The Spirit of the Mountain Welcomes Visitors back to Niseko
Hokkaido’s most famous resort area, Niseko, is releasing a new campaign titled “The Spirit of the Mountain” to showcase the region and reinvigorate tourism. Niseko Tourism is spearheading the project with the goal of welcoming visitors back to the four-seasons resort.
For the first time, the video reveals to the world “The Spirit of the Mountain (山の気魂, Yama no kikon)” – the unique vibrance that permeates Niseko, is embodied in its people, and is responsible for making Niseko Japan’s most internationally loved resort.
Featuring the faces of dozens of the region’s most well known and loved personalities – including the mayors of the three towns that encompass the region – this new video illustrates the depth of the spirit that resonates through Niseko’s seasons.
Niseko Tourism Marketing Director Acme Wu says “The Spirit of the Mountain” encompasses the diversity of Niseko. “The Spirit of the Mountain explains why so many people from all over the world have gravitated to and fallen in love with Niseko,” Ms Wu said. “It’s something that everyone shares; it’s the reason people come to visit and it’s the reason people choose to live here. We want visitors from all over Japan – and eventually all over the world – to come to Niseko and feel the Spirit of the Mountain for themselves”.
The mayors from each of the three towns that make up the Niseko area are pleased that the region’s best attributes are illustrated through this project.
“The grandeur of Niseko’s four-seasons is showcased so clearly, which is wonderful to see.” - Kenya Katayama, Niseko Town Mayor.
“It’s great that Niseko’s most important elements, including its natural environment, have been captured and shown so succinctly. It’s a very important time to send such a reassuring message.” - Kazushi Monji, Kutchan Town Mayor.
“I am pleased to share our wonderful natural environment through this message, and I’m looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Niseko once the coronavirus situation settles.” - Hideyuki Kon, Rankoshi Town Mayor.
Video Director Aaron Jamieson was very passionate about the project. “The idea of this project resonated so strongly with me that I wanted to volunteer my time to direct the filming and make sure we made something that spoke from the heart of all Niseko residents”.
Niseko’s winter started winding down back in March, about a month earlier than usual, as COVID-19 concerns impacted international travel.
The resort saw very few cases of the virus, and following a light lockdown over April and May, the island of Hokkaido is fundamentally back to business as usual.
Domestic tourists are expected to visit over the popular summer period to experience the cooler northern temperatures, famous fresh produce, and outdoor activities, while international tourism will be limited due to border restrictions.
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+81)136-21-2551
Shellfish Museum of Rankoshi is Open
Enjoy the underwater world of Hokkaido!
Among the seven towns and villages around Mt. Yotei under the jurisdiction of the Shiribeshi branch office, only Rankoshi-cho has a beautiful coastline (about 4 Km).
The town aims to promote the region by making the most out of the sea. "Shellfish Museum of Rankoshi" was built as one of the "Seaside Park Minato Concept" that promotes a new relationship with the sea and marine ecosystem.
Opened in 1991, this is a shellfish museum that displays fossil shells such as marine and land snails living worldwide and ammonites in Hokkaido.
The museum is open everyday in July and August. Please check HERE for more details and further schedules of the museum.
For inquiries:
Shellfish Museum of Rankoshi *WEBSITE AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE ONLY
Phone: 0136-56-2102
Tomo 2020 Summer Operation Hours
Tomo is happy to announce that they have begun their summer operation hours from this past Sunday.
Open hours: Lunch 12pm-2pm | Dinner 4pm-8pm
Items on the lunch/dinner menu are available for takeaway (some exclusions) and they also have a takeaway drink menu, both available for the whole day.
July operation hours are a bit shorter as they have reduced working days so they are open from:
Sunday-Wednesday (closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
Here is the LINK to their full summer menu!
For inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0136-55-5524
Chatrium Hospitality Launches Their First Hotel in Niseko
Welcome to Niseko, Chatrium!
Chatrium hospitality is proud to launch a new Chatrium hotel in Japan, with Hyatt House Niseko being rebranded as Chatrium Niseko Japan at the end of the third quarter of 2020. Chatrium Niseko is located in the very heart of Hirafu Village, steps away from the best slopes, restaurants and bars in town. Niseko is a destination to discover consistently high-quality light powder snowfall in winter and comfortable temperatures in green season. Moreover, Niseko offers unspoilt nature, striking unique landscapes and various outdoor activities. During winter, Niseko becomes a multicultural town with a variety of Japanese onsen (natural hot spring) baths and amazing restaurants offering different types of cuisine, including both local and international flavors.
