Powderlife Magazine Issue No. 33

Issue 33 // Feb 19 to March 4 // 2011
WINTER SPORTS
WINTER SPORTS 
 ENTERTAINMENT  REAL ESTATE
ENTERTAINMENT  REALESTATE www.powderlife.com
www.powderlife.com
CLAYTON KERNAGHAN
FREE
Black Diamond Lodge and life in Japan
OKINAWA ER
Japan’s southern islands S POWD
NISEKO’ AGAZINE
LE M
LIFESTY EVERY
RESORT GUIDE FRESH
2 WEEKS
Your guide to Niseko – page 42
 CONTENTS // issue 33
winter print run 35,000 estimated readership 100,000+
25 編集長 managing editor Lizzy Hoo リズィー・フー
出版者 publisher Bevan Colless ベバン・コレス ,
Kris Lund クリス・ランド

RESTAURANT REVIEW // country grill 副編集長 associate editor Ross Cole-Hunter ロス・コールハンター
企画運営アシスタント editorial assistant Kisato Kurihara 栗原季里
デザイナー designer Paul Malandain ポール・マランデイン,
Shane Agard シェイン・エィガード (conceptual designer)
投稿者 contributors Chris Chan
写真撮影 photography Niseko Photography, Glen Claydon Photography,
Paul Malandain, Ross Cole-Hunter
19
広告掲載に関するお問い合わせ advertising inquiries
ads@powderlife.com
57
予約購読/既刊 subscriptions / past issues
info@powderlife.com
FEATURE // clayton kernaghan TRAVEL // okinawa Powderlife Niseko Magazine is a Niseko Media Publication
パウダーライフマガジンはニセコメディアが出版しています
170-5 Aza Yamada Kutchan-cho
07 Editor’s Note 31 Eyespy

Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081
tel 0136 22 2000 fax 0136 22 2011
www.powderlife.com
09 Village News Tamami Kaizawa and Oriental Carpet ©2011 Niseko Media KK
33 Snow Caves
Contents of Powderlife are subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in
Local Voices part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publication
Niseko local news of editorial does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of views or
Kado
11 Discover
opinions expressed. The publisher does not accept responsibility for state-
35 On Piste
ments made by advertisers.
Discover the Niseko area Niseko’s first English language periodical magazine – published every
Powdertools, playlist, 1000 words
13 In the loop

two weeks in Niseko between December and March, once a year as
37 Real Estate News

a globally distributed Niseko promotional issue (Powderlife Global
Edition).
Events around Niseko ニセコ初の定期刊行雑誌。冬季期間（１２月～３月）は２週間に１回
15 Social 41 Backcountry & Health

発行、冬季期間外はグローバルエディションとして一回発行。
Past issues available at the Powderlife office, Lower Ground Floor

Australia House (opposite Seicomart).
Backcountry Tips
Snap and Flash
Japanese Health System
17 Irrashaimasse
Effector and Karabina 42 Resort Guide
Food, restaurants and bars
19 Feature
Clayton Kernaghan
Tours and activities
Shopping and retail
Rental and services
23 Eat and Drink

Resort maps
Eat and drink news

Restaurant review – Country Grill
55 After the melt
Niseko summer activities
Kurabitoshu Sake
29 Powder Poster 57 Travel Okinawa

cover // lachy ‘kevin’ keevers photo // az, niseko photography
5 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

 EDITOR’S NOTE
photography // aaron jamieson – niseko photography
THIS fortnight I was a little worried about finding the time to complete 『締め切り期日までに仕事を片付けられるかどうか』。今週、私の頭の中はその事でいっぱいでした。
スノ
my work. Between snowboarding, Japanese lessons, watching rail ーボード、

日本語レッスン、
レイルジャム観戦、地元バーでのダーツ大会、誕生日のお祝い、
チャイニーズニ
jams, playing darts in the local competition, celebrating birthdays, Chi- ューイヤー、
フランスバンド
『NoJazz』のライブ。数えたらきりがない程、たくさんのイベントがニセコで開
nese New Year and seeing French band NoJazz, I thought how will the かれました。
その合間を縫って働くパウダーライフチームがどのように読者にニセコ情報を期日までに紙
Powderlife team find, write and report back to our readers about what’s 面にして伝えることができるのか、心配でした。
この１週間、本当にニセコはさまざまなイベントで忙しくに
been happening in Niseko? To sum it up – a lot has been happening. ぎわいました。今シーズンの終わりを迎えるまで、更ににぎやかになることでしょう。
And there’s more to come for the tail end of this season. まず始めに皆さんにご紹介したいのは、明日から始まる
『MTV JAPAN JAM@ヒルトンニセコビレッ
First off the mark, is MTV’s Japan Jam event featuring Australian rock group ジ』
です。オーストラリアの人気ロックバンド『アートバーサスサイエンス』
とシドニー出身の『ＤＪアン
Art vs. Science and DJ Anna Lunoe from Sydney, which starts tomorrow. The ナ・ルノ』を迎えるこのイベントは４日間に渡り行われます。詳細は13ページをご参照ください。
event will be held over four days at the Hilton Niseko Village – see our events このようなイベントがニセコにもたらす影響は大きいでしょう。今シーズン、ニセコは多くのメディア
page for more details. から注目されました。ニューヨークタイムスやBBCニュース・オンラインなど、

さまざまな報道機関がニ
Along with MTV, various other media organizations have shined their light on セコについて称賛とも言える程、素晴らしい記事を書いてくださいました。
また、東山にある
『ブラックダ
Niseko; from the New York Times to BBC online, Niseko is receiving welcome イアモンドロッジ』は、
スノーボード＆スキーフィルムなどを始めとするメディアに何度も取り上げられ
accolades from the press. No stranger to media is Black Diamond Lodge (BDL) ています。オーナーのクレイトン・カーナガン氏と氏が率いるスタッフがフィルムクルーを受け入れた事
in Higashiyama. Having been featured in a number of snowboard and ski mov- で、徐々に素晴らしいニセコのパウダースノーが知られるきっかけとなりました。
これらのフィルムは世
ies BDL, run by Clayton Kernaghan and his dedicated team (interview p. 19), 界的に配給されていますが、ニセコで撮影されたことがもたらす影響力に世の中はまだ気づかれてい
have quietly made the world aware of the beautiful powder snow in Hokkaido by ないかもしれません。19ページに掲載しているカーナガン氏に関する記事の中で、氏は日本で生活する
hosting various film crews over the years. 上での見識や将来の夢を語られています。
For our travel story, we venture to Japan’s southern islands of Okinawa. 今号の”Travel”特集では日本列島の南部に位置する沖縄にスポットをあてています。歴史的には日
Steeped in both Japanese and Chinese history, Okinawa is a beautiful location 清両属の琉球王国であった沖縄は現在、
ダイビングなどを始めとするビーチリゾートとして知られてい
where many go to swim and dive in the island’s crystal clear, tropical waters. ます。
This is our second last issue for the season – we hope you like it. パウダーライフは次回が最終号となります。今号も本誌をお楽しみください。
Lizzy Hoo, Powderlife, Managing Editor, email lizzy@powderlife.com リズィー・フー, パウダーライフ, 編集長, lizzy@powderlife.com

 VILLAGE NEWS
Local Voices
Name Angela Kennewell Age 30

Hometown Adelaide Company Harmony
Resorts Time in Niseko Four years Ski or
board and for how long? Snowboard, 11
years Favourite restaurant? Torimatsu,
Kutchan Favourite bar? Wild Bill’s, Hirafu
Favourite onsen? Green Leaf Hotel
Favourite ski run? Death May Result,
Rusutsu Local secret? Hot chocolate at
Shunsai Place to ski before you die?
Kashmir, India
Snowmageddon
end of the powder in Niseko. The month finished 名前アンジェラケンウェル年齢 30 歳出身地アデ
off with another huge dump and the sceptics レード、
オーストラリア職場日本ハーモニーリゾー
TO the disgust of powder- couldn’t have been more wrong. トニセコ年数 4年スキー、
スノーボード暦スノーボ
hounds who visited in 2011 now officially holds the snowiest January ード11年お気に入りのレストラン鳥松、倶知安お
since 2005, with over 4 metres of accumulated
December, January’s snow- snowfalls in town. Measurements for the moun-
気に入りのバーワイルドビルズお気に入りの温泉
グリーンリーフホテル好きなゲレンデコースデス・
fall was the stuff of legends. tain are harder to accurately determine, but are マイ・リゾルト、ルスツニセ
SHORTLY after New Year, a massive storm sys- certainly higher. コの秘密ホットチョ
tem came to town bringing with it three straight As you enjoy your fresh daily snow, spare a コ＠旬彩、倶知安
weeks of fresh snow. What followed this daily thought for the poor snow clearers that keep us 死ぬ前に行き
onslaught of fresh snow was four short days of from drowning as well as ski patrol who are up たいスキー場
amazing sunshine and clear skies, as well as a early every morning, even during storms, making カシミア、
イ
few doomsdayers proclaiming that it was the sure the mountain is safe. ンド
MTV COMING TO TOWN
MTV Japan Jam held at Niseko Village will no

doubt be one of the season’s party highlights,
featuring Australian rockers Art vs. Science, DJ Name
Anna Lunoe and MTV Australia’s Erin McNaught Te2 Age 32
(does this mean Ruby Rose is coming?), Dar- Hometown
ren McMullen, Japanese pro riders as well as Hyogo Company
international riders Johnny Lyall, Kale Stephens, Hanazono Park Time in
and Kevin Griffin, this event is something you might Niseko 4 seasons Ski or board and for how
want to clear your schedule for. This is just the first long? Ski, 4 years Favourite restaurant?
announcement; there are more riders/skiers/bands/ Wai Wai, Kutchan Favourite bar? Marukyu-
FEB 20–24 celebrities to be announced. shoten, Kutchan Favourite onsen? Poporo

Favourite ski run? Hanazono Park Local
Australian Ice Hockey secret? Hanazono Park staff are pretty cool
Place to ski before you die? Breckenridge
Colorado, America
OUTDOOR Travel Japan is hosting the U18 National 名前テツ年齢 32歳出身地兵庫県職場花園パ
Australian Ice Hockey team, which will be coming to ークニセコ年数 4シーズンスキー、
スノーボード
Hokkaido on a training camp at the Tomari Ice Centre 暦スキー４年お気に入りのレストランわいわい
from April 3–9 ahead of the World Youth Champion- (倶知安) お気に入りのバーマルキュー商店(倶知
ships being held in Taipei, Taiwan from April 10. Tomari 安) お気に入りの温泉ぽぽろ好きなゲレンデコ
Village is situated on the west coast just 45 minutes ース花園パークニセコの秘密花園パークのスタ
drive from Niseko Hirafu. They are scheduled to play ッフはみんなかっこいい死ぬ前に行きたいスキ
an exhibition game against the Tomakomai Koukyou ー場ブリッケンリッジ　コロラド　アメリカ
High School on April 4 from 9-10am. ¥ Free.

