The Ultimate Niseko Escape
Carve | Glide | Soak
Tucked Into the Tranquil Landscapes of Hokkaido, A Small Alpine Town Thrives in Every Season. In Winter, Soft Powder Blankets the Hills, While Summer Brings Orchards Brimming with Color and Trails Lined with Wildflowers. Wooden Houses Rest Beneath Towering Peaks, and Steam Curls Up from Onsen Hidden in the Forests. Here, Nature Doesn’t Just Surround, It Invites. Paths Through Birch Groves Lead to Quiet Temples, While Clear Rivers Reflect Skies That Shift from Snow-Gray to Vivid Blue. Beneath It All, The Rhythm of Life Continues Gently, Where Mountain Air, Local Flavors, and Warm-Hearted Traditions Offer Moments That Feel Both Invigorating and Deeply Grounding.
CHECK-IN AT NISEKO DOWNTOWN
Begin your journey in Niseko’s revitalized downtown, where old meets new in a charming blend of local eateries, boutique shops, and alpine cafés. Once a sleepy village hub, the area now hums with fresh, youthful energy while still honoring its traditional roots. Getting Niseko is simple either drive or take a scenic 2 – 3 hours train ride from Sapporo via Otaru to Kutchan Station, followed by a short taxi or bus ride. From New Chitose Airport, direct shuttle buses run daily to Niseko, or you can opt for a rental car for added flexibility. Whether arriving from the city or the airport, downtown Niseko makes the perfect base for your adventures, offering easy access to nearby slopes, art spots, and hidden gems tucked across the surrounding countryside.
Fruit Picking Day Trip to Jozankei Farm
Just an hour from Niseko, Jozankei Farm in Sapporo ranks among Japan’s largest fruit farms, bursting with seasonal flavors. From June to early November, visitors can handpick fresh berries, apples, pears, and kiwi berries straight from the orchard. Families and curious travelers alike can also join hands-on activities like planting seedlings or flowers making for an enriching, nature-filled day just beyond the mountains.
Note: Jozankei Farm: Pick seasonal fruits and enjoy hands-on farm experiences just an hour from Niseko.
Autumn Hike at Lake Hangetsu, Kutchan
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Yotei, Lake Hangetsu is a tranquil crater lake ideal for a short nature walk. A 20-minute trail leads to a scenic viewpoint revealing the lake’s distinctive half-moon shape. Continue another 10 minutes to reach the lakeshore, where the reflection of golden autumn foliage creates a postcard-perfect moment.
Lake Hangetsu, Kutchan: A serene crater lake at Mt. Yotei’s base, perfect for a short, scenic hike and stunning autumn reflections.
Horseback Riding by Mt. Yotei
For a slower-paced adventure, try horseback riding at a local ranch near Mt. Yotei. Beginners can enjoy guided lessons before heading out across scenic fields with dramatic mountain views. After the ride, guests can feed the horses, snap photos, or try seasonal activities like pony sleigh rides or snow tubing.
Horseback Riding: Enjoy scenic rides near Mt.Yotei with guided trails perfect for beginners and nature lovers.
A Scenic Round of Golf at Hanazono Golf Club
With panoramic views of Mt. Annupuri and Mt. Yotei, Hanazono Golf Club pairs scenic beauty with rewarding play. Its pristine course design and premium facilities welcome golfers of all levels, whether you’re seeking a relaxed round or a full day on the greens. For golf lovers visiting Niseko, this mountain-framed course is not to be missed.
Experience World-Renowned Powder Skiing
In winter, the mountains transform into a world of soft, whispering snow—fine, dry, and almost weightless. Slopes stretch wide beneath open skies, each turn revealing a new vista of silent peaks and glistening trees. The terrain flows seamlessly from one ridge to the next, linking four distinct areas, each with its own character. Some runs wind through quiet forests; others blaze with the energy of night skiing under glowing lights. At the heart of it all, a bustling village welcomes skiers of every kind, where the thrill of the descent meets the warmth of post-ski laughter, good food, and glowing hearths.
Note: NISEKO, JAPAN
Offers Worldrenowned Powder Skiing with Vast, Pristine Slopes, Stunning Mountain Views, And Vibrant Après-Ski Culture.
SOAKING IN SERENITY
NISEKO’S LEGENDARY ONSENS
There’s a moment of pure, unadulterated magic that happens in Niseko. It’s not just when you’re carving through the world’s most famous powder snow, though that comes close. The true magic reveals itself as you sink into the steaming, mineral-rich waters of a traditional Japanese onsen, your muscles melting away the day’s exertions while snowflakes gently dust your shoulders.
For the uninitiated, Niseko is synonymous with epic skiing and snowboarding. But for those in the know, its volcanic soul offers an equally compelling reason to visit: its incredible natural hot springs. A soak in an onsen isn’t just a post-ski activity; it’s a cherished ritual, a cultural immersion, and the perfect way to harmonize with the stunning Hokkaido landscape.
THE BEST ONSENS IN NISEKO
From rustic community baths to luxurious resort offerings, here are the top onsens to seek out.
Hirafu Onsen (Hirafu Zaka no Yu)
Best For the Traditional Japanese public bath experience.
Tucked away just a short walk from the bustling Hirafu junction, this is the quintessential local sento (public bath) that also happens to be fed by natural hot spring water. It’s beloved by residents and in-theknow visitors for its simplicity, affordability, and powerful, sulfurous water that does wonders for sore muscles. The wooden interior and separation from the major resorts make it feel like a genuine discovery.
Goshiki Onsen
Best for A remote, off-the-beaten-path adventure.
For the ultimate authentic experience, venture a little further to Goshiki Onsen. This small, family-run inn is nestled in a quiet forest near Lake Hangetsu. The water is a striking milky blue, rich in minerals and renowned for its therapeutic properties. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful and feels a world away from the ski resorts. It’s a journey worth taking for serious onsen enthusiasts.
Hilton Niseko Village Onsen
Best ForA luxurious and accessible soak with top-tier facilities.
The Hilton offers a beautiful, modern onsen experience with both indoor and outdoor (rotenburo) baths. The water is soft and silky, and the outdoor bath, open to the elements, is sublime in the falling snow. As a major international hotel, they are generally more relaxed about tattoos (always confirm), and day passes are easy to purchase.
It’s a flawless, high-comfort introduction to onsen culture.
Hilton Niseko Village Onsen: Relaxing hot spring retreat with stunning Mt. Yotei views
RECOMMENDED STAY
Ginto Villas
An exclusive luxury development in the heart of Niseko – Hirafu, featuring architecturally refined
homes by ALT Design and Construction. Set within a serene 20-hectare community, the project
includes private residences, rental villas, and land plots surrounded by pristine nature. ALT’s villas are distinguished by their midcentury modern interiors and harmonious integration with the natural landscape, offering privacy, tranquility, and spectacular views of Mount Yotei. Each villa comes fully equipped with premium amenities ensuite bedrooms, fireplaces, double kitchens, ski rooms, and spa pool areas. ensuring a refined mountain lifestyle.
The development also provides five-star hotellevel services including private chefs, butlers, concierge support, and ski shuttles. Ginto Hirafu’s growing suite of facilities includes a restaurant and bar set in a traditional Japanese Kominka during winter, with a premium onsen complex, spa and salon, and fitness center under development. More than just a residence, Ginto Hirafu offers an immersive nature-based lifestyle combining design, comfort, and elite hospitality.
Address: 3-chome-5-21 Nisekohirafu 4 Jo, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0087, Japan
Tel: +81 136 55 6130
Email: info@altdesignconstruction.com
Website: www.altdesignconstruction.com/
