Kanto Adventures brings a team of professional administrative staff and trip leaders to ensure a successful outdoor adventure experience for all participants. At least one leader on each trip is required to have advanced Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder (for trips that are 2 hours or more away from medical care). All other trip leaders must, minimally, carry First Aid and CPR certifications. Trip leaders are also required to participate in on-going risk management training, as well as continual training opportunities to improve teaching and leadership skills..

As professionals in outdoor recreation, we focus on the following goals:
  • Safety
  • Skill development
  • Environmental awareness and appreciation of Japan's natural wonders
  • Accessible recreation for people of all abilities, and
  • Outdoor Fun for Everyone!

David Niehoff - Owner - Lead Instructor and Guide
David has been working in the outdoor education field for more than 10 years.  He studied Outdoor Experiential Education at Appalachian State University and after graduation worked with the Northwest Adventure Center in Seattle, WA guiding rock climbing, hiking, and sea kayaking adventures, as well as volunteering with an ambulance service.  After moving to Japan in 2007 he started Kanto Mountain Adventures, a private climbing guide service for foreign and Japanese customers.  Also during this time he taught in the Sports Education program at Toin University of Yokohama.  From 2010 - early 2012, he was the Manager of the Outdoor Adventure Program in Sasebo, Japan managing climbing, hiking, kayaking, and SCUBA adventure programs.

Certifications and Memberships:
-Wilderness Medical Associates International - Wilderness First Responder 
-PCIA (Professional Climbing Instructors Association) - Single Pitch Climbing Instructor
-Member of the Kanagawa Prefecture Alpine Climbing Association
-American Avalanche Association - Associate Member
-Member of the Japan Free Climbers Association

Chika Tanaka - Office Manager

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Chika graduated from a university in London in 2005 with a degree in Business Marketing.  She has been exploring the outdoors seriously for more than 7 years, and now is an avid rock climber and mountaineer.  She actually started rock climbing at University in England, and has climbed around the world, including Thailand, India, the US, as well as all over Japan.  She is currently helping to manage the business side of Kanto Adventures, and helping to plan and implement new marketing strategies.   

Certifications:
-Wilderness Medical Associates - Wilderness First Aid

Tony Grant – Trip Leader and Climbing Instructor
Tony Grant – Trip Leader and Climbing Instructor
Tony first learned to climb at the UK’s National Mountain Centre in north Wales around 20 years ago, and in the winter of 2002 completed the Polish Alpine Club’s winter mountaineering course in the Tatra mountains. He has since climbed all over the world at all times of year, including the European Alps, the Caucasus of Azerbaijan, South-East Asia, Nepal, the US and Japan. In 2007 he started his website, Climb Japan, to provide English-language information on climbing, trail-running and mountaineering in Japan to the community. He is also the author of “10 Classic Alpine Climbs of Japan”, his selection of ten of the finest alpine routes in the country. He gets pleasure from helping people develop the skills they need to run, hike and climb safely in the mountains.
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​Certifications and Licenses:
-Wilderness Medical Associates International - Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
-PCIA (Professional Climbing Instructors Association) - Single Pitch Climbing Instructor