How to get there
Where is Niseko?
Niseko is located in Hokkaido Japan, the powder capital of the world! There is a town called Niseko but the term “Niseko” is often used to refer to “Niseko United”, the four interconnected ski areas that have villages of corresponding names at their base: An’nupuri; Niseko Village (formerly Higashiyama); Hirafu; and Hanazono.
Niseko is about 100 km southwest of
Sapporo city and Sapporo New-Chitose airport, about a 2.5 hour drive. Niseko is near Mount Yōtei, the "Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido".
Hirafu is the largest of the Niseko villages, located about 9km from the town of Kutchan. Hanazono is also about 9km from Kutchan. The town of Niseko is closer to Higashiyama (Niseko Village) and Annupuri, about 7km away from both ski villages.
Getting to Hokkaido
For advice on flights to the New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) and getting to Hokkaido, see our
travel to Hokkaido page.
Niseko Bus
Bus transfer is the most convenient way to get to Niseko from Sapporo New-Chitose airport or Sapporo city. Hokkaido Resort Liner provides inexpensive bus transport to Hirafu, Annupuri or Niseko Village with pick ups from either the New Chitose airport or a range of Sapporo hotels.
Follow this link for bus timetables to Niseko and to book your transport.
The Niseko bus takes about 2.5 -3 hours depending on road conditions and your drop off point.
If your
Niseko accommodation isn’t near one of the central drop off points, you’ll need to get a taxi or shuttle bus, or some accommodation places provide a pick-up service.
Train to Niseko
Although a little complex, it’s possible to catch a train to Niseko from the airport or Sapporo. From New Chitose airport a rapid train takes about 35 minutes to Sapporo. A train from Sapporo to Otaru takes from 32 to 50 minutes, and then a train to Kutchan takes between 1 hour and 1:20 hours. Niseko station is a further 15-20 minutes on from Kutchan. For train timetables and fares check out
Hyperdia.
Kutchan is the best station for those staying in Hirafu or Hanazono, whilst Niseko station is closer for those staying in Niseko Village (Higashiyama) or Annupuri. From either of the stations you’ll need to catch a bus or a taxi to your accommodation. A taxi between Kutchan station and Hirafu costs about ¥2,500 and takes about 15 minutes.
Driving to Niseko
If travelling by car from Sapporo, the main road to Niseko is the Sasson Expressway from Sapporo to Otaru, and then Route 5 towards Niseko. Alternatively use a GPS!
Getting Around Niseko – Shuttle Buses
Niseko is really well geared up for tourists so there are very well established shuttle bus systems to get around and between the different villages. A tourist map in English that outlines the various shuttle bus routes and timetables is readily available throughout Niseko or at your accommodation.
Niseko United Shuttle
The Niseko United shuttle buses link the bases of Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and An’nupuri. Be aware that the top of the four ski areas are very close together, but the villages at the base of each area fan apart so there is some distance between them. Niseko Village (Higashiyama) is a 10-20 minute drive from Hirafu, and An’nupuri is a further 20 minutes away. Hanazono is about 10-15 minutes from Hirafu. This bus is free if you have a Niseko United lift ticket. Otherwise it costs about 200-500 yen depending on the distance travelled. The Niseko United shuttle doesn’t operate after about 9:30pm.
Hilton Niseko Village Bus
This is a handy shuttle bus particularly if you’re staying in Niseko Village. The free hotel 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.
Grand Hirafu Shuttle Bus
The Hirafu village bus has a few different routes and offers a very frequent service. The bus operates from 8:30am - 9:00pm and is useful for getting around the Hirafu village and Hanazono.
Niseko Town Shuttle
This shuttle only runs about four times a day between JR Niseko Station, Niseko Village, the Higashiyama area (Niseko Village) and the Annupuri Konbu area. The fee is ¥100.
Other Buses
You might want to venture to the nearby town of Kutchan for a change of scene or for groceries, ski shops, or restaurants. There are various different buses that go to Kutchan including the Night Go bus. See the tourist maps for more information.
Similarly there are various buses that travel around to some of the onsens including those in the Annupuri and Konbu Onsen area. Alternatively various accommodation places offer their own shuttle services to get you to the “special” onsens.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available, particularly in Hirafu, and can be hailed on major streets. Many taxis have roof racks but they may have difficulty fitting in large ski or board bags. Prices are reasonable. As an example a taxi from Hirafu to Niseko Village will cost approximately ¥2,500.
Car Rental
If you want the flexibility to drive yourself around,
Black Diamond Tours offer car rentals. They have a selection of 4WD vans and Sport Utility Vehicles with snow tyres for rent.
Other Ski Resorts Nearby
Moiwa (aka Niseko Moiwa) is well known for its off-piste and steep side-country runs. At Moiwa there’s a much better chance of scoring freshies than at Niseko. Moiwa is interconnected with Niseko United (when the gates are open), or you can catch a free bus from Hirafu to Moiwa.
Rusutsu is bliss for powderhounds and another good opportunity to get away from the Niseko crowds. Rusutsu is about a half hour drive away. Black Diamond Tours offer a Rusutsu transport service with accommodation pick-ups for only ¥8,000 (includes a lift ticket).
Black Diamond Tours also offer guided tours of Rusutsu.
Chisenupuri (or Chise for short) is a little gem of a ski hill that is frequented by no one. It only manages to stay open because it’s owned by the army. Chisenupuri is the next ski area over from Moiwa and is about 30 minutes away from Niseko Village. If you don’t have your own wheels, catch a taxi, or
Black Diamond Tours do ski tours here from Niseko. Unfortunately the Yumeguri bus (Izumikyo - Yumoto Onsen) is more of a night time operation for the onsen hoppers.
Iwanai is approximately 45 minutes drive from Hirafu. The lifts no longer operate and it’s now just used for cat skiing.
Kiroro is about an hour away by car (or a couple of hours by train to Otaru then bus).
Sapporo Teine and
Sapporo Kokusai ski resorts are both a couple of hours from Niseko.
Black Diamond Tours sometimes do day tours here.
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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