Snow & Wind Discover life in nature

Snow & Wind Discover life in nature

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Snow Photo: ©︎aaron_jamieson_

A Life that Parallels
the Changing Seasons from Snow to Wind

Discover life in nature

Travel to Niseko.
Flowers budding in spring,
cool breeze blowing
from the mountains in summer
The mountains turn red in the fall,
and powder snow falls in the winter.
In the midst of vast nature,
you can experience the beauty
of Japan’s four seasons.

In addition to admiring the scenery,
Through encounters with the people
who live in that landscape,
and their culture and sensibilities,
A special experience awaits you
to discover the joy of living with nature.

The time you spend each time you visit
deepens your connection
with nature and people.
May this place eventually
become your second home.

Travel to Niseko.
Travel as if living with nature.

Nature

Photo: ©︎aaron_jamieson_

Photo: ©︎toshi_pander

Niseko has a rich variety of faces throughout the year.
Created by natural processes that have been going on since time immemorial
A relaxing time awaits you.
Let’s visit not only the snowy scenery but also the scenery of each season.

Nature

01

Niseko’s vibrant
seasons unfold.

Depending on the time of year you visit,
Niseko’s nature welcomes you with a completely different appearance depending on the time of year you visit.
The difference in temperature between winter and summer gives the seasons their distinct contours,
The four seasons are distinctly Japanese.

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Nature

01

Niseko’s vibrant
seasons unfold.

Spring Bursts with Color

As the days lengthen and the harsh cold eases, Niseko also shows signs of spring. The pure white landscapes transform drastically with the snow melting, reviving the flowers hidden underneath and coloring the land with radiant life.

Kagami-Numa

The contrast between lingering snow and fresh greenery can only be enjoyed at this time of year. At Kagami-Numa, you can take in the view of the remaining snow on the mountains while exploring the alpine plants in full bloom

Mishima’s Shibazakura Garden

Mishima’s Shibazakura Garden, which Mr. Mishima has graciously opened to the public, is best from late May to early June. This site spanning about 4,000 square meters is blanketed in pink.

Summer Overflows with Lush Green

Summer in Niseko offers cool temperatures and low humidity throughout the day, making it an optimal time for those wishing to escape the heat. Nature embraces this short summer season with added vigor, beckoning the adventurous spirit of the visitors that accompany the refreshing climate.

Shakotan

From Niseko, drive an hour and a half to discover the deep blue sea of Shakotan. It is well worth checking out this spectacular view of what is known as “Shakotan Blue” and the strangely shaped rocks in the dazzling summer sun.

Niseko Annupuri

This scenery of Niseko Annupuri that delights skiers during the winter also undergoes a striking transformation from white to green. The grass and trees shimmer as a gentle breeze sweeps across the highlands.

Coloring Autumn

After a short summer, the leaves begin to turn red and yellow around the end of September, a little earlier than in the main island of Honshu. With nature nearby, just a short walk allows you to revel in deepening autumn colors enveloped in hush stillness.

Hangetsu Lake

It is a 15-minute walk from the parking area to the shores of Half Moon Lake (Hangetsu Lake), which is said to have taken a half moon shape due to volcanic activity. You can take a stroll through this fantastic landscape, where trees turned red and yellow are reflected onto the lake’s surface.

The Niseko Panorama Line

The Niseko Panorama Line connects Niseko and Iwanai. You can enjoy taking in the autumn foliage of the Niseko Volcanic Group as you drive through the ever-changing topography.

Winter Covered in Pure White

When the first snow is observed with the dramatic drops in temperature, it means that full-blown winter is just around the corner. More powder snow continues to fall almost every day, turning the whole area into a pure-white winter wonderland.

Mt. Yotei

Niseko’s symbolic Mt. Yotei is also blanketed in snow. From atop the ski slopes opposite this, you can take in the spectacular views of the expansive winter wonderland.

Lake Toya

Lake Toya, the third-largest caldera lake in Japan, which at its center features Nakajima Island covered in snow, its mystical appearance is beautifully reflected on the pristine waters.

Nature

02

Water Tour from
Sea to Mountain

Powder snow continues to attract skiers from all over the world. Rain drenches the earth.
This then enriches the mountains, flows into rivers, and eventually returns to the sea.

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Nature

02

Water Tour from Sea
to Mountain

Snowfall Brought on by the Topography
and Surrounding Environment

With an annual snowfall reaching 15 meters, Niseko is one of the snowiest areas in the world. The extremely cold air from Siberia causes snow clouds to form as water vapor is absorbed from the warm Tsushima Current flowing through the Sea of Japan. This moist air comes to the Niseko Volcanic Group, where it then cools as it drifts up the mountains and turns into heavy snowfall.

