Pinoy tourists in Japan cautioned against ski danger

The Philippine Embassy in Japan warned tourists against extreme terrain areas in Hokkaido where skiing enthusiasts can enjoy the sport.

According to an advisory issued by the embassy on Friday, tourists and citizens are encouraged to take additional care.

“We encourage our countrymen to be careful and avoid getting separated from the path and getting lost, or having an accident while skiing,” it said in a statement.

The local government of Hokkaido prefecture lamented the frequent occurrence of skiing and snowboarding accidents in the area especially with the popularity of backcountry activities instead of groomed trails.

While the Hokkaido prefecture has not yet discouraged skiing and snowboarding in their area, the government encourages enthusiasts to submit a mountaineering notification and to check the weather conditions as well as the terrain and route before entering the mountain.

It also advised skiers and snowboarders to bring enough weather gear and food and other equipment such as a Global Positioning System device, beacon, shovel, and probe in case of any eventuality.

“When climbing a mountain, it is best to do so in groups of multiple people. The harsh cold of the winter mountains will drain your energy, so make sure you are in top physical condition before attempting the climb,” the Japanese government said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy encouraged Filipino tourists to avail travel insurance for unexpected medical issues.

In case of emergency, the embassy shared hotlines where Filipinos can seek help through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo via telephone at 080-4928-7979 and through the Philippine Honorary Consul in Sapporo via telephone at 011-614-8090.