Niseko Grand Hirafu - Operation Changes
Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu has announced the following changes to its lift operations.
These changes will help to ensure the resort is able to maintain quality service for the rest of the season.
Importantly, the changes do not make a significant impact on the amount of skiing area available.
Summary of changes:
- Ace Family Quad will close at 16:30 from Wednesday, January 27, except on Saturdays when it will close at 20:00.
- Holiday Pair #1 will now only operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 to 15:30.
- Swinging Monkey Chair will now only operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 8:30 to 15:30.
Check out the full announcement from Grand Hirafu here.
The Barn by Odin Will Start Serving Lunch from 27th January.
Also providing delicious Local Course. Don’t miss it.
The Barn by Odin, a bistro restaurant in lower Hirafu that is striving to be the fireplace of Niseko, is introducing its new lunch menu as well as Local Course for local staff and residents from the Kutchan area.
To curb the spread of the Coronavirus, The Barn is operating on shortened operation hours. Enjoy your dinner with loved ones between 6:00P.M.~10:00P.M., with your last orders at 9:00P.M. Remember to place your dinner reservations by 3:00P.M. on the day before!
The Barn Lunch Operation will be launched on Wednesday, 27th January 2020.
Day of Operation : Wednesdays and Thursdays
Period of Operation : Until End of February 2021
Time of Operation : 11:00P.M.~2:30P.M. (L.O.2:00P.M.)
Menu Offered : Pasta Lunch Set (Bread+Salad+Pasta) ¥1,200
(Choice between 2 types of pasta dishes)
*Local discount of 20% is applicable for lunch.
The Barn Local Course will be launched on Friday, 22nd January 2020, .
Days Available : Reservation-only, up until 3:00P.M. of the day before
Period of Operation : Until End of February 2021
Time of Operation : 6:00P.M.~10:00P.M. (L.O. 9:00P.M.)
Menu Offered : Today’s Appetizer+Main Course (Meat or Fish)+Today’s Dessert ¥3,000
*Please take note that operation hours may differ depending on the reservation status.
For more information, please visit their homepage or stay tuned to their Instagram page.
**Local discount is NOT applicable for guests who order the Local Course.
CONTACT:
Tel: 0136-23-0888
Email: [email protected]
Introducing H2Group
Your Lifestyle Real Estate partner in Niseko and Furano.
We are excited to introduce to you H2Group.
Hokkaido Tracks and HakuLife, recognized as the best in their respective fields, and bringing to you nearly 20 years of experience and success stories in Hokkaido, have joined forces, rethinking the way owners and guests buy, sell, build, invest and stay in properties.
These two company’s capabilities combined will bring an elevated experience to real estate, property development, property management, and hospitality to anyone seeking to achieve aspirational lifestyle goals.
H2Group’s mission is to create sensational memories for their owners, guests and clients alike. Through their positioning of Lifestyle Real Estate, all areas of real estate, may it be someone purchasing a new property, building a dream home, having one’s property managed and kept in pristine condition, and holiday seekers simply renting a room or property, H2Group’s focus is to overlay all our products and services with a lifestyle element to it, and delivering the highest level of customer service, ensuring a seamless, enjoyable customer experience throughout their journey and interaction with H2Group.
Lifestyle Real Estate products and services will be delivered through our 3 key business units below:
| Key Busines Units | Service & Product Details |
|---|---|
| H2 Real Estate | With amongst the largest real estate portfolio in Hokkaido, we are your team in Hokkaido. Property hunting can be fun and stress free as we will hold your hand, while we source, negotiate and carry out due diligence on your dream property. |
| H2 Projects | Building your dream home, a large scale development or anything in-between, has never been easier. With more than 200 properties in our CV, and the most experienced and qualified team in the region, you can leverage on our wealth of knowledge to bring your project into reality. We are here with you every step of the way from concept to completion to create that magical space you have always wanted. |
| H2 Life | Continuing the thread of making your life stress free while enjoying your investment in real estate, H2Life provides both Property Management Services (to owners) and Hospitality Services (to owners and guests) |
| Under the Property Management umbrella, we will look after every aspect of your property while you are away, from bill payments to grounds keeping, and everything in-between. This ensures that your investment is well looked after and attracts the yield it deserves over time. | |
| As to Hospitality Services, we have more than 60 properties from the HakuLife Collection, H2 Luxury Collection and the Signature Series to cater to all guests with different preferences and expectations for their holiday accommodation, coupled with personal butlers, itinerary curation, All-Niseko Pass privileges amongst many other services. |
They look forward to being your Lifestyle Real Estate partner in Niseko and Furano whenever you are ready! Drop in and visit them at their Niseko office to find out more, or email them at [email protected] anytime if you would like more information on any of our offerings.
