Destination Features
- Niseko is a small town on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island, with a population of around 5,000 residents and is one of Asia’s most popular ski resorts, known for its incredible snow quality and world class cuisine. Set against the backdrop of Mt Yotei, Niseko attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world to its champagne powder snow and pristine ski slopes. There are four main ski areas in Niseko offering over 48km of pistes which accommodate all levels of skiers. These include wide open runs, gladed areas and groomed pistes, as well as off-piste and back country terrain.
- Mt Yotei is the most iconic part of the Niseko landscape and was formed about 10,000 years ago by a shifting volcanic landscape. Standing 1,898m above sea level, Mt Yotei is a conical shape and can be avalanche prone, but you can hike or skin to the summit with a local guide quite safely. Other popular Winter activities in the area include heli-skiing, cat skiing, cross country skiing, or snow kiting. There are various snowmobile tours which provide great adventure through deep powder and steep terrain, and snow rafting & tubing can be an exhilarating adrenaline rush for all.
- The Niseko Onsenkyo includes fifteen local volcanic hot springs known in Japan as onsen. These onsen and the minerals within them are believed to have a good effect on your body, and offer a place to relax and unwind after a day on the mountains. One of these onsen in Niseko is a famous 100 year old Spring called the Kombu onsen. Japanese tradition says that to experience the full effects of an onsen, you should visit the hot spring every day for three weeks! Niseko also has many outdoor baths or rotenburo which are surrounded by beautiful scenery and also very popular. Some onsen are linked to hotels and others to day spas.
- Niseko offers plenty of options for the gourmet experience. For simple local dishes, you can enjoy homemade noodles at Udon Gokoro, or charcoal grilled meat skewers at Yakitori Yosaku. Hotpots and Wagyu beef dishes are on the menu at A-Bu-Cha 2nd, or creative Japanese dishes with fresh ingredients at Akaru. Many local restaurants are very small and if you make a reservation they will often have a strict cancellation policy. Steak Rosso Rosso is well known for its Japanese Wagyu and Kobe beef and Tsubara Tsubara is Niseko’s most famous curry shop. For fine dining, Kumo is popular, Roketto with its noodle and rice bowls with a twist, Izakaya Koharuya for its fresh fish dishes.
- Most helpful website for fact finding and general information about Niseko is provided by Niseko Tourism.