“We are excited to open our first property in Japan, Chatrium Niseko. We look forward to welcoming world travelers who are seeking a unique destination and personalized experience during their stay. Our guests will have all the excitement of Niseko right at their fingertips,” said Mr. Rene Balmer, Chatrium Group General Manager.
Chatrium Niseko features a choice of 76 studios, suites and penthouses, from 30 – 173 sqm. All spacious contemporary designed suites are equipped with a large living space, kitchen and pantry for extra convenience for families and friends visiting this exhilarating part of Japan.Within the resort complex, guests will also find Hirafu’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Kamimura, as well as six other restaurants, cafés and specialty bars. Additionally, Rhythm Japan, Hirafu’s premier ski rental service, provides Chatrium guests with an in-house service centre and private lockers. The resort also includes a fitness centre, international ATM, plus a convenient 24-hour market for snacks and goodies.
Chatrium Niseko is located at Shiki Niseko, 190-4 Aza Yamada Kutchan-Cho, Abuta-gun,
Hokkaido, Japan.
For more information please call Chatrium Niseko Japan on 0136-21-4191, or visit Chatrium Niseko
COVID-19 Antibody Now Available at Niseko International Clinic (NIC)
At Niseko International Clinic (NIC), COVID-19 Antibody has become available on July 3rd.
Please check the details on the link HERE.
For inquiries:
Niseko International Clinic
Tel: 0136-21-5454
Fax: 0136-21-5455
E-mail: [email protected]
Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center Free Consultations
While the globalization does not seem to cease, the number of foreign residents here in Hokkaido has been increasing each year and their population has been widely spread throughout the area.
Moreover, last April after the Enforcement of the Revised Immigration Control Act was released, we are expecting even more foreign residents.
With this in sight, in order to realize a multicultural society here in Hokkaido, it is imperative that we understand each our's cultures and our different life styles.
That being all said, Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center will hold 2 free consultations to welcome foreign residents with an open arm while providing them with the assistance they need in their everyday life in Japan.
- Dates:(1) July 20th 2020, (2) July 21st 2020
- Time: 13:00~17:00
- Venues: (1) Niseko Chomin Center、(2) Kutchan Community Center
For the PDF version of the flyer click HERE.
For inquiries:
Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center
TEL:011-221-7840 FAX:011-221-7845
Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]
Do not forget, Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center also has a Facebook page too.
Niseko Chiropractic Kutchan
Niseko Chiropractic Has Come to Kutchan
Niseko Chiropractic is proud to announce that from next week it will now possible to book consultations at the Powder Yoga studio (map HERE) when they are not running scheduled classes.
This is great little studio just 4 doors up from the sprout cafe.
Over the short term they will be offering appointments all day Tuesdays ( apart from class times ) and also most evenings from 8pm.
Other times will be possible by appointment and more details on this to come in July as the summer approaches.
They are currently working on how to allow the booking system to chose between a mobile service or a visit in Kutchan studio, but as a temporary workaround, they have made a separate appointment type. ( Kutchan studio vs mobile service).
If you do book a Kutchan studio session, please double check you are not booking in a registered Powder Yoga class time.
Also in conjunction with Powder Yoga, they are launching their first introduction to relaxation massage workshop (location same as above).
This short course will give you the practical info you need to give a high-quality massage to friend or partner.
The powder yoga massage 6-hour workshop will run on Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th of July from 6pm-9pm.
The course will run over 2 evenings with 3 hours per session. No previous massage or anatomy knowledge is needed but you will get more out of the experience is you have had some previous related training. The focus will be on concepts and applying specific techniques rather than running through a set routine.
You will have the chance to work on various body types and there will be plenty of time to allow for practice and refinement of techniques in the sessions.
Brent has a 12-year background in teaching remedial massage in Australia as well as anatomy at a university level.
Massage tables will be provided but please bring your own sheets and pillows.
There will also be an opportunity to purchase some tables at a discounted price at the end of the workshop.
This workshop is strictly limited to the first 10 participants.
If you have any specific questions about the workshop content please contact Brent directly on [email protected].
They currently have 6 spaces remaining and you can book on HERE (please note that due to system limitations it only shows the course running on the Saturday evening but rest assured it will be running from Saturday and Sunday from 6pm-9pm).
If you do wish to book an appointment at any stage you can do so HERE.
