In recent years the ski resort of Niseko has been making a name for itself as the place to come in Japan if you love all things winter related. Niseko is actually made up of five different ski areas called Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Moiwa. Of these, the most central and the best equipped is Hirafu, but wherever you choose to stay, you will be surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery and crisp snow in the winter months. Niseko has been truly blessed by nature, and sits in the shadow of Mount Yotei, a now dormant volcano. As well as mountains, there are other picturesque features here such as Lake Toya, and even if you come to Niseko in the summer months, you will still find plenty of things to enjoy in this beautiful corner of Japan.



Getting to Niseko:
Many overseas visitors will come to Niseko via New Chitose Airport, and from here you can travel by train to Kutchan Station where you will then need to transfer to a bus to Niseko. The trip takes approximately 3 hours.

You can also take the Skybus from New Chitose Airport directly to Niseko, although you need to book this in advance.

There are also public buses that leave from New Chitose Airport to Hirafu and take about 3 and a half hours. Prices start at ¥2,300 for a single ticket.

There are also limousine bus services that are provided by hotels and ski resorts in Niseko so check first to see if this is applicable to your trip.

You can also travel overland to Niseko by train, if you go through the seaside town of Otaru first and change trains there. An express train called the Niseko Ski Express also runs from Sapporo and takes 2 hours to reach Niseko. Tickets for the train start at ¥4560.

Tourist Attractions:
There are not a huge number of actual ‘attractions’ in Niseko, but rather, people tend to come here for the outdoor activities, as well as the natural gems such as mountains, rivers, and lakes.



Mount Yotei:
Mount Yotei is now a dormant volcano that has a peak that sits at 1,898 meters. In the summer months, it is possible to climb to the summit of the peak, although it remains impassable in winter. If you want to enjoy the peak fully, then there is even accommodation at the summit in the form of a mountain hut.



Lake Toya:
Lake Toya is located approximately an hour outside of Hirafu and is a great place to visit especially during the summer months. There is a water park located here where you can splash around when the weather is warm, and there are also a number of spas and resorts that lead out onto the lake.



Shiribetsu River:
Niseko sits on the gorgeous Shiribetsu River, and in the summer months there are a huge number of activities to be enjoyed here. Not only is the river beautiful in its own right, but you can also take to the waters yourself in a raft or dingy and enjoy navigating the rapids.

Onsen:
Niseko is known for its onsen, which are Japanese hot springs and bathing areas. Onsen can be manmade, but in Niseko all of the volcanic hot springs are natural. The minerals in the water are said to have medicinal effects, and onsen are also the perfect treat after a day out on the slopes. There are fifteen different onsen to choose from in Niseko, including one, Kombu onsen, which is famous for being over a hundred years old.



Shopping and Duty Free:
Cocoroya:
Located just outside of Hirafu, Cocoroya has a free shuttle service and is the place to come you are interested in antiques and memorabilia. Here you will find items such as period skiing equipment, vintage kimonos, and even samurai swords and calligraphy works.

Rhythm Snow Sports:
If you need to stock up on ski equipment then Rhythm Snow Sports is the place to come. Conveniently situated on the main street in Hirafu, you can hire skis and snowboards here as well as purchase any ski gear you might need.

Lucky Kutchan:
For those who want to try a range of local Hokkaido delicacies, Lucky Kutchan located in Kutchan Village has a huge range of produce from the region. You will find fresh meats and fish here if you want to prepare your own food during your stay, and there is also a range of wine and whisky that is produced in Hokkaido.

Deals:
There are a great number of deals to be had in Niseko so it pays to check these out ahead of time so that you don’t miss out. One of the best if you are here in the winter months is the Niseko All Mountain Lift Pass which gives you access to 38 lifts in Niseko.

During ski season, you can also buy a one-day ski pass which also gives you discounted return tickets on the local buses that run to the airport and surrounding areas, so if you only plan on a quick visit this is definitely a great deal.

If you are keen to explore much of Japan by rail then it makes good sense to buy a Japan Rail Pass which gives you access to a range of trains for a onetime fee. If you have a Japan Rail Pass then the Niseko Ski-Express train is free of charge.

Recommended times to visit:
Ski season in Niseko runs from November to April when winds from Russia bring icy conditions and powder snow to the area. During the winter months it is not uncommon for snow to fall every single day, and you will find large snowdrifts all over the area. The moisture content of the snow in Niseko is around 8%, which means that humidity is low and the skiing conditions are excellent.

From May to October, the weather is much milder and you can enjoy a huge range of outdoor activities in the summer months, even if the snow has melted.