niseko newsletter spring 2013 (april - may)

7/28/2019 Niseko Newsletter Spring 2013 (April - May)

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Introduction

Niseko, located in Hokkaido, the northernmost

island of Japan, is world famous for its bountiful

powder snow that attracts hundreds of thousandsa year. However, there is more to Niseko than just

powder snow! Niseko’s best kept secret is the

green season. Almost instantaneously, the area

turns from a snowy ski resort into a lush outdoor

paradise offering adventure, relaxation and re-

juvenation that will truly make you feel one with

nature. Enjoy hiking, biking, rafting, hot springs

and fresh, locally sourced cuisine before the epic

backdrop of Mt. Yotei. There are great spring

deals to be had on transport and accommodation,

which will guarantee you a value for money expe-

rience in northern Japan that you will rememberfor years to come.

Flying to Hokkaido hasnever been so easy!

The central gateway to Hokkaido is New Chitose

International Airport. 16 international airlines

directly fy into the airport and fights to domestic

destinations like Tokyo, Kansai or Fukuoka leave on

an almost hourly basis.

I you’re fying in rom Europe, catch a plane to

Tokyo Narita or Kansai International Airport and

connect to one o the plentiul domestic fights to

Hokkaido. Peach, Jetstar and Air Asia have taken

up operations alongside other low cost carriers like

AirDo and Skymark at the airport, which means

that connecting to and rom Hokkaido rom other

Japanese destinations is even more reasonable and

convenient.

Direct fights to Japan are available rom London

Heathrow (via JAL), Frankurt, Paris, Helsinki or via

other major hubs in Europe. I you would like to

combine Hokkaido with another destination in

Asia, there are daily fights into New Chitose Airport

rom Bangkok (Thai Airlines), Seoul (Korean Air;

KLM), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacic) and more!

http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/s/

April - May 2013

NisekoNewsletter

access

Hokkaido Heritage

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan and also

the largest of its 47 prefectures. It was first settled

20.000 years ago by the Ainu - the indigenous people

of Japan. Large-scale immigration from mainlandJapan did not start until the 19th century. This is why

Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where you can still

find large stretches of untouched land and protected

wildlife, and discover the ancient roots of Japan.Hokkaido is home to six national parks, one of which

(Shiretoko) is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage

Site. In the language of the Ainu, Hokkaido is calledEzo and most of the place names in Hokkaido are

derived from the same language.



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Activities

Spring skiingHitting the slopes in the morning - chilling under

cherry blossoms in the aternoon? In Niseko it’s all

achievable without having to catch a plane to make

it a possibility in the middle o your day! During

Golden Week (April 28 - May 5), Niseko’s ski resorts

open or the last week o the season. While there is

still plenty o snow let to enjoy some quality skiing,

it is also warm enough to engage in typical spring

activities (try rating or golng) and absorb the

revitalizing rays o the sun. Several o Niseko’s ac-

commodation providers oer special ski packagesduring Golden Week that will guarantee you even

more value or money.

Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Event

Organizer note: Niseko Village ski resort has coner-

ence acilities available on site, in case you wanted

to hold a spring ski conerence.

Niseko Village

TEL : +81 (0)136-44-2211

http://www.niseko-village.com/en/

[email protected]

Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort

TEL : +81 (0) 136 -58 -20 80.

http://annupuri.ino/winter/english/

Accomodation Ideas: Niseko Product Directory

http://www.niseko-ta.jp/pd/NisekoProductManual2012/

NisekoInoDirectory_en.pd

Driving

Route 66 Reopens!

Driving in Niseko’s green season is like going on a treasurehunt. At every turn you’ll be conronted with views, each

more spectacular than the other. You will discover little

roadside caes, galleries and natural hideouts to let you

share into some o that pioneer spirit that rst brought

early settlers to the untouched wilderness o Hokkaido.

One o Niseko’s most popular (yet never crowded) driving

routes is about to reopen in eary May. Large portions o

Route 66 - ttingly named Panorama Line - that runs rom

Lake Toya in the north to the coastal town o Iwanai in the

south - are covered in snow or almost six months. When

the snow melts and the road reopens or trac, a truly

unique driving experience is unlocked. On the one hourdrive rom Niseko to Iwanai you’ll be greeted by views o

lush valleys, rolling hills and dramatic - almost prehistoric

- mountain sceneries. Tiny glimpses o blue in the distance

quickly turn into panoramic vistas o the Sea o Japan. It is

highly recommended you make a stop at Shinsen Numa en

route or a walk in this breathtaking primordial marshland

or get revitalized in the rustic Goshiki Onsen hotspring

(open or the green season in May), which also marks the

entrance to the Panorama Line on the Niseko side.

