By Koyuki on November 10, 2012
One thing you must do if you come to Niseko in February is to go into Sapporo and see the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Held at the beginning of every February, it runs for 7 days. The festival sees amazing snow and ice sculptures and statues, some building sized, line the 14 blocks of Odori Koen in central Sapporo, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main road that runs through Susukino, Sapporo’s restaurant and bar district. As well as wondering and viewing the sculptures and statues; you can view skiers and snowboarder hit a mini big air if your timing is right, enjoy dance shows on the snow and ice stages and eat festival foods and after why not enjoy a drink or meal at one of Sapporo’s many eateries or bars, making a day of it.
About 2 million people come to Sapporo every year to see the festival and we highly recommend that you join in the fun. 2013 is the 64th year the Snow Festival has been run, starting off back in 1950 by a group of students.
If you stay at Shiki and Koyuki it couldn’t be easier getting from Niseko to Sapporo either with a van in the garage, just remember to let us know you will use it and bring a international license so that you can drive it, it’s that easy
For more information check wikipedia
Posted in Niseko day trips
By Koyuki on November 5, 2012
It was nice to stumble across this blog about our townhouses, a great write up about a trip to Niseko. While showing that our townhouses make for great mountain living and entertaining in the spacious living dining kitchen area, the blog also gives you a great sense of the Hirafu village and the mountain and varying weather from beautiful bluebird to dumping snow, enough said, we suggest checking it out yourself on the Thiessen Twosome Blog
Posted in Shiki and Koyuki | Tagged niseko accommodation
By Koyuki on October 27, 2011
An Autumn day hiking Chisenupuri and looking back at Niseko Annupuri and Youtei-zan with Nitonupuri in the foreground recently bought back memories of hiking in the Niseko backcountry during last winter. For the rider well knowledged in the dangers of the backcountry the Niseko area has some great hikes, ranging from shorter 2 hours hikes to full day missions.
One hike that is a good morning or afternoon is Nitonupuri, the mountain that inspired this blog. Easily accessed from the Panorama Line , the hike is almost right in front of you when you stand at the winter road block just past Chisenupri Ski Area looking along the snow covered road. Walk along this road a few hundred metres and then right through the glades to the top. Just over the hill at the top of the glades you can see the peak of Nitonupuri in front, about the same distant again. Once you get your bearing you will be able to see the massive choice of lines down the first gladed aspect back to the snow cover Panorama Line road.
the upper half of the hike with tracks of the peak on the left
The upper aspect also has a variety of generally treeless terrain. All in, if you just make the ascent to the peak and ride back to the road at a good pace you are looking at 2 – 2.5 hours to complete the hike.
Remember you should be well prepared and carry all the right gear. If your on holiday and feel like an interesting 2 days in the mountains with a bit of a course you could always get in touch with the guys at Hokkaido Powder Guides, they have different courses at specific times but if you like you can book them anytime, as we did last year, well worth your while.
Note* Nupuri mean mountain in Ainu language, the native people of Hokkaido.
lower glades on the hike from the Panorama Line to the peak
looking back at the Niseko Annupuri backside from the half way point, Shiki and Koyuki are behind the mountain
Looking back at Nitonupuri in early Autumn
Posted in Niseko day trips | Tagged niseko backcountry, niseko rental car
By Koyuki on October 1, 2011
A little further out than Niseko Moiwa is Chisenupuri Ski Jou, a small city run ski field consisting of a hooded 2 seater. From the top of the 2 seater you can go either way back to the base. Skiers right takes you on a course through an open bowl with trees to the left and ridge to the right. If you traverse high enough you can make it onto the ridge and drop off a cornice that forms over winter, some parts get quite large for those who look. Going skiers left of the lift you ride over a knoll through glades, or if you go wide skier left you will end up in a valley that takes you back to O’Yu Numa (hot water pond) that sits behind Yuki Chichibu Onsen Hot Spring. Chisenupuri even though having a short vertical drop has enough skiing to keep you happy for a good part of day if you like to explore.
