Rhythm Japan Joins Force with evo

Rhythm Japan Joins Forces with Leading North American Outdoor Retail Group.

In a deal that will see two like-minded brands collectively become a leading global group operating in the snow, outdoor and experiences market, Rhythm Japan* has officially joined evo.

The North American based business [evo] will become the parent company, owning 100% of the Japanese business, with the existing Rhythm Japan shareholders becoming part-owners of evo, acquiring a sum of shares as part of the deal.

Providing a gateway to the APAC market, evo is excited to welcome Rhythm Japan to the family and brings with it, deep roots and a breadth of experience in the mountain-based equipment rental space, which will be a major asset as evo looks to continue to elevate and expand its own rental offerings in North America.

Founder & CEO, Matthew Hampton, together with co-Founder Mick Klima, launched Rhythm Japan in 2005 with a goal to increase accessibility to gear required to ride the area’s unique snow conditions. The group now has 7 store locations in Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano in Japan and has grown its offering significantly while staying true to its roots through community involvement.

Rhythm Japan will continue to operate under the same name and management teams to ensure a seamless transition for consumers, and Hampton will continue to lead Rhythm Japan, joining the evo enterprise leadership team as Managing Director, APAC Region.

“When we started Rhythm Japan in 2005, a core value was, and still is, to be limitless. This partnership with evo is testament to that,” said Hampton. “I see many similarities between the businesses including a focus on community and a commitment to making lives better through epic experiences. Each business has strengths that will complement each other and make our shared future better.

*Rhythm Japan’s sister store, Rhythm Snowsports in Cooma, NSW is not part of the acquisition and will remain under its current operations.

Echoing Hampton’s sentiment, Bryce Phillips, Founder and CEO of evo comments:
“The first time I set foot in a Rhythm location, I felt something different, something special. Years later, I met Matt and some of the Rhythm team and we quickly became close friends. I had a strong inclination that we’d end up working together given our shared foundation when it comes to core values, culture and commitment to making communities stronger. evo and Rhythm are kindred spirits, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to join forces with the Rhythm family.”

In addition to expanding services and markets, the partnership creates a halo effect for the high-quality brands carried at both Rhythm and evo, offering vendors a truly global, omnichannel retail partner, committed to elevating products and brands.

To learn more about both brands and to stay up to date with future news, check out www.rhythmjapan.com and www.evo.com.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Matthew Hampton and/or Bryce Phillips, please
contact:
Christie Hampton
Rhythm Japan Media
[email protected]

About Rhythm Japan
Established in Niseko in 2005 by two Australian businessmen and snow experts*, Rhythm Japan is the region’s leading Snowsports retailer. With seven stores spanning across Niseko, Hakuba and Furano, including the largest resort-based snowsports store in Japan, Rhythm Base HQ.

Rhythm provides unparalleled access to leading winter sports brands plus the full suite of services including custom boot fitting, equipment tuning, premium rental, lessons and guiding plus online shopping and the best coffee in the mountains at their in-store cafes.

Rhythm’s core mission is to provide visitors and the local community with everything they need to live their ultimate mountain experience. Rhythm’s team of dedicated mountain specialists live and breathe the snow-life, and seek to instill the same passion in all of their customers.

Check out Rhythm Japan at www.rhythmjapan.com and sign up for the newsletter. Follow Rhythm Japan on Facebook, and Follow Rhythm Japan on Instagram.

About evo
evo is an outdoor company whose purpose is to make life better by building community and igniting the
adventurous spirit that lives within us all. evo is focused on providing unique experiences across its network of stores, evo.com, two All Together Skateparks, lodging and travel businesses, which are centered on sport, culture, the outdoors, and human connection.

evo uses its success in these areas to support non-profit organizations dedicated to getting underserved kids outdoors.

There are 9 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In January 2022 Rhythm Japan, the leading retail, rental, and experience company located in Japan’s mountain resorts became part of evo.

In partnership with a group of complementary businesses, evo just opened a 100,000 square foot campus in Salt Lake City, Utah. Campus Salt Lake includes an evo store, All Together Skatepark, Salt Lake Bouldering Project, Level 9 Sports, and evo’s first evo Hotel.

evo now offers lodging at The Journeyman Lodge in Whistler, and evo Hotel in Salt Lake as well evo also runs an indoor skatepark, called All Together Skatepark, in Salt Lake and Seattle.

To learn more about evo, please visit evo.com.


2021-22 Niseko Shootout ProAM Winners

Public and Celebrity Judges Decide 2021-22 Niseko Shootout ProAM Winners!

More than 1500 Niseko Shootout fans helped decide the ¥80,000 (USD700) Public Vote winner of this year’s Niseko Shootout ProAM.

