Niseko Guide 2024: World-Class Ski Resorts, Things to Do, and Dining

Niseko Guide: Ski Resorts, Places to Visit, and Dining

1. Niseko: Area Introduction
2. NISEKO UNITED: 4 World-Class Ski Resorts
- Niseko Hanazono Resort
- Niseko Mountain Resort-Grand Hiraf Ski Resort
- Niseko Village Ski Resort
- Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort
3. Rules To Follow for a Safe and Enjoyable Outdoor Experience
4. Places to Visit in Niseko
- Niseko Ostrich Farm
- Takahashi Dairy Farm: Niseko Milk Kobo
- Shinsen-numa Marsh
- NAC Niseko Adventure Center
- Mt. Yotei
5. Local Food to Try in Niseko
- Soba
- Gosetsu Udon
- Cheese
6. How to Get to Niseko

Niseko: Area Introduction

Photo by Pixta

Niseko generally refers to the mountainous area in the southern part of the Shakotan Peninsula in southwest Hokkaido. It's also a famous ski resort that attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world during the winter months.

The goal of visitors is the powder snow that falls on Niseko Annupuri—a 1,308 meter peak at the eastern end of the Niseko mountain range. Seasonal winds blowing from the Eurasian Continent pick up moisture from the Japan Sea, creating high-quality snow.

Every year these skiers and snowboarders come to Niseko in search of this fluffy, powdery snow. Also, it's not unusual for some of these international visitors to eventually end up living here.

In recent years Niseko has also become a popular destination during the summer with enjoyable recreational pursuits such as hiking and river activities. There are plenty of spots for experiencing Hokkaido's nature including Mt. Yotei, known as the Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido, and the Shiribetsugawa River.

Since public transportation is limited in these rural areas, we recommend getting around by rent-a-car. When using the MATCHA link down below, both residents and international visitors alike, get 10% off on car rentals. So please check this out!

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NISEKO UNITED: 4 World-Class Ski Resort

Photo by Pixta

NISEKO UNITED is a collection of four ski resorts found at the base of Niseko Annupuri.

It features an All Mountain Lift Pass which allows unlimited use of lifts and gondolas on all of the ski hills. Adults are 9,500 yen per day and can ski a variety of courses on each mountain.

Each ski hill has ski and snowboard rental shops so visitors don't need to bring any equipment. For just 5,500 yen and up (five hours) you can rent a set that includes ski wear, a pair of skis or snowboard, and boots.

During the winter season, there's a shuttle bus that visits each ski resort and the nearby town of Kutchan. It makes travel between the resorts much easier, and the bus is free of charge if you have the All Mountain Lift Pass.

Below we introduce the features of NISEKO UNITED's ski resorts.

1. Niseko Hanazono Resort

Picture courtesy of Niseko Hanazono Resort

Niseko Hanazono is a ski resort located on the northeast slope of NISEKO UNITED. There's a consistent amount of snowfall throughout the winter season, and it has the support of "powder enthusiasts" who seek fresh snow.

Picture courtesy of Niseko Hanazono Resort

The hill offers a variety of runs so it's also possible to try some acrobatic-like downhill skiing. This is recommended for those who want to upgrade their skills.

Picture courtesy of Niseko Hanazono Resort

Another activity that Niseko is proud of is their Niseko Weiss Powder CATS. This PistenBully snowcat is German-built and can accommodate up to 12 people as it explores untouched powder spots.

2. Niseko Mountain Resort-Grand Hiraf Ski Resort

Picture courtesy of Niseko Mountain Resort-Grand Hiraf Ski Resort

Niseko Mountain Resort-Grand Hiraf Ski Resort is located on Niseko's eastern slope. This is a large ski resort boasting Niseko's largest number of runs, lifts, and hotels at the base of the mountain.

There's a 940 meter drop from the top of the course to the foot of the mountain. Beginners and experts alike can enjoy the 22 runs and 13 lifts. The longest run covers a distance of 5,300 meters.

3. Niseko Village Ski Resort

Picture courtesy of Niseko Village Ski Resort

A 2,000-meter powder course—which doesn't use a snow compactor—is very popular at Niseko Village Ski Resort.

Overall, there are many courses with steep terrain, which attract many expert skiers and snowboarders. The sight of Mt. Yotei in front of the slopes is breathtaking, and there are also scenic spots offering all-encompassing views of the Niseko mountain range.

Picture courtesy of Niseko Village Ski Resort

There are also many activities unique to Niseko! Snow Rafting is an experience in which riders are pulled along the snow by a horse. When you do this activity with your kids you'll feel just like Santa Claus!

In addition, the Guided Snow Shoe Tour—a beautiful walk through a snowy forest—can be enjoyed even by those without any winter sports experience. Put on some snowshoes or snow rambler ski gear and go for a stroll through this pure white world.