On piste at Chisenupuri in Niseko, great little spot to explore
From Chisenupuri you can also access the peak of Chisnenupri (Mountain) by going straight off the 2 seater. On a clear day you can see the peak and the trail . Obviously it is good to always be prepared when going backcountry and this is no exception but is rewarding for those who make it to the top with views of Youtei Zan, Niseko Annupuri, The Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean and all in between. The hike is about 1.5 hours and you can ride straight back to the resort.
Chisenupuri Peak from the top of the 2 seater, not far now
As mentioned earlier, right next to the ski jou is Yuki Chichibu Onsen so you can always have a soak afterwards or get a meal there before you return home. Chisenupuri is a great day option for those who like to do something a little different.
Looking back at the Chisenupuri Base from the skiers right ridge, Yuki Chichibu Onsen is back left
Posted in Niseko day trips, Niseko Ski Resorts
By Koyuki on September 24, 2011
The beauty of having a car while in Niseko.
For purveyors of fine whiskey or those who want a day off the slopes and to explore a bit, a visit to Yoichi and the Nikka distillery is great and short drive. Grab a designated driver and make the drive to the small seaside town of Yoichi only about 50 minutes from Kutchan on route 5; the drive itself is interesting too, over a mountain pass with a tunnel at the top.
Once in Yoichi, the Nikka Distillery is easy to find, just turn left at the traffic lights in the centre of town, if you turn right you will find the Yoichi train station. Just after you turn left the distillery is right in front of you, an old stone building that looks like a place where you would make some sort of alcohol, funnily enough.
better than skiing?
Nikka whiskey has an interesting history, its techniques come from true Scotch Whiskey, so it is the the real mccoy. As already mentioned remember to bring a designated driver as at the end you can have a free shot and then purchase more if you so wish, at 65% though you are pretty much drunk just smelling it and the barman will stop you after 3 or 4. All the whiskey you can purchase to take home so bring some cash.
There is a great little seafood market on the main street too so you could always pick up some of Hokkaido’s delicious seafood for a feast when you get back to your Niseko accommodation and if you check the train station you will find other things to do such as the Space Apple or even just standing on a snowy beach is something to put on the list.
Seafood at its best
If you still feel like a few runs you could always drop in to Niki city ski field a small chair and slope that we have never ridden, could be good for a couple of runs to stretch out those weary legs ,at the same time not being to strenuous and and not really more that a few hours by the looks from the road, maybe if you know leave us comment. Niki is the small town this side of Yoichi when coming from Niseko.
Beautifully executed grounds and buildings, this in itself is worth the visit
inside is as interesting as the outside and it's warm!
Posted in Niseko day trips | Tagged niseko, rental car
By Koyuki on August 19, 2011
Jumping in the car is always fun, especially when going somewhere new. Today we are off to Niseko Moiwa, a short 10 minute drive around the mountain and lucky for us it is a clear morning as is often the case at sunrise for some reason. So with our bellies full from a home cooked breakfast we are off, dropping in for a take out coffee on the way through Hirafu village.
We head out of Hirafu Village towards Annupuri. It is a pretty easy drive, just go straight until you hit a T intersection and then go right. Just after we make a sweeping corner our destination of Niseko Moiwa is in site with a beautiful pink hue and a fresh dump of snow, oh today is going to be fun.
Top of Niseko Moiwa
Through the Niseko Moiwa arch over the road and it isn’t long before we have our tickets. We hit the 2 seater lift for our first runs as this opens earlier but end up riding the quad hooded for the rest of the day. For our first run off the quad we pretty much go straight down under the lift in the fresh powder on the edge of the course. For our second run off the quad we hit the side country as we have been told this is where it is at. Right off the chair, then riders left into some trees and then right off the ridge back to the base of the chair, a nice little powder bowl to be had, “sky slope” or course 4 if you look at the Niseko Moiwa trail map.
