Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is the first hotel in Japan to open under the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand, a premium line of hotels offered by Marriott, the world's largest hotel chain.

Directly connected to Niseko Village, the doors of this integrated mountain resort are open all year round to visitors looking for a fantastic experience.

The luxury hotel is located within the vicinity of many places of interest, so guests are spoiled for choice on what activities to try during their stay. Enjoy Niseko's world-famous powder snow during winter, play golf on a top course between spring and summer, or participate in one of the many other outdoor activities available throughout the year. It's entirely up to you!

Access
It takes about 20 minutes to drive to Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve from JR Kutchan Station, or two hours and 15 minutes from New Chitose Airport.

Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers a resort bus service that takes guests to and from Kutchan Station or New Chitose Airport during the winter. They can also arrange for a pickup service for you at New Chitose Airport during the summertime.

Inside the classy resort, the decor follows the Japanese aesthetic principles of kacho fugetsu - art that taps into the beauty in nature and its ever-changing landscapes. This is reflected in the interior design that shifts subtly according to the time of the day and season of the year.

An air of polished elegance follows you throughout this gorgeous Niseko luxury hotel, from the lobby to the guestrooms, and the warm tones of nature can be felt through the exquisite use of natural materials in its furniture and fittings.

Guest rooms at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, feature numerous meticulously polished marble and granite stones. The pleasant fragrance of Japanese cedar greets you upon entering. Everything has been designed to come together to help put guests in the mood for some luxurious relaxation.

There are 50 guestrooms in the hotel, each with a specific theme, such as Niseko Reserve King, Yotei Reserve Twin, Higashiyama Suite, and others. Every room has a large window that offers an unblocked view of either Mount Yotei or Mount Niseko-Annupuri.

The beauty of the scene outside makes it almost seem like living art hanging on your room wall and demonstrates the hotel's dedication to harmonizing every part of its interior with nature.

The Higashiyama Suite, the hotel's largest guestroom, is highly recommended for families and travel groups. It contains an attached bathroom, two bedrooms, a walk-in closet, a dining table, and many other amenities that will facilitate group stays.

Of particular note is that the bathrooms in every guestroom come with a Japanese hot spring-style tub. To help guests relax both their body and mind, a large window offers a view of the mountain range of Niseko in the distance as they bathe in comfort and privacy.

Guests who have stayed in the hotel remark that they found it very easy to relax in an air of privacy of the spacious rooms and large bathtubs here.

There are also larger shared baths in the hotel that guests are welcome to use. Both indoor and outdoor baths use natural hot spring water from the locality, so the experience will be very unique.

Speaking of the spring water here, it's said to be packed with minerals that will make your skin feel moisturized long after you've emerged from its warm embrace.

In addition, the bath areas are connected to a peaceful garden landscape nearby, and one of the best recipes for ultimate relaxation has got to be the combination of a warm bath and a great view. Hot saunas and private hot springs are available as well.

After warming yourself up at the bath, it's time to fill your stomach with the delicacies Niseko has to offer at the lounge or any of the two restaurants in the hotel. At one restaurant, food is prepared with fresh and seasonal local vegetables, premium meat, and delicious seafood.

The other restaurant serves Japanese cuisine, including the traditional Japanese omakase-style sushi, where you allow the chef to prepare sushi with ingredients he recommends or thinks you would enjoy.

After a delectable meal, head to the lounge for some made-to-order cocktails, local beer brews, and a seemingly endless variety of other drink options that will help you wind down for the night.

Communication with hotel staff will be quite smooth, as several foreign staff are working at the restaurants and reception desk here. This is one of the significant factors contributing to high praise in reviews from guests who have stayed here before.

Services for foreign guests
Multilingual signs (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Malay)
Universal power adapters available for rent
Reception staff are mainly foreigners

Health & safety measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Coin trays used - Plastic partitions installed - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Limited capacity/increased space between seats - Restricted admission, reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

One Niseko Resort Towers is located in Niseko's Moiwa district, and all guestrooms here are suite rooms. This luxury hotel also has a large shared bath area that draws its bath waters from the natural hot springs in Niseko Moiwa, making it a great choice to consider for a comfortable long-term stay.