We invite you to Rethink Real Estate, Rethink Development Management, Rethink Hospitality – think H2Group.
About H2 Group
H2 Group, your lifestyle and development partner in Japan, is a merger of two disruptive Niseko pioneers, Hokkaido Tracks Resort Properties and HakuLife. With over 20 years of combined experience, the H2 Group mission is to deliver sensational memories to our owners, guests, and clients.
We invite everyone to Rethink everything Real Estate! Rethink Buying and Selling properties, Rethink Development Management, Rethink Property Management, and Rethink Hospitality.
We do this through our expertise in developing and building luxury homes and commercial projects and through curating exquisite holidays that evoke the senses. We elevate the experience of buying and selling real estate, and work with our owners to protect their investments via our leading asset management capabilities.
With the one single focus in helping owners, guests and clients achieve the aspirational lifestyle they deserve, our prized team is passionate in creating sensational memories for them. Our team comprise of talent from 17 countries, speaking 20 languages, and each of them has the passion and expertise to achieve this mission, both through their in-depth local knowledge of Niseko and Furano, and delivering unparalleled service to everyone under their care.
H2 Group services include:
- Project and Development Management
- Real Estate Sales
- Asset Management
- Holiday Rentals and Lifestyle Experience Curation
For more information, please contact:
Hideo Okada
Assistant General Manager
Email: [email protected]
Niseko Community Wins Big in Niseko Shootout ProAM
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the teams who joined us!
The second Niseko Shootout ProAM has wrapped up, with the ¥120,000 Judges’ Choice prize awarded to photographer Kentaraw Matsuda & snowboarder Daisuke Watanabe, and the ¥80,000 Public Vote prize awarded to photographer Chris Smith & skier Josh Fawcett.
This year’s four-day ProAM and the following week of judging generated thousands of social media “likes” and hundreds of “shares”, and many more impressions around the world.
In this difficult time for the Niseko community and the world, this event drew much attention to Niseko and the fantastic snow we’re having here in an incredibly positive and uplifting way. It gave everyone involved here and abroad much to smile about.
Thank you to all the 10 judges who mostly took part remotely from around the world – Alex Yoder, Aline Bock, Eric Pollard, Lena Stoffel, Mattias Fredriksson, Neil Hartman, Taro Tamai, Torah Bright, Tsutomu Nakata and Yoichi Watanabe.
Keep an eye on @NisekoShootout and Niseko Tourism website to find out more about the Niseko Shootout Short Film Festival coming up in March.
Check out the Award Video below!
Niseko’s Powderlife Magazine Combats COVID-19 with Japanese Print Edition
This winter Niseko’s coffee-table feature magazine Powderlife has been printed in Japanese to help introduce modern Niseko to the domestic tourism market.
Powderlife is usually printed in English, with digital versions online in Japanese and Mandarin.
With international tourism closed this winter, Powderlife Managing Editor Kristian Lund said Niseko business advertisers supported the initiative to print a Japanese edition.
“Niseko is usually filled with skiers from across Asia and all over the world which has been our focus over the past 14 years with the English publication,” Mr Lund said.
“This winter, rather than put the magazine on hold, we decided to print a Japanese edition with the hope of getting Japanese travellers interested in what is going on up here.
“I don’t think there is much awareness across Japan that billions of dollars of international investment has transformed Niseko into a truly world-class ski resort.
“There is literally no other ski resort like Niseko in Japan – from new modern chairlifts and gondolas to ski-in Michelin-pedigree restaurants, and literally Japan’s best luxury resort accommodation.