*Please kindly remember that the above 2 are held exactly at the same space as Powder Yoga classes. In order to avoid booking in at the same time as one of their classes, please check Powder Yoga's schedules HERE.
For inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Welcome "Miru Collection"
Sayonara Nest at Nest Hotels, Konichiwa Miru Collection!
The past few years have been incredible for Nest at Nest hotels, and they are grateful for all the holiday memories you have made with them. Today, they revel in new beginnings as Nest at Nest rebrands to "Miru Collection".
Miru Collection is a group of lifestyle hotels for the modern and conscious traveler. “Miru” – which means “to see/look” in Japanese, embodies a refreshed point of view. Representing a union of design, nature and culture, each of Miru hotels is a distinct composition of thoughtfulness and surprise, inspired by the richness of its locality. Their hotels are a destination; a soul-seeking statement of living without borders, seeing beauty in the unknown.
"As we start a new chapter with Miru Collection, rest assured that our steadfast management, friendly staff, excellent service and beautiful properties remain the same. Whether you are in Miru Amami, Kyoto or Niseko, we welcome you to capture the moments and create your own travel stories."
"We invite you to look beyond and within with new eyes."
Get yourself connected and stay in the know by following below:
For media inquiries, please contact Jamie Eng, Marketing Manager at:
Niseko Dominates World Ski Awards Nominations
Please vote for Niseko in the World Ski Awards by clicking here. *The voting period now has been extended for 2 weeks
Niseko, one of Japan’s leading ski resorts, has once again been nominated for Japan’s Best Ski Resort in the World Ski Awards. In the Japanese accommodation category, there are more Niseko based properties than any other Japanese ski resort with twelve out of twenty eight nominated properties being from the Hokkaido based resort.
The World Ski Awards began in 2013 with the aim to improve standards in the ski industry by rewarding organizations that are considered leaders in their field. The awards were widely endorsed by many well established ski resorts and industry leaders around the world. Winners of these prestigious awards are decided by industry and public vote, with an awards ceremony held in Kitzbuhl, Austria each year in November.
Michael Chen, owner of two-time winner of Japan’s Best Ski Chalet “Hakuchozan”, is pleased that the efforts of local providers are being recognized at an international level.
“We are so proud to be recognized by our industry peers and guests once again for Hakuchōzan and then for our new property HakuVillas. Bringing in world-class pampered service to match the world-class snow in Niseko, is something everyone on our team is truly passionate about.” - Michael Chen, Hakuchozan Owner.
Four time winner of Japan’s Best Ski Hotel, Hilton in Niseko Village, is once again nominated for the award, looking to claim back the title. Niseko Village Resort Director, Panch Ratnavale was optimistic, and is focussing on creating the best customer experience possible.
“It is great to be recognized and nominated again for the World Ski awards. Niseko Village aims to be Asia’s premier integrated Alpine Ski resort offering our customers an All Season Mountain resort experience. Best Ski-in/ Ski-out accommodation, great local cuisine, fun filled adventure and a dedicated service team to tick all your boxes.” - Panch Ratnavale, Niseko Village Resort Director.
These nominations highlight Niseko’s role as the leader in the Japanese ski industry, particularly on an international stage.
The Inagurual Jolly Fox Invitational Niseko Golf Competition – A Great Success!
Three Days of fun for a fantastic cause!
The Inaugural Jolly Fox Invitational Niseko – 3 days of incredible fun, new friendships, and one terrific golf competition!
Amidst the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Jolly Fox was a wonderful opportunity to bring together many of the people who have contributed to the great success of Niseko, as well as those who will have pivotal roles in its continued success as a world class tourist destination.
The event raised money for Niseko Tourism to support the essential promotional efforts of ensuring Niseko’s rapid return to one of Asia’s first choice travel destinations.
HakuLife, an ultra-luxury lifestyle experience provider in Niseko, was the title sponsor and organizer.
Special thanks to Glen Claydon from GCP Photography for donating his time to memorialise the event with incredible photographs and videos.
Also, special thanks go to Mr Ken Sauer (Niseko vacation home owner) for his sponsorship of the event. And last but not least to the several local businesses who supported the event with prizes: Blackwood Grill, HakuSteak, Hanazono Golf, MnK Niseko, Niseko Chiropractic, Niseko Realty, The Niseko Company, Park Hyatt Niseko and Tomo Niseko.
Make sure to mark your calendar next year - The 2021 Jolly Fox Invitational Niseko will be held on June 17-20,2021.