 DISCOVER
Explore NISEKO VILLAGE
NISEKO Village sits between Annupuri

Ski Resort and Niseko Grand Hirafu
with lifts that converge at the top of the
mountain, making it possible to ski in
and ski out of all the resorts.
Dominating the area is the horse-shoe
shaped multi-story hotel, Niseko Hilton at the
base of the gondola. Inside the hotel is an
onsen and several bars and restaurants. Just BACKCOUNTRY photo //glen claydon – the top of mt yotei
up the road, and also connected by a chairlift
to the Niseko Village ski resort, is the freshly
renovated Green Leaf Hotel, it too with its In the never-ending search resort area is a little flat. The same problem exists
own onsen, bars and restaurants. of elusive untracked areas at Niseko Weiss.
to explore, skiers and riders If you aren’t fazed by the prospect of a long day
are searching further and snowshoeing/skinning up mountains, there are

plenty of peaks in the immediate area available
wider to obtain their fix. to hike. The smart money is to go with a guide that
SO, what do you do if you think that the quiet is familiar with the area to make sure you get
phot
o/ resort of Moiwa is too crowded? There is the out safely.
/a
single chairlift resort, Chisenupuri, 15-minutes past If you don’t mind spending the extra cash for the
ar
on
Moiwa – though to get the best out of this small best experience, the prospect of cat skiing is hard
jam
01 resort, you really should hike to the peak as the to beat; fresh lines without the work.
ieson
Basashi – Raw Horse

on
aaron jamies
02 FOR a whole host of reasons, the very suggestion of

//
oto
eating raw horse may stir up a variety of emotions in

03
ph
some people, from disgust to outrage. Some may

feel horse is no different to a sheep or a cow, and
have no problem in eating and enjoying it. But, for
those who object it’s completley understood. So, for
the curious, the meat is incredibly soft, so soft in fact
that it resembles the texture of raw fish; no effort is
required to bite through the flesh. The taste is also
04 quite subtle and pleasant. There are a few restau-
rants where you can try basashi around town, such
01 RIDE one of Niseko’s premier back- as Torimatsu in Kutchan and Rin in lower Hirafu.
country areas, Mizuno-no-sawa. This
terrain is tightly controlled and you have to best of niseko – cast your vote
attend a short talk before going there.
02 SIP on some fine whisky and delicate
hot or cold cocktails at Tomioka White in the
Green Leaf Hotel. Make sure you taste the
THIS is your only opportunity to tell us what
you think about Niseko in Powderlife’s ‘Best of’
WIN
PRIZ
E
signature cocktail! awards. We’ve spiced up the categories a little ANNO S TO BE
UN
03 TAKE a dip in the beautiful Niseko this year: ‘Best Street Food Van’, ‘Best Place for SOON CED
Hilton or Green Leaf onsens. The Hilton a First Date’, ‘Best Coffee’ and ‘Best Bartender’
Onsen often wins ‘Best Onsen’ in Powder- are alongside all the usual categories. Visit www.pow-
life’s ‘Best Of’ awards. derlife.com, spin around twice in your seat, rub your
04 FEAST on a wide-range of options at belly, and look in the top left side of the website and
The Hilton buffet. The lunch buffet only you will find a link. Yes, there will be prizes for all those
costs ¥1500 and is perfect for a ski break. prize pigs out there. We’re not entirely sure what they
are yet, but you can trust us – can’t you? Start voting! ‘Best meal for less than ¥1000? You be the judge!

 IN THE LOOP
FEB 19 20
Flax Showcase pt. 2 Reggae Dance Party
DJ ナイト Tuff Rider @ 与作
DJ Takeshi, Daisuke Act 2, Momo, Fabio and 5th Anniversary party by local group Sonic
Yukio from Sapporo’s best nightclub, Precious Wall. Special guests Power Playerz from
Hall, are coming. ¥1,000 entry (inc. one drink). Tokyo. ¥1,500 entry.
2011
DJが札幌からやってきます。プレシア Sonic wallの結成5周年を記念して、
スホールがワイルドビルズで、ダンス今年初、最強爆音のフルサウンドシ
ミュージックをお送りします。ステム出動させます。エントリー1500
入館料1000円 (ワンドリンク) 円です。
Start // 10:00 pm Start // 9:00 pm
Place // Wild Bill’s Place // Yosaku
Contact // 0136 23 4390
21 23 24
Brick Club Party Night CMH Heli-skiing Pool Tournament
クラブパーティーナイトカナダへリスキー情報ビリヤードトーナメント
Regular club party nights held at The Brick Exclusive Niseko information evenings about Pool Tournament @ Bar Splash – Bar
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. heli-skiing in Canada, includes free arrival Splash’s house rules. ¥1000 entry.
drink. Every Wednesday in February.
ビリヤードのトーナメントをスプラッ
毎週・月・水・金曜日ダンスパーティー。毎週水曜日、J-Sekkaの串にて行なシュでやっちゃいます。腕前を披露で
います。きるこの時をお見逃しなく。
Start // 9:30 pm – very, very late Start // 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Start // 9pm
Place // The Brick Place // Kushi at J-Sekka Place // Bar Splash
Contact // 0136 21 5354 Contact // 0136 55 8228
25 26 27 01
Kutchan Art Exhibition Hanazono Big Air Comp Japanese Reggae Party Ping Pong Tournament
くっちゃんART展2011 ビッグエアーイン花園 Link Up vol. 8 ハーフノート卓球大会
Colourful exhibition featuring many artists Monthly freestyle competition at Hanazono on High-quality reggae dance music party in Who’s going to be the champ? Winner gets a
gathering in this small museum. Exhibition one of Hanazono’s big kickers. Kutchan by local group Sonic Wall. Lift home bottle of sparkling wine and 5 Free Drink Tick-
period February 9th – March 27th. Admission service late night. ¥1,500 entry. ets! Entry Fee 1,000yen (One drink included).
fee: ¥500. キングオブフリースタイルに輝くのは倶知安のBe. にてSonic Wallがお届けチャンピオンになるのは誰か？優勝者
小さな美術館で、多くの作家が集う華誰だ？男女年齢問わず誰でも参加でするダンスパーティーです。お見逃しなにはスパークリングワイン1本とハーフ
やかな展覧会。展示期間2月9日から3 きます。く。エントリー1500円。ノートドリンク券５枚が当たります！参
月27日。入館料500円。加費用は1,000円
（ワンドリンク付き）
Start // 9:00 am to 5 pm // Feb 9th – Mar 27th Start // 9:00 am Start // 9:00 pm Start // 9:00 pm
Place // Shu Ogawara Museum of Art Place // Hanazono Ski Resort Place // Be. (Kutchan) Place // Half Note
Contact // 0136 21 4141 Contact // 0136 23 0913 Contact // 0136 55 8228 Contact // 0136 23 2727
02 03
Free Karaoke Night Hina Matsuri Buffet
無料カラオケナイトひな祭りビュッフェ
MTV
M
Every Wednesday night at Après Bar there is Celebrate Girl’s Day with a ¥2,000, 1.5 hour
all-you-can-eat buffet for girls, or diners with girls JAPAN JA
4
FEB 20–2
free karaoke and ¥400 drinks to help break
the ice. in the group. Reservations required.
毎週水曜日にアプレーバーで無料カラ女性または女性同伴の方限定グラン
オケと400円で飲み物をご提供。ビュンデン食べ放題一時間半 2000
円。予約制です。
Start // 7:30 pm Start // 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm

Place // Après Bar Place // Graubunden
Contact // 080 6081 4242 Contact // 0136 23 3371
04
Toss The Boss MTV JAPAN JAM FEBRUARY 23
トス・ザ・ボス Confirmed for MTV Japan Jam are Australian
Ezo Pub, Hilton Niseko Village: After Ski
music sensations Art vs. Science and DJ Anna
Party. Free admission
Lunoe as well as MTV VJ’s Erin McNaught and
Toss a coin with the bar staff, if you win, the Wild Bill’s, Hirafu: Party featuring DJ Anna
Darren McMullen, and MTV guest Digital Host
drink is free! Dance music later in the night. Lunoe
Mitch Tomlinson.
Plus Japanese pro riders and international FEBRUARY 24
コインゲームでスタッフと対決。 riders Johnny Lyall, Kale Stephens, Kevin Grif- Hilton Niseko Village: Snowboard Competi-
勝ったらフリードリンクゲット。
ダンス fin, Shingo Kawano, and Haroki. tion featuring Pro Riders. Free admission
ミュージックあります。 Hilton Niseko Village: Grand Finale Party
FEBRUARY 22 featuring Art vs. Science and DJ Anna Lunoe
Start // 8:00 pm Ezo Pub, Hilton Niseko Village: After-Ski Live. Free admission
Place // Yeti Bar Party. Free admission
Contact // 080 4040 4470

 SNAP  FLASH
VALE BAR
& GRILL
VALE JAM //
The small car park in front of The
Vale Niseko was transformed for
this competition. There was a solid
turnout, both of competitors and
spectators, who braved the cold to FOR your chance to win
be treated to some great park riding. a Hanazono Powder
WIN
Guides First Tracks
Tours for two, A
WIN
valued at ¥32,000, T E R TO TOUR
EN IDED
answer the following: GU
“What’s your favourite

run at Hanazono and why?”
Send your entry to

Name // kazuma sawada Name // corinne ‘rin’ banks Name // kaori mano
lizzy@powderlife.com
WHAT are you wearing today? Kazuma, from Aomori, WHAT are you wearing today? It’s great to see some WHAT are you wearing today? Tokyoite, Kaori, is in the
has been enjoying the sunshine by riding the park in Hirafu people taking mountain fashion a little less seriously with middle of her six-week vacation in Niseko. She’s loving her Get creative!
in a steezy Pro-Club parker and Grenade pants. great retro fluro fashion. What were they thinking in the 80s? new Volcom outerwear, and frankly so are we.
STACK
Question // What do you love about Niseko?
WIN
ENTE
R
HELM TO WIN
ET A
INSK FROM
I
Cleaven and Emmie from Singapore love being able to LEANNE and Tony O’Dea from Perth, Australia love the powder,
walk around the conveniently sized town in the fresh air. the powder, the powder!
THE BARN
NOJAZZ //
French nu-jazz five piece NoJazz were
back again this year for even more
ENTER TO WIN A HELMET FROM INSKI. funk, bringing with them a new saxo-
SUBMIT your gnarly crash story and the reason why you wear phonist. The band’s electric music
a helmet and/or need a new helmet to ross@powderlife.com. complemented the live performance,
Entries are required to be 100 words or less and must be which was reciprocated by the crowds
ASHLEY Jones from Shanghai loves the saké in the soba hut MAX and Emma Stevens from Hong Kong love how soft accompanied with valid contact information. We will be picking jumping around to the funky sounds.
on the mountain. [ed: boyo-so] and forgiving the powder snow is. That and snowball fights. a winner every two weeks.
15 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com 16 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com
 IRRASHAIMASSE // “welcome!” – great local businesses
EFFECTOR, Hirafu, Gaku and Yuki Nagata KARABINA, Annupuri, Mao Rai
KEEN snowboarder Gaku moved to Niseko 20 years ago because of the LONG-TIME local Mao Rai was 26 years old when he started his izakaya
quality of powder snow. A pro-snowboarder for a long time, Gaku needed Karabina. Born in Niseko Town, Mao grew up in the lodge Sekkokurei-sanso
to find a way to make money so he could stay and snowboard in Niseko, his parents managed and when they started Rakuichi Soba (next door to
so 6 years ago he opened up backpackers Inuneco House. Gaku met his Karabina), Mao took over the running of the lodge before starting his own res-
wife, also a lover of snowboarding, in Niseko and they have since opened taurant. He named his restaurant, which was previously owned by his grand-
Effector, which stocks good-quality Japanese labels. Gaku wants to show mother, after the climbing tool carabiner. Mao loves to cook at his restaurant
Niseko’s international visitors the cool Japanese snow gear and products and makes sure he uses local produce when he can. In the future, he wants
that he used to use when he was a pro, which are all uniquely Japanese in to continue cooking and enjoying Niseko. He hopes that more people come to
their design and quality. enjoy his relaxing restaurant in Annupuri.
エフェクターヒラフ永田学・由紀さん唐火七アンヌプリ頼真生さん

