Sun, Sea and Snow
The soft snow and varied terrains of Niseko and beyond continue to entice travellers and thrill-seekers the world over to Hokkaido. As Chong Seow Wei finds out in Niseko Village, it’s also well equipped for summertime adventures
best-kept secret among the Japanese as a ski heaven until a group of Australians skiers chanced upon it in the 1990s, the town of Niseko in Hokkaido has since seen waves of couples, families and adrenaline junkies arrive from around the world each winter season. Its dry, powder-soft snow has earned Niseko its renown as the powder mecca of Japan, and draws an average of 1.5 million visitors annually. Singaporeans, in particular, are the third largest group of visitors there, after the Japanese and Australians. But even sans its famous snow between the months of April and November, Niseko loses none of its charm as a travel destination. In early spring to autumn, the locale regains its colours as flora and fauna start to grow, rivers begin to flow and the area’s two 18-hole golf courses commence operation. The white landscapes of the ski mecca transform into lush green fields fit for adventure sports and outdoor activities. Niseko Village, one of the four main resorts, offers plenty of choices by its awardwinning Pure outdoor activity centre—from trout and salmon fishing to paragliding from a mountain. Situated at the south base of Mount Annupuri, Niseko Village is about a two-hour drive from Hokkaido’s largest airport, New Chitose Airport. Its current owner is YTL Hotels, the hospitality arm of Malaysia’s YTL Corporation Berhad, which bought it from Citigroup for ¥6b in 2010. The family-run conglomerate is also responsible for keeping it the most loyal to its roots among the four areas, with the infusion of architecture from the Edo period and inspired