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Japan Guide

Hokkaidō

Niseko

• Accommodation
• Eating
• Drinking

Chances are, if you're a skier, that you've already heard of NISEKO, around 100km west of Sapporo. In recent years, this giant ski resort, hugging Mount Niseko Annupuri and facing the dormant volcano Mount Yōtei-san (also known as the Ezo Fuji for its resemblance to its more famous southern cousin), has become increasingly popular. In and around the village of Hirafu, foreigners – Australians in particular – are buying up and developing every available plot of land, while over at neighbouring Hanazono, a brand-new 8000-bed holiday village is being proposed.

The dominant presence of so many gaijin is seen by some as robbing Niseko of what charm it once had, but, on balance, the fantastic range of facilities, including good accommodation and dining, not to mention some of Japan's best skiing (up to 15 metres of perfect powder snow falls here each year), make this a resort not to be missed.