Another perk that long-term guests can enjoy when staying here is the free shuttle bus service that ferries guests between Kutchan Station, Niseko Station, and Niseko View Plaza Rest Area-a rest area where you can buy local vegetables, cheese and processed animal products.

Access
It takes about 25 minutes to reach One Niseko Resort Towers by car from Kutchan Station, or two hours and 15 minutes from New Chitose Airport. You can also take the free shuttle bus from Kutchan Station or grab a limousine pickup service from New Chitose Airport and other major locations within Hokkaido.

When you first step into the hotel lobby, the warm, wooden design theme is probably what will stand out the most.

Designed and built by Kengo Kuma & Associates, their goal was to incorporate the worldview of the indigenous Ainu people, who believed that a deity resided even in trees. Thus nature was to be revered, and they have certainly achieved that in spades.

Whether it's the lobby lounge, cafe, and bar, or the changing rooms of the shared bath, guests are constantly surrounded by the prominent natural motifs of this Niseko luxury hotel.

Perhaps the sense of peacefulness the hotel evokes comes from the protection of the Ainu deities residing in the wooden materials that make up much of its decor.

One Niseko Resort Towers offers 105 guestrooms. The Studio Suite is for a group of up to three guests. The top-class Penthouse can take up to eight! Of course, there are other types as well, to cater to different group configurations.

All rooms have a kitchen and balcony area meant to make the room space very livable for the long term.

Family or travel groups may want to consider the Studio Suite Tatami, a 1LDK (1-bedroom with a living room, dining room, and kitchen) suite with an East-meets-West layout that allows for up to five guests.

Two guests will have to sleep in futon mattresses on the tatami straw mats instead of beds, allowing them to try out the genuine Japanese sleeping experience.

The view from the balcony is an endless expanse of natural greenery. Standing here to take in the sights in the company of a gentle breeze is a superb way to relax in style and comfort.

Foreign guests who have stayed in this hotel before heaping much praise on it. One said: "The tatami room is perfect for a family with children. The kitchen has everything you need. You can easily drive out to buy food ingredients to prepare breakfast and dinner with, which is a huge plus." It looks like a great place to consider for long-term stays, indeed!

You'll find both indoor and outdoor baths in the shared bath area, all designed with a unique sort of Japanese aesthetics that integrates traditional hot spring culture with trendier modern themes. The hot spring water looks a little cloudy and is known to leave the skin feeling smooth and supple after a satisfying dip.

The food made by the hotel's restaurant is meant to express the theme of "a collaboration between mountains, rivers, and the sea."

Specifically, they use seasonal ingredients and present their Niseko nouvelle cuisine-style dishes. Other than the restaurant, the gallery cafe and bar also offer light food and alcoholic beverages, and guests can feel free to drop by at any time to see for a bit of light refreshment if they so desire.

Services for foreign guests
All signs are in Japanese and English
English and Chinese-speaking staff will be stationed in the hotel during the winter season

Health & safety measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Coin trays used - Plastic partitions installed - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Limited capacity/increased space between seats - Restricted admission, reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri is a luxury mountain resort hotel near Niseko Annupuri Kokusai Ski Area and open all year round.

The strikingly tranquil Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri is surrounded by much nature and greenery. With Mount Niseko-Annupuri right at its doorstep, this is an ideal place to use as a base for outdoor activities in any season of your preference.

Knowing you have a place to rest and refresh yourself next door allows you to play to your heart's content! By staying in this hotel, you can have your fill of powder snow and sports in winter, mountain climbing and trekking in summer, or rafting and canoeing in one of the nearby rivers without worrying about making a long trip back to your accommodations after the fun day.

Access
Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri is about 25 minutes by car from Kutchan Station, 10 minutes from Niseko Station, or two hours and 15 minutes from New Chitose Airport.

