Travel & Hotels
O D I A K K HO V
Trying to find your go-to ski or snowboard resort this winter? With over 600 resorts in Japan, that’s no easy feat. To help you decide, we’ve compared the resorts in two of the most popular areas. Words Megan Waters NISEKO Located around three hours by bus from Sapporo, Japan’s best-known resort is increasingly becoming known as the Whistler of the East. Very accessible and foreigner-friendly, Niseko comprises three main resorts (Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri) that are joined together at the top of Mount Niseko-Annupuri. A special combination ticket, the Niseko All Mountain Pass, gives access to all three resorts for ¥5,600 per day. Huge amounts of light powder snow and long runs make Niseko a powder-hunter’s paradise, complete with off-trail skiing and snowboarding – relatively uncommon in Japan. Access the backcountry through guided tours, helicopter trips (heli skiing), or cat skiing, where skiers and snowboarders are taken up the mountain in a snowcat grooming machine with an attached cabin in search of that glorious powder. A guided group tour for four to 12 guests, including safety equipment, lunch and transport costs ¥38,000 each per day: hanazononiseko.com/ en/snow/weiss-cat-skiing.
KIRORO SNOW WORLD A two-hour bus ride from Sapporo’s airport, and just 60 minutes from Niseko, Kiroro is not as high profile as other nearby Hokkaido resorts. But the lack of crowds means powderhounds can make the most of the abundant snow and tree skiing without the rest of Hokkaido’s hordes. This medium-sized resort has 21 runs spread equally over green, blue and black pistes, and is good for all levels. Although there is no village nearby, the port town of Otaru is only 28km away. Here, you can visit the Otaru Canal, which is lined with cafés and shopping centres in converted old warehouses. The Nikka Whisky Distillery – home to one of Japan’s top whisky makers – is also in the area. It was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru who studied whisky-making techniques in Scotland and is known as the father of Japanese whisky. The distillery allows visitors to enjoy a self-guided walking tour around the grounds and sample different Nikka whiskies. www.kiroro.co.jp/en
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RUSUTSU Besides the perfectly groomed slopes, piles of powder snow, and some of the best tree runs in the world, this resort is a haven for families and kids. Full- or half-day childcare is available for children aged one to four, while older kids – or adults who are tired of the slopes – can hang out in the snow park and do some tubing, sledding, snow biking and other activities. Stay at the Rusutsu Resort Tower hotel, which is conveniently ski-in ski-out, has a wave pool and slide, and boasts two games arcades. en.rusutsu.co.jp FURANO Although Furano has established facilities as well as services in English, it doesn’t really feel like a resort, especially not a Western one. For a real Japan experience, visit the nearby town of Furano for delicious Japanese food and sake. The accommodation options range from Japanese-style hotels, pensions and minshukus (Japanese-style B&Bs) to the more Westernised self-contained
options such as apartments and chalets. Visit Fukiage Onsen on Mount Tokachi, a well-known outdoor hot spring. Free of charge and open 24 hours a day, this tucked-away bathing spot is for both males and females, but more reserved bathers can wear a swimsuit. tinyurl.com/ TOTfukiage
HOW TO GET TO HOKKAIDO Fly into New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) from Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita airports, or Osaka International Airport. Although just a 90-minute flight from Haneda, it’s one of the busiest air routes in the world. Or take the new Hokkaido Shinkansen, which is set to open in March 2016 and connects Tokyo with Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido via the undersea Seikan Tunnel. The journey will take just over four hours.
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Travel & Hotels
Everything is bigger and better in Hokkaido, Japan’s most northern (and coldest) island, which gets consistent snowfalls. Powder hunters flock here in search of deep powder, off-piste and tree runs. But, located over 1,000km from Japan’s capital city, you need more than just a few days to really enjoy it.