Their choice? Japanese Snowboarder Daigo Yoshino launching out of a disused lift station at Iwanai Resort (now operating as a cat ski resort) near Niseko, shot by British photographer Duncan Wright.

Niseko Shootout Founder Winse Heyward said the photo captured the charm of Southwest Hokkaido’s rustic ski scene alongside the powder-producing Sea of Japan.

“There are plenty of older resorts across Hokkaido so rusting, disused lift stations are actually quite emblematic of the broader ski scene in northern Japan,” Winse said.

“Duncan’s image of a ‘modern-day’ snowboarder popping off a rusting ski station into the setting sun above the Sea of Japan obviously resonated with voters who love the area.”

Meanwhile, votes by the international all-star cast of official judges resulted in a tie for the first time in Niseko Shootout history.

All-Japanese combo Katsuya Yamamoto of Makkari and Rusutsu snowboarder Masaki Kubota caught the judges’ eyes with their monochromatic image of Kubota-san launching out of a plume of powder in front of a setting sun.

At the meantime, long-time Niseko resident/photographer Aaron Jamieson and Yunosato snowboarder Tatsumi Kono captured the judges’ attention with a moment they captured during a gnarly, coastline blizzard.

The teams split the ¥120,000 (USD1,000) prize money awarded for the coveted Judges’ Vote.

Huge thanks to the judges who took part remotely from Hokkaido and around the world – Eric Pollard, Mattias Fredriksson, Neil Hartman, Taro Tamai, Torah Bright, Tsutomu Nakata and Yoichi Watanabe.

The Niseko Shootout ProAM is one of three categories under the 2021-22 Niseko Shootout photo and film competition banner.

A total of 40 professional and amateur athlete-photographer teams took to the mountains in and around Niseko between 7-10 January, 2022.

Each took as many photos as they liked during the competition window, but submitted only one for judging following the final day.

Still underway this winter is the headline Niseko Shootout hashtag photo competition, with any photo hash-tagged #nisekoshootout this winter in the running to take out one of a host of prizes.

The Shootout culminates with the Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival to be held on March 5th this year.

For more details about the Niseko Shootout, check out HERE and follow @NisekoShootout and @NisekoTourism to stay up to date.

Check out the Award Video below!


2021-22 Niseko Shootout ProAM Starts

World Famous Skiers/Riders/Shooters to Judge 2021-22 Niseko Shootout ProAM Photo Contest, Starting January 7th, 2022!

Olympic gold medallist Torah Bright and American freeskier Eric Pollard are among the world-famous judges alongside local legends including Gentemstick snowboards Taro Tamai.

The Niseko Shootout ProAM is one of three categories under the 2021-22 Niseko Shootout photo and film competition banner.

A total of 39 professional and amateur athlete-photographer teams will take to the mountains in and around Niseko between January 7th-10th, 2022.

Each will take as many photos as they like during the competition window, but submit only one for judging following the final day.

¥200,000 (US$2,000) up for grabs.

Contest organiser Winstead Heyward said participants could expect fresh snow to work with for the first two days, and possibly sunshine following that.

“Once again the Shootout ProAM is throwing competitors a mixed bag of classic Niseko conditions to work with,” Heyward said.

“This is a really interesting competition because it challenges the photographers and riders to come up with a unique take on Niseko no matter what the weather conditions.

“It’s always really cool to see the creativity and effort that participants put in and the totally different photos that each submits.”

TEAMS

TEAM SPONSOR TEAM MEMBER 1 TEAM MEMBER 2
Powderlife Aaron Jamieson Kris Lund
Jobert Oliveros Erika Feraren
Niseko Zen Nolan Yoshiaki Isozaki Saki Hayashi
Angus Draper Mitchell Burnside
K2 snowboarding Daisuke Watanabe Kentaraw Matsuda
Yamile Olivares Dora Krupic
Lachlan Free Luke Sandalls
Niseko Zen/Sea And Summit Media Josh Sellens Chad Clark
LADE Aaron Jamieson Tatsumi Kono
Rhythm Joshua Fawcett Chris Smith
KM4K Takashi Yoshimura Takafumi Kuroda
Tamaki Yamasawa Shingo Sasaki
Korua Toni Rodriguez Kevin Kunz
Island Snowboard Toni Rodriguez Stu Cady
Katsuya Yamamoto Masaki Kubota
Far East Snowsports Alister Buckingham Yusuke Inoue
GENTEMSTICK Rei Igarashi Katsuhide Fujio
Yusuke Mac Morinobu Tera
Oertli Jimi Wilcox Evan
Bianca Peralta Simon Pervez
Cheung Chun Ming, JM Chen Guan Ting. Frank
MnK Jack Woods James Robbins
Yuma Miyauchi Takafumi Kuroda
Iwanai Resort Duncan Wright Daigo Yoshino
Chris Smith Josh Fawcett
Holiday Niseko Masafumi Obuchi Ashley Nicholls
22Designs, Scarpa, Casa del Corregidor Diana Rivera Garcia Eiichi Matsuyama
Ryosuke Yamashita Eiichi Matsuyama
Vu Xuan Huong Kobayashi Nanase
Aleja Ben
FNTC / Miru Niseko Kenichi Takizawa Sato Takuya
Holiday Niseko Masafumi Obuchi Daisuke Fukuoka
Kenneth Lei Yuji Fujiyama
Alister Buckingham Gregor Musner
Niseko Photography / Burton Niseko Darren Teasdale Justin Graves
Darren Teasdale Alex Koen
Agustín Villalba Emma Smith
Yamile Olivares Sebastian Lorenzo
Yamile Olivares Brian Horecky