東京出身、地元ニセコのトップスノーボーダー永田学さんは、当時スノーボーダーが数少なかったとい地元ニセコ出身の頼真生さんが、唐火七をオープンされたのが26歳の時、7年前だ。同じ敷地内にあり、
う20年前に、上質のパウダーを求めニセコにやってきた。ニセコに来てから長い間、
プロとして世界中両親が経営されていたペンション雪石嶺山荘にて生まれ育った頼さんは、両親が敷地内にそば楽一を
を滑りながら生計を立てていたが、35歳の時に身を固め、
ここニセコにて滑り続けるために、ゲストハウオープンされた後、
自身がペンションの切り盛りをされていた。ペンションに泊まりに来るお客さんたち
スINUNECO HOUSEを6年前にオープンした。そしてニセコで出会った大阪出身の奥さん、由紀さんもまに、ゆっくりと食事やお酒を楽しめる場所を提供したいと、以前祖母が住んでいた家を改築してお店を
た、ニセコの雪に見せられたスノーボーダーだ。今シーズンから二人は、
プロ時代からサポートしてくれ始めたという。唐火七という名は、
クライミングの道具の一つカラビナにちなんで名付けられた。頼さん
ている日本ブランドのスノーギアを取り扱うお店EFFECTORをヒラフにオープンされた。
日本製でこだわの提供する食事は、ニセコの地元食材が盛りだくさん、冬は魚の干物やポテトフライが特にお勧めだと
りを持った職人たちが作る本物のJAPANESE QUALITYと、新しい世代の日本人デザインの良さをニセのこと。生まれ育ったニセコが大好きで、今でもほぼ毎日スキーに出掛ける頼さんは、

アンヌプリはヒラ
コに訪れる多くの海外からの観光客に知ってほしいと語った。お店の中は、永田さんのセンスが光る品フより静かで、本当に山や雪の好きな面白い人が集まってくる特別な土地、そんなアンヌプリに来て、緩
揃えで、海外からの観光客ばかりではなく、
日本人スノーボーダーの多くも足を運んでいる。やかに流れる時間を、お店の真ん中にある自慢の薪ストーブの暖かさと共に過ごしてほしいと話した。
Ski in, ski out
dining and bar.
Live apres music and happy
hour drinks, twice a week!
ヴェイルバーアンドグリル
Food served all day from 7am.
Ph +81 (0)136 21 5833
nisekoalpineaccommodation.com
FEATURE // clayton kernaghan words by // lizzy hoo translation by // yuri pangier
W
ATCHING snow go 『ターンをする度に雪が頭に舞い降り、 Teine, a resort outside of Sapporo, きそうなビジネスの可能性を思いつい Hokkaido, Clayton’s original idea いですね。そうすると他のリゾート、例え of this movie, Swedish, Spanish, スペイン、イタリア、ベルギー、フィンラン
over your head with ゴーグルに積もった雪をはらいのける。 in between classes. “Teine is where た。自国カナダを日本のスノーボーダー to take snowboarders to Canada ばルスツ、キロロ、モイワ、チセンヌプリ Italian, Belgian, Finnish, Australian ド、オーストラリア、カナダの映画関係者
each turn, clearing it 口を開けようものなら喉の奥まで粉雪が my heart is. That’s my favourite に紹介することだ。
「当時、私にはビジネ quickly changed. Now, he wants などに行きたいという気持ちがうせてし and Canadian film crews have stayed がBDLに宿泊したという。なぜなら氏な
from your goggles and choking 入り込む』。
これこそがニセコでしか経験 for sure… the terrain’s good, it’s スに使えるコネクション、資金、日本語能 people to come here. When asked まいます」。 at the BDL because Clayton knows ら彼らがどこへ行きたいのか、
どこで滑
on the bits that got caught in できない極上のパウダースノーであり、多 close to Sapporo, you can get four 力がありませんでした。そのためにまず what BDL symbolizes to Clayton, このようなカーナガン氏のパウダースノ where they want to go and what they りたいのか分かるからだ。
「時に映画関
the back of your throat, are the くの人々を魅了し続けているものである。 hours of riding in then go to work.” 日本へ行き、コネクションを作り、日本語 he answers, “BDL is a ski lodge by ー、
リゾートに対する強い思いはお客様 want to hit. “I might not spin it as 係者はパウダースノーを撮ろうと必死に
kinds of unique experiences 午後5時、
ブラックダイヤモンドロッジ（以 Satisfied with the snowboarding, but を学ぶ。そしてお金をためてから札幌に skiers and snowboarders for serious のBDL滞在中における素晴らしい経験 much as they do, but I know what なります。私はそこまで必死にはなりま
that stamp Niseko into the 下BDL）には一日中ニセコの雪を楽しん unfulfilled by his English teaching job, 移ろうと計画しました」。 skiers and snowboarders. We’ve got につながり、また氏の地域に関する知 they want. And I love doing that せんが、彼らが何を欲しているのかは分
「 “
memories of many who visit. だスキーヤー、スノーボーダー達が帰っ Clayton was ready to move on until 始めの半分は計画通りだったカーナガ a lot of space around so people feel かります。
こういう仕事をするのは本当
Look around Black Diamond てくる。彼らは疲れてはいるが、笑顔が顔 a friend introduced him to a lodge ン氏。札幌では諸学校、後には大学で英 like it’s a ski lodge. We don’t want に好きですね」。
Lodge at about 5:00 pm, after 中に広がっている。そして、大得意にその that was for sale near his favourite 語を教えた。授業の合間には札幌近郊 you to buy a week’s pass for Niseko カーナガン氏の知識とホスピタリティー
BDLは真剣にスキー、 BDL is a ski lodge by
guests have returned from a 日どれだけパウダースノーと格闘したの part of Niseko, the Higashiyama にある手稲リゾートに通った。
「手稲は思 because then you won’t feel inclined は確実に外国人のニセコへの興味をひ
day’s skiing or snowboarding, かを話し始める。お客様の疲労と笑顔が Gondola, which unfortunately い入れが深い場所です。お気に入りのリ to go to Rusutsu, Kiroro, Moiwa or
スノーボードをする人たち skiers & snowboarders きつけている。地域をPRするにあたって
のためにスキーヤーと
」
and you’ll discover tired bodies, 飛び交う中、BDLオーナーであるクレイト closed just after he and his ゾートと言ってもいいかな。地理的にも Chisennupuri, for example.” for serious skiers & の氏の影響力は世界的には気づかれな
ボーダーが創りあげる snowboarders.
”
ear-to-ear smiles and witness ン・カーナガン氏はお客様の一人一人が wife Ayami bought the 札幌から近く便利でしたね。４時間滑っ This yearn to allow others to get いかもしれない。
しかし、雪深い北海道
elated conversations about how 楽しい一日を過ごせたのか、スノーギア lodge. てから仕事に行くことも可能でしたから the best experiences out of their stay スキーロッジの価値を知ってもらうことこそが氏の求
the snow would blanket them ーを紛失していないかを確かめる。そし After living in ね」。スノーボードに関しては満足してい and to see what he already knows める本来の目標だ。
「日本、北海道、ニセ
with each explosive movement. て、自身の仕事である皿洗いを済ませたたが、英語教師という職業では十分に氏 about the area is the driving force 識こそがBDLの原動力になっている。だ with them.” コには多くの可能性があります。それに
In amongst the smiles and 後、時間があればナイターに行く。の力を発揮できなかったと言う。
「ニセコ behind the BDL. It’s also the reason からこそ、冬場にさまざまな映画関係者 Clayton’s know-how and 気づいて欲しいです。私はここ、ニセコに
exhausted guests, you may well 「皿洗いは人生で初めて経験した仕事。東山のゴンドラ近くのロッジが売りに出 why 7–8 film crews frequent BDL が7、8グループもBDLの宿泊を希望す hospitality has no doubt attracted 何か新しい風を吹き込みたいです。日本
find owner Clayton Kernaghan でも今でも同じ事をしている」
と、カーナている」
と友人の一人が教えてくれた時、 during the winters. The Poorboyz る。Poorboyz Productionsが2008年に a lot of foreign interest in Niseko. 文化、欧米文化、両方の良さを引き出し、
checking to see if everyone was ガン氏は笑った。氏の典型的な冬場のもう次へ進む準備はできていたという。 Productions 2008 movie Reasons, リリースした“Reason”（JP・オークレア、 His influence in the area’s promotion 文化をうまく融合するために働き、その
happy with their day, making スケジュールは朝6時半から始まる。しかし、不運にも氏と妻のあやみさん featuring skiers JP Auclair and Chris クリス・ベンチェトラー出演）ではニセコ on the world stage perhaps goes 架け橋になりたいです」。
sure everyone has their gear, 朝食の準備、日に何度もしなけれがロッジを購入した後にゴンドラは Benchetler, opens with an exterior の典型的な雪景色と共にBDLの外観が unnoticed, but deep down, showing ロッジ、
レンタルカー会社の運営、時折す
washing dishes and, if he’s ばならない雪かきなど、ロッジ運クローズされた。 shot of the BDL during a typical オープニングに使われている。
このフィ the world what Hokkaido has to offer る自動車の輸出業、そして息子ユタ君の
got time, getting ready for 営に関するさまざまな仕事を北海道に住むようになってから snowy Niseko day. Since the release ルムがリリースされた後、スウェーデン、 is his underlying goal. “I want to help お父さん業と、カーナガン氏の人生は大
a night ride. する。自分の商売を持つとカーナガン氏の『カナダを日
“Washing dishes was my first job いうことは、むしろ休む暇本のスノーボーダーに紹
ever and my last job,” laughs Clayton もないことだと氏は認介する』
という夢はすぐ
whilst explaining his typical winter める。お客様が山かに変わった。
『多くの
day, which starts at 6:30 am and ら帰って来て、夕人々に日本に来て
can involve anything from cooking 食サービスがもらいたい』へと。
breakfast for the guests to snow 始まるまで「BDLが象徴
clearing several times a day. Clayton の30分間。するものと
admits that there’s no rest time when この時は何か」
you own your own business. Kindly, 間にという
in between waiting for guests to 氏問い
return and dinner service to start, he に
has taken 30 minutes out of his busy
schedule to ponder his life in Japan,
the Niseko area and what he wants
for the future.
First visiting Japan 14 years
ago, to help out a Kiwi guy who was
exporting cars, Clayton realised a
connection with Japan and thought 氏
of a potential business – to take ははこ
Japanese snowboarders to Canada, 日本う答え
his homeland. “Then I didn’t have での生た。
「BDL
any connections, no money or any 活、ニセは真剣にス
Japanese ability. I figured コの将来のキー、スノーボ
I would come here, and get some 為に何ができードをする人た
connections learn some Japanese るのかをゆっくりちのためにスキー
and save some money and move 考える。ヤー／スノーボーダ
to Sapporo.” 日本へ初めて来たのはーが創るスキーロッジ。
He stayed true to the first part of 14年前。ニュージーランドスキーロッジだからこそ閑
his plan. Whilst living in Sapporo and 人で自動車の輸出業を営む散とした広い場所に建ってい
teaching English at schools then later 友人を手伝うのが目的だった。ます。お客様にはニセコのウィ
at university, Clayton used to visit すぐにカーナガン氏は日本ででークパスのみを購入して欲しくな
continued from previous page
FEATURE // clayton kernaghan
Niseko and Japan and Hokkaido 忙しである。冬場にはどうにか自分の時 his son Utah last summer. “Waking とだったりする。ニセコの素晴らしいパウ
realise it’s full potential. 間を持つ事ができると氏は言う。
「昨晩、 up with a happy baby boy is ダースノーでの楽しみ方を発見するため
I hope I can make a change here. ナイターに行って1時間半滑りました。穏 awesome. It gives you a reason to のカーナガン氏のアドバイスはこうであ
I want to be able to be the guy who やかな良い時間を過ごせました。本当に work harder – and something to work る。
「バックカントリーをするべき。バック
bridges the best of Japanese culture 忙しい一日の最後に腰の高さまであるパ towards. Everything that I’ve been カントリーに関しての知識があるなら一
and the best of western culture and ウダースノーを楽しむ。
この時間こそ人 getting bored with I can introduce 人でも行けます。そうでないならガイドと
mix them together.” 生の中で平和を見いだせる瞬間です。一 to somebody new. And showing 一緒に同行するのを勧めます。バックボ
In between attending to guests, 人でナイターに行くときこそね」。 someone something new and putting ールを滑って、あまり知られていないリゾ
running his car rental business, 雪かき、皿洗い、緊急事態への対処 — こ a smile on their face is awesome.” ートを開拓してみてはどうでしょうか。そ
exporting the occasional car れらを頑張れるのはお客様の笑顔や感 Everyday in winter, guests of の他、ニセコだけではなく日本の事も知
overseas and being a dad to his baby 謝が嬉しいからだけではなく、夏に生ま BDL discover new things, whether って欲しいですね。大阪や札幌みたいな
boy Utah, Clayton’s life is seemingly れたばかりの息子の存在も大きい。
「朝 it is the experience of a fresh run, 大都市に行くのもいいですね。食べ物や
hectic. But during the winter, he 起きてハッピーな赤ちゃんの顔を見られ their first backcountry trip, a huge 温泉もね。パウダースノーだけじゃもった
manages, somehow, to find time for る、
これ以上に幸せなことはないですね。 pillow to jump off or a nighttime いないよ」。
himself. “Last night, I went out on 息子の存在があるから一生懸命頑張れ powder run. Clayton’s advice for
a ‘nighter’ and I got an hour and half る。同じ事ばかりでつまらないと感じてい those on their quest to discovering T. 0136-44-1144
in and that was peaceful; waist-deep たことでもほかの人には新しく感じられ Niseko’s incredible snow is that of E. reservations@bdlodge.com
powder after a really really hectic ることがある。そのように私の知っている a man who knows the area well: W. www.bdlodge.com
day. That’s where I find peace in life. 物事を人々に教え、彼らの顔に笑顔が見 “Hit the backcountry. If you’re
Getting out at night by myself.” えた時は本当に嬉しいですね」。 knowledgeable do it by yourself.
His motivations to clear the snow 冬シーズン、毎日のようにBDLのお客様 If you’re not, hire a guide. Ski the
again, wash the dishes or tend to an は何か新しい物事を発見する。それらは back bowls, check out some of the
emergency are not only the smiles 初めてパウダースノーを体験することだ lesser-known resorts. Visit one of
on satisfied customers faces and ったり、初めてのバックカントリーだった the bigger cities – go to Sapporo or
the genuine thanks he receives as り、大きな雪塊からジャンプすることだっ Osaka. Also, the food and onsens –
guests leave, but also the arrival of たり、ナイターでパウダースノーを滑るこ it’s not just the powder.”
we
 EAT & DRINK
BOYO-SO
Christie Dowling from The Daily Flake (www.thedailyflake.com) lets us in
on her favourite things to eat and drink in Niseko.
THERE is small shack hidden in plain sight
a few hundred metres uphill from the
Cof fee , Rh ythm