Abundant snowfall and cold climate produce the powder snow. Its low water content makes for extremely light snow so fluffy that it will jump into the air just by walking on it.

Last season saw 26 consecutive days of snowfall from December 2023 to January 2024.

Water Purified over Decades

Snow that piles up over the winter becomes an essential water resource for the natural environment. Particularly at Mt. Yotei, also known as the home of beautiful water, rain and snow soaked into molten rock and volcanic ash is filtered as it permeates underground over decades. It wells up to the surface at the boundary between the molten rock and layer of clay at an altitude of about 250 meters.

This spring water, in which just the right amount of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals have dissolved, maintains a constant water temperature throughout the year, making it mild and super-soft.

Fukidashi Park in Kyogoku Town is the most famous spot for spring water. It boasts one of Japan’s largest sources of spring water, producing about 80 thousand tons per day.

Collected Spring Water Flows
Toward the Sea of Japan

The Shiribetsu River has its source at Mt. Fure. Shiribetsu River, which is said to derive from the Ainu words “Sir-peh” (literally, descending along a mountain-river), collects the abundant water that well up along Mt. Yotei and flows out to the town of Kutchan before eventually reaching the Sea of Japan. The water cycles back to snow, blanketing the mountains of Niseko.

Recognized as Japan’s most pristine river seven times by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Shiribetsu River’s transparency and water quality are among the best in Japan.

This river’s favorable environment nurtures a diverse range of fish. The rainbow trout raised in this snowmelt water are also popular among local anglers.

People

Lifestyle interviews with the people of Niseko,
embraced by nature’s gifts.
They reveal the magic of the area,
known only to those that call it home, and
share hidden gems and travel tips to elevate your visit.

People

01

Enjoy Nature
Without Depleting It

The mountains of Niseko offer unique scenery in each of the four seasons. Ryuta Furuichi, president of Mountain Guide Coyote, conveys the charm of this magnificent nature to visitors. Since both mountain climbing and skiing are not possible without nature, we also focus on activities aimed at sustainable tourism.

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People

01

Enjoy Nature
Without
Depleting It

Interviewee Profile

Ryuta Furuichi

President of Mountain Guide Coyote / President of Niseko Yotei Alpine Club

Born in Chiba Prefecture. After graduating from university, he began working for a company in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He was transferred to Kutchan and moved there, where he later decided to become a guide. He founded Mountain Guide Coyote and has been guiding mountain climbers in the summer and backcountry skiers in the winter. He has been the president of the Niseko Yotei Alpine Club since 2015.

Finding a job in Hokkaido
while seeking nature.
Becoming a guide
in Kutchan

― You are originally from Chiba Prefecture, aren’t you?

Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture. Through the influence of my grandfather, I had many opportunities to be in contact with nature since childhood, and in seeking a place with a lot of nature, I found a job at an agriculture-related company in Asahikawa City. I was then transferred to Kutchan and liked it so much that I left and worked for several years as a guide for an outdoor guide company, and in 2006, I started the business that would become Mountain Guide Coyote.

― What makes Niseko special to you?

I was first fascinated by the mountainous landscape, including Mt. Yotei. If you stay on as a company employee, you may be transferred to another location and cannot live where you want to live. So, I decided to leave my job and become a guide in a place close to nature. My parents live in the main island of Japan, so I looked around at other places as well, but I again felt that Niseko was the best place to start my career.

― How do you spend your days off?

I have always had an affinity for the philosophy of the Jomon period since I was a child, and I enjoy visiting Jomon sites in the Northern Tohoku and Hokkaido regions that have been registered as World Heritage sites, participating in Jomon field burning events, and exploring together with my wife, who also loves the Jomon period. My ideal lifestyle combines Jomon philosophy with modern technology, and I am attempting to reduce the burden on the natural environment by growing vegetables in the fields, generating electricity from solar power, and being as self-sufficient as possible.

Aiming to Achieve Sustainable Tourism

― What made you want to become a mountain guide?

I wanted to create a place where everyone could take part in the field of nature. I began to think that a guide would be a good way to accomplish this. I think that if people learn about and come to love nature through mountain climbing and skiing, it will lead to a desire to try to preserve it.

― What are the advantages of having a guide?

When you go around on your own, the only benchmark you have is the course time, and your perspective tends to be narrower than you might think. By having a guide, you can discover things you would not have noticed on your own and enjoy mountain climbing more deeply from a three-dimensional perspective. Each of the guides in Niseko have their own area of expertise, so you will have a completely different hiking experience depending on which guide you choose to walk with.