Check out the recap video from last year below!

VOTING & JUDGING

ProAM Judges’ Choice Winners: ¥120,000

Our 2021-22 judge panel includes: Taro Tamai, Tsutomu Nakata, Yoichi Watanabe, Neil Hartmann, Torah Bright, Eric Pollard and Mattias Fredrikson. You can read all about the Judges on Niseko Shootout Instagram or Niseko Tourism Facebook

ProAM Public Vote Winners: ¥80,000

For the Public Vote we need you – the public! Public judging will take place over four days from January 15 to 18, 2022.

You can register your votes by go to the 2021-22 Niseko Shootout ProAM Voting Page, Live from January 15th, 2022 by 10:00. Voting ends at 23:59 on January 18th, 2022  – make sure you VOTE and help decide the winner!

Winners will be announced at an Award Ceremony on January 21, 2022.

More questions? Make sure to check out the detailed Q&A HERE or email [email protected]


2021-22 Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival Entries

Have Unedited Niseko Footage? Edit It Into A New Short Film For This Year's Niseko Shootout!

With fewer would-be filmmakers travelling to and seasoning in Niseko this winter, Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival organisers need you.

The Shootout team is reaching out around the world to ask professional and would-be film makers to help boost this year’s Short Film Fest with a retrospective Niseko cut.

As long as it is within five minutes, anything goes in this year’s Shootout format – just make sure it’s got plenty of Niseko soul! Summer films also are welcomed – surfing, mountain bike, hiking, trekking, SUPing; show us as all.

Dig out your old footage – the older the better – and craft a cut that sings to a nostalgic Niseko audience in this time when we’re all dreaming of years gone by.

Registration and entry are free.

For inspiration check out last year’s entries HERE.

The Niseko Shootout Film Festival is the grand finale to this year’s Niseko Shootout series.

Finalists’ films will be shown on a big screen on Saturday, March 12th. MORE DETAILS to come. Make sure to check out our Event section.

Winners will be judged and awarded on the night, along with the winners of the #NisekoShootout Instagram Contest.

JPY350,000 in cash and seriously cool prizes including 2022-23 Niseko United All SEASON Pass, Free NISADE Stay and a Gentemstick snowboard are up for grabs.

Registration is free and simple Just submit the registration form HERE; open from now until March 1st, 2022.

Check out the recap video from last year!!

Prizes

  • First Prize: ¥180,000 cash prize
  • Second Prize: ¥100,000 cash prize
  • Third Prize: ¥70,000 cash prize

The is year the Niseko Shootoout is partnering with the European – based Mountain Film Awards. Winning films will be featured on their website alongside other great films from Morzine, Tigner and Verbier.

FAQ's

  • First Prize: ¥180,000 cash prize
  • Second Prize: ¥100,000 cash prize
  • Third Prize: ¥70,000 cash prize

Entrants will be judged by the below 5 criteria:

  • Niseko soul
  • Story telling
  • Innovation
  • Cinematography
  • Production & Editing

*The Niseko Shootout jury will select the winning films and no discussion into the final decision will be entered into.

It is free to enter a film into the Niseko Short Film Festival.

Entrants must fill out the Niseko Shootout Short Film Fest Entry Form.

Films must be submitted by March 1st, 2022.

Entries can be of any duration with a maximum run time of 5 minutes.

Films can showcase year-round scenery, not just winter.

Films can be in any language, however, they must be accompanied by an English translation or have English and Japanese subtitles.

If the films contain words, captions are strongly recommended considering the native languages of the judges’ panel (English & Japanese).

Films must contain footage filmed in and/or around the Shiribeshi region.

