Niseko: Hotels for Your Trip

The Niseko United Ski Area spans Niseko Town and Kutchan Town. It comprises four ski resorts: Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Ski Resort, and Niseko HANAZONO Resort. If you are traveling to ski, distinguish the name of the overall area from the specific resort you are interested in.

Ski Area and Scenery

On clear days, Mount Yōtei, also known as “Ezo Fuji,” can be seen from the Niseko United Ski Area, which also offers expansive views of the snow-covered landscape.

Getting There by Train and Making Connections

In the wider region, express and local trains run between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Kutchan, and Niseko. Otaru Station and Kutchan Station are intermediate stops on the regional train route. The regional overview includes several locations; the specific route identifies Otaru and Kutchan as intermediate stops. Check the current route and train operations before your trip.

Buses or taxis run from Kutchan Station or Niseko Station to the respective Niseko United ski resorts. For your planning, you can first consider your train route and then your connection to the ski resort you want to visit. Also check current connections before departure.

Cycling and Other Sights

Green Bikes can be rented at Niseko Station. The electric bicycles make it easier to ride through the hilly area around Niseko. This offers a way to explore the town with electric assistance, alongside getting oriented around the ski resorts.

Niseko Bridge is included as a photo stop on a cycling tour; flowers in various colors are planted there, depending on the season. The photo stop is a specific location, while the floral displays change seasonally. Green Bikes make it easier to get around town; the bridge is a photo stop on the cycling tour.

In Niseko Town, 綺羅の湯 is a hot spring facility at the train station. The facility has a small shop selling original goods, local alcoholic drinks, and vegetables. A hot spring facility and its shop are also local attractions you can take into account when planning your trip.

Historical Connections

One historical connection dates back to 1898, when Takeshi Arishima, the father of writer Takeo Arishima, applied to lease the Makkaribetsu undeveloped land in the area of present-day Niseko Town. Another connection concerns the railway: the former turntable at the Shintoku railway depot and the “9643” steam locomotive were officially opened to the public in 2019. The dates refer to different events: a lease application and the later opening of historic railway objects to the public. If you plan to visit these railway objects, check current visiting information in advance.

Discover more destinations: Noboribetsu, Kyogoku, Rusutsu, Kutchan.

Return to the broader travel overview: Abuta District.