How to get there
Where is Kiroro Snow World?
Kiroro Ski Resort is located 43km west of Sapporo Hokkaido, and 28km south of the town of Otaru. Kiroro is about 50km northeast of
Niseko, a drive that takes about an hour.
Getting from New Chitose Airport to Kiroro
The New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) is the gateway airport for Kiroro. See the travel to
Hokkaido travel page for information on flights to Hokkaido.
Hokkaido Resort Liner provides bus transfers between Kiroro and the airport. The bus takes about 2 hours and they have about eight schedules per day. A one way trip costs ¥2,500 (2011 rates).
Click here to make a booking.
Getting from Sapporo to Kiroro
Hokkaido Resort Liner also provides transport between Kiroro and Sapporo City. The schedules generally cater for day trippers, with one bus leaving Sapporo early in the morning, and a couple of departures from Kiroro in the late afternoon. The pick up and drop off points in Sapporo include the train station and a range of hotels, so trip times vary from 1:40 hours to 2:20 hours. If the bus doesn’t stop at your Sapporo hotel, there’s a good chance it stops at one nearby. For schedules and rates or to book your transfer,
click here.
If you have a car, the drive from Sapporo to Kiroro only takes about 80 minutes. The drive up the mountain is really easy, with no particularly windy sections or steep pitches.
Alternatively there are really frequent trains from Sapporo to Otaru for only ¥620. The trip takes about 40-50 minutes. See
Hyperdia to check timetables and fares.
Travel from Otaru to Kiroro
From Otaru train station there is a Hokkaido Chuo Bus that departs from bus stop number six about four times a day. The trip time is about 50 minutes and the fare is ¥880 per adult and ¥440 per child. In 2011, Otaru departures times were 8:10am, 11:30am, 3:10pm and 4:10pm, and Kiroro departure times were 9:50am, 10:50am, 1:30pm and 5pm.
Otherwise catch a taxi from Otaru to Kiroro. The trip takes 30 to 40 minutes and the fare costs about ¥5,000 to ¥6,000.
From Niseko to Kiroro
Kiroro is only an hour drive (or a little over an hour via bus) from Niseko ski resort, so Kiroro is a perfect day trip to get away from the crowds.
Hokkaido Resort Liner run a bus service between Niseko and Kiroro.
Another option is to catch a train from Kutchan (or Niseko) to Otaru which takes about 80 minutes and costs ¥1,040. From Otaru you can catch a bus or taxi (as outlined above).
If you would prefer to self-drive you could hire a 4WD car from
Black Diamond Tours. Some of the vehicles seat 7-8 people, so grab a crew!
(remember you will need an international licence to hire a vehicle in Japan)
Getting Around Kiroro
Kiroro has two main areas: the ski resort; and Hotel Piano. The ski resort has the
Mountain Hotel at the base and the interconnected Resort Center which houses various facilities. About 10-15 minutes walk down the hill is Hotel Piano and Kiroro Town, a small strip of shops, restaurants and facilities that couldn’t really be described as a “town”. The kids’ Snow Park is located next to Hotel Piano.
It’s easy enough to walk around either of the areas, but to get between the zones you can catch the complimentary Kiroro shuttle bus. The ride only takes 3 minutes and the shuttles run on a continuous loop, although later in the evening the schedules are less regular.
Other Ski Resorts Nearby
Niseko and the nearby
Moiwa are only an hour drive away.
Rusutsu is a little further afield.
Sapporo Kokusai is not far away as the crow flies, but it takes about 70 minutes by car. Alternatively if you want to head to Sapporo Kokusai for a day trip, there are snowcat shuttles that operate from the top of Kiroro to the top of Kokusai that only take 20 minutes.
Key Transport Operators
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Hokkaido Resort Liner - Bus Transfers
The most economical & efficient way to get to and from Sapporo/Airport to Hokkaido resorts including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Kiroro, Kokusai, Sahoro & Tomamu.
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International Rail - JR Rail Passes
International rail is a specialist rail travel company. Buy JR Rail Passes online. 5 or 10 consecutive days or 4 days in a 30 day period. Non-Japanese residents only. Must be purchased outside of Japan.
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