Niseko United

There are several bases to stay at including Niseko Village and An’nupuri which are both pretty quiet, but offer new high-end accommodations. In An’nupuri there’s nothing but the huge Prince Hotel at Higashiyama, which offers 62 rooms with their own private onsens. But Hirafu is where it’s at.

 

In Hirafu there are a good number of bars, restaurants and places to stay. There is only one cash machine though at the 7-Eleven (otherwise it’s travelling to the Post Office in Kutchan (15mins by taxi). The cash machine in the supermarket on the corner of Hirafu-Zaka/343 doesn’t take foreign cards. There is also an international ATM in Gorilla Mart in the Shieke Hotel.

 

The Yugokorotei Onsen is a small public Onsen with natural unchlorinated western and Japanese style rooms, perfect to relax in after a hard day on the slopes. It offers lunch and dinner options too

 

There is a free ski-bus service running around the resort but its service is a little intermittent. If you’re staying at lower Hirafu then it may be quicker to walk to the Air Pair Lift than the main lifts at the top of Hirafu-Zaka

 

 

Food in Niseko-Hirafu is excellent but you need to get into the habit of booking in advance unless you want to grab a Ramen. There are no food chains to be seen and every restaurant is truly unique and almost every cuisine can be enjoyed.

 

Dinner options range from the cheap and cheerful (but still delicious) such as Asahikawa Ramen – the most popular ramen place in town (expect to queue!), to the high-end but worth the price tag EZO Seafood. For something in between try JAM, a cosy izakaya or Pukupukutei Mongolian BBQ. And if you’re feeling sick of Japanese food (it happens!!!) head to Niseko Pizza, although this can be difficult to get into.

 

Soup Curry (aka Tsubara Tsubara) is slightly out of town but serving up hotpots like no other. Just next door is Graubunden bakery and café, perfect as a post-ski snack. If you miss breakfast then Green Farm Café will sort you out. Check out Milkobo for epic Cream Puffs.

 

Accommodation is found in the village directly below the lifts and ranges from five star hotels to family owned pensions. Most of the accommodation is fairly affordable, especially if you have a group of four or more. Find high-end accommodation in Grand Hirafu at The Vale and W, Edition and Ritz-Carlton in Niseko Village. You really do need to book well in advance if you are after something specific and January gets booked out quickly due to the Australian school holidays. Chalet Ivy is another high-end option, a luxurious boutique hotel with two great restaurants and the apreslounge.

 

If you’re after an apartment/house then www.nisekocentral.com are a great option. Very professionally run and they have a large number of unique properties including sleek studios and apartments at Yama Shizen with balconies, floor to ceiling windows located equidistant between the town and the slopes. For a 2 bedroom apartment that sleeps 4 expect to pay around 43,000yen (£300) per night.

 

Stoked Niseko Hostel on Youtei-Zaka Street is your only in resort hostel choice but for less than £40 a night it’s a pretty comfortable and cheap option with drying rooms, wifi and even free pickups and drop-offs.

 

The nightlife is rather laidback but can get amped up at certain times of the year if you know where the parties are. Plenty of bars to choose from and most are open to the early hours if you’re feeling thirsty.

The Gyu Bar (Fridge Door Bar) on Youtei-Zaka Street is a cool friendly bar that does some great cocktails.

 

Wild Bills Bar on Sasayaki Zaka Street is a rowdy Aussie favourite and does good tex-mex, its also got a pool table and the obligatory dart-board. Prices are a little higher than average.

 

Barunba is a good locals hangout and looks like it’s been carved out of wood, its located on Momiji-Zaka Street. Ask for a “Bruce Lee”.

 

Splash bar is a popular dive bar which a vast range of spirits and lots of dart boards! It’s almost opposite Barunba.

Yoko Oh No’s, previously known as Amaru  is a local staff bar serving amazing cocktails and Mexican food. Head down on a Thursday night for the local darts competition .

 

The House of Machines is slightly out of town who run events and give out free stuff and run buses. Black diamond also run their avalanche courses out of there too.