About Hirafu
Niseko - Hirafu is heaven on earth
for powder snow skiers and snow boarders. Hirafu
resort is actually a year round resort also offering
mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting, golf
and fishing.
Hirafu offers 1000 vertical metres.
- 30% beginner
- 40% intermediate
- 30% Advanced
Facilities
The resort offers:
- a free shuttle bus service
that runs throughout the entire village to and
from the main express Gondola
- Convenience Grocery and Liquor
Store
- Numerous Bars and Restaurants
- Night club
- 30 meter indoor swimming pool
- spas, steam rooms and saunas
- Ski and snowboard rental
- Ski and snowboard schools
- Local Onsens (outdoor natural hot
springs)
- Internet cafes
- Child minding services
Snowboard & Ski Shops
There are ski and snow board rental shops located in Hirafu. Supplies of longer
skis and boards and larger boot sizes are limited.
Restaurants
Hirafu has a large selection of restaurants including Izakayas (Japanese pubs),
sushi restaurants, ramen (noodle) restaurants, and curry restaurants.
On mountain restaurants provide great
value for money and a variety of foods from delicious
crab ramen to tempura, and the hot chocolates at
the mountain hut cafe are certainly worth trying
for morning tea.
Natural wonders
Thermal springs / onsens
Several onsens, natural thermal springs that come from deep within the volcanic
earth are located around Hirafu. Some of these springs contain a large mineral
and sulfur content and the steaming hot natural water is very therapeutic
and helps to ease the aches and pains from a hard days skiing, boarding,hiking
or mountain biking.
Mt Yotei zan
Mt Yotei, 1898 metres high, is the most
famous mountain on Hokkaido and a defining point
in the Niseko area and especially Hirafu. Mt. Yotei
is popularly called Mt. Ezo-Fuji because its shape
resembles the famous Mt. Fuji.
Food and wine
The restaurants in Hirafu offer a wide
range of traditional Japanese dishes including local
fresh produce. The dishes range from the well known
sushi and tempura to local dishes including mackerel
and dried squid. Most of the menus are translated
into English which often provides great dining entertainment.
The occasional translation is sure to create some
laughter including the "male cod sperm" and "tuna
and guts". They really aren't as bad as they
sound.
Ice creams made from local dairy produce
are also available. The flavours vary including traditional
ice cream flavours and some unusual ones such as
red bean, potato and pumpkin to name a few.
Japanese beer and sake is readily available
as well as the occasional home made fruit wines.
The local wines - more of a liqueur include local
plums, apricots or other fruits. Wines from around
the world are also available at many restaurants.
Climate
Winter - is long and can be quite cold.
Light powder snow arrives from across the Sea of
Japan and the Siberian desert. Skiing and snow boarding
in untracked powder snow is very popular during winter.
Spring - brings the thaw and as the
snows melt they reveal a world of bamboo forests
that have been flattened by the heavy snow. The breezes
are still cool and fresh.
Summer - with the disappearance of
the snow it is now an ideal time to go hiking to
view the alpine wild flowers. Golf, white water rafting
and various other sports are popular at this time
of the year.
Autumn - arrives earlier than other
parts of Japan but is is still a great time for hiking
with the clear crisp autumn skies.
Accommodation
Hirafu village offers several different
types of accommodation including Japanese pensions
(guesthouses), self-contained apartments (condominiums)
and Hotels.
Getting there from Sapporo
Car
To Grand Hirafu From Sapporo
Distance approx. 92 km
New Chitose Airport - Grand HIRAFU: about 2 hours
Sapporo - Grand HIRAFU: about 2 ½ hours
Take Route 230 via Nakayama pass to Kimobetsu town. Turn right at the crossing
of Route 276 towards Kutchan. At Route 5, turn left.
Train
JR line; Sapporo – Kutchan – Niseko
Approximately 1 ¾ hrs to Kutchan. Disembark at Kutchan for Grand 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 Grand Hirafu.
The trip takes approximately 2 ½ hours
Related articles
The
colours of breakfast - a story about powder
skiing in Hokkaido with lots of action photos.
More information
http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/index.html
Useful Links To Shops, Services and other things
in Hirafu
If you would like to display your business here,
click here to contact us.
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