― In your job, you are deeply involved with nature, but is there anything in particular that you try to keep in mind?

That both mountain climbing and skiing can not be done without nature, and that nature is the source of all things. I am working toward achieving sustainable tourism and not depleting our natural assets. Without beautiful mountains and trails, they might as well not even exist for those who climb them. We carry fuel and tools on our backs and stay in the mountains for several days to maintain the trails. We are also engaged in other activities to remove Dicentra peregrina, which is considered a non-native species that could impact the ecosystem.

As a professional who knows
the mountains inside out,
what courses do you recommend?

― What are some of the attractions of Niseko?

My parents’ house is in the main island of Japan, so I like that it is easy to approach. Also, it only takes 2.5 hours to get to Chitose Airport.
It is also a miracle that such stunning nature exists so close to where we live. Since the mountains, rivers, and lakes are all within a short distance and can be reached at a moment’s notice, many people enjoy one ski run before going to work. Mt. Yotei and the high-rise marshlands of Mt. Annupuri are particularly valuable natural environments in Japan. There are two types of nature, fragile nature that cannot be restored once vegetation is lost, and nature that can be restored, and mountain tops and wetlands are the former. And the more fragile nature is, the more beautiful the landscape.

― If you were to guide a friend visiting Niseko, where would you take them?

If the person is fit, I would recommend staying overnight in a hut on Mt. Yotei. The higher you climb, the greater the view, and the view extends all the way to the sea. On the first day, we would go to the shelter at the 9th station and enjoy a dinner such as hot soup and rice while watching the sun set over the Sea of Japan. If you are lucky after dark, you can even see the fishing lights of squid fishing boats floating along the sea at night. If staying in a hut is a bit too demanding, you can enjoy a light hike up Chisenupuri through Shinsennuma and Naganuma, which offers a variety of courses including rock climbing.

Contact

Mountain guide Coyote
21-5 Kita 4-jo Higashi 8-chome, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0004
https://www.mg-coyote.com/

People

02

Make Niseko
Your Home,
Where The Heart Is

Kohei Nikahara is a pension owner, chairman of the Kutchan Tourism Association, and also a craft ski maker. He grew up in Niseko and works hard for Niseko. What is the future of Niseko that lies beyond the days of energetic life?

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People

02

Make Niseko Your Home,
Where The Heart Is

Interviewee Profile

Kohei Nikahara

Owner of Niseko Grandpapa Lodge / Chairman of Kutchan Tourism Association

Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido. He grew up in Niseko from the age of 4. He was an alpine skier since his school days and studied abroad in Germany. After attending university in Sapporo and working for a travel agency, he returned to Niseko and took over Niseko Grandpapa Lodge from his father. He has served as Chairman of the Kutchan Tourist Association since May 2024. He is also the founder of Tief Powder Ski, a craft skiing company that uses broadleaf trees from the southern part of Hokkaido.

Alongside a Changing Niseko

― What was Niseko like when you were a child?

This area used to be a pension town. Today, there are more condominiums and villas, and the number of pensions has decreased to about one-tenth of what it was back then. Niseko Grandpapa Lodge remains exactly as it was when it was first opened. This is the only place that has remained the same—the surrounding landscape has changed dramatically.

― Did you have plans to take over the pension someday after once finding a different job?

Initially I had no plans to return here. I was working for a travel agency in Sapporo, but when I had time off, I went back to Niseko to work as a ski instructor. Back in the day when I was a student, alpine skiing was done on snow that was almost icy, so this was also the time when I properly skied Niseko’s powder slopes. The quality of the snow was good, you could go backcountry, and the environment was conducive to skiing, which I found very appealing.
It was about the time when we started to see a few foreign visitors here and there, and they told us that “Niseko was going to become a great place to visit.” I thought there might be some potential here, so I decided to take over the pension business.

― You anticipated early on that it would become an international ski resort.

Yes. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I was certain but… I studied abroad in Germany so I was able to speak foreign languages and I previously worked for a travel agency so it was easy to get information and I think I acted rather quickly.
We changed the way we manage our business in anticipation of the increasing number of customers from abroad, such as creating our own website from scratch. Since many people dine out in the evening, we also opened a restaurant where you can enjoy original cheese fondue, a combination of authentic Swiss cheese and Niseko potato starch.

Starting a Craft Ski Company
in Search of the Ideal Skis

― We heard that you have experience competing in national skiing competitions.

