Curator’s statement
In December 2023, my husband and I checked off a top bucket list item and went skiing in Niseko, Japan. The snow was fluffier (and the snowflakes larger) than any we'd ever seen before. While this was an incredible trip, there are a few things we wish we knew before going.
The Fora Difference
Book with Brooke to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay
Unlock perks by contacting Brooke to book your trip.
We stayed at The Green Leaf in Niseko Village, a clean, ski-in-ski-out onsen hotel. You can rent all of your ski and snowboarding equipment there, which makes getting out on the slopes easy. However, there aren’t many restaurants in Niseko Village, so I would recommend staying in Grand Hirafu if you can.
Getting there
The closest airport to Niseko is New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. We flew there from Tokyo and made the mistake of thinking we would be able to catch the bus when we arrived. Pro tip: time your journey to catch the direct train from Sapporo airport to Niseko Station (2.5 hours), or book your bus well in advance to avoid a 4+ hour trek with multiple trains, buses and cabs.
Taxis are tricky
If you can, stay in Grand Hirafu, as cabs in Niseko can be pricey and hard to come by. Pro tip: if you’re staying outside town, use the Go app, or even better, see if your hotel can help you arrange taxis beforehand.
Public transportation
Niseko has a pretty good shuttle system to take you across the four resorts. You get unlimited rides with an all-mountain ski pass. Otherwise, make sure you have cash for each trip. Free local buses are available too, but watch out for snowbank encounters as these wheels are not winter weather ready!
Eating out
The Niseko area has lots of great restaurants, but many are very small. This means it is pretty essential to book reservations in advance. If you forget, there are plenty of delicious food trucks in Hirafu to get you through.
Skiing
Over 5 days in Niseko, we skied in all four resorts: Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri. As an advanced skier, I thought the best slopes were in Hanazono and Hirafu.
Happy skiing!
Need to know
Plan and book your transportation and restaurants before you go!
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Niseko page.
Travel Advisor
Brooke Hone
Get in touch with Brooke
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Brooke within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).