{"id":76994,"date":"2021-02-18T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=76994"},"modified":"2021-02-17T11:56:24","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T02:56:24","slug":"adventurous-winter-getaway-niseko-hokkaido","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/adventurous-winter-getaway-niseko-hokkaido\/","title":{"rendered":"An Adventurous, All-inclusive Winter Getaway to Niseko, Hokkaido"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hokkaido<\/strong>, the northernmost island in Japan<\/a>, is renowned for its natural beauty, gorgeous snowy landscapes, and winter sporting opportunities. Famed events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival<\/a><\/strong>, held in February, have come to typify Hokkaido\u2019s cultural offerings, although there are plenty of year-round offerings as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though Hokkaido is less densely populated than other areas of Japan, public and private transportation options are available to get around (and extra easy if you have an international drivers\u2019 license and rent a car). By narrowing your itinerary to key sights, resorts, hidden gems, and cultural hotspots, you can easily make the most of your trip to this snowy, blustery, beautiful island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hokkaido Weather and Geography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Snowy
The snow-blanketed forests of Hokkaido<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To sum it up, Hokkaido is a snowy place in the winter. It\u2019s become internationally regarded for its slopes and runs, largely because regional weather tends to create a lot of consistent fresh powder<\/strong> \u2014 15 meters a year, in fact \u2014 over a long period of time, from November to May. Siberia plays a large role in Hokkaido\u2019s weather, as winds carry weather systems from the west and dump snow over Hokkaido\u2019s expanse of mountainous terrain and lowlands. That being said, most resorts, such as Niseko, occupy the central-west region of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who are super serious about skiing or snowboarding, then it\u2019s a good idea to keep an eye on annual weather patterns and how seasons are shaping up. Certain seasons (such as winter, from December to February) are more reliable in terms of consistent snowfall, but even then, weather can\u2019t ever be 100% guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more casual skiers and snowboarders, or travelers interested in visiting a beautiful, mountainous area, any of the time of year will do. Just curl up in your resort, enjoy the warm weather and beautiful sights, head out onto the slopes when you want, and otherwise relax and enjoy some good food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niseko’s Internationally Renowned Ski Resorts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Snowy
Skiers enjoying runs in Hokkaido’s beautiful, pristine scenery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Top of the list of places to visit in Hokkaido is Niseko<\/strong>, a region southwest of Sapporo, the island\u2019s capital, that just might contain everything you would ever need to do on a visit to Japan\u2019s chilliest island. Niseko, bordered on the east by Mt. Yotei, contains no less than four internationally renowned, integrated ski resorts <\/strong>\u2014 Niseko United<\/a> \u2014 centered around Mt. Annupuri in the north. The resorts are Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu, and Niseko Hanazono Resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, Hokkaido offers visitors plenty of choices of accommodations, facilities, transportation to and from the area, restaurants, and cultural curiosities, all within striking distance of Sapporo and Hakodate. For amateurs, any of the offerings will do, as they all contain plenty of cozy, warm lodging choices to accompany your forays into the snow. For winter sports enthusiasts, there are a multitude of choices to sift through on the journey to your perfect resort-and-run combination, and if you hit the weather just right, some of the finest top-to-bottom ski and snowboard runs in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niseko Village Ski Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Niseko
Niseko village runs heading down the mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Niseko Village <\/strong>is one of the four integrated Niseko United resorts located in Higashiyama on the eastern side of Mt. Annupuri. The resort is perhaps most famous for skiers and winter sports lovers for its steep, well-groomed trails and fabulous off-piste powder area. Of particular note is an area called Mizuno no Sawa<\/strong>, and extreme \u201cAvalanche Control Operation Area,\u201d which for advanced skiers consists one of the Niseko\u2019s best top-to-bottom runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Niseko
The shopping center at Niseko Village<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The ski resort is home to four ski-in, ski-out hotels, all of which offer varying levels of accommodation, dining, and service<\/strong>. The newest of these is the Higashiyama Reserve<\/strong>, a Ritz Carlton Reserve hotel. It opened in December 2020 and offers boutique luxury accommodations in the forested area of the resort overlooking Mt. Yotei in the east. The resort’s base is centered around a Hilton and an accompanying dining and village precinct well-suited to families, all within walking distance from the lifts and main car park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Niseko
A private, steaming onsen in view of the snowy outdoors<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Being a generally cold area, Niseko is famous for its onsen<\/em><\/a> <\/em>(hot springs). Many domestic and international travelers find the hot, soothing bath of an onsen to be a perfect complement to biting cold outside. Between skiing, snowboarding, or whenever you feel like it, be sure to explore and visit one of Niseko\u2019s many comforting onsen<\/em> hot springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rusutsu Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rusutsu
A hotel in view of the nearby mountain at Rusutsu<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rusutsu Resort<\/a> is one of Hokkaido\u2019s major resorts<\/strong>. Located about 90-minutes by car from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport, Rusutsu is actually Hokkaido\u2019s largest all-season resort. There are 4 gondolas and 14 lifts providing access to 3 peaks within the resort area, and a great variety of terrain for all levels of skiers. The ski field comprises of 37 on-piste runs but is perhaps more famous for the powder snow that blankets the resort\u2019s off-piste forests and gullies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n