During my years as a student, I traveled to national and international alpine skiing competitions. Even after retiring, skiing has always been a part of my life, including modeling for ski magazines and posters. After returning to Niseko, since I have to manage the pension during the season, my routine is to pick up and drop off clients at the ski resort, and if the snow conditions are good, I will go out and do one ski run myself and then come back. After the busy winter season is over, one of the things to look forward to is the local ski races held in the spring.

― What is the story behind how you launched Tief Powder Ski?

Rocker skis are considered suitable for powder snow like that found in Niseko, but they lack stability when making turns. I thought it would be nice to have natural, non-rocker skis that would allow both carving and deep snow skiing. When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and I had some time to spare, I started to think about making something on my own, and when I presented my idea to a factory, they said, “Yes, we can do it,” and we started working to make it a reality. Another appealing point is that no two skis are alike, as birch and cork trees from this region are used for the core wood, and the realistic grain of the wood is utilized.

― What kind of person would you like to purchase these skis?

Since they are skis with a unique concept, we are producing them in the hope that they will please a core group of people rather than trying to popularize them all at once. They are also available for rent at the Niseko Grandpapa Lodge but it’s not often you find an inn where the owner makes the skis. Many of our customers are ski enthusiasts, and I enjoy talking with those skiers myself.

Connecting Tourism with
Local Communities to Make
Niseko a Heart’s Home

― What are your duties as chairman of a tourism association?

Immediately after assuming this position, I was particularly busy making rounds to greet all the relevant parties. Every day, I bring ideas for tourism policies to the meeting and discuss them with the members, putting my mind and body to work for the future of Niseko. Many of our guests stay with us for long periods of time, so recently I have been thinking about creating a place where they can gather and participate in the local community. We are exploring the possibilities of Niseko’s unique value to become not just a tourist destination, but a second home.

― You seem to be busy running a pension, crafting skis, and serving on a tourism association, but what do you enjoy doing on a day-to-day basis?

One of my small pleasures is preparing finger foods and drinking wine. In the winter, I am too busy working at the pension to make elaborate dishes, so the cheese fondue, which is served as the main course at the restaurant, is my go-to dish. In the summer, I like to make acqua pazza using the fish I caught and serve it with white wine. I often get together with friends that work in the same industry.

― Where would you take your friends if they come to Niseko?

Fishing and kayaking are also fun activities to do in the summer. If you kayak to Cape Benkei, you can often catch rockfish such as flounder and jacopever. I also recommend the Shiribetsu River during the snowy season when melted snow flows into the river. Rainbow trout that have been toughened by the cold water have a strong pull and are popular among local anglers.
Seasonal vegetables are also available at different times of the year, so when you come to Niseko, you should definitely try them before returning your home.

Contact

Niseko Grandpapa Lodge
1-16-54 Niseko Hirafu 2-jo, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0089
https://grandpapa.co.jp/

People

03

Delicious Food
that
Brings People Together

Chiaki Watanabe and her chef husband are the owners of Cucina Italiana Santo, a restaurant nestled in the wilderness of Niseko. The warm atmosphere created by their straightforward and friendly personalities creates natural conversation even among guests who have met for the first time.

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People

03

Enjoy Nature Without Depleting It

Interviewee Profile

Chiaki Watanabe

Director of Swell Co., Ltd.

Born in Tokyo. She traveled to various places while studying foreign languages in Australia and Germany before moving to Niseko in 2018. She currently serves as a director of Swell Co., Ltd., which has been operating Cucina Italiana Santo since 2022. At Santo, she is in charge of management and customer service.

I moved to Niseko,
Driven by the People and the Nature

― What prompted you to move to Niseko?

I originally lived in Tokyo, but in my 20s I began going abroad on working holidays, and I felt that a place closer to nature suited me better than being in a city. However, there is no one particular reason why I came to live in Niseko.
The first time I stayed here was about 10 years ago, and I worked a part-time job for one season. After that, my friend who remained in Niseko told me that summers here are also nice, so I came without thinking much of it, and then was told that winters here are nice too, so I came again in winter… and eventually I found myself staying there.

― When did you start working at Santo?

I joined Santo as a part-time employee after an acquaintance who worked at Swell, Santo’s predecessor, recommended it to me as a good fit for me. At the time they were looking to change the atmosphere of the restaurant. Swell was located in the town of Kutchan, but the building was to be demolished due to its age, and the company was incorporated at the time of its relocation to its current location in 2022. It was also around this time that Chef Watanabe and I became partners both professionally and personally. At Santo, I am in charge of handling everything but the food, including customer service and managing reservations.

