The An’nupuri Village sits below the Annupuri ski resort, one of the four ski areas of Niseko United. Annupuri is adjacent to the Moiwa village and the Konbu Onsen area. Annupuri accommodation tends to provide better value for money than other Niseko areas.
Annupuri is away from the crowds and is popular with die-hard powder hounds who want to get fresh tracks in the Annupuri bowls. When it dumps, lift access to Annupuri ski area is sometimes cut off from the rest of Niseko United meaning you and a few people get to enjoy the freshies all to yourselves. Whilst there are several restaurants & bars, Annupuri is not big on nightlife. The village here is lovely and Annupuri accommodation options include chalets, lodges, a couple of hotels, and pensions. Most of the Annupuri hotels and lodges have their own restaurants and bars to cater for their guests.
Hanazono accommodation is limited to a few chalets, but it may become a major village in the future. Hanazono is well suited to those wanting a peaceful setting away from the hub-bub of Hirafu. Hanazono also suits powder hounds who want to get to the Hanazono tree skiing before everyone else.
The Hirafu East village is not within easy walking distance of the central action of Hirafu. There are various shuttle bus stops around the Izumikyo area. There are various restaurants, but relative to the main hub of Hirafu, the dining options are somewhat limited.
Premium price tags tend not to be attached to Niseko accommodation in Izumikyo.
Pros: reasonably easy access to the slopes via walking or shuttle bus; highest concentration of restaurants and bars.
Cons: negligible Lower Hirafu is part of the famed village of Hirafu Niseko.
Whilst the Upper Hirafu Village is closest to the Hirafu ski area, the Hirafu Lower Village is the area below the main highway (343).
Lower Hirafu has the highest concentration of Niseko restaurants and bars, and features Niseko accommodation for a range of price tags.
Hirafu accommodation close to Highway 343 allows for easy access to the Ace Family Lift with walks of only 150 – 450 metres (that are reasonably flat). Conversely it’s up to a kilometre walk up hill to get from the bottom of the Lower Hirafu village up to the Ace Family Pair Lift. Thankfully the free shuttle service around Hirafu Village is extensive with bus stops approximately every hundred metres, so no matter where you stay in the village, you'll be within a couple of minutes walk from a shuttle bus stop.
Pros: easy access to Moiwa Ski Resort which is much quieter than the Niseko United ski areas; options for very affordable Niseko accommodation; amazing onsens.
Cons: more difficult to access the Niseko United ski areas (except An’nupuri which is close by); limited dining options and negligible nightlife; buses between Moiwa and Hirafu are very limited.
The village at the base of the Moiwa Ski Resort is reasonably quiet and includes hotels, ryokans, and lodges. Moiwa is 10.5km west of Hirafu Niseko and about 1.5km west of the base of Annupuri Ski Area (of Niseko United).
This area is adjacent to the Konbu Onsen area which features ryokans and hotels with onsens as well as a public hot spring. Moiwa/Konbu Onsen also has a couple of very nice traditional Japanese Ryokans (hotels) with beautiful onsens.
Advanced riders with avalanche safety gear can access the Niseko Hirafu lifts via a traverse to/from Moiwa. There is also a regular shuttle service to/from Moiwa to Annupuri.
There is a huge range of Niseko accommodation types including hotels, pensions, lodges, backpackers and lots of apartments and houses. You can search for Niseko accommodation, check availability and rates, and make a booking or booking enquiry directly with the Niseko hotel or lodging provider using the listings below. You can book Niseko transfers and other components of your holiday such as equipment rentals and lessons via Powderhounds from October onwards. You can also book flights.
There are a various factors that set the Niseko lodging options apart from most of the other Japanese ski resorts. Firstly there is an abundance of western-style Niseko apartments and houses, which is somewhat of a rarity in Japan because this is more of a western concept. Conversely there are not many ryokans or pensions (Japanese hotels and inns) and sleeping on futons on the floor is not that common. And whilst there are lots of Niseko hotels, there aren’t as many as you’d expect for such a large resort.