Picture courtesy of Niseko Village Ski Resort

Mention Hokkaido and local specialties like crab and scallops come to mind.

At Hilton Niseko Village, sitting at the base of the mountain, diners can savor nabe hot pot using fresh locally-caught seafood, as well as baked and grilled cuisine. After a day on the slopes, come inside and warm up your chilled body with some piping-hot food.

4. Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort

Picture courtesy of Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort

Niseko Annupuri is a NISEKO UNITED ski resort known for being family oriented. Many of their runs are spacious with gentle slopes—perfect for beginners and children.

Picture courtesy of Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort

After a morning on the slopes, we recommend having lunch at NOOK Annupuri-Restaurant New Sanko. It's located inside Center House at the base of the mountain. They offer an extensive menu with items that are also popular with Japanese people including katsu curry rice and ramen. These filling dishes will satisfy your hungry stomach.

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Rules To Follow for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience

The ski resorts in Niseko have their own set of rules. So let's follow these rules and have an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Niseko Rules:
01. Never enter off-limits areas at any time.
02. Do not go under boundary ropes. Use gates when entering backcountry areas.
03. Out-of-bounds areas are not safety-managed.
04. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is prohibited when gates are closed.
05. Niseko Avalanche Information serves as the area's official information.
06. A fee is charged for search and rescue outside of official ski areas.
07. Always follow instructions of ski patrol staff both inside and outside official ski areas.
08. Elementary School Students are not allowed in backcountry areas.
09. The Niseko ski resorts and the community respect your freedom to ski and snowboard but also have a deep concern for your safety.

From the official NISEKO UNITED Niseko Rules

In the event a rule is violated, the user's lift pass will be confiscated. So let's obey the rules and have a safe experience together with the other visitors.

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Things to Do in Niseko

Niseko's highlights are not restricted to their ski resorts. Next we introduce some attractive sightseeing spots in the nearby area.

1. Niseko Ostrich Farm

photo by Pixta

The Niseko Ostrich Farm is a sightseeing spot where visitors can enjoy watching ostriches grazing in the fields from summer until winter. Also for a reasonable fee of 100 yen you can feed these large birds.

When you try feeding them, cute ostriches will soon gather around. Enjoy taking a photo of these ostriches with majestic Mt. Yotei in the background.

Niseko No. 2 Arishima Dacho Ranch

239-2 Toyosato, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1543

2. Takahashi Dairy Farm: Niseko Milk Kobo

Takahashi Dairy Farm is a highly popular spot in the Niseko area. Niseko Milk Kobo is located on the farm. Here they sell sweets only found at their shop including soft ice cream and cream puffs using milk from this natural dairy farm.

Most of the items here are takeout. They'll put some dry ice in your takeaway package, so why not order some sweets and enjoy them back at the hotel?

Niseko Takahashi Ranch Milk Studio

888-1 Soga, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1522

3. Shinsen-numa Marsh

Photo by Pixta

Shinsen-numa Marsh is famous for being one of Niseko's scenic spots. It's located on a plateau some 750 meters above sea level. It's also called "Kagaminuma" or "mirror marsh," because its crystal-clear waters beautifully reflect the surrounding virgin forest.

It's especially popular during the autumn season when the bright trees and marsh are said to be as beautiful as a painting. If you have plans to enjoy some hiking, then this is a spot you'll want to visit.

Shensennuma

Maeda, Kyowa-cho, Iwanai-gun, Hokkaido 048-2201

4. NAC Niseko Adventure Center

Picture courtesy of NAC Niseko Adventure Center

If you want to fully enjoy both play and nature in the Niseko area, then you need to visit the NAC Niseko Adventure Center.

Niseko's best activity spot offers a variety of experiences. These include rafting, canyoning (*1), and kayaking on the Shiribetsugawa River flowing through Niseko.

*1 Canyoning: an activity in which a water route is navigated by using various outdoor techniques such as climbing, sliding, and jumping.

Picture courtesy of NAC Niseko Adventure Center

Rafting is the most popular of these activities. When you overcome the rapids found all along the river and listen to the cries of the wild birds, you'll feel like you're on a real adventure.

Elementary School-aged children and up are allowed to join the rafting. Children younger than this can join the family rafting which takes passengers along a more gentle section of the river.

Rafting: 6,800 yen per person (Elementary School and above)
Family Rafting: Adults 5,800 yen, Elementary School children 3,500 yen, Preschoolers 2,300 yen. A boat charter costs 51,000 yen (all listed prices are before tax).

NISEKO ADVENTURE CENTRE

179-53 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081

5. Mt. Yotei

Photo by Pixta

Mt. Yotei is an active volcano sitting at an elevation of 1,898 meters and is a symbol of the Niseko area.

