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Niseko Family Guide

Niseko Family Guide 2021: Your Guide to Eat, Play, Stay in Niseko

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…

Niseko Guide

Best places to eat in Niseko – Food Galore in Japan

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…

Hakuba Guide

Traveller’s Guide for Getting Around Hakuba

Hakuba is spread out; the ski resorts and facilities aren’t located or easily accessible by walking, and there isn’t a main gondola where you can base yourself at. Getting around the village requires some planning, if you don’t want to spend ages waiting for the shuttle bus or a ride during the winter months. Here’s where our Hakuba transport guide comes into the picture. We’ll provide an overview of the different transport options for getting around Hakuba, along with links to the shuttle service timetables and route details. Taxi We recommend making bookings in advance, particularly if you’re travelling during the peak season. Tip: opt for restaurants that run their own shuttles so that access won’t be an issue. Taxi companies in Hakuba: Alps Taxi – p. +81 261-72-2221.Hakuba Kanko Taxi – p. +81 261-72-2144.Omachi Meitetsu Taxi – p. +81 261-72-2236 Car rental If you’re travelling with family or a…

Eat

Where To Eat In Hakuba

A Hakuba Food Guide For Your Japan Travels Hakuba has no lack of dining venues and watering holes; during our trip, we discovered great ramen bars, hole-in-the-wall izakayas, cosy cafes and elegant French restaurants, to name a few. There are various villages spread out across Hakuba, so we’ve provided a short introduction to 7 villages (or districts), along with our top dining picks in our guide below: 1. Hakuba Station The area surrounding the Hakuba Station is bustling; you’ll find local amenities like banks, supermarkets and the post office, souvenir shops and plenty of dining options. Maeda – Maeda is a favourite among both locals and vacationers alike. Come here for the chewy soba or udon noodles and savoury broths. The tonkatsu is nicely crispy and tender, and makes a satisfying dish. Prices are affordable, and service is quick. 5054 Hokujo, Hakuba, p. +81 261-72-2295. Open 11am – 2pm daily. …

Destination Guide

The Essential Hakuba Skiing Guide

Consistently superb skiing conditions, a variety of ski resorts to choose from, plenty of kid-friendly amenities—Hakuba definitely checks off the boxes as a prime ski destination for families. It’s home to 10 major ski resorts, with each offering unique features, so getting to ski across different venues is one of the highlights here. Away from the slopes, Hakuba offers a great family experience. There are excellent restaurants and après-ski bars to check out, cultural activities to try out and onsens to unwind and take in stunning panoramas of the Japanese Alps. Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive Hakuba skiing guide for Hakuba first-timers. We’ve covered the essentials, including where to ski, renting ski equipment and getting ski lessons. Skiing in Hakuba There are 10 major ski resorts in Hakuba Valley (Iimori is considered part of Goryu), with a few being connected resorts with shared lift passes: Goryu and Iimori connect…

Hakuba Family Guide

Hakuba with kids: Family activities for travellers of all ages

Mention Hakuba, and one immediately conjures up images of its majestic slopes, wintry landscape and prime skiing conditions. If you plan to visit Hakuba with kids, there’s plenty else to do away from the slopes. You can visit key historic sites, experience cultural activities like a tea ceremony ritual, or enjoy a soak at an outdoor hot spring with jaw-dropping views out to the mountains. For the full details (and more travel ideas), do check out our family-friendly guide below. Happy holidays! 1. Hit the slopes – the most popular way to enjoy Hakuba with kids A haven for skiing enthusiasts, Hakuba offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country. There are excellent powder snow conditions, and 11 ski resorts and ski chalets you can access. For Hakuba first-timers, our recommendations are: Tsugaike Kogen’s gentle, wide slopes for beginners and Hakuba Iwatake for intermediate skiers. Experienced skiers…

Hakuba Guide

Hakuba Ski Season: Everything You Need to Know about Hakuba Weather

The Hakuba ski season typically runs from late November to late April or early May. In the different periods across the winter season, there will be changes in key elements that will affect your vacation—like the weather, snow conditions, prices, dining venues, entertainment options and village amenities. To help you better plan for your Hakuba trip, we’ve provided a quick overview of each period below. Start of Hakuba ski season: Late November – mid-December Having little to no crowds to jostle with and getting discounts are the benefits of coming to Hakuba during the early season. If you’re planning to make advanced bookings, we won’t recommend arriving before the second week of December. Any earlier, and it can be hit-and-miss with the weather and snow conditions; you might be able to ski if the snow comes early, but there’s also a chance that you might be shut out due to…

Niseko Family Guide

Niseko with Kids – Best Activities for Families with Young Children

There’s more to Niseko than its powdery ski slopes, stunning chalets and breathtaking scenery. It might not be immediately obvious, but the area also boasts an excellent dining scene (check out our Niseko food guide for Michelin-starred restos, cool après-ski bars and more), onsens with jaw-dropping views, well-curated museums and fascinating cultural events and workshops. There’s something for every family vacationer. If you are coming to Niseko with kids, check out our favourite attractions and activities below: 1. Experience a variety of winter activities Your little ones may not be able to ski down Niseko’s powdery slopes just yet – but that doesn’t mean that they’ll be left out of the fun. There are many other activities to cater to kids across different ages. So bring them out for reindeer rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, or just to build a snowman outdoors (Frozen soundtrack in the background)! Check out…

Niseko Guide

Niseko Ski Guide – All You Need to Know for a Snow-Filled Holiday

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…

Niseko Guide

Car, Bus or Taxi? Learn about Your Options to Get Around Niseko Here

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 -…