Winter Season Guide - Everything you need

Getting to Niseko

There are a number of ways to get to Niseko, but the most popular and easiest way is to catch a bus from New Chitose Airport to Niseko. There are a number of bus companies operating this route including Chuo Bus, White Liner, and The Hokkaido Resort Liner. We strongly recommend booking in advance to ensure you have a seat on the right bus.

There is also a train service that goes to Kutchan Station, as well as private taxi services. More info about how to get to Niseko can be found on our getting here page.

Hokkaido Shinkansen

If you have a JR rail pass, you may be able to use it to ride the shinkansen all the way to Hokkaido. There is a shinkansen station open just north of Hakodate which is just two and a half hours away from Niseko by car or taxi. In the future, the shinkansen will have a station in Kutchan and connect all the way to Sapporo. Until then we recommend to use the Hakodate Taxi Company to get to Niseko. This service is available between 8:00am – 2:00pm, and uses jumbo taxis. This should be suitable for luggage, but space may be limited. The service operates only one-way from Hakodate to Niseko, and there will be an additional highway fee of ¥2,720 as well as the normal fare which is around ¥52,000 (approximate total fare of ¥54,720). If you have a JR rail pass and want to experience travelling by shinkansen to Hokkaido, then this is a great way to get to Niseko.

Local Transport

To get around Niseko, there are a number of shuttle buses available to guests. Taxi’s are also available, but are limited.

Hirafu Village Shuttle

A free shuttle will be running through the Hirafu Village taking transporting guests around the village and up to the Hirafu ski area. There will be three shuttle routes that will make continuous loops, with each loop taking approximately 20 and 30 minutes.

Taxis

For this winter, the number of taxis has been significantly increased. The taxi app known as “GO” is helping to provide this service, and reservations can be made using the GO App.

Please note that in order for this service to run, a ¥900 surcharge applies when making a booking with the GO App.

Niseko United Shuttle Bus

Niseko United will also be operating a shuttle bus between each of the four resorts with a number of additional stops along the way. This bus is free for holders of an All Mountain Pass. Those without an All Mountain Pass will be charged local bus fees (approximately 300 – 400 yen depending on the distance). Full info can be found on the Niseko United website.

Hanazono Shuttle Bus

Hanazono resort also runs a free shuttle throughout the winter season, with departures approximately every 20 minutes. The shuttle runs between Hirafu and Hanazono and is free.

Niseko Village Shuttle Bus

Complimentary scheduled Niseko Village shuttle service between The Green Leaf Niseko Village and Hilton Niseko Village to Hirafu and Kutchan towns is available for both in-house guests and the general public.

Local Buses and Night Go Bus

To get to and from the local town of Kutchan, public buses and a special Night Go Bus will be operating this winter. Local buses go as far as Niseko Village, while the Night Go Bus goes to Hirafu (and a little further to “Kabayama”). The full timetable and routes can be found below. The timetable also includes train arrivals and departures.

The resort map is incredibly useful and is your guide to getting around Niseko. The resort village map includes most accommodations, shops, restaurants, facilities, and much more. Each building is shown on the map just as it looks in real life to make sure you’ll never get lost.

Maps can be downloaded online, or can be picked up at your accommodation provider. They can also be found at info centers around Niseko.

The Niseko trail map for the winter season can be downloaded directly from the Niseko United website here. If you’d like a paper version to take with you on the mountain, you can pick one up from each resort base, at their ticket offices, or from your accommodation.

There are many different options for lift passes in Niseko. Firstly, an All Mountain Pass will give access to all four interconnected resorts. All mountain pass holders can also use the Niseko United shuttle for free.

A Grand Hirafu or Hanazono pass will provide access to both of these ski areas on the one pass. Niseko Village pass will provide access to Niseko Village lifts only, and an Annupuri pass provides access to Annupuri only.

Prices for all passes vary, depending on the days and period you’ll be using your pass.

Where to buy a lift pass?

Lift passes can be purchased at ticket windows at the base of each resort. All mountain lift passes can also be purchased online. Grand Hirafu and Hanazono passes can also be purchased online. Online lift passes allow you to skip lift pass counter queues and get on the slopes faster! You are able to collect your online lift pass from any of the four resorts!

At Annupuri, there is a lift ticket sales window directly under the Annupuri Gondola building. Similarly, lift passes at Niseko Village can be purchased under their gondola building as well. In Grand Hirafu, lift passes can be purchased at the Grand Hirafu Mountain Center next to their gondola, as well as at .Base (dot base) and the bottom of the Family Run.

In Niseko Moiwa, lift passes can be purchased in the main building on the ground floor.

Please note that you won’t be able buy All Mountain Season Pass online. You can purchase the All Mountain Season Pass at the counter at the each resort. Make sure to bring an ID when purchasing season passes. Passes cannot be purchased without an ID. For Niseko United season pass info, click HERE.

See each website for full lift pass prices.

Niseko United Resorts

• Niskeo United
• Niseko Annupuri
• Niseko Village
• Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
• Hanazono

Other Resorts

• Niseko Moiwa

Ikon Pass

When it comes to the Ikon Pass, each of Niseko resorts can issue your official Niseko United Lift passes that you are eligible for with your Ikon Pass. Typically, you can visit the lift ticket counters at any of the resorts to facilitate this process. If you’re visiting Annupuri for this purpose, you should head to the office rather than the ticket counter itself which is just behind the ticket counter. To complete the process, make sure to bring your passport and the Ikon pass confirmation, which includes your pass number. The Ikon pass confirmation can be displayed directly on your phone’s screen for added convenience.

Ski Area Operational Dates

*Opening days and hours are subject to change.

The Wine & Dine is the BEST place to see every restaurant, shop and activity available in Niseko. This incredible resource makes it easier than ever to plan your dining experiences, as well as activities throughout your trip. Both publications are available online and in print. Printed versions can be found at your accommodation provider as well as info centers.

The Wine & Dine section lists all the best restaurants in an easy to understand way with prices, location, style, popular dishes and much more. The Wine & Dine is absolutely the best way to find the best restaurants, and to make the most of your trip.

The Area Guide has all the best activities, shops and more to complete your trip. If you’re looking for that wow-factor this trip, don’t miss our Area Guide.