― This is a lovely place surrounded by nature.

Yes, you can feel the seasons just by being here, and I think we have really found a very special place. One day you come to work and there might be dandelions blooming all over the place whereas yesterday there were none, and leaves that were lush in summer turn red and fall to tell us that winter is coming. Just looking at the changing scenery is soothing. But I also learned not to push myself too hard because the nature in winter is sometimes very harsh. If the weather is bad, we will give up on our plans, and if it is something related to the restaurant, we will tell them we are sorry and ask them to change it.

All Customers are Family,
Regardless of Nationality or Occupation

― What kind of service do you strive to provide?

We consider all of our guests to be part of the Santo family, regardless of their nationality or occupation. I think about how I can make them feel happy at the end of their visit. I provide customer service with the intention of ensuring they leave in a pleasant mood. Thankfully, we have many regular customers.

― What are some of the attractions of Santo?

First of all, the meals they prepare for employees are extremely tasty. Also, being able to interact with people whom you would not be able to meet in your everyday life. They come from many different countries and have different lives. Niseko is probably the only place in Japan where such a diverse group of people come together. I am happiest when customers from various backgrounds tell me how much they enjoyed the restaurant and that they will come back again because it was so good.

― The interior atmosphere is also very nice.

Thank you. I like Italian-style colorful interior design, so I aim to create a space that is flashy yet cozy. One of my chef friends is a painter and carpenter, so I shared my image of the subtle hues and other details with them and asked them to bring that image to life. The wine cellar was also made by a friend, and Santo is what it is today because of the people I met here.

Connecting with Industry Peers to
Enhance Niseko’s Culinary Scene

― Do you have any interaction with people who are originally from Niseko?

I had been talking with some friends in the restaurant business in the area about the possibility of organizing a food festival as an event in Niseko, and we recently had a barbecue as a way of socializing as well. There are people who have been operating restaurants in Niseko for a long time, and there are also people like us who moved to Niseko and opened their own businesses, but there are no barriers between us, and there is an atmosphere of working together to make the area more prosperous.

― Do you often spend time with friends and colleagues on your days off?

Participating in wine tastings, which are also held near Otaru and Niseko, is one of the things I look forward to doing, and I often find myself at some sort of social event or another. There are many people here who love music, and the circle of friends naturally expands at music-related parties and other events. Niseko also has an abundance of hot springs, each with different qualities, so visiting them is also an enjoyable experience. It is not uncommon to bump into a friend at one of my favorite hot springs.

― Where would you take your friends if they come to Niseko?

I myself love animals, so I would spend the morning visiting the Ostrich Farm and Kijima Farm, where you can spend time with the animals, and say hello to Koo-chan, a pony kept at Huckleberry Farm, which is located on the same site as Santo. After enjoying lunch at Xie Xie, a Chinese restaurant that is very popular among the locals, I would take them to Takedaya Rafting, which is run by friends of mine, for a river rafting adventure. The people that run the company are truly wonderful, and it undoubtedly would make for a fun and memorable experience.

Contact

Cucina italiana Santo
259 Kabayama, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0078
https://cucinaitalianaswell.com/

People

04

A Niseko Specialty
that Spreads its Wings
from the Fields

Niseko Tasty is a farm in a perfect location overlooking Mt. Yotei. Daisuke Nakamura, started farming three years ago and serves as the president of the company. By cultivating relationships with local farmers through activities rooted in the community, he is helping to breathe new life into Niseko’s agriculture industry.

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People

04

A Niseko Specialty that Spreads its Wings
from the Fields

Interviewee Profile

Daisuke Nakamura

President of Niseko Tasty

Born in Ishikari, Hokkaido. After graduating from college, he worked as an engineer for a semiconductor manufacturer in Kanagawa Prefecture. After leaving the company, he spent three years wandering abroad and in Japan before moving to Niseko. He was assigned to the Agricultural Administration Division as a member of the Local Revitalization Cooperation Group. He started his new farming business in 2021 and serves as the president of Niseko Tasty.

Farming in Niseko
Through Relationships
with the Local community and People

― Why did you decide to become a farmer?

When I used to work as a semiconductor engineer, my work would take me overseas for about six months out of the year. I felt like I wasn’t grounded, and that I couldn’t continue this lifestyle for the next few decades. After quitting my job and working on a banana plantation in Australia on a working holiday, I realized that it was the one and only job where I could create something from scratch that would become a source of sustenance for life. That’s around when I first became interested in farming. When I moved to Niseko a few years later, I decided to try my hand at farming.