Hirafu gondola station, and if it weren’t
by Kis ato from Glo ori ous
Large ski nny mo cha made for the flags flying outside, you’d be
Sno ws ports forgiven for not giving it a second glance.
llop s at J-S ekk a
bac on and Hok kaido sca
Anyth ing Kim doe s wit h
Inside is a restaurant, which feels more
like a dining room centred around a giant
Bar n
Wh ite Liver Patè from The fireplace than a cafeteria. Boyo-so serves
m Vale Bar and Gri ll
Ses ame Cruste d Tun a fro
up a variety of Japanese style foods, from
soba and udon to pork cutlet curry. It’s
m Eny a in Ku tch an
Any kin d of yak ito ri fro not the easiest restaurant to get to on the
ekk a Caf e
e select ion ava ilable at J-S
The ent ire che ese and win
mountain, but as the old adage goes, with
Ezo Seafoo ds effort comes reward, and the reward is a
ska n King Cra b leg s from
Oys ters, sashim i and Ala great meal in nice ambience.
s
ot noi r from Nis eko Cel lar
A tas ty New Zea lan d pin
MARIPOSA MUFFINS
RECIPE // mineharu samu – wild bill’s OFTEN people say that homemade food
is made with love. The muffins that
Yamamoto-san makes in her small shop
(built by her husband) across the road from
Jam Bar in Upper Hirafu are also made
with great skill. There is a variety of sweet
muffins like Blueberry Custard, Banana
Caramel, Orange Cheesecake and more
unusual savoury creations like Mushroom
and Chili Con Carne. I was sceptical about
these maverick muffin combinations, but
they truly are amazing and really deserve to
be tried. Small bite-sized muffins are only
¥220, with larger muffins selling for ¥400.
ZANGI ‘STRANGE’ JAPAN
Ingredients: A Hokkaido twist on kara-age, the popular

Japanese-style of fried chicken, with Wild Bill’s WESTERN media often portrays what
• Locally sourced chicken thigh chef Samu-san adding his own ponzu dipping is ‘normal’ in Japan as slightly ‘odd’ or
• Potato starch sauce twist. Delicious. perhaps even ‘weird’. Sure, there are some
Marinade crazy fashion trends and oddball shows
• 1 clove of garlic Method: on TV, but generally there isn’t anything
• 1 small piece of ginger that strange in Japan. Unless you consider
• 3 tbs soy sauce 1. Cut the chicken thigh into bite-sized pieces Kit-Kats with flavours such as rock melon,
• 1 tsp sesame oil 2. Mix marinade ingredients together and grilled corn, vegetable juice, sports drink,
• 1 tsp mirin (味醂 rice wine for cooking) marinate for 5 minutes soy sauce or wasabi weird. Or, small
• 2 tbs saké 3. Add some potato starch and mix through caramel candies that are flavoured like jin-
Dipping sauce 4. Fry at 170˚C in oil gisukan (BBQ Lamb) to be strange. If these
• Grated daikon (giant white radish) 5. Mix the dipping-sauce ingredients and dip unique snacks are appealing to your sense
• Ponzu (type of citrus) soy sauce your zangi into this of adventure, then you can find some of
• Scallions 6. Eat and enjoy! these at souvenir stores in town.
 RESTAURANT REVIEW // country grill
WORDS BY // lizzy hoo PHOTOGRAPHY BY // aaron jamieson – niseko photography
OUR waiter is wearing something you as our Black Pepper Ezo Venison
Steak in Red Wine Sauce arrives.
don’t often see in a ski town – a perfectly Best enjoyed medium rare, the piece
pressed suit. When paired with a lime- of venison we are about to devour
is from Hokkaido and is cut from
green tie and purple shirt, we get the feel- the hind leg, making it extremely
ing that he means business. lean, yet tender. Rich and complex,
the red-wine sauce dripping off the
AND he does. Backing up the suit divulges a selection of meats stack of venison complements the
with precision service, our waiter including everything from scallops, meat’s robust flavour. This dish is
at new Niseko locale Country Grill roast chicken, grilled rib-eye to pork also served with potatoes and a side
makes sure we try the best of steaks, lamb, venison and duck salad and, just like the rib-eye, it’s
the menu. breast. If you’re in need of a serious eaten in its entirety right down to the
Quiet, hidden and relatively protein or steak fix, Country Grill is last smear of red wine sauce.
undiscovered, Country Grill is in your answer. Clearing the plates, our suited-up
its first winter of operation and is A juicy rib-eye steak is brought to waiter need not ask how the meal
headed up by Niseko Pizza owner the table. The steak sits atop was – the practically clean plates
Cezar. Looking for a change of a bed of fried local potatoes and speak for our satisfaction.
pace, Cezar has escaped the hustle next to a neat bundle of fresh salad. To finish the meal off, we opt
of Hirafu and has moved his cooking The steak is topped with sweet for with a Warm Chocolate Fondat
skills five minutes away. Although, gravy, which is pushed around the with Gelato. It’s light creamy and
when you’re sitting in this quiet plate with every bite until there isn’t perfectly matched with an espresso.
restaurant, you may well feel like you any left.
have travelled miles. Waiting for the next dish, we are Booking Information //
The name of the restaurant gives envious of the plates being delivered T. 0136 55 5123
a fair indication of what’s on offer to our neighbour’s table. Juicy Breakfast: 7:30–10:30 am
here. However, with Cezar at the pieces of duck breast on one dish Dinner: 5:00–10:00 pm
helm, you can expect more than and perfectly stacked lamb pieces Pick-up/drop-off service available
just a humble steak. The menu on the other. This jealousy subsides www.nisekocountryresort.com
 TASTE THE REGION // kurabitoshu sake
THE plummeting price of rice sisted using natural alternatives

during the 1990s forced Niseko such as the organic duck-farming
rice farmers to produce a higher- method (pictured), which supports
quality product or risk losing the area’s ‘Yes Clean’ scheme.
their livelihood. Having only ever Ducklings are used to keep the rice
reached a B in terms of rice qual- paddies free from pests and weeds
ity, this posed a tough situation during the rice-growing season,
for farmers. and enhance the quality of the soils
The local Niseko government naturally. The ducks reach maturity
then assisted farmers in creating a just before the rice and are sold as
higher standard of rice. What also meat locally over the winter period.
resulted from the high-quality rice is One sip of Kurabitoshu Sake
an exceptional sake made from lo- is much more than having a warm-
cal ingredients, Kurabitoshu Sake. ing drink on a chilly winter’s night.
The sake maker, Tanaka Shuzo, is The people behind each cup of
just as committed to the produc- sake believe in every step of its
tion of an excellent end product as production, from growing the rice
the farmers are to growing the rice. to when it’s bottled.
Shuzo-san has a long history with The farmers’ wishes are simple:
the group and uses 100% Niseko- to keep producing high-quality rice,
grown rice for his sake. which then translates to excep-
The growth of the rice is as- tional sake. CONTACT // Tourism and Industry Division, Hokkaido, Niseko Town,
Aza Fujimi47 Japan. T. 0136 44 2121. Ask for Paul.
Brought to you by
 POWDER POSTER LOCATION nakayama – hokkaido backcountry // PHOTOGRAPHY joey corcoran // BOARDER allie coates
 EYE SPY // art and culture in japan
Oriental Carpet
DURING the Meiji period,

dantsu rugs were one of
Japan’s most important
exports to The West.
KEEPING this tradition alive is Oriental Carpet
Mills Co. Ltd. rugs. Its products are housed in
prominent locations such as the embassies of
various countries and the National Theatre of
Japan, as well as the Imperial Palace and Ja-
pan’s State Guest Houses. The company has
also fulfilled overseas orders from places such
as the Vatican Palace and Roosevelt Memorial
Hall in the United States.
In 1935, with the help of seven craftsmen

