More Hokkaido Magic—Sake-Filled Cups and Bottomless Powder in Japan

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David Reddick

Sake-Filled Cups and Bottomless Powder in Japan

Words and Photos by Emily Tidwell/MSP

A scallop steamed from my chopstick, stabbed and handed to me like a lollipop from the slew of fresh-shelled catch of the day sizzling on the binchotan coals. It was January, and I stood at the mouth of our new friend Waigima’s plow garage in rural Rankoshi, Japan, as cheers of rapturous joy echoed from The Blondes and Ari Tricomi into the night, piles of Hokkaido powder quickly growing at their feet and sake pouring into paper cups in their hands.

Our daily routine had become second nature while filming for Matchstick’s newest ski flick. Mornings were spent slinking along skin tracks or piling into cozy snow cats, snacking on katsu sandwiches and the latest haul of Japanese treats, afternoons filming pillow lines and endless powder, feeding off the infectious energy of our crew, and evenings falling to laughter over hot pots and hot coals with the crew of locals that had taken us into their charge and made our trip to Hokkaido like none I’d ever experienced before.

There was reason to celebrate each evening. After all, our trip started on what some would call a sheet of “sheer midwestern ice” from rain that had blanketed the island just days before we arrived. But two weeks of filming provided steady snow and rising hopes, and nearing the end of our trip, we found what we had come for—cold snow and great skiing.

It’s the mountains that call us to Japan, and the hope of bottomless pow. But the success of this trip is entirely due to the incredible talent and energy that Ari, Emily, Janelle, and Tonje constantly bring to the table. It’s easy to fall under their spell. I have no doubt that their infectious encouragement, endless support, and sheer determination to have fun no matter what will be reflected in the faces of the crowd as premiere season rolls in.

So while we sink into the heat and wait for ski season to return, think back on colder times and deeper days with this set of images, and stay tuned for this year’s Matchstick Film, coming to a screen near you this fall. 

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