Niseko Village, located on Hokkaido island’s west, bursts into life with the coming of spring. This master-planned leisure precinct and integrated resort area comprises five unique resorts, PURE nature activity centre, not one but two golf courses, and so much more.
For those familiar with Niseko’s powder snow and white season, the advent of the green season transforms the entire destination into a verdant wonderland for leisure pursuits, where the landscape abounds with nature’s bounty in spring and summer.
With pine-scented forests, lavender fields and crystal brooks to wade in, summer in Niseko is meant to be lived outdoors. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a foodie or travelling with family, there is a multitude of attractions and activities that await at this summer destination.
Tee off at two 18-hole golf courses
Golfers will delight in two tournament-level 18-hole courses on offer. The par-73 Niseko Village Golf Course emerged as a three-year consecutive winner of Japan’s Best Golf Courses at the World Golf Awards. The Arnold Palmer-designed Niseko Golf Course is a par-72 course with undulating greens and signature par-3 and par-5 holes where accurate drives are tremendously rewarded with birdie and eagle opportunities.
Outdoor adventures – fly fishing, cycling – road / e-bikes, MTB, hiking
Fly fishing takes place in some of Japan’s cleanest rivers. Throughout summer, you can discover the best spots aided by local guides and try your hand at catching Iwana (white-spotted Char), Yamame (cherry Salmon), Rainbow brown and Igui (local chub).
More outdoor adventures abound with road cycling, on road bikes and e-bikes, or going off-road on mountain bikes amidst Niseko’s lush landscapes of woodlands, manicured fields and well-maintained roads and trails which turn the entire place into a cyclist’s paradise. Serious cyclists have a chance to experience a challenge with the Niseko Classic, an international cycling event taking place from 16-18 June, offering distances of 85km and 150km.
Bare it all at an onsen
Take to the waters and discover the true meaning of relaxation with a dip in the local onsen. Renowned for being beneficial for general health and wellbeing, guests may choose to relax in the onsen located at The Green Leaf Niseko Village and Hinode Hills. Either way, this is a quintessential Japanese experience not to be missed.
Niko-Niko Festival at Niseko Village
On July 16, guests can anticipate the Niko-Niko Niseko Village Festival, a summer celebration of live entertainment, crafts and games for families and travellers with local vendors setting up shop in the square. With them come summertime favourites of grilled scallops and oysters, Hokkaido milk and melon ice cream, fresh flowers, artisanal handmade crafts and all-day entertainment, culminating with spectacular fireworks.
PURE fun
PURE at Niseko Village offers an activity centre for guests to enjoy fun during the long hours of sunshine. Guests will be able to choose from adrenaline-packed activities such as the Quick Jump where they can free fall from a height of up to 10 metres, white-water rafting, tree trekking in which they navigate from treetops using zip lines, hanging bridges and nets and a Rail Slider – the first and only in Japan where riders whizz down a hanging rail on wire suspensions. All in, the convenient PURE Super Passport features 10 attractions with unlimited play.
For those who wish to adopt a leisurely pace to outdoor adventure, consider a hot air balloon ride above the Niseko mountain range where, at 30 metres above ground, one can enjoy the spectacular vista of forests and majestic peaks. Guests may also appreciate the beauty of nature on horseback, with different levels to suit varying degrees of rider proficiency. Also on offer are mountain bike excursions, gondola rides and hiking up Mount Yotei – a full-day excursion made possible in the long hours of spring and summer where it takes an approximate five-hour journey to summit.
Encounter seasonal harvests and flowers
The warmer months also herald the coming Sakura season, which Hokkaido is forecasted to experience from April 21 this year. From the start of April until October, the island of Hokkaido becomes a constantly changing picture of bloom with a myriad of varieties of flowers taking turns to bloom. Late April to early May sees Asian Fawn Lilies, tulips and narcissus while the ensuing months bring Ume (plum) blossoms, Fuji (Japanese Wisteria), lilacs, roses, sunflowers, hydrangeas and the now iconic lavender fields.
The same applies to the fruit calendar, which guests can enjoy picking depending on the seasons. These pleasant orchards offer you a chance to indulge in freshly picked fruit, with apples, peaches, plums, cherries, pears, blueberries, strawberries and grapes among the cornucopia of options. After spending a day at the fruit orchards in Nikki town, just over an hour’s drive away from Niseko Village, you’ll understand why Hokkaido’s reputation as Japan’s breadbasket is well deserved.
Sample Japanese whisky at the Yoichi Distillery
Japanese whisky or Nikka whisky has become world-renowned owing to its subtle and refined yet complex flavour profile. Take a tour of the Yoichi Distillery and gain insight into the unique history of this much-beloved tipple and its production process.
Get on the Japanese gourmet trail
No visit to Niseko is complete without gourmet experiences, and travellers are invited to savour the unique offerings of the region with a stop at Milk Kobo and Otaru. A trip to Milk Kobo is a must no matter your disposition toward desserts. While there is a variety of sweet treats on offer, Milk Kobo’s cream puffs are the stars of the show. Its light and crispy shell is juxtaposed against its rich and luscious vanilla cream custard and is oh-so-delicious.
Just a 90-minute drive from Niseko Village visit the port town of Otaru which certainly sees more than its fair share of fresh seafood. Serious foodies will be spoilt for choice thanks to the generous array of seafood available. From sashimi platters to sushi rice bowls and everything in between, this is a foodie exploration not to be missed.
Splash-filled adventures
Indulge your need for speed and take in the stunning views of Mount Yotei whilst white water rafting down the Shiribetsu River. Although spring rafting is suited to more experienced rafters, thanks to increased water levels and stronger currents, the calmer stream during the summer months is perfect for families and beginners.
Then there’s also sea kayaking off the Shakotan peninsula that offers dramatic views of the coastline, as well as jet skiing and stand-up paddle boarding at Lake Toya – a large caldera lake south of Niseko and the second largest lake in all of Japan.