― What prompted you to move to Niseko?

After returning from overseas, I hitchhiked from Ishikari to Kyushu, stopping in Niseko rather early on in the trip. I was overwhelmed by the magnificent landscape, with Mt. Yotei looming large in the distance. After that, I visited many places in Japan that people said were beautiful, but in the end, I couldn’t get Niseko out of my mind and decided to move there. During my first year here, I worked part-time as a live-in farmer in the neighboring village of Makari, and then was assigned to the agriculture division as a member of the Niseko Town Local Revitalization Cooperation Group, where I was able to learn while assisting the farmers.

― There is an impression that starting a farm is a difficult hurdle to overcome, but did things go smoothly?

I had always wanted to start farming after graduating from the cooperation group, but you can’t start a farm without a field. Then, through a chance encounter, I got acquainted with Mr. Endo, the owner of the land, and when I told him I wanted to farm, he offered to give me the land, which had been idle for some time. I am extremely grateful to him for passing on his precious land to me, someone who is neither a relative nor a native of Niseko, and whom he has only just met. He recognized my experience and achievements as a member of the Niseko Town Local Revitalization Cooperation Group, and I was able to successfully start farming.

A Souvenir that will Someday
Symbolize Niseko

― What kind of crops do you grow at Niseko Tasty?

Mainly mini tomatoes, watermelons, and sweet potatoes. While Hokkaido is famous for its potatoes, sweet potatoes are among the new crops recommended by Hokkaido in response to the recent climate change. Unlike potatoes, sweet potato cultivation is labor-intensive because it cannot be mechanized, and it also takes time after harvest to increase its sugar content, as it must be allowed to rest after harvest.

― So sweet potatoes you put so much time and effort into turn into the dried sweet potatoes.

Vegetables must be cooked to be eaten, so I started processing them into dried potatoes because I wanted to make something that could be eaten immediately after it is bought. I was also lucky that Mr. Endo had left me the drying machine he had used to make dried sliced daikon radish. During the winter off-season, we are dedicated to making dried sweet potatoes. I have a secret ambition to turn this into a Niseko specialty souvenir so that everyone will recognize Niseko Tasty’s dried sweet potatoes when they hear the name Niseko.

― Your work seems to be affected by nature and the climate, but what are some of the difficulties you face?

Because the moisture content of sweet potatoes increases if there is heavy rainfall before harvest and the flavor is diluted, the climate at harvest time is a concern. But that’s about the only thing that comes to mind, and to be honest, it’s actually not that challenging. Even when typhoons, a major enemy of agriculture, come, we often do not suffer that much damage from the wind and rain because we are in the mountains, and we feel the benefits of our environment.

The Joy of Having a Daily View of
a Mountain Range Second to
None in the World

― How is life in Niseko?

While the views of famous mountain ranges I have seen overseas in places like Nepal and Patagonia were amazing, Mt. Yotei and the surrounding mountains in Niseko are simply unbeatable. I am happy just to be able to see this scenery every day. I try to leave home before sunrise, and the fields are the best view spot to see the sunrise and Mt. Yotei. If you look at it every day, the position of the rising sun shifts little by little. Once a year, the sun rises from the top of the mountain.

― Where would you take your friends if they come to Niseko?

I have many friends that live the city, so if it is their first time in Niseko, I often take them to places that are unique to Hokkaido. First, I take them to Takahashi Ranch, where they can take pictures on a hay roll with a mountain range in the background and eat soft-serve ice cream. I’m curious about the new zipline, which I haven’t been able to try out yet either. Since Niseko is close to the sea, the seafood is fresh and delicious, so in this area, I would recommend “Sushi Hanakichi,” and if they don’t mind going a little further away, I would also recommend a sushi restaurant in Kamoenai, where celebrities are known to come to enjoy the food.

Contact

Niseko Tasty
95-4 Motomachi, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1544
https://www.instagram.com/niseko_tasty/

Stay

Photo: ©︎aaron_jamieson_

Live your journey,
immersed in nature’s power
and grace as the locals feel it.
A warm, nostalgia lingers in your heart, as the rhythms of daily life unfold.
By the end of your stay, you’ll find yourself already wanting to return.

Stay

01

Experience What
It Would Be like to
Live There

The people of Niseko live in harmony with nature. You will stumble across new discoveries of this area by acting as if you were living among the locals.

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Stay

01

Experience
What It Would Be
like to Live There

Like a Second Home

For longer stays, condominiums are a great way to make yourself at home. Having available such conveniences as a full kitchen, furniture and appliances, and a roomy bathroom makes for a stay that feels like your everyday life.

