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Niseko Guide

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Being in the villa rental business for the past 9 years teaches us one thing: Families have very different travel needs than any other types of travellers. Whenever we expand to another destination or add a new villa into our portfolio, we always have a checklist for its kid-friendly properties. When our mom clients ask us about Niseko, we can happily say that the destination is a great choice. In this Niseko family guide, we have asked our Japan experts to share their best tips on how to travel to Niseko with kids. We will be providing some options and inspirations for you to plan your trip. Is Niseko family-friendly? The short answer: absolutely yes. We have seen enough kids in Niseko to confidently say that the destination is very family-friendly. Skiing aside, there are plenty of other things for families to do, although most of our clients come to…

Fresh seafood, dairy products, Japanese beers and the Genghis Khan – a grilled meat dish – are some of the highlights of Hokkaido cuisine. There are plenty of dining venues to savour these items in Niseko – from food carts, to eateries and Michelin-starred fine diners. The town’s wide-ranging dining scene also features fusion restaurants, French or Italian gourmet diners, cafes and après-ski bars. So if you don’t know where or what to start with, just have a look at our Niseko dining guide below! Where to eat in Niseko Town Located southwards of the Niseko United resorts, Niseko Town isn’t at the heart of the action at Niseko Village, but a town where many long term residents call home. You’ll find affordable accommodation and dining options here, but it’s best to rent a car as it’s harder to get out to the main ski areas.  Sushi Hanayoshi – Come…

Niseko is widely known as a prime ski destination, thanks to its powder quality, variety of trails, and fantastic options for night skiing and backcountry skiing. It’s located in one of the coldest regions in Japan, so the town enjoys a long ski season that lasts from November till May. Beyond the slopes, Niseko still checks off all the right boxes – it offers incredible outdoor onsens, luxury ski chalets, a lively après-ski scene and abundant dining options. To help you plan for your holiday, we’ve put together a complete Niseko Ski Guide. Check out where to ski in Niseko, information on ski equipment rental, ski passes and more. Where to ski in Niseko The main ski resorts are Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri and Hanazono (Hanazono and Niseko Hirafu are jointly known as Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu). These four resorts form a collective known as Niseko United and are…

Visiting Niseko soon? There are three main transport options for getting around in Niseko: via rental car, shuttle bus or taxi. In our guide below, we’ll provide an overview of the different transport options, along with tips to help you get around Niseko more easily and safely. Let’s begin: Rent a car in Niseko Hokkaido’s well-maintained roads make for easy driving during the summer. But during wintertime, the road conditions can be hazardous. Plus, there’s also the problem of limited parking during the winter – covered parking lots are limited, and while public parking is available, these spaces may not be easily accessible due to the heavy snowfall (you’ll need to be prepared to shovel a lot too). Driving around Niseko during winter isn’t recommended unless you’re experienced in driving in extreme winter road conditions. Niseko Auto – 37-97 Aza, Yamada, Kutchan, p. +81-80-5586-3490. Open 9am – 6pm Mon -…

Mention Niseko, and one immediately thinks of its world-class powder snow, excellent ski conditions and top-notch ski accommodations. In different periods across the winter season, there will be changes in the weather, snow conditions, prices, dining and nightlife options and other key factors. To help you better plan for your trip, we’ve provided a quick overview for Niseko ski season below: Start of Niseko ski season: Late November – early December Average temperatures: -1°C to 6°C (November) & -1°C to -7°C (December) Night skiing: Unavailable Backcountry gates: Open (depending on weather conditions). Monthly observed snowfall (2018 / 2019 season): 84 cm Lift lines: There aren’t that many vacationers in Niseko during this period, so you can expect short lift lines. Restaurants, nightlife and events: The majority of restaurants commence their operations at the start of December, and you’ll find a good selection of dining venues open before then. The nightlife…