Films must not depict scenes of action deemed illegal by Japanese law. This includes, but is not limited to trespassing and the damage of public/private property, i.e. Avalanche barriers, rails, public/private structure, etc.

Entrants are responsible for ensuring films have all music (festival rights) and talent permissions required for public display. Please submit relevant documentation with your film entry.

Films entered will remain the property of the filmmakers. By entering the Niseko Short Film Festival your film will be published online on the Niseko Tourism website, YouTube, and other SNS.

By entering filmmakers give permission to the organizers of the Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival to screen this film in public as well as use short clips and stills of this film for promotion and publicity purposes.

The copyright and ownership of the film will remain with the filmmakers and entrants.

Entrants are required to supply promotional materials: 3x still images and a 10-15 second teaser clip for the purpose of promoting the film and film fest.

*The entrant acknowledges and agrees that all matters not covered by these guidelines, and questions arising from them, will be decided at the sole discretion of Niseko Shootout organizers.

There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners only. Each winner can come from any category. For Example, All winners can come from 1 category.

Technical Requirements:

Entrants are required to provide an HD high-resolution version of the film.

Means of submission will be discussed via email upon the entrant’s registration.


2021-22 Hilton Niseko Village Winter Menu

Enjoy the Gourmet Experience at Hilton Niseko Village This Winter.

Hilton Niseko Village is presenting an exciting winter menu for guests to enjoy at Melt, Bar and Grill.

1. Your Favorite Main Dish with All-you-can-eat Buffet

A selection of Hokkaido meats, the buffet features about 50 different buffet items, including eight different salads made with local vegetables, daily original hot dishes, live grill and noodle stations, and a variety of desserts.

Price is From 6,587 JPY

2. Winter Western Course

A Western course only available during the winter season!  Every dishes from the appetizer to the main dish is made with an abundance of ingredients from Hokkaido. Please enjoy the taste of Hokkaido.

Price is 12,430 JPY  (From Dec 29th to Jan 3rd will be Festive Season menu which is 19,888 JPY)

3. Chose Your Favorite Burger for Your Lunch from Our Unique Selection

Hilton Niseko Village is serving very unique 4 different burgers which are Burger include Hokkaido venison, Juicy Salmon Burger, our legendary Ezo burger and vegetarian burger. You will find your favorite burger experience with us.

Price is from 2,237

To book, please call 0136-44-1111 or check out more details HERE


2021-22 Niseko Shootout Proam

Voting is now closed.

Winners will be announced in the coming days.

Pros & AMs - Niseko Shootout Wants You to Share in ¥200,000 - With ¥0 Down!

ニセコシュートアウト Niseko Shootout

There are no barriers to entry for this year’s Niseko Shootout ProAM – Niseko Tourism has announced entry is free, giving anyone who wishes to enter a chance at sharing the ¥200,000 prize pool.

That is right – entry is FREE yet the CASH prizes remain as incredible as ever. The Judge’s Choice Winner will take home ¥120,000 and the Public Vote Winner ¥80,000.

Here is the gig:

Two person photographer and athlete teams will compete over a 4-day window in January 2022.

Each team will submit just one shot which will be posted on Niseko Tourism Website-ProAM Voting Page.

There are two categories to win – Judges Choice  and Public Vote.

Each winner  shares from a cash prize pool of ¥200,000!

This year, we invited world-renowned riders and photographers to join us as guest judges, including Eric Pollard, Torah Bright, Taro Tamai, Tsutomu Nakata & Matias Fredrickson just to name a few. Full list to come soon.

Contest Timeline:

  • Registration is open from now until January 5th@11:59pm
  • Contest will run from January 7th@12:00am – January 10th,@11:59pm day and night
  • Shots will be posted from January 15th(~10am) – January 18th (11:59pm)
  • Contest winners will be announced on January 21th, 2022 at the Award Ceremony.

Prizes:

  • ProAM Judges’ Choice Winners: ¥120,000 
  • ProAM Public Vote Winners: ¥80,000

Teams are rolling in so make sure to claim your spot in the comp before time runs out! Registration ends January 5th@11:59pm.

Registration is now closed.

Niseko Shootout ProAM FAQ's

From 12:01 am 2022 January 7th until 11:59 pm on January 10th.

There are two winners for the ProAm photo contest. The main winner will be selected by a panel of judges who are professional skiers, filmmakers, and photographers from around the world. Public vote winners are decided by the highest number of votes by members of the public.

The deadline is 2022 January 11th at 11:59 am (Tuesday). Submissions won’t be accepted past the deadline under any circumstances

Images can be attached to an email and sent to [email protected]. If the file size is too big for email, other methods such as Google Drive, WeTransfer, DropBox, Zenfolio, etc. are accepted.

