Opening date has postponed: Grand Hirafu & Annupuri

Niseko Grand Hirafu: Unfortunately, we postponed opening day due to lack of snowfall. Opening date has changed to 30 Nov, 2013. I ask for your kind understanding. For queries, please contact the Niseko Grand Hirafu Contact: + 81 136 220 109

 

Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort: We postponed the opening day from 23 Nov. due to lack of snowfall. We'll let you know the date again after 24 Nov. For further information, please contact the Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort Contact: +81 136 582 080


International ATM service starts on 10 Dec, 2013

International ATM moved to the Supermarket & Deli in SHIKI Niseko in this winter. Please check the location the map attached. And for further information, please contact Niseko Supermaket & Deli.

Location: 190-4 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081 Shiki Niseko 1F

Business hours: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Niseko Supermarket & Deli

Email: [email protected]

 

Phone: +81 136 583 630 / +81 080 4048 7556


Opening schedule of the Niseko Ski Resort 2013-14

Niseko Big powder season is coming soon!! Please refer the opening schedule 2013-14 for Ski Resort in Niseko area.

Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Business period: 7 Dec, 2013 – 6 Apr, 2014
Hours 8:30 – 16:00
No night operation

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Business period:undecided Nov, 2013 – 6 May, 2014
Hours 8:30 – 16:30 (Opening day is decided tomorrow afternoon)
Night Skiing: 16:30-20:30 /14 Dec, 2013 – 22 Mar, 2014

Niseko Village Ski Resort
Business period: 1 Dec, 2013 – 6 Apr, 2014 / 26 Apr, 2014 – 6 May, 2014
Hours: 8:30 – 16:30
Night Skiing: 16:30 – 20:00  / 14 Dec, 2013 – 22 Mar, 2014

Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort
Business period: undecided Nov, 2013 – 6 May, 2014
Hours: 8:30 – 16:30  (Opening day is decided after 24 Nov)
Night Skiing: 16:30 – 20:30 / 14 Dec, 2013 – 22 Mar, 2014

 

Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Business period: 6 Dec, 2013 – 3 Mar, 2014
Hours 8:00 – 16:00


Niseko wins three categories at the World Ski Awards 2013

Japan’s Best Ski Resort: Niseko Japan
Japan’s Best Ski Hotel: Hilton Niseko Village
Japan’s Best Ski Chalet: The Vale Niseko

World Ski Awards has recognised the very best in the global ski tourism industry during its inaugural Gala Ceremony at A-ROSA Kitzbühel on 16 Nov, 2013. For further information, please see here. World Ski Awards winners


Supermarket & Deli Opens, 10 Dec, 2013!

The Niseko Super market & Deli K.K. opens the first supermarket within the central Hirafu area to meet visitor’s expanding needs on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

Opening Date: 9:00a.m. Tuesday, December 10th, 2013.
Location: 190-4 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081 Shiki Niseko – First Floor
Store Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m.7:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m(Deli Counter; ATM access)
Parking: Free at Shiki Parking
Delivery: Starting at 1,000yen

Store Features

  • More than 150 varieties of groceries including fresh produce, meat and seafood, vegetarian friendly products and imported products.
  • Deli Counter offering More than 10 varieties freshly made items including salads, pate, homemade dip, sandwiches and pies.
  • Fresh Bakery with a selection of oven fresh breads and pastries.
  • Wine Section featuring from finest imported wines in cellars to local wines.

Store Services

• Breakfast Service from 7:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. Offering hot sandwiches, in-store baked bread and freshly brewed coffee.
• International ATM available from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Niseko Supermarket & Deli
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +81 136 583 630 / +81 080 4048 7556


Request from Niseko Restaurants

Welcome to Niseko! With over 130 bars, restaurants and in-house catering options, Niseko is evolving into a true gourmet destination. Reservations for many popular establishments are recommended, especially during the peak season. Recently, an increase in last-minute cancellations and “no-shows” has caused problems for restaurants and guests.

On behalf of the restaurants, we request that you…

  1. Notify the restaurant well in advance if you wish to change any details of your reservation.
  2. Be aware that some restaurants request same-day confirmation of reservations or charge a fee for cancellations or no-shows, in line with their cancellation polices.
  3. Please understand that some restaurants charge for hot and cold water.
  4. Please note that most Japanese pubs serve a small mandatory starter that is added to the bill in lieu of a seating charge.

We hope you find this guide informative. Enjoy your wining and dining experience in Niseko!


Road closure notice during winter

Please note that the following roads will be closed from the end of October and through winter as indicated:

Route 66 (Panorama Line) between Oikomi, Kyowa town and Yunosato, Rankoshi town

Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10am, 25 April 2014

Route 268 between Iwanai town and Rankoshi town

Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10am, 30 May 2014.

Contact: Otaru Development and construction Dep. Kyowa-town Branch. Tel: 0135-62-1818 (Only in Japanese).

Route 58 (Echo Line) between Hanazono, Kutchan town and Niseko Goshiki Onsen

Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10 am, 30 May 2014

*The above dates are subject to change due to snowfalls.

Contact: Otaru Development and construction Dep. Rankoshi-town Branch: Tel: 0136-57-5121(Only in Japanese)


Ainu Language

Some place names in Hokkaido are derived from the Ainu language, the Ainu people were indigenous people of Hokkaido. The Ainu language has no traditional written form and is in danger of extinction.

With the selection of words below it is possible to figure out the meaning of some of the place names in Hokkaido, let’s explore some of the placenames.

mountain – nupuri

river – pet -nay

water – wakka

lake, bog – to

road – ru

big – poro

Below is a selection of place names that have had their meanings literally deciphered.

Sapporo – sat poro pet (dry, large river)

Rusutsu – ru sut (road end)

Noboribetsu – nupur pet (muddy river)

Lake Toya (Toya-ko) – to ya

Below is a selection of place names that have been translated into a slightly more understandable level of English. Using some of these examples and the websites below, give translating some Ainu place names a go!

You may notice that the some of the place names below are longer or shorter than how we are used to seeing them, this is mainly due to the fact that the Japanese people were not able to pronounce some of the Ainu words correctly.

Niseko – nisey ko an pet (cliff jutting over a river)

Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsu-ko) – shi kot (large valley)

Shiraoi – shirau o i (place with many horseflies)

Muroran – mo rueran (small slope)

By the way, Ainu means “human beings”. We are all “Ainu”.

The ladies playing traditional instruments “Mukkuri”.

The Ainu Association of Hokkaido

http://www.ainu-assn.or.jp/english/eabout01.html

The Ainu Musium Porto Kotan in Shiraoi

 

http://www.ainu-museum.or.jp/en/