from China, Oriental Carpet Mills Co. Ltd. was
established and introduced carpet craft into a
small city in northern Japan, Yamanobe. Since
then, this company has been been produc-
ing high-quality handmade carpets and rugs
featuring a Japanese sense of beauty. The
WORKS BY // tamami kaizawa factory is more like an artisan’s studio; all of
the processes including procurement, spin-
ning, designing, dying and weaving are done
AINU patterns
by the craftsmen.
GLOBALLY, indigenous cultures struggle to pass on their The design of this carpet (picture below) sug-
gests a depth as boundlesss as a seascape.
cultures and traditions. Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu The delicate subtleties in yarn pigment and
people are no different. highly skilled weaving techniques have en-
abled the creators to replicate an image
like that of a photograph.This piece works
KEEPING the spirit of the Ainu people alive today Ainu design. The only way to learn the style of not only as a carpet, but also as a
and creating a new stage for the culture tomorrow is patterns is to copy them; Tamami has copied hanging tapestry.
Tamami Kaizawa, a creator/designer from Nibutani over 100 kimonos to teach herself the basics of
in Hokkaido. By copying the pattern of old kimono’s, Ainu design.
Tamami captures the essence of her ancestors In order to create her first Ainu-inspired design, @ www.oriental-carpet.jp
designs in modern contemporary fashions. she talked at great length with the people from
Tamami combines the traditional designs of the her district and read many textbooks on the Ainu
Ainu people together with bright colours to create culture and Ainu people. This process fuelled her
garments and accessories that have a fresh new interest in her culture and identity as an Ainu and
look and feel to them. The colours, no matter how gave her the courage and inspiration to become an
bright, come together in perfect harmony and the Ainu designer.
designs have an energising flow to them. Later, Tamami returned to Nibutani to the
During her 20s, Tamami studied interior Ainu School of the Arts and was praised for
design and then went out on her own as a her meticulous attention to detail. It was here
designer. Nature is a great source of inspiration in Nibutani that Tamami learned for herself that
to Tamami and it provides great energy in her it was okay to be Ainu and it was okay to feel
designs. Talking to her, you get the feeling proud about her culture and heritage. Returning to
that she is as natural as the area from which Sapporo, she started to teach classes at University
she comes, at the forefront and constantly and this year will see her working with Ainu
breaking new barriers with her design. Today, patterns in design for 12 years.
carpet or hanging tapestry
there are not many people skilled in the craft of @ http://g-mozart.jp
 SNOW CAVES// kado advertising promotion
KADO
SOAKING in a bath after a day on the

slopes is the perfect remedy for tired
and sore legs. But what could make this
relaxing experience even more special?
LOOKING out to a sunken zen in size. Children could easily use the
garden during your soak and reclining second living room, which also has
in a massage chair afterwards. All a small kitchen, as a games room
of which can be done in Kado – a or to watch a movie on their own.
stunning Sekka-designed home. The main living room, adjacent to
Kado is in Hirafu’s lower village and the spacious kitchen, is warmed by
is suited to both summer and winter the open fireplace and has beautiful
getaways. With panoramic views views of Mount Yotei. The living
of Mount Yotei, Kado is a luxurious room’s main features are the views
retreat that can sleep 10 people. With and the home cinema, where you
all the style and sophistication of a can comfortably enjoy a movie with
Shouya Grigg designed house, this every guest in the house.
spacious residence expands over Here, you can awaken to the sun
four levels and has four ensuited rising over Mount Yotei. Kado is also
bedrooms (two larger bedrooms and close to the shuttle service and is far
two smaller bedrooms) as well as two enough away from the village to enjoy Booking Information
rooms perfect for nannies downstairs. peace and quiet, but close enough Contact Shouya / office@sekkastyle.com
As well as spacious bedrooms, to take advantage of the the upper- Telephone +81 908 274-4814
there are two living areas, which differ village attractions. www.sekkastyle.com
 POWDER TOOLS
PIEPS FREERIDE BEACON ANON FIGMENT 40LOVE NORDICA JAH LOVE

AVAILABLE @ NISEKO 343, HIRAFU AVAILABLE @ RHYTHM SNOWSPORTS, HIRAFU AVAILABLE @ PROSKI, HIRAFU
www.niseko343.com www.skihirejapan.com/niseko/ www.proski.com
 1000 WORDS
If a picture tells 1000 words, then here’s 3000 words to help you get
a better understanding of this awesome place we call home.
photo glen claydon // location mt. yotei // rider simon ramsay
BURTON NUG OAKLEY KARING JACKET GIRO ENCORE 2

AVAILABLE @ PROSKI, HIRAFU AVAILABLE @ FUSION SPORTS STORE, HIRAFU AVAILABLE @ INSKI, HIRAFU
www.proski.com www.hanazononiseko.com www.inski.com.au
What’s on your playlist? First IMpression
IT was close call for James at Yeti Bar when he 1// The Chemical Brothers // Modern Midnight Conversation
decided on the winner for this issue’s ski shot. 2// Gorillaz // Stylo
The deciding factor? A Black Eyed Peas song. 3// The Presets // Yippyo-ay
4// Grafton Primary // I Can Cook (Miami Horror remix)
If you want to win a ski shot from YETI BAR for
5// Daft Punk // Encore
you and four friends (or five shots for yourself)
6// The Chemical Brothers // Escape Velocity
email your playlist (note: James ‘the juror’ does
7// Shapeshifter // Electric Dream
not like the Black Eyed Peas) 8// Tube & Berger // Strait Ahead
to ross@powderlife.com 9// Deadmau5 // Not Exactly
10// M83 // We Own The Sky
Name: Meeka Mallon.
Nationality: Australian.
Ski or snowboard? Snowboard, 2 years.

t
Baz’s Playlis Why Niseko? Some friends visited and
claimed it was the best snow in the world, so I
wanted to visit.
First thoughts? I was a bit surprised at how

many Australians are here!
Something that made you look/think twice?

The complexity of the garbage recycling system.
Going anywhere else in Japan? Definitely

going to Tokyo, and hopefully Kyoto too.
photo glen claydon // location hirafu // skier christie dowling photo glen claydon // location country resort // rider unknown
 REAL ESTATE NEWS by lizzy hoo
AGENT PROFILE
THE VALE FURANO UPDATE
Name Ruskin McLennan Agency Niseko
Property How is business in Niseko? Better
LIKENED to Niseko circa 2002, Furano is one of There are four apartments sold so far to pioneering than I anticipated this winter. I thought the
Japan’s emerging new international ski destinations. Australian buyers who like the underdeveloped feel strong yen would dampen the market. This
At this stage, the area lacks the accommodation of Furano. “The Aussie buyers like lack of foreign- winter we have sold over 4.5 million USD worth
expected of international ski tourists and investors. ers/foreign influence, a more Japanese experience of Hirafu stock. What’s your forecast for
The Vale Furano, sister hotel of The Vale Niseko, and proximity of ski hill in a big town.” Says Julian 2011? More interest in big blocks of land in the
is starting to change this. A joint venture between Bailey of HTRD. With developments such as The area around Niseko Town. Sales of some of the
Hokkaido Tracks Resort Development and Nisade, Vale Furano, brought to you by two of Niseko’s excess stock of apartments as the next phase
The Vale Furano is experiencing a sales pattern alpine development pioneers, Furano will become of development in Niseko will be priced sub-
similar to the beginning of Niseko’s expansion. an attractive option for ski tourists and investors. stantially higher. What projects in Niseko are
you excited about? Hinode Hill in Higashiya-
ma. YTL have the contacts, marketing budget
and expertise to provide a five-star experience
in Niseko Village. From what countries are
interested buyers coming from? China,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia,
Australia and Malaysia. What type of real-
estate investment would you recommend
to buy in Niseko? Land is always a good
investment, but I think you have to have be
patient and take a long-term view. What
are your words of wisdom for potential
buyers? Do your homework and be patient;
ask questions about the management of your
NEW DEVELOPMENT – AKAZORA property and the liquidity of your property when
you decide to sell. Are the guaranteed returns
sustainable, or are they being paid from your
NEW to the market is Akazora, located on one of and price points have already made this develop- capital? What do you think will make more
Hirafu’s most popular nightlife streets Momiji-zaka. ment attractive to investors – only 19 units remain people come to Niseko? A higher standard
Soon-to-be released to the Japanese market ex- available, ranging in size from 57–87 sqm. Akazora of service will bring more people to Niseko.
clusively by LJ Hooker (it’s already been released in is being developed and managed by Niseko Resorts I think we still have a way to go in that area.
Singapore and Malaysia), Akazora features 26 apart- Group, who have built and managed 30 chalets in
ments – 4 studios, 10 one-bedroom and 12 two- the Country Resort development near Hirafu Village (Image: Yamashizen Penthouse, ¥89,000,000)
bedroom apartments. The size of the apartments in Niseko over the past three years.

Alpen Hotel
FT Prince
LI
IR Hirafutei
PA Hotel
Y
IL
M
FA Park Hotel
E
AC
 REAL ESTATE NEWS // niseko buyer profiles ra