The first choice regarding accommodation in Niseko may be which village to stay in. See each of the location tabs for the pros and cons of the different areas. Most of the Niseko accom is located in villages at the base of the four Niseko United ski areas: Hirafu (the most popular); Niseko Village, An’nupuri, and Hanazono. The four ski areas are interconnected by the lifts and slopes towards the top of the mountain, but the base areas are not adjacent to each other. And Moiwa is not inter-connected with the other areas via the piste.
If you’re looking for family friendly accommodation with good proximity to the slopes, child care and kids’ ski school, check out the Niseko family friendly accommodation options.
Pros: ski-in ski-out Niseko hotels or lodging close to the slopes; English ski school at the base; child care at the base area; reasonable number of restaurants.
Cons: reasonably quiet nightlife with a bus or taxi into Hirafu required if you want vibrant nightlife; limited number of shops.
Niseko Village sits at the base of the Niseko Village Ski Area of Niseko United. Formerly known as Higashiyama, the rebranding occurred to potentially trick people into thinking this was the main nucleus of Niseko Japan! So this is not Hirafu (which is about 8km northeast of Niseko Village by road) and don’t confuse Niseko Village with the town of “Niseko” which is about 6km to the south.
There are several restaurants and bars in the Hilton Niseko Hotel and other properties around the area. If you want the vibrant nightlife of Hirafu, it’s about 10-15 minutes away via the Niseko United bus (until 11:30pm), a taxi, or the Hilton Niseko Village shuttle bus. The free Hilton Niseko Village bus goes from about 9am to the wee hours of the morning and travels between the Hilton, a few locations within Niseko Village, the Hirafu Crossing, Hirafu Welcome Center, and Kutchan Station. Timetables are available at the Hilton or Niseko Village accommodations.
If a very vibrant nightlife is high on your priority list, this is probably not the area for you. Most people who stay in this village enjoy the tranquillity, the pros of access to ski school and childcare, and also the quick access to the back bowls.
The Hirafu South Village area includes Kabayama and other very quiet zones. Access between Hirafu South and the slopes of Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort is best via shuttle service.
Pros: easy access to the slopes, the main ski school meeting points, & many restaurants and bars.
Upper Hirafu is part of Hirafu Niseko, the main village at Niseko Japan. Upper Hirafu is the most sought after region for Niseko accommodation due to the combination of easy access to the slopes of Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort as well as restaurants, bars and other services.
Upper Hirafu Village has some ski-in / ski-out accommodation and it generally comes at an upscale price. Most of these ski-in ski-out properties are located adjacent to the Family Run (a gentle beginner run) which is serviced by the Ace Family Lift. At the base of the Family Run is a major ski school meeting point and child care, making this zone very popular as family friendly Niseko accommodation.
There is some Upper Hirafu accommodation near the Hirafu Welcome Center which provides easy access to the Ace Quad lift. Otherwise the other main slope access point is up at the Hirafu Gondola where there’s a ski-in ski-out hotel and various apartments within a few minutes walk.
This area is east of Upper Hirafu and is still within walking distance of the main Hirafu restaurant hub and Hirafu ski lifts (about 700 - 900m to Ace Family Pair Lift, about 900m walk uphill to Hirafu Gondola). Niseko accommodation here tends to be a little more economical than the main parts of Hirafu Niseko.
Always Niseko is a 104 room hotel complex offering modern simple rooms for up to 4 guests. Located in the Kabayama neighbourhood, which is a 10 minute walk into town & to the nearest lifts. A free shuttle service is available.
The Chalet Ivy is a luxury hotel located just a few mins walk to slopes & to many restaurants & bars. Spacious and beautifully appointed hotel rooms, 1-2 BR suites, and penthouse. Fine dining restaurant, indoor/outdoor hot springs (onsen), ski concierge, lovely restaurant, buffet breakfast and high levels of service & more..
Hyatt House Niseko in the Shiki Niseko building offers spacious contemporary self-contained apartments, with the facilities and services of a luxury hotel. 1, 2 & 3 BR apartments (2-6 guests). Lounge with floor to ceiling windows (offering a range of views), fully equipped kitchens and dining area. 300m to Ace Family Lift.
