| If you are considering skiing in Japan for the first | | | | If you are not big on nightlife and want access to |
| time this coming northern winter you can't go past | | | | some of the best powder Niseko has to offer, |
| Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan's north island. | | | | Annupuri is a great option. Often during a storm the |
| Niseko is located approximately 2.5 hours drive from | | | | link between the other ski areas and Annupuri are |
| Sapporo's New-Chitose airport. Access to Sapporo | | | | closed keeping the crowds away from this little |
| airport is commonly via a domestic flight from | | | | powder paradise. It also has some of the best |
| Haneda airport in Tokyo. The only draw-back about | | | | onsens (Japanese hot springs) in the area. |
| access to Niseko is all international flights into Tokyo | | | | Hirafu is the main village where you will find the |
| actually come in to Narita International airport which is | | | | parties with dozens of restaurants and bars. It also |
| a 1 hour bus ride across Tokyo from Haneda (the | | | | has the greatest range of accommodation in Niseko. |
| transfer between airports can add several hours to | | | | This is by far the most popular area to stay for |
| your journey particularly if your domestic flight | | | | international guests. |
| doesn't align with your international flight and bus | | | | Niseko Village is located between Hirafu and Annupuri |
| transfer). If you have the option of flying via Hong | | | | and most trails in this area are suited to beginners. |
| Kong, there are a limited number of direct | | | | Accommodation is limited to one large 4-star hotel; |
| international flights into Sapporo New-Chitose airport. | | | | the Niseko Village Hilton. |
| The bus ride from Sapporo to Niseko is relatively | | | | Lastly, and up-and-coming hub for Niseko is the |
| painless. The roads are pretty straight and there are | | | | Hanazono village. This area was purchased several |
| very few hills to climb and descend as Niseko base | | | | years ago by an Australian consortium and at the |
| camp is about the same altitude as the airport. | | | | time consisted of little more than a day centre. |
| There is a diverse range of accommodations in | | | | Today it is a hub of activity with restaurants, bars |
| Niseko and the first decision you will need to make is | | | | and a variety of accommodations. |
| which village to stay in. There are four distinct areas; | | | | Wherever you decide to stay, you will be able to |
| Hirafu Village, Niseko Village (formerly Higashiyama), | | | | easily access Nisekos world famous deep, deep |
| Annupuri and Hanazono. | | | | powder! |