Image files should be a jpeg with a minimum resolution of 1920 pixels. The file can be a higher resolution, but the maximum file size should not be higher than 10MB.

Please provide a caption of up to 25 words to explain the photo. Caption text can be either English or Japanese.

Riding avalanche barriers is not allowed, and images submitted will be disqualified.

Riders and photographers are encouraged to be creative, however please ensure your photo is respecting all cultural and community values.

Entrants in the ProAm contest are made up of a team of two, rider and photographer. An entrant may enter multiple teams so long as the same two members of the team are not the same.

If there are extenuating circumstances that require a change of teams, please contact us and will do our best to keep you in the contest.

Sequences and video frame-grabs are both permitted, however, the final submission must be only a single image file.

Votes for the public vote prize can be made on this page during the voting period.

No. Entries must be a photo taken between 2022 January 7th and 2022 January 10th.

Yes, but the submitted image must be a digital file.

Yes, the judges will be announced on Niseko Shootout channels and the Niseko Tourism website.

Yes, as long as it is before the deadline.

If the same image wins the judge’s choice and the public choice, the team will win the judge’s choice prize, and the image with second-most amount of public votes will win the public vote prize.

You can enter the same photo, however, if you win in the ProAm, the same image cannot win a prize in the main hashtag contest.

Voting will be open on January 15th (~10AM) until January 18th at 23:59 JST SHARP!

Terms & Conditions

Entrants may be sponsored by a company. The sponsoring company will be given credit along with photographer and athlete names.

The titles “photographer” and “athlete” are interchangeable amongst the team of two.

Shots may be taken at any time of day in the given window in Shiribeshi area.

Paid votes are not allowed. Niseko Tourism reserves the right to disqualify and remove entries at their own discretion regarding the suspicion of paid votes.

The high resolution Entry Shot must be submitted on January 11th by 10AM JST via email to [email protected]

Entry shot must be take from January 7th 12:00am to January 10th 11:59pm JST 2020.

Voting will be open from time of posting on January 15th (~10AM) to January 18th at 23:59 JST SHARP! 

Contest winner will be announced on January 20th at the Award Ceremony. If winners are not present in the Niseko area for cash prize pick-up at Niseko Tourism, winnings can be awarded via bank transfer. 

Submitted photos must be original, created and/or taken by the contestant. It must not contain any materials owned or controlled by a third party for which you have not obtained a license, must not infringe the copyright, trademark, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity.

Submitted photos must not depict scenes of action deemed illegal by Japanese law. This includes, but is not limited to trespassing and the damage of public/private property, i.e. Avalanche barriers, rails, public/private structure, etc.

All entrants grant the Niseko Shootout presenters permission to reuse shots (along with a name credit) on social media, websites and blogs.


Setsu Niseko Will Open in Summer 2022

Setsu Niseko Crafted to Be A Destination Unto Itself - Ready to Welcome its First Guests in The Summer 2022

  • Six culinary partners including two Michelin-starred chefs set to breathe new life to the epicurean landscape in Niseko
  • Home to one of the largest wellness facilities in Grand Hirafu, the heart of the popular ski resort
  • Dedicated concierge service that takes the rein to help curate personalised journeys for cherished holiday moments at Setsu Niseko

Setsu Niseko, one of the largest new luxury hotels under development in Niseko, located in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan with spectacular views of Mount Yotei, often known as the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido, today revealed that they will be ready to welcome guests from the summer 2022. The hotel which is expected to set new benchmarks in Niseko for its design and luxury lifestyle experience will be managed by Niseko Management Service, a real estate management company that represents Niseko.

Conveniently located in the main resort of Grand Hirafu, Setsu Niseko will be the newest and largest full-service hotel in the Niseko area, bringing new energy to the main street. Managed as condominium hotel residences, apartments within Setsu Niseko are available for investment and come with full professional management and leasing services. Touted as the Aspen of the East, Niseko’s legendary reputation for its exceptional powder snow and consistent heavy snowfall is set to become a favourite destination for holidaymakers. Beyond the beauty of Niseko, guests can expect customised experiences at Setsu Niseko, with holidays curated by a dedicated concierge team to fit the needs of guests whether they are traveling as a group, couple or solo.

Mr. Simon Cheong, Founder and Chairman of SC Global Developments, the luxury developer behind the project, said: “Setsu Niseko has all the important fundamentals of a great ski resort – our vision is to recreate the timeless luxury and romance of the classic ‘après-ski’ alpine experience. Together with our stellar collection of partners, Setsu Niseko will deliver a warm and personable hospitality experience that truly embraces Japanese culture. Setsu Niseko offers the best of both worlds, providing a cherished home for holidays and a prime investment opportunity for those who seek asset diversification.”

