14 Things to Do in Niseko

If you’re planning a trip to Niseko, winter is highly recommended.
The area is famous for its powder snow, making it an ideal destination for winter sports, and you can also enjoy the breathtaking snowy landscapes of Hokkaido.
However, the other seasons in Niseko also offer their own unique charms.
In spring, the majestic natural scenery is beautifully complemented by cherry blossoms and other vibrant flowers.
Summer offers opportunities for various activities such as canoeing and fishing on the Shiribetsu River.
And in autumn, the mountains surrounding Niseko are adorned with stunning fall foliage, providing visitors with picturesque views that are quintessentially Hokkaido.

From Sapporo Station, a central hub for traveling around Hokkaido, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Niseko Station by train, with a transfer in Otaru.
If you’re coming from New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido, take the train to Otaru, transfer there, and continue on to Niseko Station. The total travel time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

In the southern Shiribeshi Region, Mt. Yotei stands 1898m above sea level. Its beautiful cone shape like Mt. Fuji’s has brought the name Ezo Fuji since ancient times. Located at the western edge of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the perfectly cone-shaped figure is counted in Japan’s 100 best mountains and serves as a symbol of the Niseko Area itself.

Fukidashi Park is a serene spot where rain and snow from Mount Yotei filter through the earth over many years, emerging as a spring of renowned water. This natural bounty, rich in minerals, can be freely drawn from various spring points within the park. Boasting a daily flow of approximately 80,000 tons, the spring maintains a constant temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius throughout the year, offering a cool and refreshing respite even during the hottest months. Recognized by the former Environmental Agency as one of Japan's 100 Remarkable Waters, the park is a cool haven even in the peak of summer.

At the base of the majestic Mount Yotei lies a vast ranch, nestled in the beautiful and bountiful natural environment of Niseko. Here, with a commitment to quality soil and grass cultivation, dairy cows are meticulously reared. The process is comprehensive, spanning from the nurturing of the cows to the production of fresh milk products.

Nestled amidst the grandeur of nature surrounding Niseko, this wetland stands out for its unparalleled beauty among the numerous lakes and marshes in the area. Situated at an elevation of 765 meters, the area is surrounded by alpine flora and red pine trees, creating an open and stunning landscape. The mystical scenery and the purity of the air enchant all who visit, making it feel like stepping into another world.

The road station is located at the intersection of the main road extending from JR Niseko Station, the Dodo Iwanai Toya Line, and National Route 5. It consists of three buildings: the "Information Plaza Building" with special product sales and a tourist information center, the "Free Space Building" lined with agricultural product direct sales outlets and takeout shops, and the "Toilet Building". In the "Information Plaza Building", in addition to the information center where staff provide careful assistance, there is a wide array of Niseko's special products and famous goods. Starting with dairy products like sweets and cheese made from Niseko-produced milk, the variety extends to freshly baked bagels and stone oven bread, as well as local sake and wine, offering a diverse selection.

At the foot of the graceful Mount Yotei, a vast ranch raises ostriches and cattle in open pastures. The surrounding area is designated as a scenic viewpoint in Niseko Town, known as "Furusato Viewpoint," offering spectacular views. Amidst the grand landscapes characteristic of Hokkaido, visitors can relax and enjoy the pastoral scenery of freely roaming ostriches and cattle. The spot is also popular for taking commemorative photos with ostriches against the backdrop of Mount Yotei.

Arishima Takeo, a key figure of the "Shirakaba-ha" (White Birch Society) and known for works like "The Conflict of Life" and "A Certain Woman," is celebrated at this museum. It's established on the site of the Arishima Farm, developed by Arishima's father, Takeo, to commemorate the writer's life.

Niseko OAC offers various activity programs, including rafting on the Shiribetsu River and bungee trampoline wearing special rubber gear. The hot air balloon experience during the green season, a tethered balloon connected to the ground by ropes, is popular among families for its safety, allowing even children as young as one year old to participate.

Surrounded by the majestic nature of Hokkaido, including Mount Yotei, known as "Ezo Fuji," and the Niseko mountain range, Niseko Village Ski Resort is a popular destination in Hokkaido. It's hailed as a "powder paradise," attracting skiers from all over Japan and the world with its exceptional snow quality.

Located on the northeast side of Mount Niseko Annupuri, this ski resort offers world-class powder snow for an extended season. With an average of about 15 meters of consistent snowfall throughout the season, it's internationally renowned for its excellent snow quality at any time of day. Praised by skiers and snowboarders who travel the world, it has many repeat visitors from abroad.

Spanning the southwest side of Mount Annupuri at an elevation of 1,308 meters, this expansive ski resort offers a variety of 13 courses where you can enjoy the superb powder snow that Niseko is famous for, considered some of the best in the world.

The Niseko Konbu Onsen area is one of the various hot springs in the "Niseko Onsenkyo" with different water qualities, boasting the largest scale in the Niseko area. Located at the official entrance to "Niseko Annupuri," one of the world's top four ski resorts, it's recognized by the Environmental Agency as a "National Recreation Hot Spring Area" for its expected health benefits and wholesome environment.

This bathing facility allows you to experience the great outdoors of Niseko while enjoying a 100% source spring flow hot spring. The abundant natural hot spring water, which gushes out at 49 degrees, can be enjoyed not only by staying guests but also by day-trippers. Without the use of added water, chlorine, or circulation devices, the luxuriously utilized hot spring is known for its soft touch on the skin, leaving it moist and smooth after bathing. The spring quality is known for its efficacy in treating neuralgia, sensitivity to cold, and more, categorized as "Sodium - bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride spring (hypotonic, neutral, high-temperature spring)."

Situated on the border between Niseko Town and Rankoshi Town, Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan is part of the Niseko Onsenkyo hot spring area. Located at an elevation of 750 meters within the Niseko Mountain Range, the ryokan is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.
The ryokan offers a large communal bath with water directly sourced from hot springs and an open-air bath with a spacious, liberating atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a truly relaxing experience while soaking in the open-air bath, taking in the views of Mount Niseko Annupuri and Mount Iwaonupuri.
Day-use bathing is also available, making it an ideal spot to warm up and soothe your body after a day of winter sports.