f u-
Zak
a
St
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St
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Alpen Ridge ak
Seicomart a-Z
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193-7 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho, SkiJapan.com
ROUTE
343
Hokkaido Japan 044-0081 HQ
Alpen Ridge 104 Alpen Ridge 202 Kira Kira 2nd Floor
¥35,000,000 S 1 1 ¥45,000,000 1.5 1 1 ¥85,000,000 4 3 1
Split level charming 2 bedroom property within Ski-in ski-out, luxury slope side, one bedroom Spacious studio & 3 bedrooms apartment now
close reach of the ski field, many restaurants and apartment with spectacular views looking offer an exclusive package deal. Fantastic
bars. Provides solid returns. directly down on the Ace Family chairlift. opportunity to purchase an entire floor.
LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village
FLOOR AREA: 32m² FLOOR AREA: 59m² FLOOR AREA: 160 m²
KATE AND SUZHER // the escarpment PHILLIP AND NICOLE // akari LYNDALL, GUY & FIONA // shirokuma & big
COUNTRY // hong kong COUNTRY // hong kong valley COUNTRY // australia
Alpine Apartments 2C Alpen Estate Glasshouse
Alpine Apartments 2C
WHAT made you fall in love with the Niseko WHAT made you fall in love with the Niseko WHAT made you fall in love with the Niseko ¥80,000,000 3 3 1 from ¥5,000,000 LAND ¥80,000,000
¥250,000,000 3 3 2
1
area? We were bowled over by the beauty of it area? Fantastic snow, clean air, great food and area? We love the ‘winter wonderland’ combined
here. The variety of pistes is amazing and we love a good mix of international people and Japa- with the wonderful food and the friendly people.
the quaint small town and little Japanese restau- nese locals. Do you have a family? Yes, I have And then there was the most important factor –
rants. Do you have a family? Suzher my husband been married to my wife Nicole for 13 years and the awesome powder and no queues! Best snow
and my three girls, Jade 13, Katya 11, Tatiana 6. I have a girl of 11 and boy of 10, they love the in the world and so convenient for us to get to
How did you first hear about Niseko? We’d heard area in winter and summer. How did you first compared to Canada, Colorado or Europe. Do Ski-in Ski-out, Western style bedrooms arranged over Two minutes drive to the Ace Family Chairlift. An iconic
Ski-in Ski-out,
house
Western
in Niseko.
style bedrooms
This property
arranged
showcases
over
from a number of friends who had started to come hear about Niseko? Friends who had skied here you have a family? One son 23, and an 18-year two levels with a large lounge and dining space. Has These blocks are ready for you to start building. two tranquility
the levels with &
a large
beautylounge
of its and
environs,
diningyet
space.
it is within
Has
a large ski/snowboard storage on the ground floor. All blocks have great view of Mr Yotei. a large
close reach
ski/snowboard
of the ski field
storage
andonHirafu
the ground
amenities.
floor.
here. We were intrigued because it was quite close before told us about the resort. Describe what old daughter. My brother (part owner) with three LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village LOCATION: St Moritz 2 LOCATION: Lower Upper Hirafu Village
from Hong Kong. Describe what owning a house owning a house in this area means to you? children plus a sister (part owner) with two teenag- FLOOR AREA: 135m² LAND SIZE: From 353m² FLOOR AREA: 270m² 135m²
in this area means to you? Everything about this Knowing we have a peaceful home that we can ers. How did you first hear about Niseko? Some
house is what intrigues me about Japan – it’s clean, travel to easily and frequently is a new experi- friends had originally been up here, bought a house Berg House Seseragi Residences Alpen Ridge 205
the attention to detail, the love and care that has ence for our family and it allows us to experience and raved about the powder snow – years ago ¥250,000,000 2 1 1 ¥130,000,000 4 4 1 ¥45,000,000 1 1 1
gone into building; this house is very much what we another way of life in a very friendly community. now. Describe what owning a house in this area
feel around here. Are you working – what do you Are you working – what do you do? I have been means to you? Rest and relax or ski every day! A
do? I work in investment banking for Morgan and importing and exporting a diversified range of wonderful family holiday destination as my teenage
Stanley – I run the Asia Pacific Investment Banking. products into and out of Asia since 1994. After children also love being here. Has a minor added
What is the purpose of your home in Niseko? travelling for many years I am now trying to spend benefit of escaping from our very hot summer
We never like to rent. We much prefer to own some- more time with my family. What is the purpose weather at home and being in the same time zone
thing. It’s a good investment for our own emotional of your home in Niseko? To enjoy life and spend as home makes working from here very easy, if Located in the heart of Hirafu Village. This iconic A new development, designed by Rriccardo Tossani, Luxury one bed Ski-in Ski-out apartment with
house built 8 years ago has tremendous value consists of 2 beautiful four-bedroom homes with ga- village views. The best location in the resort and
experience and family. What are your hobbies? as much time as we can here and hopefully learn that is what you need. Looking forward to enjoying for both rental and residential re-development. rages. Within walking distance of all Niseko amenities. high occupancy rate.
We love cycling, skiing, walking and hiking as a some Japanese. What are your hobbies? I love some time in summer up here soon, as it is meant LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village LOCATION: Middle Hirafu Village LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village
FLOOR AREA: 236m² FLOOR AREA: 202m² FLOOR AREA: 58m²
family. What do your children like about the area? to ski the powder, eat in great restaurants, cycling to be beautiful also. Are you working – what do
That they’re in ski school and meeting people, and and triathlon, and my wife loves golf. What do you do? Company Director. What is the purpose
their friends are coming more and more. They love your children like about the area? The freedom of your home in Niseko? Lifestyle choice. What Landmark
Alpine Apartments
View 5012C Yuki Sawa Yama Shizen West Penthouse
hiking, cycling and skiing together. Do you prefer to do as they please; they love to ski and in the are your hobbies? Photography, travelling, fish- ¥68,000,000
¥80,000,000 3 3
2 1
0 ¥46,000,000 3 3 1 ¥89,000,000 3 3 1
to spend time in your home here or get involved summer there are a lot of children who they can ing, cycling, reading and of course skiing! What
with the activities on offer? I hear there are other run around with. Do you prefer to spend time in do your children like about the area? Love
things here that we’ve never done before as a family your home here or get involved with the activi- the powder and off-piste skiing. Enjoy the local
– like fishing or rafting. People talk about their vege ties on offer? If we’re not skiing we do spend night life, the food and the culture. When you’re
gardens and tulips. We’re looking forward to seeing quite a lot of time in the house. But in the summer in town, do you prefer to spend time in your
that in summer. Why do you see Niseko as a there are lot’s of activities and opportunities to home here or get involved with the activities on
Price
Ski-in Ski-out,
reduction.
Western
Supremely
style bedrooms
located adjacent
arrangedtoover
the Located in a quiet street in Lower Hirafu Village, Supremely located near the Grand Hirafu Gondo-
good investment? You have to love it as a passion meet the community. Why do you see Niseko as offer? Thoroughly enjoy both. Why do you see Grand
two levels
Hirafu
withGondola
a large lounge
base station.
and dining
Strong
space.
annualHas offers superb views of Mt Yotei. Excellent returns, la base. The apartment’s views will never be built
for yourself then you look at capital appreciation a good investment? Niseko is a wonderful place Niseko as a good investment (financial reasons, rental
a largereturns
ski/snowboard
with manystorage
repeaton
customers.
the ground floor. below replacement cost. out. Significant long term capital appreciation.
LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village LOCATION: Lower Hirafu Village LOCATION: Upper Hirafu Village
if you’re lucky. We looked at this and thought this to unwind and we always look forward to return- escape, place to bring your grandchildren, four FLOOR AREA: 120m² 135m² FLOOR AREA: 165m² FLOOR AREA: 194m²
would be our folly – this would be a lifestyle choice. ing. Financially, a big attraction was the freehold seasons)? Great lifestyle choice in an area that
It’s frankly an investment for our children – we want title and the potential of the area. We hope to can only become more popular for all the above
them to come here and build memories. holiday here for many generations to come. reasons.
www.NisekoProperty.com - sales@NisekoProperty.com - Ph:+81 136 21 5060
 BACK COUNTRY RESORT GUIDE
YOU have mastered the A beacon, probe and shovel are POWDERLIFE is your Niseko Travel Guide – in print and online. With www.powderlife.com
groomers, been on ski holidays the bare essentials. Make sure you and Powderlife Niseko magazine, you’ll discover the essential information for the
several times all over the world, know how to use them. perfect holiday.
and you want to escape the 5. Let someone know when you’re During your stay, experience Niseko’s restaurants, bars and cafes, where you can feast on
crowds – chances are you’re planning to be back. anything – from the most authentic sushi to beautiful local sake. Make the most of your skiing and
ready to go backcountry. 6. If the gates are closed don’t risk boarding with the specialist ski and snowboard stores and mountain guides around town.
The satisfaction of hiking peaks entering them. Inside you’ll also find Powderlife’s onsen guide, short history of the area and village maps.
and then making your way down 7. No-go zones include Yu no For everything else visit www.powderlife.com/niseko-resort-guide.
in untracked, waste-deep snow is Sawa (between Annupuri and
exhilarating. Niseko Village area), and Haru no
In Japan, Niseko is renowned for Taki (cliff area west of Hirafu).
its liberal stance toward backcountry 8. Ducking ropes may result in you
Name Koji Kashiwaya Company NAC, 13 skiing and snowboarding. With that losing your lift pass.
years Ski or board Ski, 25 years What’s freedom comes the responsibility 9. Hire a guide if you’re not sure trains run through Sapporo and Otaru. You will be ¥500 Adult and ¥300 for child.
your best backcountry experience? Too to respect the mountain. Niseko’s about going off-piste. Tourist Info required to change platforms. ¥2600 approx.
many good experiences, everything is good in powder may look soft and friendly, 10. Explore the backcountry with T: (0123) 45 7011 – Airport Station Grand Hirafu Village shuttle bus:
Niseko. Best tip for backcountry skiers/boarders but don’t let its light and fluffy ap- experienced riders and skiiers. Kutchan Information Centre T: (0136) 22 1310 – Kutchan station Shuttle buses run throughout Hirafu every 15
visiting Niseko? Snow danger judgement is important. Some days the pearance fool you. Plenty of brochures and English-speaking staff. W: www.japanrail.com minutes, all day, every day, until the end of night-
snow conditions are very dangerous and you need caution. It’s more AVALANCHE INFO // Location: Main Street, Kutchan (map p.53, A4) skiing.
important to be safe and have a lifetime of powdersnow, than take a risk. Powderlife has collected some tips Shinya-san’s daily avalanche T: (0136) 22 1121. ¥: Free
CAR RENTAL
from local experts to keep you safe report: www.niseko.nadare.info
FREE BACKCOUNTRY INFORMATION SEMINAR // on the mountain. Powderlife’s Backcountry Guide is The Niseko Grand Hirafu Welcome Centre Hanazono Shuttle Bus: Travels throughout
Ever hiked the peak? Been through a gate in Niseko? Considered the 1. Obey the Niseko Rules: Listed online – www.powderlife.com Wide range of brochures from the area and Niseko Auto Rentals Hirafu Village and out to Hanazono from 7.50am
consequences? Know what you’re getting into with Black Diamond on the course map (p.52) // ‘Backcountry basics’ transport information. Specialising in large 4wd 7-8 passenger to 6pm. Look out for the blue buses.
Tours free information seminar. 2. Check weather and avalanche // ‘Inside a 2-day avalanche course’ Location: Top of the main street (Hirafu Zaka) vehicles: Delica Space Gear and Toyota Hiace. ¥: Free
Location // Above Proski Demo shop, opposite The Vale Niseko reports – www.niseko.nadare.info // ‘Lost in the backcountry’ in Hirafu (map p.54, E1) T: (0136) 44 1144
Time // 6–7pm every Tuesday during winter 3. Respect Niseko’s ski patrollers // ‘How to build a snowcave’ T: (0136) 22 0109. W: www.bdlodge.com Kutchan Night Go Bus: Runs to and from Hirafu
4. Use essential equipment: to Kutchan Station every night.
Toyota Rent-a-Car ShinSapporo ¥: ¥200 for 1 week pass/¥500 for a season pass
Japanese health system // by bevan colless Getting here & there One-way hire from Chitose to Hirafu is about
¥7000 for six people/24 hours. Pick up at MONEY
New Chitose Airport. Chitose airport, Sapporo or Kutchan
ONE of the most common dis- be difficult for a national health care cannot afford that expectation For departure and arrival times. T: (0118) 15 0100 (English ok!) ATM Locations
cussions we have in the physio scheme to cover the cost of provid- amongst everyone. The sempai/ T: (0123) 23 0111 Hokkaido Tracks Holiday’s Office, Hirafu
rooms over the years is about ing these treatments to everyone. kohai (master, senior person/lower, W: www.new-chitose-airport.jp/language/english The Powderlife website has some great tips on how Map: p.54, E2
the state of the Japanese health The Japanese mentality of ‘gaman’ junior person), coupled with follow- to drive on snow as well as good contacts if you Accepts: All major cards
have an accident.
system. Many foreigners visiting (defined as ‘the ability to endure the ing the US system, whereby doctors Getting from New Chitose to Niseko
www.powderlife.com/niseko-travel-guide
or living in Japan are quite reluc- seemingly unbearable with patience are all-powerful and ancillary health Bus: This is a cheap and efficient option. Kutchan Main Post Office
tant to present themselves to and dignity’) means there is often an professionals who are given short Buses leave every 30 minutes from the airport to Map: p.53, E3
a Japanese hospital, primarily acceptance that non-life threatening shrift (note boulder-sized chip on Niseko and take about three hours (includes rest Accepts: All major cards
Transport around niseko
due to concerns over the lan- problems should just be endured – shoulder) and are not accustomed stop and drop off at Rusutsu). Companies provid-
guage, but overall the Japanese or in other words “take one slice of to explaining conditions or being ing this service: Whiteliner Buses, Chuo Bus, 7 Eleven
health system is pretty good. humble pie with a cement pill chaser questioned by patients. This has ers they’ve been subjected to over Donan Bus and Hokkaido Resort Liner. Visit the Taxis: Drivers probably won’t speak English so Map: p.53, C1
IT’S a very ‘socialist’ health system, and call me in the morning”. This led to some cross-cultural conflicts the past seven years. They now Welcome Centre for bus bookings back to Chi- you will need a business/place name and map for Accepts: Visa Plus, JCB, AMEX, Dinners Club,
whereby everyone contributes to reminds me of a Japanese patient between Japanese doctors and provide English translators and they tose. ¥2,300 approx. (one way) or ¥3850 where you are going. Discover, China Union Pay
the national health-care scheme who told me that when she let out foreign patients over the years. Dif- have a new MRI and X-ray machine. approx. (roundtrip). T: (0136) 22 1212 Kutchan Hire // (0136) 22 1171
and, from approved providers, the a moan during labour the nurse ficulty reading new English studies, Orthopaedic doctors are in Monday Misora Hire // (0136) 44 2635 Niseko Hire. Credit Cards Lift tickets, ski hire and ski lessons
government will cover 70% of the scolded her with a quick “shame a lack of requirement for ongoing to Friday from 8:30-12:00pm. They Door-to-Door Transfer Skybus offers a door-to- can all be paid for by credit. Most large restau-
cost, with patients covering the on you”, so she had to keep quiet education and the kohai doctor do have a habit of draining fluid from door transfer service to and from the airport to Bus rants offer credit card facilities too, however some
other 30%. Private-health insurance and gaman. Pain relief is often not having trouble bringing new ideas to acutely injured knees for diagnosis Niseko, or Sapporo. See p.18 for details. small businesses are cash only. Check with your
is often taken, but only to cover as high a priority with many forms of the table, can mean that Japanese that has long-been abandoned in T: 011 788 4994 Niseko United Shuttle: Connects Hirafu, Niseko retailer before purchasing.
the 30% and Japanese will rarely care as it can be in The West. doctors can be slow adopters of The West, and the A & E doctors W: www.skybus.co.jp Village and Annapuri resorts. Pickup/drop-off
attend clinics that are not part of the Patients and doctors, some- new research and techniques. tend to cast injured knees until points in Hirafu include Hirafu Gondola and the Currency Exchange Kutchan Post Office and
national-health scheme. With the times, do not aim for a 100% return The local Kutchan hospital here in seen by an orthopod. But aside Train This is the most scenic route to Niseko. bus stop near Hirafu intersection. Hokuyo Bank (Map p.53, B3)
increasing number of medical pro- to function and this is convenient Niseko does a remarkably good job from that the level of care is There is no direct train from Chitose to Kutchan ¥: Free if you have an all-mountain pass //
cedures becoming available it can because the government system with its unexpected influx of foreign generally acceptable. Station (closest major station to Hirafu), and all 1 point if you have a 12-point mountain pass //
RESORT GUIDE RESORT GUIDE
SHOPPING 0 and dial everything else. LOCAL LINGO onsen guide LOCAL HISTORY
Post Offices
Look for the red ‘〒’ symbol. There are two post
For everything from toothpaste to alcohol and offices in Kutchan. In Hirafu, post-office boxes GOING to the onsen for the first time can be WHAT does Niseko mean?
late-night snacks try: and stamps are located at Piz Gloria and GREETINGS a little daunting. Powderlife’s guide and onsen ‘Niseko’ was the name originally given to the
Seicomart – Hirafu Seicomart. Good morning Ohaiyogozaimasu etiquette tips will help you fall in love with this area by the Ainu, Hokkaido’s indigenous people,
Location: At the main intersection in Hirafu Hello Konichiwa quitessential Japanese experience. and means ‘a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep
Lawson – Hirafu (24 hours) Good evening Kon ban wa in the mountains’. Meanwhile, Nupuri is a word
ELECTRICITY
Location: 5 minutes from Seicomart in the direc- Goodnight Oyasuminasai Yukoro Onsen commonly heard around these parts, namely
tion of Kutchan. Goodbye Sayonara T: 0136 23 3434 (Hirafu map p.54 B4) because it’s the Ainu word for ‘mountain’. Put it all Jagata-kun: Little fat skiing
Piz Gloria and the Alpen Hotel offer a smaller Standard voltage is 100v AC. You can use most See you later Mata ne Hotel Niseko Alpen together and Mt Niseko Annupuri (the mountain potato boy
range of snacks and drinks, and Sekka Deli electronic items without a problem, but some high What’s your name? Onamae wa nan T: 0136 22 1105 (Hirafu map p.54 E1) that is home to the Niseko United resorts) means
provides gourmet items from Hokkaido. watt devices such as hairdryers may not run on desu ka? Hot Spring Poporo ‘a mountain which has sheer cliffs and a river be-
full power. Plugs are the international standard My name is ... Watashi no namae wa T: 0136 23 3291 (Hirafu map p.54 F1) low’. Other nearby mountains which have carried
Kutchan Shopping (flat, two-blade type). (insert name) desu Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei their Ainu names until today include Chisenupuri
For a big shopping trip, it’s worth venturing into (nice to meet you) Dozo yoroshiku T: 0136-23-2239 (Hirafu map p.54 D1) and Iwaonupuri.
Kutchan Town. Here is a list of the major stores How are you? Genki desu ka? Hilton Niseko Village
STAY SAFE AROUND TOWN
stocking the basics, but if you explore a little I’m fine Genki desu T: 0136 44 1111 (Higashiyama map p.53 G7)
further you’ll find small local fruit and vegetable How old are you? Otoshi wa Ikutsu Green Leaf Hotel Niseko Village SKI RESORT HISTORY
retailers and great souvenir shops. No skiing/boarding on roads or footpaths desu ka? T: 0136 44 3311 (Higashiyama map p.53 G7)
While it may seem much quicker and easier than BASIC QUESTIONS Niseko Grand Hotel 1911 Theodore von Lerch
Jagako: Jagata-kun’s snow-
Try Best Denki for all your electrical and walking, skiing and snowboarding home from the Where is ...? ... wa doko desu ka? T: 0136 58 2121 (Annupuri map p.53 A8) ascends Mount Yotei
boarding girlfriend
technical needs. hill is dangerous and is frowned upon by locals. toilet toire 1949 Mount Yotei is desig-
Location: p.53, B4 Are you okay? Daijoubu desu ka? nated a National Park
onsen etiquette
One third of all injuries in Hirafu are caused by 1956 Rope tow installed at
Rummage through M-Pocket for imported people falling on the street. Wear shoes with a Asahigaoka ski area GOMI GUIDE
groceries and alcohol. good grip or buy and attach rubber sole cleats RESTAURANT TIPS What to bring? 1961 First ski lift in Grand
IF in doubt, don’t just throw it out!
Location: p.53, B3 with metal studs. How many people? Nan mei sama Bath towel, modesty towel and toiletries. Most Hirafu ski area
desu ka? onsens provide body soap and shampoo, and sell completed
What is burnable rubbish? (燃えるゴミmoeru-gomi)
Visit Homac, which shelves basically every two people ‘ni’ mei desu modesty towels for about ¥200. 1962 40th All Japan Ski
Contrary to what most of us are brought up to
household product. Afterwards head next door to Be careful when walking or parking your car (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) (san, yon, go, roku, How much? Championships believe, burnable rubbish includes plastics, as
major supermarket MaxValu for all your food sup- under roofs shichi, hachi) Most onsens range between ¥600 to ¥1000. (Alpine) well as paper and food scraps.
plies as well as Tsuruha Drug (red signage) Heavy snow slides from rooftops in Niseko. The What would you like Onomimono wa What to do? 1963 Niseko mountain
if you need a pharmacy. snow slides can seriously damage your cars too. to drink? okimari desu ka? 1. Enter the changing room through the appropri- range is designated a PET bottles and cans (ペット、缶)
Location: Route 5 and Route 343. (p.53, G3) One beer please biiru ‘hitotsu’ ate door: 女 for women, 男 for men. Quasi-National Park Plastic drink bottles (with lid/label removed) and
Drinking Dangers kudasai 2. Remove your clothes and put them in the bas- 1966 Taiheiyo Club Niseko aluminium/steel drink cans
Take a trip to the ¥100 store if you’re on a budget. Make sure you leave the bar with someone else. Food counters ket or locker provided. Moiwa International
Location: p.53, B4 Also make sure you rug up and stay warm – one hitotsu 3. Have a shower before entering the onsen. ski area opens Compost (生ゴミ nama-gomi)
When available, compost bins are for food
people have been known to fall asleep in the snow two futatsu Rinse yourself thoroughly and then your shower 1970 Kutchan hosts the
scraps. Though be careful, tea bags are not
SHOPPING on the way home. If you do notice someone who is three mitsu cubicle before going into the onsen. 25th National Ski
considered compost.
intoxicated, report them to the police or the safety four yotsu 4. Use the modesty towel when walking into the Competition
hut located outside Seicomart. Before you eat say Itadakimasu onsen then gracefully slide into the water 1972 Niseko Annupuri ski Non-burnable rubbish (燃えないゴミ moenai-gomi)
Internet After you eat say Gochisosamadeshita – never jump. area opens Non-burnable rubbish is for rubbish that doesn’t
J-Sekka Deli and Downtown Café have free Cheers Kanpai 5. Don’t let your towel enter the onsen water – just 1982 Niseko Higashiyama fit the other categories, including items such as
MEDICAL SERVICES
Internet terminals. Delicious Oiishi rest it on your head or on a rock on the side of ski area (currently broken glass, ceramics and metals.
Mobile Phones the onsen. Niseko Village) opens
Only 3G phones will work in Japan. Some Kutchan Kousei Hopsital OUT AND ABOUT 6. Soak, contemplate and relieve your sore muscles. 1993 Free Passport lift
accommodation providers offer mobile phone hire. For anything you think is broken. X-ray, MRI and Great snow Sugoi yuki 7. Dry yourself off before going back into the pass system valid at What can you do to help keep
Domestic Calls medical dispensary. No appointment necessary. Excuse me Sumimasen change room, as best you can. 4 ski resorts Niseko beautiful?
Green and grey public phones take coins or pre- Location: p.53, A3 I don’t understand Nihongo ga introduced Take a second to be sure you’re throwing
paid telephone cards. Local calls don’t require the T: 0136 22 1141 Japanese wakarimasen Many onsen have rooms where you can relax, 2002 Niseko starts to re- your garbage in the correct bin
‘0136’, unless made from a public telephone. Niseko Physio Do you speak Eigo ga drink a cold beer or tea, or even sit in a mas- ceive a large number For more information visit
International Calls The only acute sports injury specialist in the village. English? hanasemasu ka? sage chair. of Australian tourists www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp
Dial (010) and then the code of the country you Location: p.54, B2 Cute Kawaii Information courtesy of the
Niseko Promotion Board
wish to call. If the number starts with 0 – drop the T: 0136 22 0399 Japan’s great! Nihon wa sugoi
FOOD RESTAURANTS & BARS FOOD RESTAURANTS & BARS
C2 p54
A-Bu-Cha 2
UPPER HIRAFU
D2 p54
Bang Bang
UPPER HIRAFU
F5 p54
Hana Jizoh
IZUMIKYO 2
B3 p54
J-Sekka Café and Delicatessen
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Try our popular Japanese dishes or hot-pots. Choice of 400 Ramen lunch at Bang 2 starting this season! We take great Amazing sweet and savoury breads and pastries from a For a hearty breakfast to get you ready for the slopes, or a lazy
drinks! Japanese seating available. Families welcome. Lunch pride in our fresh seafood and look forward to offering you friendly local family baker. You must try this! Get the free Hirafu afternoon spent discovering the delicious Hokkaido produce
and Cafe: various lunch dishes, coffee, homemade dessert. mouthwatering dishes from our wide-ranging menus. Village shuttle to bus stop 27, near Unitas Log Village. used in our house-made delicacies.
Eat in or takeaway.
www.j-sekka.com
www.abucha.net www.niseko.or.jp/bangbang
Lunch 11am – 4pm Lunch 11am – 4pm 8.00am – 4.30pm open from 7am daily
A wide variety of meals Dinner 6pm 2am We take great pride in our Dinner 5.30pm – 11.30 pm Creative and delicious breads Closed Wednesdays A taste of Hokkaido
and drinks – top marks (LO 3pm/11.30pm) fresh seafood Occasionally closed from a local baker
 0136 22 5620  0136 22 4292  0136 23 0331  0136 21 3088
E7 p53
Black Diamond Restaurant
HIGASHIYAMA
C3 p53
Cocoro Okonomiyaki
KUTCHAN
D4 p54
Java Lounge
MIDDLE HIRAFU
C3 p54
Kabuki 1 and 2
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Offering a wide variety of food and drink from around the Real Osaka-style okonomiyaki and yakisoba cooked by you on Come and relax on the Java Lounge sofas, try our At Kabuki 1 you can do make-it-yourself Okonomiyaki and
world. Japanese daily specials, Western, Mexican and Italian your teppan (hot plate). Try out takoyaki (octopus) and chicken • Italian coffee • Assorted Panini Teppanyaki. Kabuki 2 (next door) is a full-service Teppan Yaki
dishes! Billiards, darts, happy hour and drink specials daily! balls. Japanese sweets also available. • Home baked muffins and cakes • Hot soups Restaurant. Early bird 20% for all meals – in by 6pm
Free pickup from The Hilton and The Green Leaf for groups of • Iced-cold beer • Daily special lunches out by 7pm.
6 or more. • Quiches or all day breakfast
www.bdlodge.com www.nisekokabuki.com
4pm–midnight 11am – 9pm Daily Open 7 days
Free pick-up from The Hilton and (LO 11pm food // Great Food, Great Value! Early morning breakfast, lunch 7am to 8pm Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki 5–11pm
The Green Leaf for 6 or more 11.30pm drink)  0136 22 1528 (Jap) and après drinks Restaurant  0136 21 2233 (Kabuki 1)
 0136 44 1144  0136 23 0008 (Eng)  0136 21 2121 (Kabuki 2)
A1 p54
Country Grill
COUNTRY RESORT
B3 p54
Downtown Café
MIDDLE HIRAFU
E2 p54
Kamimura
UPPER HIRAFU
E8 p53
M’s Cafe (Saison Club)
HIGASHIYAMA
Unique flavours not found anywhere else in the area, with all Hugely popular with locals, this top-rated cafe-restaurant Trained by one of the world’s top chefs, Tetsuya Wakuda, chef Try our huge traditional Japanese nabe hotpots with meat,
local products by La Andy. From Hokkaido-grown beef, country offers all-day breakfast, bagels, daily blackboard specials and Kamimura uses the abundance of Hokkaido produce to create seafood and vegetables. We have shabu shabu, sukiyaki and
roast chicken, and our specialty Hokkaido Venison, try the new great coffee. Eat in or take out. Free high-speed internet. a memorable degustation dining experience. chanko hot pots.
Country Grill, just outside busy Hirafu in the quiet community
of Country Resort. www.saison-club.com
www.nisekocountryresort.com www.kamimura-niseko.com
Breakfast 7.30–10.30am Open 7 days Dinner 6pm – 11pm Day 10am–3pm
Grilled favourites, relaxed Dinner 17.00 to late Hirafu’s finest cafe free internet 8am to 10.30pm Blessed by land, sea and a Occasionally closed Warm your body with our big Evening 5.30–7.30pm
dining, casual atmosphere Free pick up and drop off terminal + Wi-Fi Breakfast, lunch and dinner creative chef hearty hot-pots Open daily
 0136 55 5123  0136 23 3354  0136 21 2288  0136 44 3380
A4 p54
Ebisutei
LOWER HIRAFU
C4 p54
Half Note
MIDDLE HIRAFU
B3 p54
Maki Lounge
MIDDLE HIRAFU
B4 p54
NICHII Shokudou
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Finished skiing? Drop in for great food and a good time! Enjoy live weekend jazz nights as well as Dancing and other With an open fire and sweeping views of the Hirafu ski hill, un- Specializing in Japanese food & Italian food cooked with
Laugh and drink at this lively izakaya inn. Enjoy our assorted live music on weekdays. With, jazz, billiards and table tennis, wind on our leather lounges. Apres drinks include an array of wood-fired oven. Please enjoy our delicious food!
Japanese hotchpotch. there’s always something going on at Half Note. Check out Half fine Japanese whiskey, sake, sho-chu and plum wine as well
Note’s regular jazz events at www.nisekohalfnote.com. as classic and house-blend cocktails, spirits and glass wine.
www.ebcbar.com www.nisekohalfnote.com www.j-sekka.com http://nichii.pittore.jp/