You can choose from a variety of types, including those featuring guest rooms with open-air baths, panoramic views, and stand-alone houses.

It’s All in the Mornings

Mornings give you different scenery from the daytime. On a pleasant morning when the air is crisp, wake up a little earlier than usual and head off to Niseko.

Before breakfast, take a stroll to a viewpoint overlooking Mt. Yotei. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch its ethereal silhouette wrapped in morning fog

Go for a walk to stretch your legs and have breakfast at a café. At Graubunden, which has a lovely triangular roof, you can order breakfast menu items and signature sandwiches from 8:00 a.m.

Cook with Locally Grown Vegetables

Freshly harvested vegetables are for sale at roadside stations and other farmer’s markets. Making simple dishes using local ingredients in the company of family and friends would likely make for a more memorable experience than even the most luxurious restaurants.

From potatoes and mini tomatoes to corn and beyond, a diverse selection of vegetables are grown here. If you’re unsure what to pick at the farm stand, ask for seasonal recommendations.

Even a simple preparation of these seasonal vegetables richly enhanced by nature itself make for a special treat. Even better, pair them with a local sake.

Immerse Yourself with the Locals
at an Onsen Hot Spring

Niseko is one of Hokkaido’s top hot spring villages and is dotted with hot spring facilities offering day-trip bathing. The variety of spring waters adds to the joy of hot spring hopping.

Kira No Yu

At such hot spring facilities rooted in the community as Kira No Yu, which is surrounded by nature and close to Niseko Station, you can also enjoy socializing with the locals.

Goshiki Onsen

Goshiki Onsen takes its name from the fact that the color of the hot springs changes to five different colors Located at the foot of Niseko Annupuri, these open-air baths offer magnificent views of the mountains.

Stay

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Savor Local Delicacies
Grown in Nature

Niseko is a treasure trove of ingredients by virtue of being surrounded by mountains and being quite close to the ocean. The gap in temperature between morning and night makes the vegetables sweeter and more savory, and brings in fresh seafood with firm flesh from the Sea of Japan. Have your fill of Niseko’s delicacies at these foodie destinations also popular with the locals.

Discover life in nature

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Stay

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Savor Local Delicacies Grown in Nature

Partake in Seasonal Dishes n a Relaxing Space

These are restaurants and cafés to easily familiarize yourself with the tastes of Niseko. Painstakingly prepared dishes using carefully selected ingredients satiate both the palate and the mind.

Sushi Hanayoshi

The owner personally selects the freshest fish from nearby fishing ports and various locations across Hokkaido. The masterful skills of the experienced chefs shine in each sushi, making it a must-try during your stay.

WHITE BIRCH CAFE

This small café in central Niseko Town evokes an atmosphere of being overseas. This café uses local ingredients to make sandwiches and homemade sweets that go well with their home-roasted coffee. Their hamburgers are also popular at lunchtime.

Bringing Out an Ingredients’ Best to
Create New Products

More and more makers are extracting what makes their ingredients appealing and cultivating them from scratch to create original products. Their stylish packaging makes them perfect for souvenirs.

nicao

Niseko’s first Bean-to-Bar Chocolate. Here they innovatively pair carefully selected cacao beans with local ingredients, such as fermented ginger, which is made from ginger and other ingredients by the local ginger beer brand HAKKO GINGER, as well as chili powder made from Niseko-grown chili peppers and sea salt.

Niseko Winery

At the base of Mt. Yotei, Niseko’s only winery delivers a drop unlike any other. Crafted solely with organically grown grapes, Niseko Organic Sparkling Wine, with its rich aroma and delicate bubbles, offers a taste nurtured by nature.

A Delectable Experience
in a Spectacular Location

Discover the incredible taste of freshly squeezed and freshly harvested products amid a magnificent landscape. This is also a great place for families to drop in while on a road trip.

Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm

Cafés, restaurants, and stores line the expansive grounds adjoined to Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm. After filling up on sweets made with freshly squeezed milk, you can have your photo taken on the round straw bales.

Niseko Tasty

This location offers a fantastic a view of Mt. Yotei. At this farmer’s market filled with a wide variety of freshly harvested vegetables, you can make your purchases over enjoyable conversation with the farmers. Dried sweet potatoes are one of the farms’ specialties.

Activities

An assortment of activities to make your Niseko stay unforgettable.
Ski, hike, jog, and paddle through the great outdoors alongside dear friends
and experienced guides.
Each adventure draws your heart closer to nature.