Car Rental Services in Niseko

Toyot a R ent -a- Car Nisek o/K utc han Bra nch

http://toyota.rent-a-lease.com/english/index.html Toyot a R ent a C ar Sap por o – Nisek o H irau Branc h

https://rent.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html

Mazda Rent-a-Car Niseko

Higashiyama Branch – Hilton Niseko VillageNiseko Town Branch - Niseko Town, Motomachi

http://www.mazda-rentacar.com/en/

Nippon Rent a Car Niseko branch, Niseko Hirau, Alpen Hotelhttp://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/index.html

Car Rental at New Chitose Airport

More inormation: http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/

service/?no=30



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Events

Niseko Sakura Matsuri

Sakura Matsuri - the Cherry Blossom Festival - is a major

event in Japan. The brie but delightul beauty o cherry

blossoms has been captivating people’s hearts andimaginations or centuries. Did you know that Japan is so

stretched out rom north to south there isn’t a single day

every spring that not at least one cherry tree is in bloom in

one o its many islands?

The ‘cherry blossom belt’ doesn’t reach chilly Hokkaido un-

til May, but when it does, the locals make sure to welcome

it with a celebration. Niseko Sakura Week is held every

year during Golden Week (April 29 - May 5) all over town.

Around 30 acilities in the area join in the celebrations and

oer special menus, souvenirs, accommodation or activity

packages. There are also ree bus tours to some o Niseko’s

most scenic spots - so join the locals and make sure youbring your camera.

Details will soon be announced at The Niseko Resort Tour-

ist Association’s website!

www.niseko-ta.jp/en

Event Calendar

Niseko Sakura Matsuri 2013: April 27 - June 2

Limited merchandise and ood items celebrating the beauty o the

cherry blossom will be sold area-wide. 30 local businesses are partici-

pating!

Niseko Sakura Bazaar: April 24 - May 6 2013

Local ood reined with sakura will be on oer at Niseko View

Plaza or a limited period o time.

Niseko Country Bus Tour: June 1-2

Volunteer guides will take you on a ree bus tour o Niseko’s

many sights (one tour per day)

Niseko Hanami Hot Spots

Cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, is a national

ritual in Japan. As soon as the cherry blossoms start

coming out, the people gather under the trees

and admire them while enjoying a picnic or a drink

with their amily or riends. There are even theories

claiming that especially sel-indulgent hanami ses-

sions are markers o economic recovery! Join the

locals at these recommended locations:

Twin cherry trees (let)

Niseko’s most amous photo spot! Nothing says “Ja-

pan” like this enchanting view o Mt. Yotei and twocherry trees in ull bloom. The cherry trees bloom

slightly later than the cherry blossoms and can be

enjoyed rom late May to early June(Please take

care not to step into the adjacent elds.)

Arishima Miyayama Hill

In the early 20th century, writer Takeo Arishima

was one o Niseko’s local heroes. The artist moved

to Hokkaido to dedicate himsel to the advance-

ment o agriculture and let his mark on the area

to this day. Today, the Arishima Memorial Museum

in Niseko is dedicated to his lie and works. In his

novel “The Descendants o Cain”, Arishima men-

tions a thousand cherry blossom trees that covered

Miyayama Hill. Over the last several years local

volunteers have engaged in activities to restore the

idyllically located hill to its ormer splendor. Every

year new cherry trees are added to the landscape

and you can admire the work in progress on a walk

around Niseko’s historic Arishima district. Pick up a

map at the station, your accommodation provider

or a tourist inormation centre!

Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum:http://www.niseko-ta.jp/resort/detail.php?service=2334



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Stay & Enjoy

One Niseko Resort Towers

Newly opened in December 2012, the stylish

One Niseko Resort Towers is the latest addition

to Niseko’s bustling accommodation scene and is

located next to the idyllic Moiwa ski area. The act

that One Niseko is both a hotel and a condominium

acility makes it a great choice or those preerring

the comorts o a hotel with the convenience o a

condominium (All rooms and apartments are ully

equipped with a kitchen and utilities). The propertyboasts a comprehensive concierge service and a

gourmet restaurant on site.

One Niseko is also a perect base or skiing in winter

and hiking, climbing, walking or simply unwinding

during the green season.

The property also is equipped with an excellent hot

spring (onsen), and the location in Niseko’s Konbu

onsen district means you can enjoy a variety o di-

erent local hot springs within walking distance.

The riendly, English-speaking sta will be happy to

assist you in planning your itinerary!

http://oneniseko.com/?lang=en

Reservations: +81(0)136-50-2111

Hanayoshi Sushi

Invented in Japan, sushi has long since conquered the

world. Visiting a good sushi restaurant is a must or everytraveler to Japan.

Hanayoshi is the best sushi restaurant in Niseko. Not only

the locals love it, people travel ar to enjoy the ood and

atmosphere the cozy restaurant has to oer. To ensure top

quality, the seaood is sourced rom the amous Tsukiji sh

market in Tokyo.

Whether you’re eeling adventurous or are simply ater

some great value-or-money sushi, the menu will not dis-

appoint you. Both well-known sushi classics and more ex-

otic specialties are available - or instance, the locals swear

by the natto maki (shushi with ermented soy beans). All

agree, however, that Hanayoshi’s unbeatable signature

dish is their seaood salad.