Open daily 6pm–midnight Coffee, snacks and games Open daily
Have fun with our genki and 5pm – midnight Hirafu’s only jazz bar! Open daily Japanese whiskey, sake from 10am // bar 2pm–late Japanese and Italian food Iza- 4pm to midnight
laughing oden bar staff and shochu by the fire 7 days kaya with wood-fired oven.
 0136 22 6544  0136 23 2727  0136 21 6133  0136 22 2161
FOOD RESTAURANTS & BARS FOOD RESTAURANTS & BARS
D2 p54
Niseko Pizza
UPPER HIRAFU
D2 p54
Paddy McGinty’s Irish Pub C4 p54
The Barn
MIDDLE HIRAFU
D2 p54
Tozanken Asahikawa Ramen
UPPER HIRAFU
& Restaurant UPPER HIRAFU
Niseko Pizza is a family run restaurant offering a menu Enjoy your perfect powder holiday at our popular pub and Come and enjoy our alpine food and wine in Hokkaido’s warmest Asahikawa ramen is made from 100% Hokkaido wheat
with lots of love and the best quality ingredients. You will be restaurant with its welcoming fun atmosphere, imported and and authentic bistro atmosphere. Drop in on the way back from noodles served in a smooth and rich soup. There is a wide se-
delighted by the smell, enticed by the flavours, pleased by the local beers, wines, spirits and great value meals. the slopes for a snack and hot wine in our friendly bar on the lection of dishes to choose from including Donburi rice bowls.
atmosphere and comforted by the staff upper floor, or stay the evening for dinner in the main restaurant. From Asahikawa’s original ramen restaurant.
www.nisekopizza.jp www.paddymcgintysirishpub.com www.nisekobarn.com