If you contact the hotel at least two days beforehand and let them know your arrival times, they will be able to arrange a free shuttle bus for you (between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. only, but service is currently temporarily suspended). Other options are highway buses that operate daily from Sapporo Station or Otaru Station, or the resort bus from New Chitose Airport during winter.

"Scandinavian Chic" is the concept behind the hotel's decor, so you'll find plenty of Scandinavian-inspired touches all around the building with tastefully selected color tones that go along with them. It almost feels like stepping inside a carefully wrapped gift of soothing calmness and comfort.

At the back of the lobby is the Wilderness Library, an academic space where guests can read books and surf the internet for free.

The lounge just next door serves coffee and other beverages that you can order to accompany your intellectual relaxation. The unique-looking chairs and interior decorations are exciting things to look out for.

Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri has a total of 152 guestrooms of different types. The Standard Twin Room and Standard Hollywood Twin Room can each take up to three people, the Heartful Room is barrier-free, and the Deluxe Suite Room is for those looking for the ultimate opulence.

And these are just a few types! For families and travel groups, the recommendation is the Deluxe Twin Room.

Some of these rooms have separate bathing and toilet areas, allowing one to be used without blocking up access for the other. That would certainly help to ease up the queue for the washroom that tends to form at the most inopportune times!

The best part about staying in this luxury hotel in Niseko, however, is the natural scenery that can be seen from the room windows. In fact, the sight is so impressive, you would be forgiven for thinking the window was just a frame for a large and beautiful painting of nature!

If your family or travel group has more than four people, consider getting connecting rooms for the extra space and headcount. Connected Standard Twin rooms, for example, are allowed to house up to six people.

Tucked into a corner of Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri on the first floor is the common bath area that's equipped with natural hot springs and sauna facilities.

The spring water is brownish because of its saline and iron content, and this unusual color makes it quite memorable at first glance. Those who have soaked in the spring praise the water for its excellent moisturizing properties.

The hotel's outdoor bath is also a special treat - bathers get to enjoy the sight of Niseko's grand scenery during the day, and a fantasy-like view during the night as the landscape is illuminated by glowing lights. It's like the hotel is telling guests: Don't just take a bath - take it in resplendence!

For food, Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri has prepared a hearty buffet consisting of more than 30 dishes - all made in an open kitchen with seasonal Hokkaido ingredients, so that guests can always be sure that they're getting the freshest food available. As the menu rotates every now and then, those staying for the long term can always have something to look forward to at every meal!

Many foreigners who have stayed in the hotel before praising the staff for being friendly and approachable. The food is another thing about the hotel that has received rave reviews.

Services for foreign guests
Multilingual signs (English, Chinese, Korean)
Universal power adapters available for rent
Reception staff can speak English

Health & safety measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Plastic partitions installed (except certain areas) - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Limited capacity/increased space between seats - Restricted admission, reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced - Restrictions on room service (entry) for staff

Chalet Ivy Hirafu is a luxury boutique hotel located at the foot of Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, the largest of the four ski resorts in the Niseko area. In addition to being within walking distance to the ski slopes (there’s also a shuttle bus that goes to the gondola station, etc.), there are restaurants and sporting goods shops nearby, making it a superb location to enjoy the ski resort fully.

Driving to the hotel takes approximately 15 minutes from JR Kutchan Station and about two hours and ten minutes from New Chitose Airport. There’s also a paid, private shuttle service from either New Chitose Airport or Sapporo City. You can choose to charter a car for two, a station wagon that fits eight, or a minibus that accommodates 15. During winter, a resort bus runs from New Chitose Airport to Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, enabling you to get to Niseko at an affordable price.

There are 78 guest rooms in total. Superior rooms and deluxe rooms with a balcony fit up to three guests, suite rooms with attached hot springs fit three to five guests, and penthouses with open-air baths fit up to eight!

The hotel also has private baths and a large public bath, both of which are hot springs, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a soak! The public bath is exclusively for hotel guests and can be used freely for 23 hours, excluding one hour for cleaning. Private baths are 2,000 yen for 45 minutes, enabling you to enjoy a hot spring in complete privacy!