“Japanese people can’t travel overseas at the moment but they can travel over the Tsugaru Strait to the island of Hokkaido and enjoy a taste of international ski resort style in Niseko.
“And this is the best year to do it – usually accommodation is booked out at premium prices but this winter Japanese can take their pick of accommodation at greatly reduced rates.”
Powderlife aims to introduce visitors and potential visitors to the Niseko powder lifestyle – everything that makes up life and holidays in Niseko. This of course revolves around skiing and snowboarding, but also includes culture, food, people, businesses, greater Hokkaido and more.
Powderlife is a 160-page coffee table style that can be picked up free in tourist hubs and accommodation and across Niseko as well as selected international locations.
The magazine is also available in digital format free online in three languages – English, Japanese and Mandarin.
The digital magazines are loaded onto the Official Niseko App – download the app to read on phone or tablet, or to read on desktop go to Powderlife.com/magazine.
A hardcopy of the Powderlife Japanese edition can be ordered and posted anywhere in Japan for ¥990 by emailing [email protected].
Join the iGate Lucky Draw Today!
From January 1st, iGATEIKEUCHI is holding a lucky draw for those who shop at their shop or download their APP.
Buy 1 item and you will get one lucky draw ticket.
You can also download the APP when you go to the store and you will get a lucky draw ticket.
From January 1st till January 31st.
■iGATE niseko hirafu 10：00～20：00
hirafu188 2F
■iGATE AYA niseko 8：00～18：00
AYA NISEKO 1F
Among those who shopped at the store, 20 people will get a prize, and it will be announced after February 6th.
A special new year sale is also happening.
Stop by after skiing and snowboarding!
Niseko Vibes - Winter Mixtape 2020/21 Released!
Good vibes brought to you by Pyram Organics & Plants.
A new mixtape for a new season!
It may be too late to call it “a new season” since we are already buried in snow (crazy amount of snow this year!) but here is something to enjoy for those who rather stay inside the house and watch snow-falling and wood fire burning with a cup of coffee (well, that’s exactly me).
As usual, come grab free CDs by shopping more than ¥1,000 at Pyram Organics & Plants or check out link HERE.
The same option is valid through online shopping as well. Just write a note saying, “I want that CD!” and they will include it in the shipping box.
Tracks list:
1. Suzanne Kraft – Flatiron
2. Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger – You Make Me Feel Brand New
3. Glenn Astro – Homespun (w. Ajnascent)
4. Madison McFerrin – No Room
5. (Liv).e – You The One Fish In The Sea
6. Cleo Sol – Her Light
7. Surprise Chef – Deadlines
8. Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection – Dieterich Buxtehude
9. Jahari Massamba Unit – Etude Montrachet
10. Zero7 – Distractions (Madlib’s YNQ Remix)
11. Azymuth, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge – Cat Jump
12. Brother’s Testament – Icarus Live at Jazz re:freshed
13. Candeias – Palmeiras
14. Kyle Hall – Katastematic Pleasure
15. Culross Close – Intrinsic Value
16. mfp – Kite Flyer (feat. Natalie Slade & Stan Smith)
Dog Owners, Rejoice: Upashi Seta Open for Lunch & Dinner!
Now you can enjoy your meals with your four-legged friends.
Located at Snowdog Village in Higashiyama, the name Upashi Seta mans ‘snow dog’ in Ainu. A casual Japanese izakaya run by a friendly Japanese couple.
Serving reasonable menu such as Rusutsu Pork Donburi for lunch and casual izakaya dishes for dinner using Niseko’s own spring water and local produce.
Please call 090 4426 2544 to order your takeout. And yes, they are dog-friendly!
Website: https://foodplace.jp/upashi-seta/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upashi_seta/
An All-star Cast of Pros around the World is Ready to Judge 2021 Niseko Shootout ProAM Photo Competition, Kicking Off Today!
American freeskier Eric Pollard and Olympic snowboarder Torah Bright are among those who will cast their votes remotely for the prestigious ¥120,000 Judge’s Choice prize. The Public Vote winner will take home ¥80,000.
The Niseko Shootout ProAM is one of three categories under the 2020-21 Niseko Shootout photo and film competition banner.