With an extensive range of services and facilities, Setsu Niseko is crafted to be a destination in itself. From adrenaline-packed adventures to off-the-grid retreats, festive pop-up events and exploring culinary frontiers, Setsu Niseko aims to capture the authentic experience of community and celebration. Hotel Manager, Ms. Michiko Tamoto said “Taking cue from its beautiful location, our team is focused on creating meaningful experiences to surprise and delight our guests from around the world. Whatever the season, Setsu Niseko will offer an uplifting and memorable holiday experience for everyone.”

A Hub of Culinary Experiences
The laudable cast of culinary partners at Setsu Niseko will create one of the widest selections of dining venues in any Niseko resort, offering a myriad of gastronomic pleasures. The six distinct Setsu dining experiences will showcase Michelin star mastery and culinary traditions, whilst championing the ‘farm to table’ wholesome flavours of Hokkaido’s seasonal produce.

Meli Melo Yuki No Koe is a new culinary collaboration led by Hokkaido native and Michelin-starred Chef Hironori Sato, together with Masaya Ishii from Sapporo-based roasterie Baristart Coffee. Guests can feast on an array of perfectly executed Japanese and Western comfort foods, from an à la carte menu or a carefully curated seasonal menu. Chef Sato’s culinary philosophy places three core elements at the heart of every dish; the ingredients, the aromas and the land. Set in a convivial, large open plan dining space accompanying a central bar, the warm oak wood interiors with stone accents create a homely yet airy contemporary Japanese feel that sits in perfect harmony with dramatic views of Mount Yotei afforded by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows along the restaurant’s façade.

AFURI Ramen, Tokyo’s famed ramen joint will bring its famous noodles direct to Hokkaido, using the same techniques employed in the central kitchen at the foot of Afuri mountain. Noodles are meticulously crafted every day, a meditative and spell-binding process that can be witnessed in the open kitchen concept, set against the spectacular views of Mount Yotei. With outposts in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Lisbon, AFURI is making waves with its stylish décor, good vibes playlist and freshlymade noodles served in a delicate broth with hints of refreshing yuzu citrus.

Tempura Araki, an intimate restaurant helmed by Michelin star Chef Yoshiyuki Araki invites guests to experience the Japanese tradition of omakase dining with exceptional tempura. Chef Araki’s passion for capturing Hokkaido’s beauty in crisp, light bites of tempura highlights the unbeatable freshness of the market’s daily ingredients. A key feature is the splendid wooden counter, where guests will be treated to an exquisite experience as the Chef skilfully prepares meals to perfection right in front of their eyes.

Sushi Kato, spearheaded by highly respected seafood veteran Toshiaki Kato, a third generation of Kato Seafood, presents the ultimate ocean-to-table Japanese kaiseki cuisine. With over 50 years’ experience and an impeccable reputation for his crab markets and restaurants in Sapporo, Sushi Kato takes diners on a gastronomic journey that is second to none. The restaurant is centred around a traditional sushi counter, their twelve-seater private dining room offers an intimate space for group gatherings. Bar Kato could be the perfect spot to start or end the evening with its delectable nibbles and its extensive selection of drinks.

Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House is an inspired dining concept that fuses classic European eateries of yesteryear with the cooking styles of America’s east coast. Boston raised Owner and Chef Travis Masiero celebrates old school favourites with a fresh and contemporary twist. Expanding the classic “chop house” concept based on a specialisation of prime steaks and chops, Masiero will showcase the fresh seafood offerings from Hokkaido’s coast, alongside hand-picked produce from the world’s finest ranchers and farmers who share his commitment to sustainably-sourced produce. Like his critically acclaimed Singapore-based restaurant of the same name, the Setsu Niseko outpost will bring new interpretations to ‘American perennial classics’. In true chophouse fashion, dining at the restaurant will be accompanied by a unique assemblage of the world’s finest wines from personally selected artisan winemakers to perfectly complement the flavours of the food.

Park 90 Niseko, a bespoke lounge bar for wine lovers, experts and early explorers alike offers an extensive selection of wines specially curated from a network of partners, negociants and chateaux around the world. From old world to new world, Park 90’s sommeliers will be on hand to guide guests through an unforgettable journey of wine discovery. A welcoming sojourn at the end of the day, Park 90 Niseko will also offer a select menu of gourmet bites, whilst a premium range of sake, Hokkaido crafted beers and Japanese whiskies complement its notable wine collection.

The Sanctuary of Wellness
Setsu Niseko houses one of the largest wellness facilities in the heart of Niseko, where guests can expect to experience true wellness within thoughtfully-designed spaces. Spanning over 750 sqm, the Spa and Wellness Centre is designed to induce calm and well-being around a series of large indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, paying homage to one of Japan’s oldest traditions of onsen bathing.