Moiwa untracked bliss
Next up we go for the same side but go through the gate and take the high traverse for a bit and then drop, 4 runs later and we haven’t been down the same fall line yet and pow all the way. The further you go out riders left of the chair the greater the traverse back is , let you be warned it is a long traverse and good intermediate level is needed or you may end up in the creek. A fun morning was had before we grab a ramen for lunch in the cafe.
In the afternoon we decide to check the riders right off the hooded quad in much the same fashion, going a little further out each time and finding some good runs. It is good to note since Niseko Moiwa is half the vertical drop of Niseko Annupuri, about 500metres, don’t get too carried away and start you traverse back to the base early until you know you can get back, unless of course you don’t mind walking out.
after lunch mint
In what seems to becoming quite a regular occurrence at the end of the day we soak up an onsen hot spring after the day as Moiwa area has many onsen to choose from. Then back on the road to the comfort of our home away from home, Shiki and Koyuki.
Posted in Niseko day trips, Niseko Ski Resorts | Tagged niseko accommodation, niseko rental car, onsen
By Shiki on July 31, 2011
Niseko has become famous for its powder snow over the last few years and now it’s a place that is on everybody’s list of must go ski and snowboard destinations in the world.
Most people probably don’t think to much about what happens here in summer though and if they came here during summer would probably not recognize it and on the reverse if you are not a snow sports enthusiast or after your first snow experience and came in summer you would find it hard to believe that the place receives 15 metres of snow every year. Yes! Niseko’s contrast of seasons is just amazing.
One thing that doesn’t change that much is the fact that this is Japan and it is full of culture. Maybe in summer this might become even more apparent as even town, every community, every shrine and a lot of hotels and business associations make the most of the weather and celebrate by having a matsuri or festival.
If you come to Niseko in the height of the summer you will have the chance to join in or just observe festival after festival and parade after parade and soak up what really makes this place in summer.
If you go a little further a field on a day trip from Niseko or on you way here or away you will find an almost month long beer festival in the Odori park in Sapporo or festivals almost any where for any excuse.
Niseko has the snow in winter but in summer a more relaxed life style and cooler climate from the south of Japan and SE Asia to make it a place worth a visit. Hope to see you here in summer, festivals, close by beaches, lakes, golf ,rafting, hiking and other summer pursuits await.
Please enjoy our photos from fireworks to food stalls, all part of Niseko summer festivals!
Posted in Niseko summer | Tagged niseko accommodation, niseko summer
By Shiki on July 30, 2011
If your’e planning a trip to Niseko this winter, be it your first trip or returning, you will want to fit a day in at Kiroro. Kiroro Resort is in the mountains between Niseko and Otaru and because of its position it picks up snow from the west as Niseko does and also because on the north side is the Ishikare Bay it gets storms from the north too. Meaning more snow than Niseko, making it the snowiest place in Hokkaido.
Pack up your car early and hit the road to get to this winter wonderland. Drive out through Kutchan and get on the 393 or maple route and after 40 minutes to an hour you’ll almost be on one of the gondolas or chairs.
Kiroro consists of 2 main peaks, you want to make it to one of these peaks and then circuit a chair once there as running all the way out to the base again will be a long and fairly easy run, not so fun for the advanced skier or snowboarder. So just remember the key to Kiroro is circuit the top lifts to find short but challenging runs in the trees. The journey back to the base however is fun and if you work it out you will find a nice wide open aspect under the gondola or a park run if you go the other way.
One of the 2 peaks on Kiroro from a return to base chair
At the end of the day you can relax in the Kiroro Onsen Shinrin-No-Yu in Kiroro town adjacent to the hotels to freshen up and then head to Otaru. The drive to Otaru is about another 30 minutes and makes for a nice end of day.
In Otaru there are many great seafood BBQ restaurants or sushi shops, head to the canel and have a look around. You can also get a beer at the famous Otaru brewery and if seafood isn’t your thing the brewery has a menu or the BBQ restaurants also serve meat. The drive home is about 60km’s and will take about an hour on route 5, instead of back through the mountains.
Otaru is a great little town and has a lot on offer, check back soon for more info on trips and what else you can do in Otaru.