It's considered to be one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, and is also popular as a matchmaking power spot. Many people come here to go hiking and mountain climbing in the hopes of receiving some good luck.

Yotei Mountain

Kawanishi, Kyogoku-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0131

Mt. Yotei is a symbol of the Niseko area and is counted as one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan as a famous mountain representing Hokkai...

Local Food to Try in Niseko

Niseko, just like the entire Hokkaido region, is renowned for dairy products. Also, being a mountainous area where it is difficult to grow rice, the local cuisine has developed around soba (buckwheat) and udon (thick wheat noodles). Read on to learn some of the must-try dishes in Niseko.

6. Soba Noodle Dishes

Photo by Pixta

The Niseko area is dotted with many soba shops. Soba Kaiseki Ichimura, located in Kutchan Town, is a popular spot that's even been listed in the Michelin Guide.

Customers can enjoy authentic handmade soba noodles including Kake Soba, which is boiled soba noodles covered with a warm soup, and Kamonanban Soba, a dish filled with duck meat and Japanese leeks.

Handmade soba Ichimura

68-4 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081

7. Gosetsu Udon Dishes

Due to the brilliant, transparent white color of their noodles, this popular dish is called Gosetsu Udon, or Snowfall Udon. Visitors can try this dish at Yukitei, a Japanese-style restaurant found on the first floor of the Hotel Daiichi Kaikan. This hotel is located in the heart of Kutchan Town.

This udon is different from standard udon because the noodles are made with Hokkaido Irish Cobbler potatoes.

Snow Court

2-13 Minami 3 Jonishi, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0033

8. Cheese

photo by Pixta

Cheese is one of the specialties of Hokkaido—a region with a thriving dairy industry. Visitors to Niseko Town can purchase original shop cheeses at spots such as Niseko Cheese Kobo and Niseko Fromage.

Cheese will keep for a long time, so we also recommend it as a souvenir for visitors who are allowed to bring dairy products back into their respective country.

Niseko Cheese Studio ㈲

425-6 Kondo, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1422

Niseko Fromage

27-3 Higashiyama, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1521

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How to Get to Niseko

Photo by Pixta

Next, we introduce how to get to Niseko from various locations including Sapporo Station and Shin Chitose Airport. For the routes listed below, we'll be assuming that people are traveling during the winter period from December until March.

Getting to Niseko From Sapporo by Train

At Sapporo Station, board the Rapid Airport Train and go as far as Otaru Station. Upon arrival at Otaru Station, transfer to a train headed for Rankoshi or Oshamambe which will take you to Niseko Station. One-way fare is 2,420 yen and the required travel time is about two hours and 20 minutes.

Getting to Niseko From Sapporo by Bus

From the terminal in front of Sapporo Station, there are buses that go directly to all the ski resorts.

For example, to get to Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort, located some distance away, it takes about three hours and 40 minutes. The one-way fare is 3,000 yen and the return fare is 5,200 yen.

Whether or not reservations are required and the period of service can differ depending on the bus company. So please confirm beforehand.
Chuo Bus Official Website

Getting to Niseko From Shin Chitose Airport by Train

First of all, we board the Airport Rapid at Shin Chitose Airport and go as far as Otaru Station. Here we transfer to the JR Hakodate Line headed for Kutchan Town and get off at Kutchan Station. After changing trains at Kutchan Station we finally go to Niseko Station. One-way fare is 4,050 yen and travel time is about three hours and 40 minutes.

You can also board a train at Otaru Station that's headed for Rankoshi or Oshamambe which will take you as far as Niseko Station.

Getting to Niseko From Shin Chitose Airport by Bus

Buses that go directly to all the ski resorts depart from the terminal in front of Shin Chitose Airport. Travel time is about three hours depending on the time of day and the traffic conditions. The fare is 3,000 yen (one-way) and 5,200 yen (return fare)—the same fare as the bus leaving from Sapporo Station.
Chuo Bus Official Homepage

If you're a visitor to Japan, you can use the JR PASS to get as far as Hakodate by Shinkansen. The JR Pass is an economical free pass that allows you unlimited rides on the Shinkansen and other JR train lines.

To travel around Hokkaido, you can also use the Hokkaido Rail Pass, a free pass which allows you to explore Hokkaido by rail.

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Enjoy Exploring Niseko

Photo by Pixta

The Niseko area has an average annual temperature of 7.2°C and in the winter it drops below zero. If you visit during the ski season, make sure to bring a down jacket and other warm clothing.

In addition to skiing, there are also a variety of sightseeing spots and delicious gourmet restaurants. So on your next trip to Niseko please be sure to check some of these out.

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