2017-18 Night Skiing Opening
Enjoy the magic of night skiing during your visit!
Niseko United has announced that the Night Skiing will commence on December 9th, 2017 and end on March 18th, 2018.
Business hours will be as follows:
- Non Night Skiing period: 8:30 to 16:30 (8:30 to 16:00 in Hanazono Area)
- During Night Skiing period: 8:30 to 20:30 (8:30 to 20:00 for Niseko Village. 8:30 to 16:00 in Hanazono Area)
Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy gliding on the slopes under the light! Unlike other ski resorts where night skiing is just for beginners, at Niseko, the evenings are for powder hounds, too! The area that is lit up is extensive, so it’s possible to enjoy many advanced areas and avoid the daytime crowd. After a little après ski action, it can be incredibly surreal bouncing around in the fresh powder under the lights.
Gloorious Cafes Get A Brand-new Look
Nothing kicks off a morning in the mountains quite as nicely as an invigorating cup of specially brewed coffee! Gloorious cafes are located inside Rhythm Japans’ stores in both Niseko and Hakuba. The cafes have been given a fresh look to reflect the harmonious partnership between winter activities and caffeine. Check out the new logo!
The cafes have also partnered with a new supplier, Allpress Espresso. Allpress has been chosen because of its consistently smooth and inviting blend. Allpress beans are roasted using the Hot Air Roast Method, which elevates natural sweetness and gives lasting flavour.
At Gloorious all our baristas take pride in crafting balanced, delicious cups of coffee, tailored to the specific tastes of each customer. So whether you enjoy a cappuccino, a flat white, a mocha or a soy milk double shot long macchiato with half a sugar, our Gloorious baristas will serve you with a smile.
You’ll find Gloorious just through the doors of both Rhythm’s shops, which are located on the main intersection in Niseko and next to the Mominoki Hotel in Wadeno, Hakuba. Gloorious is the ideal place to meet friends before you head out for the day skiing or snowboarding, or if you want to enjoy a pick-me-up as you’re exploring the towns.
Gloorious also serves hot chocolates, a range of teas including chai and babycinos for the mini-shredders. You’ll also find an assortment of tasty sweet treats to fuel you as you enjoy the mountains and the streets of Niseko and Hakuba!
We look forward to seeing you this season.
Love from the Gloorious Team.
Rhythm Japan Head Office
190-1 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho,
Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081
Phone 0136-23-0164
Email [email protected]
Due to winter season, road closures announcements 2017.
①Closure section : Iwanai - Toya Route (a. k. a Panorama Line), Iwanai - Rankoshi Line, Kutchan - Niseko Line
Closure period: 23 rd October 2017 - May 2018 as planned
②Closure section : Shimamaki Pirika Line, Shiraikawa Toyoura Line
Closure period: 6 November 2017 - May 2018 as planned
③Closure section : Iwanai Toya Line / Kyowa oikomi 744 - Rankoshi Yunosato (Yunosato Gates) 18km
Closure date: 23 October 2017
④Closure section : Route 268 Iwanai Rankoshi Line / Kyowa Oikomi - Rankoshi Niimi (Rankoshi Niimi Gates) 7km
Closure date: 23 October 2017
⑤Closure section : Kutchan Niseko Line / Kutchan, Hanazono National Forest Park, 12 Rin pan Gate - Niseko cho/ Rankoshi cho (Goshiki Onsen Gates) 6km
Closure date: 11 a.m. 23 October 2017
⑥Closure section : Shimamaki Pirika Line: Shimamaki Tomari 451 Gates - National Forest Park 3230 Rin pan 5km
Closure date: 2 p.m. 6 November 2017
⑦Closure section : Shiroikawa Toyota Line: Kuromatsunai Higashikawa 374 - Higashikawa Mubannchi 4km
Closure date: 10 a.m. 6 November 2017
For inquiries, please call to the Otaru Construction Management Division, Rankoshi Branch Office TEL 0136-57-5121
Have You Heard of The Hirafu Local Rule?
Here are the 6 things you should follow when visiting Niseko!
2017 Le Guide Michelin for Niseko
Find out which restaurants around Niseko are featured!
Coming to Niseko and looking for the best gourmet experience? We are here to help!
Here is a quick list of all the restaurants featured in the 2017 Le Guide Michelin - Hokkaido edition. And don't forget to check out the Niseko Wine & Dine Guide for the most complete restaurant info around the Niseko area.
The Michelin-starred French restaurant is headed by Owner Chef Yuichi Kamimura, a Hokkaido local who spent years perfecting his craft under the renowned chef Tetsuya Wakuda in Sydney’s Tetsuya’s.
Niseko-famous, Ichimura is a popular choice for lunch for locals and visitors to the area. Using only the best of fresh, local ingredients for their soba and famous tempura, each bite is a treat.
Excellent food at a reasonable price. Head Chef Tsuyoshi trained at the Michelin-starred French restaurant Kamimura before opening up his own place in Kutchan. His tapas-style menu is complemented with an impressive wine list.