Hanayoshi is not only an excellent sushi restaurant, but

also a well-equipped izakaya (Japanese pub). Sample the

large selection o Japanese spirits (sake or shochu) on

oer and try the local recommendations. For the most dar-

ing among you, there even is an opportunity to try ugu

(blowsh) shochu.

An English menu is available. Prior reservation is required.

Opening hours: 17:00 - 23:00 Last order 10:30

Regular holiday: Monday Tel: +81 (0)136-44-3444.



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Japan travel info

Traditional Spring Events

The our seasons play a vital role in Japanese olklore. Cus-

toms, olk traditions and estivals celebrate the turn o the

seasons and are ways o appeasing the gods (kami).

Every temple and shrine, every town and district in Japan

has its own estival. Visiting one o them is a must when

travelling in Japan, as it is sure to make your stay a memo-

rable one.

Asakusa Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo

Third weekend in May

Sanja Matsuri is one o the three biggest traditional esti-vals in Tokyo, attracting up to 2 million visitors each year.

Gigantic Senso-ji temple becomes the backdrop or this

estival dedicated to its three ounders, Hinokuma Ha-

manari, Hinokuma Takenari and Hajino Nakatomo. Several

portable shrines (omikoshi) are energetically paraded

through the streets and the cheerul sound o traditional

drums and futes lls the district or two days.

Walking, Driving and Whale

Watching: Shakotan

Peninsula, Hokkaido

Shakotan is a peninsula in south-western Hokkaido

that stretches over 30 kilometres into the Sea o

Japan. The peninsula orms part o the Niseko-

Shakotan-Otaru quasi-nationalpark and is a spot o

scenic beauty almost completely undiscovered by

international tourism.

While in summer locals fock to the many sandy

beaches o the peninsula, Shakotan in spring is a

place o mystic tranquillity.

Exploring this area by car is highly recommended.

The inland road will take you on a journey through

the dramatic mountain scenery that will make

you eel like you’ve slipped into another world or

a while. Follow the road along the seashore and

you’ll marvel at sheer endless stretches o ragged

coastline that have long inspired the legends o Hokkaido’s native inhabitants - the Ainu. I you’re

lucky you might even be able to spot some whales

or dolphins playing in the waves.

Take a walk up Cape Kamui (Ainu or ‘Cape o the

Gods’) or the best view o the deep blue ocean

whose colour is locally reerred to as ‘Shakotan

Blue’. On your way back, sample the delicious sot

serve ice cream marketed under the same name or

visit a local sushi restaurant - the seaood is said to

be the best in all o Hokkaido.

http://www.shiribeshi.pre.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/srk/en/shakotan.

htmMiyako Odori, KyotoApril 1st - 30th

Miyako Odori, oten also reerred to as the 'Dances o the

Old Capital' or the 'Cherry Blossom Dances', is a estival

in Kyoto's traditional geisha district Gion. For a month

geisha and apprentice geisha (maiko) will perorm their

traditional dances or the public.

Tickets:

http://www.miyako-odori.jp/odori_en.html

HokkaidoTravel Info



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NisekoResources

Niseko Tourist Guide

Niseko Tourist Map

Niseko’s most inseparable pair o tourist pamphlets have

been updated just in time or the green season! From his-

tory to cultural heritage to all seasons’ activities and useul

contact inormation, the Niseko Tourist Guide includes

inormation on just about everything you need to know

to make your stay in Niseko a success. The Niseko Tourist

Map is a comprehensive area map, ideal or walking, bik-ing or driving. It is published bilingually in Japanese and

English, making it even easy to ask locals or directions i

you need to.

The resources can be picked up at public acilities all over

the Niseko area, or ordered rom the Niseko Town Council

and Niseko Resort Tourist Association. An online version o

the Japanese pamphlet is available here:

http://www.town.niseko.lg.jp/kanko/useul/H24-25nisekotouristguide/

index.htm

Niseko Team Building Guide

Improve you team work, leadership or even

marketing skills while enjoying the best in activities,

culture and scenery Niseko has to oer! Cooperate

to conquer the wild Shiribeshi river, hone your

team’s marketing skills while creating ice cream out

o resh Hokkaido milk or choose a unique Japanese

character that deines your companies uture aims

and write this character as a team using age old

Japanese calligraphy techniques. For more ideas andinspiration, a team building guide can be sent to you

via mail or e-mail.

contact us

Niseko Town, Industry & Tourism Division

Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Niseko-cho Aza Fujimi 44

048-1595 Japan

Tel: +81 136 (44) 2121

Fax: +81 136 (44) 3500

E-mail: [email protected]

www.town.niseko.lg.jp

www.niseko-ta.jp/en

www.acebook.com/nisekotown

niseko newsletter spring 2013 (april - may)

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