PND is back, this time we've got the full low-down on one of the raddest things going in snowboarding anywhere in the world: the Car Danchi crew! Read on to find out how these shred warriors will go for months on end living in their cars, all for the sake of the deepest, lightest, fluffiest pow you can imagine. We hooked up with a "gaijin" (foreigner) who emigrated to Japan many moons ago and came to create the Car Danchi lifestyle alongside his Japanese shred brethren to tell us all about it: Neil Hartmann. Here's what "Neil-san" had to say!
What does the name Car Danchi mean?
(Neil Hartmann) The word "danchi" in Japanese means apartments! So basically it means "car apartments", but it actually has a little more meaning than that. Danchi usually refers to older apartments that were built by the government or a large company and the rent is usually subsidized. Danchi are usually not a place people would be excited to live in, you know what I mean? In New York they have something called the projects, that might be similar to what Danchi means. So it's kind of like ghetto-style car apartments!
Who are the people behind it?
Car Danchi started out with about 8 guys in total, mostly the crew I have been riding and shooting with for the last ten years here in Hokkaido: Uemura, Yamauchi, Shinya, Mino, Takamasa, Hayato, Deshi, Ken. In the late 90's everybody in Japan was still pretty much into riding park and pipe, plus of course street rails. Our crew formed because we liked freeriding and powder, so we started going away from the resorts in search of fresh lines and new jumps with soft landings. We wanted to be close to the mountains, but we couldn't afford staying in a hotel every night while searching for the perfect spot, so we all just started sleeping in our cars! The key is to have a really good, warm sleeping bag.
How long have you guys been living the Car Danchi life?
It's been about 12 years now since we chose to start sleeping in our cars. Personally I've had five different cars in that time, so I guess you could say I move a lot! Japan has always had a history of people sleeping and traveling in their cars. They have a word for it — "Shahaku" — which literally translated means, "vehicle sleep". We just put a new twist on it by traveling with a crew, lining up the cars close together at night and calling it Car Danchi!
What is it about snowboarding in Japan that makes it so special?
Obviously the powder is the number one thing. The quantity and quality are truly world-class. The terrain is not the steepest, but there are so many fun features and the snow sticks to everything here. That's what brings everybody over here at least once, but I think it's the other aspects of Japan and Japanese culture that keep bringing people back. The people, the food, the hot springs, the monkeys, the foxes, the Seicomart stores, the huge cans of beer, the sushi, the yakitori, the futon beds, the cheap lift tickets, the friendly people, night riding, transportation that runs on time, electronics stores, hot cans of coffee sold nearly everywhere, and some pretty cute chicks.
What is the weirdest thing that's gone down inside a Car Danchi vehicle?
If the Car Danchi is a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'! I guess romantic activities in a car aren't that weird though… I do remember being in Niseko filming a few years ago, at night we went to a bar and I don't remember exactly why but after a while our whole crew and a bunch of girls we picked up ended up going back to Shinya's camper, which was the biggest in the crew at the time. I think there were at least 16 people packed into that camper, drinking, talking and laughing. It was like the clown car at the circus where you see more and more people getting out. It just seemed very Japanese to me that everyone would feel perfectly comfortable packed like sardines inside a car drinking beer.
Where can people in Europe get Car Danchi movies?
Finally now, after years and years of people struggling to get a copy of the movie, I've been able to make Car Danchi 6 available on iTunes! So yes, please go and buy a copy, check it out and then go book your trip to Japan this winter!