Hokkaido offers a wide variety of attractions, from activities that allow people to experience the great outdoors to local dishes made from the bounty of its land and surrounding sea. In this article, you will get to know Hokkaido’s Niseko area, which has been seeing an increase in foreign tourists and immigrants in recent years.
Why Is Niseko So Popular with Foreign Visitors?
Located approximately two hours by car from New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido, Niseko is a nature-rich resort area stretching across the foot of Mt. Yotei. It is a very popular destination that attracts many visitors from Japan and abroad.
One of the reasons behind Niseko’s popularity with foreign tourists is the fact that it is home to many facilities and stores with multilingual staff. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that English is the official language in the area, guaranteeing that few guests will be inconvenienced by a language barrier.
Another appeal of Niseko is its ability to deliver the ideal resort experience of spending luxurious time in an extraordinary place. There are various types of accommodations here for every type of visitor, including hotels that welcome you with high-quality hospitality and modern spaces that are in harmony with the surrounding nature, lodging facilities directly connected to the slopes where you can ski in and out, hot spring inns where you can warm up after a day in the snow, and private villas surrounded by forest. You are sure to find an accommodation here that’s perfect for you.
There are several slopes in the area, featuring a wide variety of experiences ranging from vast and gentle courses where anyone can ski or snowboard comfortably, to exciting, steep courses with many ups and downs. Niseko isn’t just for advanced and intermediate skiers, but also for beginners who are experiencing the joys of snow for the first time!
Aside from skiing and snowboarding, you can also enjoy the area’s top-quality snow via fun activities like snowmobiling and snow-rafting.
Niseko Is Also Fun in the Summer!
Niseko may be known as a snow resort, but what a lot of people don’t know is that it’s also full of exciting summer attractions that will let you enjoy Hokkaido's unique natural wonders.
One of the most recommended summer activities here is rafting down the clear Shiribetsu River in rubber boats. You can have loads of fun during the summer in Niseko by traversing powerful rapids while being sprayed by water and even jumping into the river to play in areas where the current is slow.
You can also try various water sports, such as canoeing, kayaking, and canyoning. English-speaking tours are available, so anyone can enjoy these fun activities.
Trekking is another great way to enjoy the dynamic terrain and observe the magnificent nature of Niseko.
Mt. Yotei, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, has four trails, including courses for serious mountaineers.
Head to Niseko Annupuri, the main peak of the Niseko range featuring mountains over 1,000 meters tall, and enjoy hiking on relatively easy trails like the Goshiki Onsen Route that is recommended for beginners, taking in the spectacular views from the mountaintop. Another popular activity is trekking around the various lakes and marshes that dot the surrounding area. Probably the most beautiful of these is the Shinsen Marsh, which has wooden footpaths from which you can marvel at the breathtaking beauty of nature while leisurely strolling through the surrounding marshlands.
Summer in Japan is known to be hot and humid, but the average maximum temperature in Niseko is just around 25 °C, even in the middle of summer. Given its cool climate and low humidity, Niseko is the perfect spot for long, comfortable vacations.
Restaurants for Savoring the Nature-Rich Bounty of Hokkaido
HIYAMA
HIYAMA
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 35,000 JPY / [Lunch] 10,000 JPY
Access: About 10 minutes by car from Hirafu Station on the JR Hokkaido Hakodate Main Line
Address: 3-10-1, Niseko Hirafu 1-jo, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido Map
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HITO by TACUBO
HITO by TACUBO
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 25,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: About 10 minutes by car from Hirafu Station on the JR Hokkaido Hakodate Main Line
Address: B1F, 3-10-1, Niseko Hirafu 1jo, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido Map
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Miracle Yukiya (Japanese Cuisine)
Miracle Yukiya, located near JR Niseko Station, is a popular restaurant that caters to customers with a variety of dietary restrictions and habits, including allergies and religious beliefs. It offers a wide variety of gluten-free and dairy-free dishes and meals, including the [Original Medicinal Curry] (1,045 JPY) that’s made with a combination of several spices, [Rice Udon] (from 600 JPY) (*1) made from rice flour, and [Germination Brown Rice Soba with Medicinal Herbs] (from 770 JPY) (*1) that’s made by mixing rice flour and germinated brown rice.
The restaurant’s signature dish is the [Aigamo Sukiyaki] (1,320 JPY) (*2), made from the meat from a cross between wild and domestic ducks raised free-range among Hokkaido's great nature, which will allow you to enjoy the deep, rich flavor of duck meat.
*1. Udon and soba are both kinds of Japanese noodles. Udon is made from wheat flour, while soba is made from buckwheat or a buckwheat and wheat flour mix.
*2. Sukiyaki is a Japanese hot pot dish where the ingredients are boiled in a sweet and spicy broth made from soy sauce, sugar, and sake.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal options are also available, as is an English menu, so you won't have any problem ordering. The restaurant has a traditional Japanese interior, so you’ll have to take off your shoes and sit on cushions. Miracle Yukiya is a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal in a warm Japanese atmosphere.
Miracle Yukiya
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,250 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk (158m) from JR Niseko Station
Address: 113, Chuodori, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido Map
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Jingisukan Eijin Bettei (Jingisukan)
Jingisukan Eijin Bettei is located in the Hirafu area, where you can see Niseko Annupuri up close and enjoy jingisukan, one of the most popular dishes in Hokkaido. This particular restaurant's version is known for its tender meat and robust flavor, thanks to the use of fresh lamb and mutton that are never frozen.
Here, you can enjoy various parts of the lamb cooked in the restaurant's proprietary pan, including the [Raw Lamb Shoulder Loin] (2,310 JPY) and the [Raw Lamb Shoulder] (1,980 JPY). Note that for these dishes, the restaurant only uses meat that has been processed that day. Guests also rave about the [All-You-Can-Eat] (from 8,800 JPY), which offers excellent value for your money considering the quality of the meat you’re getting.
*Jingisukan is a local Hokkaido dish of grilled lamb and mutton.
The drink menu includes varieties of Japanese sake that have been selected to pair excellently with the lamb, as well as Japanese whiskeys that have earned high acclaim around the world. The tables and counter seats have chairs that can comfortably accommodate guests of any size, making Jingisukan Eijin Bettei a wonderful place to unwind and relax over a nice dinner.
Jingisukan Eijin Bettei
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 20 minutes by car from Kutchan Station. 2,500m from Hirafu Station
Address: 3-7-2, Niseko Hirafu Ichijo, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido Map
