Where to Stay in Niseko: Best Places & Recommended Hotels

Niseko United in Hokkaido is one of Japan's best ski resorts, known for its high-quality powder snow and excellent hotels. Despite being Japan's priciest ski resort with more luxury hotels, it attracts countless skiers worldwide every year.

Niseko features four interconnected resorts: Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Hanazono. Each area provides a range of accommodations to suit various preferences and budgets. Shuttle buses could take you directly to each area and New Chitose Airport.

Explore more details to help make deciding where to stay easier.

Hirafu Village: Most Chosen and Liveliest

Hirafu is the largest area and central hub of Niseko, offering more hotels, restaurants, bars, and pubs than the other areas. Skiing in Hirafu is perfect for all skill levels, especially for intermediate and advanced skiers. However, it is also the most popular and you would encounter larger crowds.

Many hotels in Hirafu offer ski-in and ski-out access and are usually just a 5 to 20-minute walk from the gondola. In Hirafu, you could choose from three villages to stay in: the upper village, the middle village, and the lower village.

• Upper and middle villages: These two villages boast the most luxury hotels, with a quick 5-minute walk to the gondola. For example, luxury hotels such as Skye Niseko (costing US$800–3,500 per night) and Ki Niseko (costing US$600–2,000 per night).
• Lower village: This has mainly budget-friendly hotels, townhouses, and condos. It's a 10–20-minute walk to the lifts but it's easier to reach the gondola via a free shuttle bus. For example, it has budget hotels like Midtown Niseko (costing about US$400 per night).

Niseko Village: Luxurious but Cheaper Than Hirafu

Niseko Village is ideal for experienced skiers and families, with lots of winter activities for kids. However, the slopes there are the narrowest among the four resorts.

Hotels in Niseko Village are luxurious yet cheaper than those in Hirafu, and they also boast fewer crowds. Most hotels in Niseko Village offer ski-in/ski-out access, with only a short walk to the gondola.

However, it offers fewer dining options and is a bit farther from the center of Hirafu. You could take a shuttle bus ride of about 20–30 minutes to reach the center.

Here, we've handpicked hotels at different prices and each allows you to ski in/ski out.

• Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Reserve, priced at US$800–3,000 per night, offers a free shuttle bus to the town center.
• Mid-range: Hilton Niseko Village, priced at US$700–1,300 per night, provides direct gondola access from the lobby, which makes it great value for money.
• Lower range: The Green Leaf Niseko Village, costing about US$500 per night, offers natural hot springs.

Annupuri: Family-Friendly

Annupuri is a beginner-friendly and family-friendly ski resort in Niseko. It provides plenty of wide slopes for beginners and intermediates.

The area offers a wide range of accommodations from hotels and chalets to ski lodges. It is also quieter and more affordable than Hirafu and Niseko Village. Moreover, Annupuri boasts the most natural onsens in the area.

We recommend having dinner at the hotels. This is because Annupuri has fewer restaurant choices and is about a 40-minute drive from the town center in Hirafu. If you prefer dining out at Annupuri's restaurants, be sure to make a reservation at least one day in advance.

Here are two handpicked mid-range hotels to inspire you.

• Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri: costs US$400–500 per night, offers ski-in/ski-out access
• Hotel Kanronomori: costs US$350–500 per night, offers Japanese-style rooms with private onsens and ski-in/ski-out access

Hanazono: Focus on Park Hyatt

The Hanazono area is connected to Hirafu and it is better suited for intermediates and advanced skiers. With fewer skiers than Hirafu, it also features a Louis Vuitton enclosed gondola.

At Hanazono, the main hotel options are the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono and some apartments. It provides a serene and luxurious atmosphere for your stay. It is perfect for families as well, offering a variety of kid-friendly activities, such as snow rafting, snowmobiling, and horseback riding.

You could easily take a 20-minute shuttle bus ride from Hanazono to the center of Hirafu for a variety of dining and drinking options.

Here are two luxury hotels in Hanazono for inspiration.

• Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono: It costs about US$2,000 per night with ski-in/ski-out access. Reservations need to be made at least a year in advance due to high demand — rooms are usually fully booked 8 months before the ski season begins.
• Zaborin: It costs US$2,000–3,000 per night. It's a hot spring ryokan with only 15 rooms and is located in the birch forest of Hanazono. While it's not ski-in/ski-out, it provides a blend of Japanese traditions in a Westernized ski resort setting.

How Long in Advance to Book Hotels in Niseko

It is highly recommended to book your hotel in Niseko 8–12 months before the ski season (late November to April), preferably before August.

Popular hotel brands, such as Park Hyatt and Hilton, get booked up fast, so it's best to reserve them 8 months in advance. If you book late, you would likely find available hotels in Niseko Village and Annupuri. For those looking to stay in the Hirafu area, mid-range or budget hotels may still have rooms if you book after August.

Customize Your Hokkaido Ski Trip Now!

Our Japan travel advisors are here to help you choose the best area in Niseko for your stay based on your preferences, and also assist you in combining skiing with exploring major cities in Hokkaido and other parts of Japan. Contact us now! Find below two of our best ski tours in Japan:

• 14-Day Japan Highlights and Skiing in Hokkaido
• 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour 

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