Niseko Featured in HAC Magazine
The resort area of Niseko has been featured in the in-flight magazine "HAC Magazine", which is produced and published for JAL's "Hokkaido Air System".
HAC Magazine provides travellers with interesting and inspiring tourism information about destinations in Northern Japan.
The November / December issue of HAC Magazine features the Niseko area on the cover with views of the iconic Mt. Yotei.
The main feature article of this issue focuses on adventures in Niseko, and features Hokkaido based blogger "Kou Seiyu", who visited Niseko during Summer and Autumn.
The story features a number of local businesses who have worked closely with Niseko Tourism.
- Popular restaurant "Bang Bang"
- The Vale - managed by NISADE
- Muse - managed by Vacation Niseko
- Natural Mud Onsen - Tour provided by Bouken Kozaku
- Niseko Autumn Food Festival
All images were shot by Niseko Tourism.
Park Hyatt Hanazono - Dim Sum Brunch
China Kitchen at Park Hyatt Hanazono will be opening each Saturday and Sunday for Chinese Dim Sum Brunch.
Experience the very best of China’s rich culinary heritage right here in Niseko.
- Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
- Hotel Lobby Floor
- 11.30am – 2:00pm every Saturday and Sunday
Make the most of your weekend and enjoy a variety of authentic Chinese dim sum dishes that are sure to satisfy.
Contact the Parky Hyatt Hanazono team to reserve and get your culinary adventure underway.
Reservations:
Phone: 0136-27-1234
Park Hyatt Hanazono
The Hashtag is Back – #NisekoShootout Launching 5 December, 2020
Enter your photos, or just enjoy the entries!
Get ready to enter your photos or just enjoy the entries – Niseko’s Instagram-based winter-long photography competition is back for the 2020-21 season.
Any photo hashtagged #nisekoshootout is in the running!
Niseko Shootout is the region’s official photo contest, presented by Niseko Tourism with support from Niseko United Ski Resort, Powderlife Magazine, Gentemstick, Roko Skis, Rhythm Japan and more.
The search is on for this season’s most uniquely Niseko moments – and it’s up to you to display what they are via the lens of your DSLR or smart phone.
Photos are judged in three categories:
1) Skiing
2) Snowboard
3) Landscape
Rules
Post on Instagram and use hashtag #nisekoshootout on any of your photos taken in the Niseko area starting 5 December 2020 until 1 March 2021.
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 will pick a shot from #nisekoshootout to be published in next winter’s issue of mag – this winter’s cover photo was a #nisekoshootout entry!
Follow @nisekoshootout to see your shots featured throughout the season and get an idea of what we’re looking for.
*Please don't use carousel to show multiple pictures – post each entry individually.
*The winner will always be the photographer, even if the rider posted it.
*Winners can pick up prizes in Niseko or organise and pay for shipping.
NOTE:
You must HASHTAG, not @TAG, to enter. Ie photos tagged @nisekoshootout only aren't entered – only photos hashtagged #nisekoshootout are eligible to win.
Prizes
Major prizes this year include a Gentemstick Snowboard, Roko Skis and a Niseko United Season Pass.
| SKI | SNOWBOARD | LANDSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| 1st place: Roko Skis | 1st place: Gentemstick Snowboard | 1st place: Niseko United Season Pass |
| 2nd place: Iwanai Cat Tour | 2nd place: Rhythm Japan + Oyuki prize pac | 2nd place: Yama Plus prize pack |
| 3rd place: Icelantic prize pack | 3rd place: Boot Solutions prize pack | 3rd place: Niseko 343 prize pack |
Images above featuring 2019-20 Niseko Shootout ProAM Judge's Choice Winner
Photographer: Tanner Dobbins
Athlete: Ryu Atobe
Caption: "Bad snow conditions' in Niseko featuring Mt Yotei"
ALSO Enter the ProAm & Film Festival
The Shootout has grown to incorporate two major events through the season:
•The Niseko Shootout ProAm runs from 7 to 10 January, 2021 and is a photo contest in which athlete-photographer teams (professional and amateur alike) enter the best image they capture within a four-day window. In the past pro and Olympic athletes including Torah Bright, Pep Fujas and Chris Benchetler have taken part. Check HERE for last year's info. This year's contest details will be shared shortly.
