Literally Flying in Japan

Hey everyone, Zazi here! 🏂

While most people think of summer as beach days and surfing (which I still love, don’t get me wrong!), July 2025 was all about a different kind of “wave.” I traded the tropical heat of Jakarta for the summer humidity of Japan to spend some intense weeks at Saitama Quest.

If you’ve never seen an airbag facility, imagine a giant, bouncy castle for snowboarders—but with a massive kicker and a brush-run-in that feels like riding on super-fast plastic. It’s the closest thing to snow you can find when it’s 30 degrees outside!

Training with the Master: Yas Sato

The highlight of this trip was definitely working with the legendary Yas Sato (Yasuhiro Sato) and his incredible team of trainers at the Quest International Academy.

If you don’t know Yas, he’s the mastermind coach behind some of the world’s best riders, including Olympic Gold Medalists. He has this “magic eye” for technique. Even when I thought a jump was perfect, he’d find that tiny 1% adjustment in my shoulders or my edge that would make the rotation 10x smoother.

Training with him and his team was next level. They don’t just teach you tricks; they teach you how to understand the air. 🌪️

Why the Airbag?

You might be wondering: “Zazi, why spend your summer on a giant cushion?” The answer is simple: Progression. Learning a new double or a complex spin on the halfpipe in Laax can be scary because the walls are hard! But at Saitama Quest, the “Mega Big Kicker” lets you send it with total confidence. Knowing there’s a soft airbag landing beneath you means you can focus entirely on your form, your grab, and your rotation without the fear of a hard crash.

I spent my days hiking up, dropping in, flying, landing, and then immediately heading to the video monitors. Yas and the trainers would break down my footage frame-by-frame. “Again,” they’d say. And I’d go again. And again. (I think I did more jumps in one week than I do in a month on snow!)

The Japan Vibes 🍜

Japan is always such a vibe. Between the hard training sessions, I got to fuel up on the best ramen and convenience store snacks (7-Eleven in Japan is life-changing, trust me!). The energy at Saitama Quest is so inspiring because you’re surrounded by young Japanese riders who are absolutely crushing it. It pushes me to work even harder for my 2030 Olympic dream.

Beyond the Airbag: Exploring Japan’s Soul

When I finally unstrapped from my board and stepped away from the airbag, I realized just how much “main character energy” Japan has off the slopes. In Nagano, I felt like I’d stepped into a literal snow globe—Zenkoji Temple in the snow is something I’ll never forget, and yes, I did find the famous snow monkeys soaking in their own natural “luxury spa” (they’re honestly living their best life). Then there was Nikko, which felt like a total spiritual reset. Walking across the bright red Shinkyo Bridge with a light dusting of snow and seeing the frozen Kegon Falls made me feel like I was in a samurai movie. But you know me—I can’t stay in the quiet for too long! Ending the trip in Tokyo was the ultimate contrast. One minute I’m in a silent, 1,400-year-old temple, and the next I’m at Shibuya Crossing, surrounded by neon lights, eating the best ramen of my life, and getting inspired by the high-speed energy of the city. Japan, you have my heart!

What’s Next?

Leaving Japan, I feel stronger, faster, and much more “floaty” in the air. I’ve locked in some new rotations that I can’t wait to take back to the snow this winter. ❄️

A huge thank you to Yas Sato and everyone at Saitama Quest for pushing me to new heights—literally!

Stay stoked, and see you in the air!

Terima Kasih,

Zazi 🇮🇩✨