Bringing together some of the most sought-after practitioners in spa therapies, the Setsu experience takes a holistic approach blending nature inspired Japanese therapies with modern wellness treatments, for complete mind and body rejuvenation. The centre also features five treatment rooms including a couples room, four private onsen rooms, an onsen lounge, sauna facilities, cold dipping pool, gymnasium, yoga studio, children’s play room and a range of wellness programmes inspired by the beauty and essence of Niseko’s changing seasons.

Bespoke Adventures
Lauded as Asia’s No.1 powder paradise in winter and a sanctuary of rejuvenation in the warmer months, Niseko offers an abundance of activities beyond winter sports. From mountain hikes and local farm tours, to cultural insights and inspirations, the Setsu experience is able to tailor something special for everyone in every season. The resort hosts an onsite ski boutique managed by leading ski specialists Rhythm Japan, providing a one-stop shop for ski and boarding needs, with a premium range of equipment for sale and hire as well as the latest ski fashion to ensure guests hit the slopes in style. Rhythm Japan’s highly trained technicians are also on hand to offer waxing, tuning, mounting and repair services. Their ski concierge
have in-depth knowledge of the mountains, and are known for sharing tips on their favourite runs, whilst dedicated private lockers enabled by each guests’ room key ensure a hassle free experience. During green season, the team expand their expertise to include bike rental and other outdoor activities for adventure-filled days.

An Impeccable Personal Journey
Niseko Management Service, one of Niseko’s most trusted and experienced property management companies, will manage the hotel in collaboration with Seven Palms Resorts, renowned estate management arm of SC Global Developments.

Reservations for Setsu Niseko will open this winter with the hotel pre-opening in summer 2022.

For more information on hotel reservations and investment opportunities,
please visit www.setsuniseko.com

About Niseko
Frequently referred to as ‘Japan’s Powder Paradise’, Niseko consistently claims the most snowfall of any major resort worldwide with an average snowfall of between 14-15 metres each season and benefits from an unusually long season running from December through to early May. In 2017, Niseko enjoyed one of its best seasons with close to 18 metres of snow. Whilst Niseko has always been known as a popular winter destination, visitor arrivals have shown that Niseko has become increasingly popular in summer months. With the onset of international luxury developments like Setsu Niseko and improved accessibility from the new Shinkansen service between Tokyo and Hokkaido, the destination is quickly transforming into a mainstream year-round holiday destination.

About SC Global Developments Pte Ltd
SC Global Developments is a leading developer of up-market residences of rare and exquisite design quality, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, refinement and a contemporary definition of the premium lifestyle. The Group embraces a philosophy of delivering the promise of “The Ultimate Living” experience with all its projects introducing original living concepts, service standards and architectural treatment to its various properties. Completed developments include the iconic architectural landmark Sculptura Ardmore, Singapore’s only beachfront development Seven Palms, Sentosa Cove, the unparalleled luxury of The Marq on Paterson Hill, fittingly described as “Mansions in the Sky”, Hilltops, the botanical resort-themed residential haven overlooking Orchard Road, and Martin No.38, conceptualised on the appeal of trendy warehouse lofts.

In 2018, the Group launched their new ‘Petit Collectibles’ collection designed for those seeking stylish pied-à-terre apartments within prime city locations. The first ‘Petit Collectible’, Petit Jervois is located in the distinguished Bishopsgate enclave and is expected to receive ‘TOP’ in January 2022, whilst Cuscaden Reserve is projected to complete at the end of 2022.

SC Global has long been reputed for creating the finest residential developments. To safeguard this legacy, it created its own real estate management arm ‘Seven Palms Resorts’ which has managed over 650 luxury apartments within its portfolio, thus ensuring that the same dedicated care and attention is continued through in the professional management of each and every property under the responsibility of the Group.

The development of ‘Setsu Niseko’ is aligned with the Group’s geographical diversification and strategy to participate in the growing tourism market in Japan, through the acquisition of prime real estate in destinations around the region. SC Global also holds a substantial interest of over 53% in ASX-listed AVJennings Limited, which is one of Australia’s leading residential property development companies.

More information can be found on the company’s website at www.scglobal.com.sg

About Niseko Management Service
Niseko Management Service (NMS) was established in 2006 in response to the growing number of property developments in Niseko. NMS has grown its property and rental management offerings to include a full suite of services including building maintenance, reservations management, marketing, account management, owners association, and development consulting. NMS operates a retail brand called Vacation Niseko, managing an extensive and varied portfolio of over 300 units within the Niseko
area. Over the years, this brand has become one of Niseko’s most experienced and reputable brands and serves as a driver for both direct and agent bookings into NMS’s portfolio of properties.