Ski-in/out located near the base of the Hirafu Gondola at the top of the village. Hotel rooms, 1, & 2 bedroom condos (for up to 5 guests) and a penthouse for up to 12 guests. Indoor & outdoor hot springs, sauna, plunge pools & much more..
Lodge 401 is a fully renovated boutique lodge with only 6 rooms & only 100m walk to Annupuri Ski Resort of Niseko. Twin or double rooms with either shared bathrooms or private ensuite. A couple of rooms can accommodate a 3rd guest on a sofa bed.
Ideal for 1-2 people/room. Great location in central Hirafu, choice of king/twin rooms or suites with kitchenette & sitting area. All rooms have private ensuites, TV, fridge & microwave. The hotel has a gym, coin laundry and a buffet breakfast is included..
The Niseko Landmark View is very well located in upper Hirafu only 3 mins walk to the Hirafu Gondola & 5 mins walk to many restaurants & bars. The deluxe self-catering apartments offer 2 bedrooms for up to 4 guests & 3 bedrooms for up to 6 guests.
Ski-in ski-out location at Niseko Village offering hotel rooms & suites for up to 3 guests. Suites have a kitchenette & separate living area. Hotel features indoor & outdoor hot springs, day spa, restaurant, bar/lounge area with fireplace.
The Vale is a premier Niseko accommodation located in the heart of Hirafu village with an absolute ski-in/out location. It has a host of facilities to suit those that want everything in a hotel. Rooms include standard rooms, studios, and 2 & 3 bedroom apartments accommodating from 2 to 8 guests.
Yama Shizen offers contemporary and deluxe Niseko apartments (studios, 1 -3 bedrooms) for up to 6 guests. Yamashizen is very well located in the main nucleus of Upper Hirafu, and only a 4 minute walk from the Hirafu Gondola and a couple of minutes to many of Hirafu's restaurants & bars.
Absolute Niseko is a simple lodge with shared facilities located in Niseko Hirafu adjacent (2 mins walk) to the Ace Family Pair lift. Rooms consist of simple western-style twin beds, Japanese-style quad rooms & dorm/bunk rooms for up to 6 and 8. Breakfast is available.
Akazora Niseko apartments include studios (with kitchenette), and 1 & 2 bedroom deluxe apartments for 2 to 6 guests. King or 2 single bed configurations in each bedroom. Only 350 metres walk to Ace Family Lift (and ski school meeting point).
Aspect Niseko offers 2 and 3 bedroom premium apartments with occupancy of up to 4-6. Beautifully appointed and very spacious living areas. Very prestigious part of Lower Hirafu with a bus stop located out the front, or 500m walk to Ace Family chair lift.
Only 200 metres from the Hirafu Gondola, Deep Tracks in Niseko is a boutique apartment block with 1 bedroom (max 2-3 guests) and 2 bedroom apartments (max 4-5 guests). The apartments have one bathroom, fully equipped kitchens & living areas with entertainment systems.
Niseko First Tracks is perfectly located on the Family Run in Upper Hirafu making it the ideal option for families and groups with beginners. 2 BR apartments, 1 bathroom for up to 5 guests. 3 BR apartments, 2 bathrooms for up to 7 guests.
Forest Estate is located in lower Hirafu about 10 mins walk to the Ace Family pair lift & a couple of minutes to restaurants & bars (nearest convenience store is 7 mins walk). The townhouse is modern and ideal for families or groups.
Forest Hideaway is a modern 2 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms that sleeps 4 (or up to 6). The house is located in a quiet spot in Soga, 5 mins drive from Niseko Village and Annupuri. Having a rental car is advisable.
Futagoyama Niseko is a 5 bedroom luxury house with 3 bathrooms for up to 10 guests (plus studio may be bookable). Also 2 bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom for up to 4 guests. Twin or king bedding in each room. 450m walk to Ace Family lift.
Genji & Musashi are 3 & 4 bedroom apartments offering accommodation for 6 to 11 guests respectively. They are located 200m from the nearest shuttle bus stop & 400m from the nearest convenience store. The property managers provide a free daily shuttle service to/from the Hirafu lifts or it is just 11 mins walk.