• The Niseko Shootout Film Festival on March 13, 2021 showcases the best Niseko-themed short films made within the previous 15 months. Held towards the end of winter, the Short Film Festival acts as the Shootout. Find out last year's amazing works and winner HERE. More contest details will be announced soon.
Thank you to all our sponsors:
Niseko United, Roko Skis, Gentemstick, Iwanai Resort, Rhythm Japan, Oyuki, Yama Plus, Icelantic Skis, Boot Solutions & Niseko 343
Media partner: Powderlife Magazine
Hirafu Parking Updates 2020/21
Hirafu Parking Updates for 2020/21 Winter
Parking is limited in Hirafu, particularly during the busy winter season.
Kutchan Town has provided the following information and rules to help ensure safety and the smooth operation of traffic.
Public parking in the Niseko Hirafu area
- No parking overnight in the public parking lot due to snow removal.
- When you park overnight, your car will be stuck in the snow and it will be extremely difficult to move.
- If you are staying at a hotel or condominium, park in the provided parking lot of each accommodation at night.
- Street parking is a hindrance to pedestrians and is a cause of traffic problems. Hirafu-zaka St. has a steep slope, so parking and stopping are prohibited.
- In winter, street parking is tightly controlled, and local authorities will be patrolling the area.
Hirafu Parking Lot #1
Access to the pick-up and drop-off area near the Welcome Center is one-way only.
- Follow the instructions of the parking staff in Hirafu Parking lot #1.
- Do not park overnight. If you do, your car will be stuck in the snow and will be extremely difficult to move.
- Clearly display the name of the company on service vehicles.
- Hirafu Parking lot #1 is for National park use such as visiting the ski resort. Employees working in the Hirafu area should park at the office parking lot or the Sun Sports Land temporary parking lot.
- Don’t park on Hirafu-zaka St. for a long time because it will interfere with other cars and pedestrians.
Sun Sports Land Temporary Parking Lot
- Available Period: From Mid December to Mid March 2020.
- Available Hours: 8am-12am (No parking is allowed from 12am to 8am.)
- Eligible Users: Anybody needs to park
- Do not leave your car parked overnight. If you do, your car will be stuck in the snow and will be extremely difficult to move.
- The parking space directly in front of Sun Sports Land building is only for visitors to Sun Sports Land.
Hirafu Police Box Parking
- Hirafu Police Box Parking can only be used temporarily as a pick-up location. Do not park here.
- If there is an emergency vehicle, give priority to that emergency vehicle.
- Never park and stop on Hirafu-zaka St. because it will cause traffic problems.
- Do not leave your car parked overnight. If you do, your car will be stuck in the snow and will be extremely difficult to move.
Announced by Kutchan Police Station, Kutchan Tourism Association, Niseko Hirafu Area Management, Niseko Hirafu Neighbourhood Watch, Kutchan Town Office Tourism Division
Introducing Rakusuisan Niseko
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Group's Authent Hotels Co., Ltd. is opening a new Ryokan named "Niseko Kabayama no Sato Rakusuisan", located in Kutchan-cho, Hokkaido featuring 18 rooms.
The accommodation is a wooden, one-story structure, all rooms overlook Mt. Yotei, and all 18 rooms are separated by a corridor.
All rooms are equipped with an open-air bath that uses naturally flowing water, providing guests with a private relaxation experience complete with a comfortable Japanese style space built using wood from Hokkaido.
"Rakusuisan" is located between Niseko Grand Hirafu and Higashiyama Niseko Village Ski Resort. It is a quiet area with beautiful natural surroundings overlooking Mt. Yotei.
The dishes at Rakusuisan are created using freshly picked ingredients sourced from the land and sea of Hokkaido, with the menu being decided each day by the chefs.
There are 3 restaurants with counter seats where guests can enjoy teppanyaki, sushi, and tempura.
Rakusuisan aims to be a comfortable place that can be enjoyed by long-term residents, who relish the charm of Niseko each season in the foothills of the mountains.
