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The area of Niseko is located in Central
Hokkaido. The area includes several resorts, towns,
ski fields, onsens and national parks. The most popular
destination in the Niseko area is Hirafu, commonly
known as Niseko-Hirafu.
Hirafu falls under the governance of
Kutchan and further down the road from the ski area
and resort of Hirafu is the actual town of Niseko.
On a clear day, the views in Niseko
are fantastic, including the beauty of Mt Yotei all
the way to the Sea of Japan.
The resort of Hirafu is only a short
10 minute bus ride to the nearby town of Kutchan
which provides more shopping opportunities as well
as traditional Japanese restaurants and Karaoke bars.
The Niseko ski area is known for some
of the best off-piste powder skiing in the world.
Niseko can receive up to 16 metres of snow in a season.
The snow arrives from storms crossing the Siberian
Desert across the Sea of Japan. The water content
of the snow is usually less than 10% creating extremely
light powder snow.
The terrain at Niseko includes wide
open, well groomed cruising runs, glades, terrain
parks and open bowls starting on the peak of Mt Annupuri.
There are several ski areas in the
Niseko Area and a multi resort lift passes can be
purchased.
Grand Hirafu
The Grand Hirafu ski area consists of
several chairlifts, a 4 person gondola and rope tows. Several of the chairlifts
have protective weather hoods to make your journey up the mountain more bearable
on those frequently snowy days. The lifts are open daily from 8.30am to 8.30pm.
Niseko has one of the largest night skiing areas in the world, so if you haven't
had your fill of powder snow during the day you keep going into the night.
For the powder snow enthusiast you can hike to the top of Mt Annupuri. Approximately
1000 steps depending who's steps you count takes you to the summit. On a clear
day the view is breathtaking, all the way to the beaches along the Sea of Japan.
After you recover from the climb the
ski or board down is awesome through open bowls of
powder and onwards through some of the best glade
runs.
A free shuttle bus service runs throughout
the entire resort to transport guests to and from
the lifts. Several of the pensions also operate shuttle
buses for their guests.
Higashiyama
Higashiyama is
located between Annupuri and Hirafu. Higashiyama
offers some of the steepest runs in the Niseko
area, combined with light powder snow, and some
of the most spectacular views of Mt Yotei.
A visit (or several) to one of the
local Onsens is a must during any skiing or snowboarding
holiday. The hot therapeutic waters help ease away
the day's aches and pains. The Onsens are natural
thermal springs that originate from deep within the
volcanic earth. The steaming hot water is piped into
large outdoor and indoor bathing pools. There are
Onsen’s throughout the villages at the base
of the ski slopes in the Niseko area.
The Niseko area offers a wide range
of activities during the warmer months. There are
several excellent golf courses with first class facilities.
Or try Park Golf which has been developed in Hokkaido.
Players hit a large golf ball with a club which resembles
a Number 1 Wood. The object of the game is to put
the ball into a larger hole with the minimum number
of strokes.
For the adventure enthusiasts try white
water rafting, hang gliding or mountain biking through
spectacular forests or on technical downhill courses.
Niseko also provides some fantastic locations for
fly fishing which is very popular amongst the locals.
Summer is the perfect time to visit
one of the local farms/ranches to go horse riding
or just enjoy the country side.
A visit to one of the many Onsen’s
in the area is a great way to relax. The Onsens are
natural thermal springs that originate from deep
within the volcanic earth. The steaming hot water
is piped into large outdoor and indoor bathing pools.
Niseko area offers a wide selection
of bars and restaurants including small pubs, traditional
Yakitori & Sushi restaurants, ramen noodle shops
and curry houses. The prices vary depending on the
style of the restaurant but it is quite possible
to find some very good value meals at the smaller
restaurants.
Local produce features high on the
menus at most of the restaurants especially local
seafood and it is not always raw - the Mackerel and
the squid are both very popular.
The Niseko Area is surrounded by several
small towns including Niseko and the resort village
of Hirafu and Higashiyama.
Accommodation types include pensions
(guesthouses), self-contained apartments (condominiums)
and Hotels.
Car
To Niseko Annupuri From Sapporo; Take Route 230 via Nakayama pass and Kimobetsu
town. Distance approx. 105 km.
To Niseko Higashiyama From Sapporo;
Take Route 230 via Nakayama pass and Kimobetsu town.
Distance approx. 97 km.
To Niseko Hirafu From Sapporo; Take
Route 230 via Nakayama pass to Kimobetsu town. Then
turn right at the crossing of Route 276 toward Kutchan.
When you reach Route 5, turn left. Distance approx.
92 km.
Train
JR line; Sapporo – Kutchan – Niseko
Approximately 1 ¾ hrs to Kutchan and another 15 minutes to Niseko. Disembark
at Kutchan for Hirafu and take the bus from Kutchan station to Hirafu resort.
Bus
Chuo Bus, Niseko Bus and Donan Bus operate between New Chitose Airport – Sapporo
and the following destinations in the Niseko ski area:
Hirafu
Higashiyama
Annupuri
Niseko
The trip takes approximately 2 ½ hours.
More info
http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/index.html
.
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