in?

Snowboarding is at the heart of my everyday life. In the summer, I focus on weight training and practice at Obuse Quest and Kumagaya Quest. Once winter starts, I train overseas and travel from one competition to another. During the season, I don’t get many chances to ride in Japan, but when I do, I simply enjoy snowboarding as a way to refresh myself.

What do you remember from the time you first started competing in international contests?

Since I was little, it had always been my dream to snowboard overseas. The first time I traveled abroad with my snowboard was to compete in an international slopestyle event. It was a slopestyle event, and I still remember feeling both the excitement and the frustration of that experience. Standing on the stage I had always dreamed of, everything felt vast, and I felt so small in comparison. From that moment, I made a promise to myself — to grow into a rider who truly belongs on the world stage.
At the same time, I felt pure joy in being able to snowboard in different countries and to be recognized for my riding. In the early part of my career, I was chasing after the senior riders ahead of me, giving everything I had and pushing myself relentlessly.

Was there a particular competition that became a turning point in your career?

It was the 2017 US OPEN. I still remember how happy and excited I was when I received the invitation to this exclusive event. My participation was decided at the last minute, so I met up with my coach at the venue, and I remember feeling both nervous and excited as I headed to the U.S. That result became the trigger for me to start competing on the World Cup circuit the following year. I was nervous and unsure at the time, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and what lesson has stayed with you after overcoming it?

I’ve had several seasons cut short due to injuries. Of course, it was frustrating, and there were times I felt the gap widening between myself and others. But now, looking back, I realize that none of it was wasted. Those injuries gave me the opportunity to face snowboarding again and to think deeply about it. Building a body that can withstand injury and maintaining the right mindset to stay connected with snowboarding — I believe these two things are essential.

How did your relationship with Yonex begin, and how has it evolved since then?

I’ve been using Yonex since 2018. I love how light and easy to handle the boards are. Even after I began competing mainly in international events, I continued to ride Yonex boards, and as a result, I started receiving invitations to more competitions. I also began to gain recognition overseas, which gave me confidence in my own riding.
Over the years, Yonex has supported me in countless ways and given me opportunities to grow. Our relationship is built on nothing but trust. In competition, I can perform the way I do now because I fully believe in the gear I’m using.

How do you think you’ve changed through your relationship with Yonex?

Compared to when I was younger, I’ve been able to work much more closely with the brand. By engaging with more people involved in Yonex, I think I’ve also become better at communicating and collaborating with the brand.

Has anything changed through your involvement in product development with Yonex?

Snowboarding has become even more fun for me. Seeing a product I helped test reach riders around the world makes me genuinely happy. Through that experience, I’ve started to aspire to be someone who can inspire others — just like I once was inspired by other riders. That’s why I want my riding to leave a strong, lasting impression on everyone who sees it.

Can you share your personal thoughts about the Yonex board you use?

The board I use is the SLEEK. It’s an all-around model that’s easy for me to handle, yet it has a solid structure with great rebound. Even at high speed, it stays stable and allows me to go into tricks with confidence. It lets me focus fully on snowboarding without anxiety, helps me achieve greater height and cleaner spins, and gives me a sense of trust that supports my confidence on the board.