In addition, there are common spaces, a fitness gym, and a day spa, facilities to dry ski equipment and locker rooms.
【Facility outline】
Facility name: Niseko Kabayama no Sato Rakusui-san
Location: Kabayama, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Number of guest rooms: 18 rooms (13 Western-style rooms 75㎡, 5 tatami mats and 5 Western-style rooms 95㎡)
Source name: Kabayama Onsen Annupuri no Yu
Spring quality: Sodium-chloride / hydrogen carbonate hot spring
Opening date: December 1, 2020
Price: Winter season per person, 1 night with breakfast
From 110,000 yen (service charge included, tax not included)
According to Metro Engine Research, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido has 290 accommodations and 4,011 rooms. There are 6 facilities scheduled to open, and 627 new rooms are expected to be supplied.
Niseko Resort Area Implements AI-based Chatbot “Bebot”
Niseko Resort Area Implements AI-based Chatbot “Bebot”
Leading resort destination Niseko is introducing an innovative AI chatbot as “Bebot”, as Niseko Tourism Zone （chairman: Kenya Katayama/ Niseko Town Mayor）project to provide visitors with real-time answers and information.
December 1, 2020 – The world-famous resort of Niseko, Japan is leveraging innovation in a time of crisis. “Bebot”, the AI-based chatbot, now offers tourists reliable information and answers to frequently asked questions in real-time. The communication tool developed in-house by Bespoke Inc. is evolving into an indispensable travel tool for tourists across the globe as well as for companies in the tourist business.
“With Bebot, we are taking the next step towards a more digitally focused future for Niseko. It is essential to provide tourists with real-time, easily accessible, information and assistance, particularly during the current tourism climate”, says Alister Buckingham, Marketing Manager of the Niseko Promotion Board.
“We are very delighted to support the communication work of the winter sports region of Niseko. Winter sports enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world appreciate receiving reliable information in real-time. The introduction of Bebot in the Niseko Ski Resort represents the first time the software is being used in a Japanese skiing area,” states Akemi Tsunagawa, founder and CEO of Bespoke.
Artificial intelligence for versatile communication
The Bebot chatbot for tourist inquiries is now available in real-time in one of Japan’s largest and most popular ski areas. Tourists are provided with all kinds of tourism-related information and can get immediate responses to frequently asked questions from Bebot via their smartphones without having to call a service line or search online. Bebot also supplies real-time data on the current COVID-19 situation, lift operations and the current weather on mountain peaks to enable improved planning of ski tours and day trips in the mountains. Users can ask questions such as “Can you tell me the lift status?” or “Where can I get a PCR test in Niseko?”. Bebot can be accessed by visiting either the Niseko Promotion Board or partner websites or by using the official Niseko App. Visitors on site can also access the AI chatbot by scanning a QR code with their smartphone. Interaction with the chatbot is currently possible in English and Japanese. The tool will be expanded to include other languages in the future.
Useful customer feedback to adapt offerings
Not only does Bebot provide tourists and locals with valuable and reliable information, but it also conducts simple surveys of users. In addition, the inquiries recorded by Bebot serve as the basis for deducing trends and special needs.
The chatbot Bebot promotes interaction with target groups
The AI-based chatbot “Bebot”, Japan’s first and most widely used travel chatbot, was developed in-house by Bespoke Inc. and initially released in April 2016. Bebot provides assistance on a wide range of customer and corporate issues. It is a customizable and versatile chatbot offering
accurate information for the respective target group, from crisis management to serving as a virtual info point or analytical tool for the purpose of revenue enhancement. Numerous international airports, tourist areas, and governments already rely on the AI-based Bebot technology to provide real-time responses to their customers.
About the Niseko Promotion Board
Niseko Tourism is a non-profit organization with the aim of promoting the tourist area Niseko as a four-season holiday destination and increasing the overall number of visitors to the area. Overall, more than 400 companies such as hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities and shops in Niseko are represented by Niseko Tourism.