For further information please contact: [email protected]


Matiè Niseko Showroom Opens for Winter 2021

Prestigious Matiè Niseko Showroom Unit Opens to the Public Just in Time for Winter 2021

The first ever Matiè Niseko showroom unit will be open and available for public viewings from December 4, 2021.

The showroom unit is located in the prestigious Niseko Hirafu Upper Village location – next to the future site of the Matiè Niseko building, across from the Hirafu Welcome Centre parking lot (204-66 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido, 044-0081, Japan).

The showroom unit is open daily from 11:00 to 18:00. While viewing appointments are available without a booking, it is preferable to make a reservation. Matiè Niseko’s sales staff are available to collect you from your accommodation in Niseko and accompany you to the showroom for a private inspection.

Should you be unable to visit Niseko this Winter, you are more than welcome to make an appointment for a video call, and a Matiè Niseko agent will walk you through the showroom.

Due to high demand after successfully selling all Phase 1 units, the second phase of Niseko’s most inspired ski-in, ski-out destination is now available for purchase this Winter.

Rooms at Matiè Niseko will range from refined studio spaces with immediate access to the ski fields, to expansive five-bedroom penthouse apartments with stunning views of the iconic Mt. Yotei and the surrounding ski resort.

To make a booking or for more information on Matiè Niseko, please call +81 (0) 136 21-7722 (EN/CN) / 0136 22-3888 (JP) or email [email protected].


2021-22 Winter Survey

Fill Out 2021-22 Niseko Winter Survey to Win Amazing Prizes!

‘Tis the season. Niseko Tourism is excited to announce launch of 2021-22 Niseko Winter Survey! The prizes are getting better and better. On top of the 5-day Niseko United All Mountain Pass, you might win prizes from The Yard Niseko, Rhythm Rides, Hinode Hills, Sea and Summit Media and Niseko Wow (Value close to ¥35,000 or over).

The winners will be announced on the 13th of every month, starting January 2022 through May 2022. So fill out NOW!

By submitting an entry to this NPB Lucky Prize Draw, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Niseko Tourism, and that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.

The below survey is available in English, Japanese, and Chinese. Select the language that is best for you by using the language switcher on the right of the survey.


2021-22 Niseko Shootout Launch

Time for Another Season of Shootin' & Taggin'

ニセコシュートアウト Niseko Shootout

The search is on again for winter’s most-Niseko moments as the starting gun is fired on the 5th annual Niseko Shootout today.

The Niseko Shootout is Niseko Tourism’s Niseko Tourism’s official photography and film contest. The competition is presented by Niseko Tourism with support from Niseko United, Powderlife Magazine, Gentemstick, NISADE, Rhythm Japan and more.

Kicking off today is the Niseko Shootout Instagram Contest – a season-long hashtag-driven photo competition. The rules are simple – any photo hashtagged #nisekoshootout, taken in the Niseko area and between 1 December 2021 and 1 March 2022, is in the running.

That’s it! You’ll be entered for a shot at one of the prizes from our sponsors listed below. Additionally, the team at Powderlife Magazine will pick a shot from #nisekoshootout to be published in the 2022-23 issue of Powderlife Magazine.

Photos are judged across three categories:

  1. Ski
  2. Snowboard
  3. Open

Follow @nisekoshootout to see your shots featured throughout the season and get an idea for what we’re looking for.

This year’s amazing prizes include a Gentemstick Snowboard, Niseko United Season Pass and free stay at a NISADE Property, just to name a few:

                                     Prize

Category

First Place (100,000JPY worth) 2nd Place (50,000JPY worth) Third Place (30,000JPY worth)
Ski Niseko United All Mountain Season Pass x 1 Iwanai Cat Tour x 1 Niseko 343 prize pack
Snowboard Gentemstick Snowboard x 1
Rhythm Japan + Oyuki pack Boot Solutions prize pack
Open 2 Night-stay at a NISADE property
INSTA360 Camera x 1
Yama Plus prize pack

Please Note

*You MUST hashtag #nisekoshootout – if you only tag @nisekoshootout your image won’t be entered.

*The winner can pick up the prizes in Niseko or be responsible of the shipment of the prizes.

*Please don’t use carousel to show multiple pictures but post individually.

*The winner will always be the photographer even if the rider posted it.

Other Competitions

If you are in town in January, don’t forget to sign up for Niseko Shootout ProAM. Check out the excitement from 2021 press release.

Make sure to start editing and prepare to enter your film for Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival in March, 2022. Find out more HERE from the 2021 drive-in cinema press release.