A total of 31 professional and amateur athlete-photographer teams will take to the mountains in and around Niseko between January 7-10 with the aim of capturing the best photo of the period, with ¥200,000 (US$2,000) up for grabs.
Contest organiser Winstead Heyward said unlike last year there was plenty of powder around and possibly even a bit of sunshine around for teams to work with.
“That’s the beauty of this competition – it’s held on set dates so teams have to work with whatever conditions Mother Nature throws at them,” Heyward said.
“We’ve just come out of three weeks of non stop snow so the mountains are loaded with snow. I’m expecting to see a few mushrooms shots and more photos taken in resort due to the lack of peak-season crowds due to the pandemic. However photos can be taken anywhere in the Shirebeshi region of Southwest Hokkaido, so there is bound to be a few backcountry shots, maybe with some ocean in the background thanks to the nearby Sea of Japan. I’m excited to see what everyone produces!”
Teams
| TEAM SPONSOR | TEAM MEMBER 1 | TEAM MEMBER 2 |
|---|---|---|
| James Winfield | Alister Buckingham | |
| Island Snowboards | Stu Cady | Toni Rodriguez |
| Niseko black | Simon Pervez | Bianca Peralta |
| Tenchi Miyakoshi | Takeshi Kuramoto | |
| Far East Snowsoprts | Andrew Willink | Toni Rodriguez |
| Far East Snowsoprts | Haruka Uozumi | Toni Rodriguez |
| Takumi Woodwork | Louis Higgins | Shinya Tabata |
| Niseko Black | Liam Larnach | Dora Krupic |
| Oyuki Japan | Ryu Atobe | Chris Smith |
| SnowPlus ski school | Eden Gao | Nicole Wang |
| Niseko Zen | Nolan Yoshiaki Isozaki | Saki Hayashi |
| Km4k (カモシカ) | Takashi Yoshimura | Shuhei Kato |
| Takara Masatoshi | Akagawa Mirai | |
| Hanazono Niseko | Jimi Oertli | Toshi Pander |
| YamaPlus | Evan Wilcox | Toshi Pander |
| Rhythm Japan | Jimmy Norris | Sean Potts |
| Powder Yoga | Toni Rodriguez | Charlie Davies |
| Rhythm Japan | Chris Smith | Josh Fawcett |
| Sea And Summit Media | Chad Clark | Justin Graves |
| Cyndie Hu | Ben Braunstein | |
| Niseko Shootout | Aaron Jamieson | Winstead Heyward |
| Powderlife | Aaron Jamieson | Kris Lund |
| Aaron Jamieson | Acme Wu | |
| Rhythm Japan | Darren Teasdale | Alex Koens |
| Callum McWilliam | Ayaka Shibasaki | |
| Henry Johnson | Stefan Boers | |
| GENTEMSTICK | Rei Igarashi | Katsuhide Fujio |
| Jack Phillips | Makenzie Robson | |
| Luke Sandalls | Justin Dowell | |
| K2 Snowboarding | Daisuke Watanabe | Kentaraw Matsuda |
| MnK Niseko | Patrick Ohtani | Jack Woods |
VOTING & JUDGING
ProAM Judges’ Choice Winners: ¥120,000
Our 2021 judge panel includes: Taro Tamai, Tsutomu Nakata, Yoichi Watanabe, Neil Hartmann, Torah Bright, Eric Pollard, Lena Stoffel, Mattias Fredrikson, Aline Bock and Alex Yoder. You can read all about the Judges on Niseko Shootout Instagram or Niseko Tourism Facebook – Niseko Shootout ProAM Album
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 –
You can register your votes by by liking photos that will be uploaded into the 2020-21 Niseko Shootout ProAM photo album on Niseko Tourism’s Facebook page during that time. Voting ends at 23:59 on January 18 – make sure you VOTE and help decide the winner!
Winners will be announced at an Award Ceremony on January 20. More details to come.
Sushi Catering in Niseko - Sushi Japan
Acclaimed sushi caterers “Sushi Japan” is currently taking reservations!
Avoid the crowds and dine in the privacy of your own accommodation.
The Sushi Japan chefs will come directly to you, so you can enjoy your meal without the need to step out of your accommodation.
Visit the Sushi Japan website for reservations and for any inquiries.