For meals, choose your favorite from two restaurants! At “Snow Castle,” you can enjoy modern Japanese courses using seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido. “Hirafuzaka” is a Japanese restaurant where you can casually enjoy dishes such as ramen and udon, thick wheat flour noodles.

Comments from guests include:

“The staff speak fluent English and are very kind and friendly.”

“The shuttle service is convenient because it takes you all the way to the slopes.”

“The food is delicious and plentiful.”

Here you’re sure to enjoy a private stay full of hospitality!

Services for foreign guests
Japanese, English, Chinese

Health & Safety Measures
Please inquire directly with the facility

Out of the many accommodation facilities in Niseko, “Ki Niseko” is the closest hotel to Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu’s gondola lift stop. Once you leave the hotel’s ski valet, the slopes spread out in front of you, keeping the gondola and pair lifts close. An attractive aspect of this hotel is that it enables you to spend more time out in the snow!

Driving to the hotel takes about 15 minutes from JR Kutchan Station and about two hours and ten minutes from New Chitose Airport. The hotel can arrange chartered jumbo taxis and cars, which conveniently enables you to head to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo City directly. Every winter, a resort bus runs from New Chitose Airport to Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, enabling you to get to the resort at an affordable price.

The hotel’s natural, modern interior design allows you to feel the warmth of wood. Wood is used throughout the facility, including the walls and furniture. There are 96 guest rooms total, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and a penthouse with four bedrooms and a bathroom that accommodates up to ten guests. Apart from the penthouse, guest rooms come with double or twin beds.

In addition to the large public hot spring bath with an open-air bath, there’s also a private bath where you can enjoy the hot springs without worrying about your surroundings! Private baths can be enjoyed for 40 minutes per stay and are reservable on a first-come, first-served basis upon checking-in. We recommend checking in early if you want to ensure a booking!

Meals are served at the in-house restaurant, “An Dining.” Breakfast is buffet-style, and dinner is served as a course. The restaurant welcomes guests from around the world and serves fusion dishes not bound by any genre! Here you can enjoy Niseko cuisine that focuses on using ingredients from Hokkaido!

Guests who’ve stayed at the hotel have given positive reviews about the location, including:

“It’s a convenient ski-in, ski-out hotel!”
“The ski valet, where you can store your ski gear, is very convenient.”

There are also restaurants and clubs around the hotel, making it a spectacular option for enjoying a ski resort getaway!

Services for foreign guests
Japanese, English

Health & Safety Measures
Please inquire directly with the facility

“Niseko Central Houses and Apartments” is a villa-style accommodation facility where you can rent your own private space! From check-in to check-out, you can enjoy a zero-contact stay that’s convenient for large groups such as families. Several facilities around Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu allow you to reach the slopes in about five to ten minutes by car.

It depends on where you stay, but getting to your accommodation from New Chitose Airport takes approximately two hours and ten minutes by car. There are also paid shuttle services from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo City, so you don’t have to drive!

Villas accommodate five, seven, nine, ten, and up to 18 guests! Some properties have multiple bathrooms and baths, so you can enjoy a stay without stress, even if you’re a large group. There’s no food service, but kitchens enable you to buy ingredients and cook on your own. There’s also a space where you can put your skis and other items, as well as a washing machine and a dryer. It’s the perfect option for an extended stay in Niseko!

There are many positive comments from guests about the villas being comfortable and convenient for extended stays, such as:

“The villas are so spacious and comfortable!”
“The kitchen area is just the best!”

This is the perfect choice for those looking for a homey stay in Niseko with zero-contact with other guests!

Services for foreign guests
Japanese, English

Health & Safety Measures
Please inquire directly with the facility

"Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono" is a luxury resort hotel located near Niseko Hanazono Resort. Here, ski slopes and outdoor fields stretch out in front of you, enabling you to enjoy various activities such as skiing in the winter and golfing in the summer. In addition to the hot springs, the hotel also has a 25-meter indoor pool and spa rooms, adding to the mountain resort experience!

It takes approximately two and a half hours by car from New Chitose Airport and about ten minutes from JR Kutchan Station. There is also a luxury limousine service from New Chitose Airport to the hotel, which fits up to three or four passengers.

