Niseko is located in northern Japan on the island of Hokkaido, and has quickly become known as Asia‘s premier alpine destination.

The region commonly known as Niseko is made up of four resorts that join at the top of Mt Annupuri, otherwise known as Niseko United. The Niseko United resort includes Hirafu (Niseko Grand Hirafu), Hanazono, Annupuri and Niseko Village, and guests enjoy the opportunity to traverse to alternative resorts from the mountain’s upper slopes.

Hokkaido is famous for the quality and freshness of its seafood, which can be enjoyed in many Niseko restaurants during any season. Other well-known local produce includes potatoes, asparagus, and soba buckwheat. Niseko is also known for its dairy farms, and fresh cream and ice cream are a specialty of the area. Much of the agricultural produce comes from low chemical, environmentally friendly farms, and recycling and composting are promoted across the region.

Niseko Hanazono Resort lies on the North Eastern side of Mount Niseko Annupuri (far right-hand side of the trail map below) and can be accessed via the lift system with a Hanazono / Grand Hirafu Lift Pass or Niseko All Mountain Lift Pass.

Accessing Niseko Hanazono via ski runs

• Confident beginners: From Hirafu, take the Hirafu Gondola followed by the Swinging Monkey, turn right off the lift onto Parallel Course (red), then the Silver Dream (green).
• Intermediate and above: From Hirafu, take the Hirafu Gondola or Ace Quad Chair followed by the King Hooded Triple, turn right onto Youtei Sunset (red), then follow the signs down to HANAZONO.

Grand Hirafu is famous for its excellent dry powder snow, which travels thousands of kilometers from Siberia. The elevation at the top of the lift is 940m, and you can ski right down to the base. Grand Hirafu offers one of the largest areas of night skiing in Asia and lifts are open until 7pm .

Now known as simply 'Niseko Village', provides a range of ski runs up to five kilometres long. With terrain designed to suit the beginner skier through to the more experienced sportsperson, a convenient gondola runs directly to the top of the mountain. The slopes feature a beautiful array of white birch trees and Niseko Village is also distinctive for its stunning view over Mount Yotei.

Niseko Annupuri is perfect for learners, for those of intermediate ability, and for those advanced skiers who wish to venture off-piste. A fantastic feature of this resort is the enormous stretch of backcountry, which provides endless hours of exhilarating skiing.

A number of ungroomed slopes are also available and these are a popular choice for snowboarders and skiers alike. The resort is complemented by the many onsens nearby, offering the perfect way to relax after a day on the slopes.

No part of Niseko United - Moiwa has gained popularity among Australian and European skiers and snowboarders for its secluded slopes. Moiwa’s beautiful natural environment remains untouched and separated from large resort developments occuring elsewhere around Niseko.

Known across Japan as Ezo-Fuji (meaning the Fuji of Hokkaido) due to its similarity in shape to the mainland’s famous Peak, Mt Yotei can been seen from your chalet and bedroom windows.

It holds a special place in the hearts of locals as it stands guard over the Niseko region. A semi-dormant volcano, it is one of Japan’s most iconic mountains. Yotei-san is covered with snow for three-quarters of the year and provides spectacular photo opportunities all year round.

Hiking Yotei in summer

Adventure-loving visitors can hike to the peak in the summer months, with a return trip taking approximately five to eight hours of vigorous climbing. Hiking Yotei is limited in the winter months but is a possibility with the assurance of a certified guide. We work closely with many local guiding companies so be sure to check with the front desk for the best recommendations.

A short drive from Tsubasa Chalet with a population of 16,500, Kutchan is an authentic Japanese community that offers supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, a hospital and clinics, photo processing, banks, a post office and shops.

Kutchan is a great place to shop for all those unique Japanese items and sweets to take home. The local Kutchan post office provides an international ATM available between the hours of 9am to 6pm.

Kutchan features over 50 restaurants with cuisine including sushi, ramen, Japanese BBQ and izakaya (bars with tapas-style Japanese bar food). A visit to Kutchan for dinner is a must for all visitors wishing to experience the local scene. Please contact be front desk to book a Taxi ahead of time as Taxi Availability can be very limited.

Otaru is a port city featuring picturesque canals and quaint cobblestone streets. This once-rustic fishing village is renowned for fresh seafood, a boutique brewery, exquisite glassware and beautiful wineries. A trip to Otaru will reward you with some memorable souvenirs.

The Otaru Yukiakari-no Michi (Snow Gleaming Festival) is an event where snow lanterns are placed amidst Otaru’s historical streets in a glowing display that never fails to enchant.

Visitors to the event will also enjoy the sight of hundreds of floating candles illuminating the canal. This picturesque scene attracts thousands of international visitors every February.

The capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth largest city with a population of 1.8 million people, Sapporo is the gateway to Hokkaido and the Niseko district. It is also celebrated as one of Japan’s most desirable cities to live in. Sapporo is well known for its many parks and also its enormous range of shopping, including luxury high-end stores.

Every February the city plays host to the Sapporo Snow & Ice Festival, which attracts nearly two million visitors who come to experience the amazing ice sculptures on a grand scale.