The locale

Rinzan Chalet sits at the edge of a silver birch forest overlooking the Niseko valley and Mt Yotei. You will love its central location, under ten-minutes from two of Niseko’s premium resorts and just five kilometres from Niseko Town. The chalet's setting not only takes advantage of the fantastic views but allows you options of which resort to visit as well as creating more choices for restaurants and other activities. Rinzan’s luxury provides the perfect setting to unwind and reflect after the day's adventures. Should you decide to go out, bustling Hirafu is just a short drive away, and Cafe Mana at Hakobune, Cucina Italiano Santo are both within walking distance.

  • Cucina Italiano Santo
    1.50 km
  • Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm
    1.80 km
  • Niseko Village Golf Course
    3.70 km
  • Niseko Town
    4.50 km
  • Bar Gyu+
    4.70 km
  • Steak Rosso Rosso Restaurant
    4.70 km
  • Hirafutei Hotel Onsen
    4.80 km
  • Grand Hirafu Gondola
    7.60 km
  • Hirafu
    8.90 km
  • Mt. Yotei Makkari Entrance
    15 km
  • Lake Toya
    41 km
  • Otaru City
    71.50 km
  • Sapporo City
    94.30 km

How to get there

Getting to Niseko is easy with daily direct flights to New Chitose Airport from Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Rental cars are available at the airport all year round from a number of suppliers, and it is a scenic two-hour drive to Niseko.

If not comfortable driving, we recommend a private transfer for groups. A convenient airport coach transfer is the best way to travel. Please contact our reservations department with your flight details to book airport transfers or rental cars.

Alternatively, you can travel worry-free on JR Rail from CTS (New Chitose Airport) via Sapporo, with a quick transfer at Otaru, to Kutchan JR Station. Trains are always on time and leave approximately every 90 minutes.

If coming from Tokyo, you can experience the famous Shinkansen (bullet train), which travels up to 320km an hour and hurtles through an undersea tunnel that connects the main island of Honshu with Hokkaido. Travel time is around 4 hours to Hakodate, where you can connect to a regional train up to JR Kutchan (3.5 hours).

Things to do

All year round

Developing into an all-year resort with many outdoor, cultural, sports and wellness events and activities, the Niseko region has so much to offer. Our dedicated Concierge team is here to ensure your stay is seamless and memorable. Whether you need local insights, restaurant reservations, ski lift passes, or assistance renting sports equipment, we’ve got you covered. With our expert team at your service, you can relax and focus on enjoying your time in Niseko. While the region offers an abundance of activities year-round, here are some of our top recommendations—no matter the season.

  • Niseko, Hokkaido, offers a luxurious escape with world-renowned dining, stunning scenery, and abundant activities. Delight in the region's fresh produce and local chefs indulge in the best quality Hokkaido seafood at Ezo's or Oden at local stalwart Ebisutei, with plenty of other casual dining options on offer in Hirafu. For an exclusive experience, Niseko Gourmet can arrange private in-chalet dining with a top Japanese chef. Alternatively, grocery delivery and self-catering options are available.
  • For after-dinner entertainment, Hirafu offers a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy rare Japanese whiskies at Bar Gyu, the world-famous Bruce Willis cocktail at Ba-run-bar, or live music at Half-Note. Those looking for a more adventurous night out can try Wild Bill's or brave Freddies until the morning hours.
  • Beyond dining, Niseko boasts numerous onsen (hot springs), including the highly regarded Hirafutei Onsen, Yugokorotei Onsen and Makkari Onsen with its Mount Yotei views. The area's artistic heritage is highlighted in galleries featuring both local and national artists, such as Galerie Ram in Niseko, Kiyoe in Hirafu or the Somoza Gallery in Hanazono.
  • Just 5 minutes by car, Niseko Village provides year-round entertainment, from world-class golf courses to incredible powder snow skiing, reindeer sledding or step back in time and enjoy shopping and dining in Niseko-Yō's traditional village setting.
  • Day trips offer further exploration. Nikka Yoichi Distillery, established in 1934, provides a glimpse into whisky production and can serve as a stop on the way to the charming port city of Otaru, known for its canals, amazing sushi cafes, and glassworks.
  • For something more urban, Sapporo City is abuzz 24/7. Japan’s fifth-largest city is known for its wide, tree-lined shopping boulevards, ramen and great beer, as well as the annual snow festival in February, featuring art and sculptures made of snow and ice, including snow slides.

Winter

Long hailed as the Mecca for serious snowboarders and skiers searching for champagne powder, Niseko has evolved to present options for all levels of winter sports enthusiasts. There are also many other winter activities available, if sliding down a hill isn't your thing.

  • Hirafu and nearby Niseko Village feature some of the region's most challenging ski terrain, while Hanazono offers gentler slopes for beginners. Experienced skiers and snowboarders can explore Annupuri Resort's backcountry gates (expert-level only; appropriate training required).
  • For the more adventurous, we can recommend Niseko's specialist mountain guides. Highly trained in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering and off-piste skiing, their incredible knowledge and understanding of the local terrain will provide you with an unforgettable experience of the area's wild backcountry in the safest possible way.
  • For exhilarating snow activities beyond skiing and snowboarding, consider tobogganing, a snowshoe tour or snowmobiling. Contact our concierge to make all necessary arrangements.
  • If relaxing is more your style, Niseko offers many onsen as well as yoga classes. In recent years, Niseko’s spa and wellness scene has begun to offer a wide variety of indulgences and treatments to revitalise and rejuvenate.

Summer and Spring

The rest of the world is coming to realise what locals have known for a long time; the ‘green season’ in Niseko has as much to offer as its famous powder snow. If you are lucky enough to enjoy a trip to the region during the warmer months, there is plenty to do and a perfect climate to relax in.

  • Summer in Niseko offers a wealth of outdoor adventures. Water lovers can try white-water rafting on the Shiribetsu River, stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Toya or surfing in the nearby Pacific Ocean or Sea of Japan.
  • Adrenaline junkies can find their thrills all around the region. Hanazono also boasts Mach 3, Asia's longest zipline, offering breathtaking views. Traditional and Electric Mountain biking is also on offer at the recently opened Twin Peaks Downhill Mountain bike course in Izumikyo, Hirafu.
  • The 18-hole Niseko Village Golf Course provides a world-class golfing experience, and Hanazono adds another dimension with its exceptional golf course, renowned for its challenging layout and stunning mountain backdrop.
  • From July to October, experience the magic of Hanazono's Mountain Lights attraction, transforming the landscape into a captivating spectacle of illumination.
  • For a unique perspective, take a hot air balloon ride with the Outdoor Adventure Centre (OAC) in Niseko Village, which also offers rafting excursions. Hikers can explore Mt. Annupuri (intermediate) or challenge themselves with the rewarding ascent of Mt. Yotei, offering breathtaking views.
  • Niseko is a celebrated road cycling destination, with stunning scenery and numerous routes, regularly hosting the Tour de Hokkaido.
  • Surrounding the area are the many farms that produce the world-class produce that Hokkaido is known for. Explore Niseko's agricultural heritage with a drive through the potato farms and buckwheat fields, stopping at Michi no Ekis (farmers' markets) to savour the best fresh, local produce.
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