There are 100 guest rooms, of which nine are suites. All rooms have spacious living and dining spaces, and some have kitchens equipped with refrigerators, dishwashers, or hot springs! Most guest rooms accommodate two to four guests, but some options accommodate six. The rooms are spacious and comfortable-enabling you to enjoy a high-quality and peaceful stay.

Another attractive feature of this hotel is that it offers many dining options! Here you can enjoy local Hokkaido cuisine, international cuisine, afternoon tea, sushi restaurants, teppanyaki (food cooked on an iron griddle), robatayaki (fire-grilled food), French restaurants, Italian restaurants, Chinese restaurants, delis where you can enjoy bread and desserts, as well as private dining rooms with their own cigar bars or wine cellars! The range of options ensures enjoyable meals even for guests who’ve booked extended stays!

Many guests had positive things to say about the excellent location, the elegant atmosphere, and especially the food, such as:

“It’s a very convenient hotel close to the lifts.”

“The quality of the facilities, restaurants, breakfast, service, and room were all perfect!”

“The attention to detail was amazing!”

A stay here ensures a luxurious mountain resort experience!

Services for foreign guests
Japanese, English, Chinese, Cantonese, German, and French

Health & Safety Measures
Please inquire directly with the facility

Zaborin Ryokan is an elegant modern Japanese inn that implements Japanese traditions and sensibilities. It’s a small facility with only 15 guest rooms. However, all rooms have hot springs, and some have tatami-mat flooring. Here you can also enjoy Kaiseki cuisine, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner.

The facility is surrounded by deep forest and has the appearance of a secret hideaway nestled in the woods. Niseko Hanazono Resort, where you can enjoy skiing and golf, is about five minutes by car, making Zaborin an excellent option for a relaxing stay! It takes approximately two hours and ten minutes by car from New Chitose Airport and about ten minutes from JR Kutchan Station.

There are two types of guest rooms: Western-style rooms with beds and Japanese-style rooms with tatami-mat flooring and futon bedding. Both rooms are suite-style and fit up to four guests. Each room also has a living room and hot spring. What’s more, the hot springs include both an indoor and open-air bath! All 15 rooms have different sensibilities, so second-time guests can enjoy a stay like it’s their first!

For breakfast and dinner, you can enjoy Japanese cuisine brimming with Hokkaido’s best ingredients! Breakfast is a traditional Japanese meal, and dinner is a Kaiseki course. Meals served here taste as good as they look! If you are staying multiple nights, we recommend reserving a robatayaki dinner in a room with a sunken irori fireplace!

Guests who stayed at the hotel praised the location, atmosphere, and food, commenting:

"It's a great place to relax! It's like a little hideaway."

"The food is wonderful, and there are options to eat in a private room!"

"The hot spring in the guest room was amazing!"

Relax and enjoy Japanese culture with a modern take. Here you can take a quiet and peaceful environment, one step away from the bustling city and resort areas!

Services for foreign guests
Japanese and English

Health & Safety Measures
Please inquire directly with the facility

Most of the luxury hotels in the Niseko area were built as resorts, due to their proximity to such world-famous ski resorts as Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri Kokusai Ski Area, and Hanazono Niseko, to name a couple.

While it's true that the powder snow in Niseko is a great draw for those wanting to enjoy a spot of winter sports, there are also plenty of enjoyable nature-related activities you can take part in here between spring to autumn, when the mountains, rivers, and natural world in Niseko are teeming with vibrant life.

Staying at one of these hotels will put you near the many outdoor activities you can try in Niseko, making it easier for you to make plans to try one or two, then quickly return to the hotel to unwind in leisurely comfort anytime you want.

So why not take a break from the usual tourist hotspots and choose to chill out at a luxury resort hotel while connecting with Niseko's nature using all of your senses? Some things have to be tried to be truly understood!

Text by:Nobuka Kawashima
English translation by: Huimin Pan
*Information in this article has been edited in August 2022 from its original, published on April 2021. Check the official websites for the latest information.