Other restarants in the area featured in the guide
| NAME | CUISINE | PHONE NUMBER |
|---|---|---|
| Oudon Cafe Hozuki | Udon noodle | 0136-21-7711 |
| Nakama | Ramen noodle | 0136-22-0660 |
| Sobadokoro Rakuichi | Soba noodle | 0136-58-3170 |
| Del Sole | Pizza | 0136-58-3535 |
| Ezo Ramen Katsuji | Ramen noodle | 0136-57-6172 |
| Sato | Sushi | 0136-22-0263 |
| Hanayoshi | Sushi | 0136-44-3444 |
| Loft Club | BBQ/Ghengis Khan | 0136-44-2883 |
Don't forget to download the official Niseko app to access the restaurant info right in your palm.
Niseko Vibes - Autumn Mix 2017 Released!
Looking for some great tune for autumn? Look no further.
Created by local artist Masaki 'mfp' Konagai, Niseko Vibes presents heart-warming tunes for chilly Niseko fall season. The journey includes a rare Italian library music, contemporary/spiritual jazz, classic Jazz funk, Hip Hop instrumentals, new/old Soul, a cover of classic Japanese soul, Lo-fi house, rare Disco, and more! Enjoy the mix with a beautiful view of autumn leaves!
Kutchan Town Aims to Host G20 Summit in 2019
From Hokkaido News, Saturday, Sep 16th
On Sep 15th, Kutchan Town, located in Shiribeshi prefecture, expressed interest to accommodate G20 summit in 2019. Japan will be the country to host the leaders from 20 countries and regions. Kutchan Town soon will make an official announcement and to seek cooperation from Hokkaido.
Japan was assigned as the next host country at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany back in July. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will be collecting public offers for the venue of the summit meeting. Known as a popular international resort, Niseko Hirafu area contains proficient resources to host foreign VIPs - sufficient accommodation options and various sizes of meeting venues; therefore, it is considered as a qualified candidate.
You can find the original article here (in Japanese only)
Undiscovered Japan 2017 Top Tour Poll
Vote for your favorite tour and get a chance to win a great trip for two!
13 special tourism zones across Japan are working together to promote “Undiscovered Japan” - 2 day 1 night stay plans. Cast your vote for the one that you would like to go the most and get a chance to win a dream trip for two!!
The top tour poll is not just a popularity vote between different tourism zones, but a head to head competition between the specially selected tour plans within the 13 areas. As each “Undiscovered Japan” plan is from different regions throughout Japan, each trip aims to provide the unique experience for the guests and encapsulates the pride of that tourism zone.
Please show your supports to the most exciting tour.Those who voted for the top 3 tours will be able to enter a draw and win a trip for two to experience that magic tour they selected.
Japan Tourism Zones★Top Tour Poll 2017 Website
Voting Period：Friday, 22nd Sept- Sunday, 24th Dec 2017
Top 3 Tour Results will be announced on Friday, 5th Jan 2018 and the winners will be announced on Sunday, 15th Jan 2018.
Winners' travel period: Jan- Jun 2018
※The actual date will be decided after consultation with each set of winners.
Any inquiries, please contact:
The National Tourism Zones Promotion Council
Secretariat : Yatsugatake Tourism Management
Kiyosato 3545-4559, Takane-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi
TEL: 0551-48-3457
E-mail: [email protected]
NISEKO UNITED TRAIL MAP 2017-18
Getting ready for the season?! Here are the 2017-18 opening dates for the Niseko United 4 Resorts:
- Niseko Grand Hirafu: Thursday, 23rd Nov - Sunday, 6th May 2018
- Niseko Annupuri: Saturday, 25th Nov - Sunday, 6th May 2018
- Niseko Village: Friday, 1st Dec - Sunday, 2nd April 2018
- Niseko Hanazono: Saturday, 2nd Dec - Sunday, 8th April 2018
*dates subject to change due to weather condition
You can download the map along with the shuttle schedule:
United shuttle bus schedule 2017-18
Pavilions Hotels Plans Aspirational Projects Across Asia, Europe
Pavilions Hotels and Resorts, a bespoke luxury hospitality brand, has announced a major project in Niseko, an exclusive mountain destination on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Nestled in pinewood forests at Ginto Hirafu, with access to premium ski lifts and white powder slopes, The Ginto Residences is a US$100 million (Bt3.3 billion) development comprising a total of 31 private villas, with no single plot measuring less than 1,000 square metres.
It is the first phase of a global project composed of hotel and residential villas in aspirational travel destinations across Asia and Europe. The project breaks ground in October 2017 with a completion date in 2019.
The Pavilions Phuket and The Pavilions Himalayas were the company's first two fully branded developments following the acquisition and renovation of The Pavilions Bali in 2001. Pavilions Hotels & Resorts was formed after subsequent acquisitions in Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, Lisbon and Niseko.
(article source: The Nation)
