IKIGAI: The Shin Biyajima Story

For three years, Travis Rice was able to travel and explore the Japanese Alps with Shin Biyajima during the production of the film "The Fourth Phase". During this time, Travis shared so many adventures and conversations with his new friend. After the movie, Travis really wanted to capture a more authentic portrait of Shin and his process of living and riding as a Japanese snowboarder. Travis spent about six weeks over two years following Shin in Nagano Prefecture in his backyard hiking, exploring and immersing himself in Shin's universe. Together with filmmaker Justin Smith, Travis wanted to capture an intimate portrait of a lifestyle that is quite foreign compared to the norms of North America, yet strangely similar to the principles most snowboarders share around a love of the mountains.