Doing this trip is easy at Shiki & Koyuki as each place comes with a 4WD Toyota Estima.
oishii seafood bbq
Otaru Canel in the morning
Posted in Niseko day trips, Niseko Ski Resorts, Otaru | Tagged niseko rental car
By Shiki on July 23, 2011
Monday last week as it is every year was Umi no Hi1. So being a summer day we jumped in the car and drove out to the beach. We decided to head out to the west coast as this is closest to Niseko, only being about 30 minutes to Suttsu. We jumped on route 5, which is only a few minutes from Shiki and Koyuki across the St. Moritz bridge. At the traffic lights on route 5 we turned right and then drove 30km’s out through Niseko town and on to Rankoshi town. Just this side of Rankoshi we pulled into the Seicomart and picked up a few drinks and snacks just in case there wasn’t another shop for a while. However all the way out to Cape Benkei there was convini (convenience store) after convini in good Japan fashion. In fact we passed through a few towns and villages with restaurants and ramen shops all the way out.
Back on the road, we continued to drive about another 3km’s on route 5 until we found a road on the right, route 267, and then continued out to the coast. Once hitting the coast we turned left and just drove, making a right turn at the big wind generators so as to stay on the coast we traveled a few more km’s and then we were in Suttsu township, a town famous for its oysters. We passed on through Suttsu with our chosen destination now in sight, only a few more km’s on the map and we will be at Cape Benkei. Cape Benkei seemed like a great point to stop and look back at where we had come from, the Iwanai-Niseko mountain range in the distance.
The wind generators at Suttsu where we turned right, photo taken on a winter drive we did to this point
To our surprise on the cape there was a big statue of Benkei, a real but slightly mythical Japanese warrior monk. After about an hour of relaxing, finishing up our snacks and drinks and admiring the view from the cape we headed home taking in what me missed on the way.
This drive is about 1 and a half hours, about 70km. There are many things to see on the way, a great morning or afternoon trip what ever the season. Be it winter, spring, summer, or autumn it is always refreshing to breathe in the sea air and check out some remote coast line and small seaside towns while in Niseko.
1Umi no Hi or Marine Day is always the third Monday of July and is the celebration of the Sea. Literally means “the Sea’s Day”.
Benkei standing proud on Cape Benkei
Looking back down the coast at Suttsu Town
Posted in Niseko day trips, Niseko summer | Tagged niseko rental car, niseko summer
By Shiki on June 30, 2011
I guess it’s no secret these days that Niseko is home to some great golf courses. The season here in Niseko starts in the middle of April and goes to the end of October. In the very early golf season you can get a few turns in up the slopes of Hirafu or Annupuri before or after your game, a magical day!
Within 20 minutes from Hirafu village you will find possibly the 3 most played courses by Niseko locals. They are Niseko Tokyu Golf Course which is situated at the foot of the Hanazono ski resort and the most challenging course in the area if you talk to the ones in the know. The other two courses are Niseko Village Golf Course and Niseko Golf Course.
Niseko Village Golf Course is a well laid out course and home to one of the few par 6 holes in the world. It has other attractions near by such as Niseko Village pure adventure course and the onsen at the Niseko Village Hilton.
Looking down the par 6 a few days before opening on April 30th this year
Niseko Golf Course, also run by Niseko Village, is a short 5 minutes from the town of Niseko. Niseko Golf Course is also Niseko’s prized course designed by the famous Arnold Palmer and sits below the peak of Konbu Yama. A challenging course with great views over the Shiribetsu River valley to Mt. Youtei Zan and Niseko Annupuri, the main skiing and snowboarding mountain for those who don’t know the area.
In all there are about 10 courses within an hour of Niseko Hirafu making Shiki and Koyuki with its free rental car the ultimate choice when it comes to golf in Niseko. Hope to see you soon on the course or just enjoying the fresh clean air of these parts.
Playing at Niseko Tokyu Golf Course with Hanazono ski resort runs in the background. (photo taken summer 2010)
Posted in Niseko summer | Tagged niseko golf, niseko rental car, niseko summer
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