About Bespoke
Headquartered in Tokyo, Bespoke Inc. is the world's leading developer of multilingual Artificial Intelligence solutions serving the travel and tourism industry. Bespoke provides solutions to major airports, cities, and transport authorities to aid in congestion management, emergency communication and driving in-market spend. Bespoke's partners include Narita International Airport, Sendai International Airport, Mie Prefecture, Holiday Inn, Tampa International Airport, and Vienna International Airport. Bespoke has also developed a chatbot to combat the current coronavirus pandemic for use in Japan and globally. As of January 2020, over twelve million travelers interact with Bespoke's Chatbot annually.
This story was featured by the following media outlets:
Fill Out 2020-21 Niseko Winter Guest Survey to win a 5-Day Niseko United All Mountain Pass or ¥30,000 Worth of Amazing Prizes!
13th is no longer a bad luck number! 2 lucky winners for great prizes will be annouced on the 13th of the month throughout this winter!
For the 2020-21 Niseko Winter Guest Survey, Niseko United, Powder Yoga Niseko, An Dining, Rhythm Japan, Hinode Hills Niseko Village, Vacation Niseko and Niseko Village Golf Course are partnering up and offering even better prizes for YOU, who is helping us to make Niseko a better winter holiday destination with your feedback!
Fill out the quick survey below and you might become one of the 2 lucky winners to win a 5 day Niseko United All Mountain Liftpass or monthly surprise prize (worth about ¥30,000) to enjoy in Niseko. The winners will be announced on the 13th of every month, starting December 2020 through May 2021. So fill out NOW!
Photo by Aaron Jamieson
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.
2020-21 Resort Map and Niseko Area Guide, Wine & Dine Now Available!
Find out all the latest Niseko area information.
The 2020-21 Resort Maps and Area Guide, Wine & Dine are Niseko's official area guides with information about local restaurants, activities, and different services.
This year's Resort Maps and Wine & Dine Guide have now arrived in Niseko and will be available at information centers and many businesses in the Niseko area.
Gracing the cover of the Resort Map are photos shot by photographer Aaron Jamieson - a year-round resident of Niseko.
The image on the cover of the Wine & Dine was shot by the team at Tasting Kitchen Magazine during their visit to the area. We have also included special coupons sections in this year's Wine & Dine to further promote different businesses.
If you haven't picked up a Wine & Dine yet, you can read the full publication online here.
Also make sure to check out all the restaurants and eateries online on the official Wine & Dine website, and all the best area activities on the official Area Guide website.
All our publications and information can be accessed via the Official Niseko App so you can get all you need to know right in the palm of your hand. Download the Niseko App for Apple devices here and for Android devices here.
Download the resort map PDF here:
Niseko Wins Big at World Ski Awards 2020
Big Win for Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono & Hakuchozan Niseko
Niseko has succeeded once again on the world stage with two of Niseko’s best accommodations winning acolades at the 2020 World Ski Awards.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono has won Best New Ski Hotel at the 2020 World Ski Awards and Hakuchozan has won Japan’s Best Ski Chalet.
The annual awards celebrate hotels and ski resorts all across the world, with the presentation being held in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
Despite a challenging year for tourism, Park Hyatt Niseko in Hanazono and Hakuchozan in Hirafu have both accomplished great success with incredible services and products.
This year marks the third year in a row that Hakuchozan has won Japan’s Best Ski Chalet – an impressive feat that solidifies the stunning accommodation as one of the absolute best in the area.
Park Hyatt Niseko in Hanazono has so far been open for 10 months but has already impressed guests with world-class service, a variety of restaurants, an enticing cigar bar, and the hotel’s exquisite design.
“Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is honored to have been awarded the World’s Best New Ski Hotel 2020 by the World Ski Awards – the only global initiative to recognize, reward and celebrate excellence in ski tourism. This award would not be possible without the support of our guests, colleagues and local community here in Niseko.
Having only been open for 10 months this recognition goes above all to our team who have shown incredible dedication, hard work, and care — values that are at the heart of who we are.”
Click HERE for Park Hyatt Hanazono details, and HERE for Hakuchozan award information.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is also a registered participant of the GoTo Travel Campaign. Do not forget to check out more details HERE.
2020/21 Night Go Bus Schedule
