Niseko Japan is by far our favorite ski place in the world, and we are a big ski family. I’ve skied South America, Europe, USA, Canada and there is something special about the snow in Niseko, it is softer and the abundance of it is fascinating!!!
GETTING THERE:
Niseko has become so popular that there are now direct flights from different parts of Asia directly to Niseko (Malaysia, Australia) and you no longer need to go through Tokyo. They are building a rail for the shinkansen to go from Tokyo to Hokkaido; however, until that happens, flying to Sapporo into the Chitose Airport is the only way. The bus is the cheapest form of transport from the airport to the ski area and they depart about every 30 minutes from the airport to drop-off points in the three major resorts in Niseko – Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri. – See more at: http://www.powderlife.com/niseko/getting-there/#sthash.G1zXzYQ2.dpuf
*At the Chitose Airport, go to this stall, it is famous for the best Onigiri in Japan–ask for the pork or crab….
HOTEL:
I highly recommend going with a group and renting a house from either Niseko Company or Hokkaido Tracks…….http://thenisekocompany.com/
Through the Niseko Company we’ve stayed at many of their houses, some of our favorites have been: Latitude 42 (4 bedrooms), Kasestsu (6 bedroom), Miyabi(4 bedrooms) and Zekke (6 bedroom)!
If you prefer a hotel, there are many options but the ones I prefer include: The Vale, The Aya, The Hilton Niseko Village and The Green Leaf.
FOOD:
As far as food, again when in Japan–you need to experience the amazing food and Hokkaido is famous for its seafood!! I would recommend the following:
*I would do first dinner at home because it is a long trip after the flight and 3 hour drive–order pizza from Niseko Pizza in town–they deliver and are good!!
*Another night I would order seafood platters from Ezzo or go to EZZO—best seafood in town–very famous and amazing (there is a platter with oysters, shrimp, salmon, mussels, etc….everything!!! Make a reservation, it is famous and books up 2 months in advance.
*For another dinner visit the Barn by Odin (which is intercontinental) and in a beautiful refurbished barn–but it’s not japanese. http://www.nisekobarn.com
*A local favorite that is casual and kid friendly is Abucha 2. It’s izekaya style so you can order a variety of japanese small dishes to share. It’s also in the center of town. http://www.abucha.net/abucha/
*If you would like an upscale dinner for adults only, I would recommend one of the following two restaurants:–
Kamimura is French/Japanese cuisine and An is japanese cuisine in the Ki hotel.
https://www.kamimura-niseko.com/en/#!/splash
http://kiniseko.com/en/dining-ki-niseko
BARS:
As far as bars, there is the famous Gyu Bar aka “the fridge door bar” that is nice, quaint and quiet for early evening. They play great jazz music– http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowUserReviews-g1025639-d3811276-r151493389-Bar_Gyu-Kutchan_cho_Abuta_gun_Hokkaido.html
Then later in the evening — Barunba—which is a hole in the wall but makes crazy strong drinks and is always packed. Tamashi is another bar which plays good music and has pool tables…. Hundreds of fun bars, but all very low key and small–fun to walk around and go for a drink in different ones!!! http://www.powderlife.com/blog/5-b
SKIING:
We usually rent a van at the airport and drive ourselves to Niseko and that way we have a car in the village. Some houses provide cars/vans. We like having a van bc we put the kids in ski school in Hanozono-NISS. There is a ski school and lessons at the base of Hirafu; however, we prefer the ski school for the kids at Hannozono, which is a 15 min drive from Hirafu and the restaurant there has live music and sometimes they bring out live animated characters for the kids!