Photo: ©︎yuuyadayoo / Skier: yuto3146

Activities

01

Indulge
in the Snow’s Charms

The more you go down the powder snow on Niseko’s slopes, the more enchanted you will be by it. Relish in the snow renowned as the best in the world while also enjoying other activities besides skiing/snowboarding.

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Activities

01

Indulge
in the Snow’s Charms

Slopes That Make Visitors Want to
Return the Following Year

Of course, to fully savor this powder snow, you cannot miss skiing/snowboarding on it. Enchanted by Niseko United’s wide array of courses and superb snow quality, repeat visitors come back almost every year.

Niseko United

Niseko United, consisting of four ski resorts, is the largest ski resort in Japan where skiers/snowboarders can move around with their skis/snowboards on. Unprecedented within Japan, the Niseko Rules were implemented for backcountry areas.

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU offers a wide variety of courses. You can enjoy going downhill through the forest on the Tree Run according to your level as a skier/snowboarder.

Cherished Moments with Family and Friends

The charm of the ski resort isn’t just its many slopes. It’s also the time spent with loved ones after taking off your skis, surrounded by the breath-taking snowscapes.

The fluffy powder snow is gentle when you fall, making it the perfect playground for children. On warmer days, the snow absorbs moisture, making it ideal for building a snowman.

SANSHOKU

At the base of the King Gondola in Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU, the café bar “SANSHOKU” offers a place to enjoy meals and drinks—breakfast, lunch, and après-ski—while taking in the snowy view.

Take a Relaxing Venture Away
from the Hustle and Bustle

Get away from the busy slopes and towns for some trekking through the silvery white forests on snowshoes or horseback. Enjoy feeling like you have been given secret access to nature as you listen carefully for the singing of birds and other signs of animals.

Trek away on guided tours of landscapes distinctly Hokkaido in winter, such as frozen lakes, snow-covered birch forests and evergreen forests.

Horseback Riding

While you may feel uneasy at first, the horses’ rhythmical footsteps on the snow should make you feel more comfortable as you go. It is also refreshing to see the snowy landscapes from this higher vantage point.

Photo: ©︎silvainc

Activities

02

Embrace the Great
Outdoors Surrounded
by a Refreshing Breeze

With its comfortable temperatures, Niseko in summer is perfect for enjoying activities. Let loose and have fun at the mountains, rivers, and lakes of the great outdoors with its pleasant breeze.

Discover life in nature

Photo: ©︎silvainc

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Activities

02

Embrace the Great Outdoors Surrounded
by a Refreshing Breeze

From Hiking to Full-Fledged
Mountain Climbing

Out of the various mountains surrounding Niseko, first and foremost is Mt. Yotei, which is counted as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. From casual hiking to full-fledged mountain climbing, you can enjoy mountain hiking on the numerous well-maintained trails that is suited to your level of physical fitness and age.

Mt. Yotei

Mt. Yotei, which is also called “Ezo Fuji” because its cone-shape resembles Mt. Fuji, is a famous mountain that anyone with healthy legs should climb at least once. It is recommended to ask for a mountain guide since some of the paths to the summit can be steep.

The Niseko Trail

The Niseko Trail was officially opened in 2024 after maintenance by the local alpine club. This trail connects the mountains of the Niseko Mountain Range spanning from Hirafuzaka Main Street to the Raiden Coast on the Sea of Japan.

A Brisk Ride Through Greenery

Cyclists flock to Niseko in the summer, drawn by the thrill of riding through stunning natural landscapes. With trails utilizing the natural terrain and ski slopes, the area offers extensive MTB courses. Niseko also hosts numerous road races and cycling events.

Flow Trail

Once the trails of Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU and NAMBA (Niseko Area Mountain Bike Association) are connected, they will form one of the country’s longest trails.

Niseko Classic Race

Since its debut in 2014, the Niseko Classic Race, one of Hokkaido’s largest cycling competitions, has continued to attract more participants each year. Riders from Japan and abroad compete fiercely around the base of Mount Yotei.

Paddling Out onto Crystal Clear Waters

You can also enjoy summer activities that make good use of the abundant and clean water resources. The best part is the refreshing sense of oneness felt as you are led by an experienced guide and paddling out into the great outdoors with your travel companions.

Rafting

In spring, you can take in the thrill of high-level rafting as the melting snow causes the Shiribetsu River’s water level to rise.

Sea ​​Kayak

The Shakotan Peninsula sea kayaking tours have a shuttle service to and from Niseko, making them easy to join. The water is so clear that it feels like you are floating in air.
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