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羊蹄山
This 1,898-m peak is directly opposite Hirafu at Niseko. The peak makes for great views in the winter. In the summer, many people climb it, and it is possible to stay on top of the mountain in the Mountain Hut (山小屋). This mountain is sometimes called Ezo Fuji (蝦夷富士) due to its strong resemblance to Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji, with Ezo being the former official name for the island of Hokkaido.
Skiers love the deep, reliable powder, tree runs and relative ease to find untracked snow. There are no real steeps here (max slope is approx 35 degrees) but there are lots of great runs, serviced by good quality lifts, most of which are gondolas or covered chairs. Niseko is renowned for its huge amount of powder brought from Siberia by northern weather patterns.
Niseko is a snowboarder's snowy-cultural paradise. The area averages 12-16 meters of light snow every season to slide sideways, shred, surf and slash. Niseko United includes the four resorts of Hanazono, Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Higashiyama and Annupuri on one all mountain pass (29 lifts, 3 gondolas) From deep powder runs to your pick of 3 terrain parks, Niseko offers a lot to enjoy.
In the summer, there are several wonderful day hikes.
It's possible to bike around Mount Yotei, by using the surrounding, mostly quiet, roads for a total of 52 kilometers. Bike rental is available from various establishments, including Rhythm Japan, for around ¥4000 per day. Tours are also available.
Onsens, Japanese hot springs, are popular places to relax. Some are natural, and some are not.
ニセコピザ
A pizzeria, pasta, and cafe with a family atmosphere. Sells pizza, salad, and bread baked in a stone-fired pizza oven. Prepared with locally grown ingredients.
A bakery by day and Japanese izakaya by night. Serves sweets, sandwiches, bagels, and baguettes.
Offers fresh-baked pizza and light meal selections. Happy hour and drink discounts available. Free shuttle bus to and from Hirafu. Live DJ during ski season.
Offers Komekichi's rice balls, made of freshly milled and steamed rice and filled with Hokkaido ingredients. Also sells fresh-baked breads and soup.
Restaurant with nice views of Mt. Yotei and the top of Mt. Annupuri.
Japanese pub-style cuisine in the heart of Hirafu, with dishes like tofu and yakitori. Specializes in Japanese and local dishes.
Fresh sushi and sashimi from the nearby Shakotan Peninsula.
A cafe on the slopes of Niseko Annupuri mountain.
A nice selection of local and imported cuts of prime beef, seafood and more. Has nice value lunch deals.
The chefs cook a fantastic dinner in your holiday home. This food catering company does delivery to all Niseko locations.
A catering company which will come to your property, prepare and serve a meal and then clean up.
The 2nd floor is a tasty Mexican restaurant with burritos, quesadillas, tequila, and more. On the first floor, there are two bars, one with a pool table, and the other with darts.
ヤミーズ
Handmade pizza, salads, cold beer, and music.
Traditional Japanese cuisine with tasty sake and selected wines. Free pick-up and Drop-off service in Hirafu village and Kutchan station
Kabuki 1 is Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki do-it-yourself style, cook on your own hotplate. Kabuki 2 is full service Teppanyaki were the skilled chefs cook as you like seafood, steak and various Japanese specialties.
A large Western style pub with good music, pool, drinks and darts. An excellent restaurant early, turns into a pumping nightspot later, with live music often and regular DJs on weekends.
A very popular pub that attracts younger more hip crowds. It has live music, billiards, darts, good drinks and decent Japanese "drunk food" like ramen noodle soup. Twice-weekly, locals swarm the place for the locals' darts comp, but visitors are still welcome to come along and watch the darting fun!
A quirky bar, with crazy Asian-influenced lounge areas reminiscent of an old opium-den. Has good tunes & decent cocktails, and a pole to dance with (or watch while someone else gets their sexy on). The adjacent partner bar, "The Ice Bar", is a fun experience too, just watch out for falling icicles!
aka the fridge
A fantastic little bar only a short stroll downhill from the Seicomart traffic light. Amongst the regular drinks, serves excellent hot cocktails and rare whiskeys, with music provided by spinning vinyls and regular live musicians. Entrance is through a small old-style fridge door.
A fun little restaurant/bar with an insanely loud sound system, which regularly hosts all-night DJ parties, often with one ticket getting you entry into Jam and one or two other nearby bars for collaboration parties, and a free drink or two on entry.
Popular seafood shack well known for its oysters, crab and cooked seafood dishes.
Best value Japanese in town - classic rice bowl Japanese, family style taste.
They organise backcountry ski tours.
Established in the 1980s. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price.
Dormitory bedrooms, separate men's and women's. Japanese-style rooms with bedding for up to four people.
A 16-room red-brick boutique hotel. Only hotel within walking distance of the Hanazono ski lift, 200 meters above the Hanazono 308 base lodge, and a 5-minute walk to the Tokyu Golf Course.
Run by a Japanese family, and with both Japanese and native English speaking staff. Hearty breakfasts to start the day and a large lounge area.
30 chalets serviced by a regular shuttle service that runs through the day and into the evening, and a concierge service. Each chalet comes with an equipped western-style kitchen, wireless Internet and cable TV.
1- and 3-bedroom condominiums. 2-min drive to ski hill and 1-min walk to a bus stop for ski shuttle. Free car service is available for local cruise (first-come first-served basis).
The original and longest-held lodge owned by expat from Australia Scott Walker, since 1997. Fine colonial-style building. In winter has a cafe with fine Japanese food with good Australian wine, desserts and coffee. It has beautiful polished flooring and fine style.
チャトリウム ニセコ ジャパン
78-room hotel with one restaurant.
A great place to unwind and relax those well used muscles after a big day on the slopes. Relaxation, remedial, deep tissue or sports massage.
English-speaking ski school and rental shop across from the Ace Family lift in the ground floor of Alpen Ridge. Experienced team of international instructors provide adults and children's lessons. Rental equipment includes K2, Aramada, Head and more. On snow accessories for sale including shoe spikes, goggles, helmets and more from Oakley, Dakine and Smith.
Offers free overnight storage and a large range of ski and snowboard hire. Best value in town and right next to the Ace Family lift. Also sells clothing, goggles and gloves.
By bus
During winter months, numerous limousine bus services are provided to various ski resorts in Niseko at a cost of ¥1900-2300 each way.
By train
is the main railway station in Niseko. It sees a sparse local service from Oshamambe and Otaru.
In winter (Dec - early Apr) the Niseko United Shuttle runs between the four resorts. The route runs in a line from Annupuri to Hanazono, with multiple stops at each of the four resorts.
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