Open 4–11pm weekdays Open daily Open 7 days 6pm to late Open daily
Dine in, Take-away and delivery 11am to 11pm weekends, Value Drinks, Hearty Meals, Live 1pm till Late Hokkaido’s one and only (LO 9.30pm food // New location this winter! 10.30am–11pm
holidays, Chinese New year Sports and Music alpine bistro drinks 11.30pm) (LO 11pm)
 0136 55 5553  0136 55 8020  0136 23 0888  0136 23 4549
B2 p54
Sekka Dining
MIDDLE HIRAFU
D1 p54
Senchou 2
UPPER HIRAFU
E4 Tsubara Tsubara C2 VBG – Vale Bar and Grill
p54 IZUMIKYO 1 p54 UPPER HIRAFU
Experience a taste of Hokkaido in style at Sekka Dining, with Founded in 1996. While we have seen many changes, the Everyone falls in love with our carefully prepared soup made Full breakfast available from 7am. Serving an eclectic fusion-
an impressive cellar and a menu that celebrates simplicity, quality of our fresh seafood remains as good as ever. form delicious ingredients. Restaurant recently renovated to style menu all day. Daily Specials. Warm up with our VBG
innovation, and absolute delicacy in preparation. Try us while you are here. The food is so fresh it will dance give improved access and a larger seating area. Enjoy our Ultimate Hot Chocolate or something a little stronger in our
on your tongue. famous Hokkaido soup curry. relaxed après lounge. Shots and cocktails. Live music events.
www.j-sekka.com www.senchou.com www.tsubaratsubara.com www.nisekoalpineaccommodation.com

Open daily Winter only Lunch 11.30am–3pm Open 7 days
Showcasing the best Dinner from 6pm Best choice for gourmet seafood 5pm–midnight Evening 6–10pm 7am to late
Spicy, flavoursome and local Ski-in ski-out bar and dining
of Hokkaido Occasionally closed Open daily Closed 2nd/4th Wednesdays All-day dining
 0136 21 5022  0136 22 5454 Hokkadio curry soup
 0136 23 1116  0136 21 5833
A5 p53
Shunsai
KUTCHAN
C3 p54
Souan Genghis Khan Lamb BBQ
MIDDLE HIRAFU
B2 p54
Wabi Sabi
MIDDLE HIRAFU
D3 p54
WAGYU DINING SOU
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Having trained in various countries, our expert chef creates a Goes perfectly with beer and makes a great party menu. Bring Quality prepared and cooked Yakitori (various skewered meats, Try our popular Japanese food nabe hotpot for your experience
colourful array of dishes. Bread freshly baked after ordering. your family and friends for the ¥1700 all-you-can-eat for 60 seafood and vegetables barbecued). All food cooked in of Japanese culture. We recommended Sukiyaki, Shabushabu
Vegetarian menu available. Chilean wines from ¥2,000. minutes offer. traditional Japanese style. and Kimuchi hotpot to warm your body up in the cold Niseko
winter. Lunch available with reservation – Shabushabu, Suki-
www.nisekowabisabi.com yaki or Kimchi hotpot course from 11am to 2pm.
Lunch 11am–3pm Open daily Open 7 days Dinner 6–10pm

Creative fusion cuisine from Dinner 5–9pm ¥1700 all-you-can-eat barbecue 5pm–2am Specialty Yakitori restaurant 5–10pm Carefully selected Japanese Lunch 11am to 2pm
land and sea Closed Sundays for 60 minutes (LO 1am) wagyu beef and special soup 7 days
 0136 23 1882  090 2059 6701  0136 21 5115  0136 23 3048
C3 p54
Steak Rosso Rosso
MIDDLE HIRAFU
F3 p54
Taj Mahal
IZUMIKYO 1
F3 p54
Yakitori Yosaku
MIDDLE HIRAFU
B3 p54
Yummy’s
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Casual steak house with a contemporary flavour. Juicy, tender Experience the best of authentic Indian cuisine and courteous Hirafu locals’ favourite yakitori restaurant. Come in after a day Ceasar Salad, Avocado Salsa Salad, Chicken Wings, Bacon
wagyu and Kobe beef and a variety of imported wines. Enjoy service. Enjoy an authentic Indian meal with Indian beer at of powder and try some of our Japanese barbecque, sukyaki Pepper Steak, Baked Cream Potato, Cheese Fondue, wines
yourself to satiation with our stylish cuisine and our prestigious restaurant. 10% discount on takeaway orders. and hot sake. and of course various styles of pizza. And more more!
refined hospitality. Vegetarian meals available. Free local delivery.
www.rossorosso.net www.tajmahalgroup.com www.yummyspizza.com

Dinner 6pm–11pm Open all year, 7 days Open daily 5–11pm daily
A must for steak lovers! Occasionally closed Visit Inidia in Taj Mahal Niseko 11.30am to 10.30pm Serving yakitori every night 6pm to 3am Yummy homemade crust pizza Delivery available
 0136 22 4566 until 3am and western foods restaurant in the Hirafu area
 0136 21 7100  0136 23 4390  0136 21 2239
TOURS & ACTIVITIES RETAIL & SHOPPING
C2 p54
Black Diamond Tours
UPPER HIRAFU
E2 p54
Deep Powder Tours Ski Holidays
UPPER HIRAFU
B3 p53
Cocoroya
KUTCHAN
D3 p54
Ezo Seafoods
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Check out Niseko’s incredible backcountry A licensed I.A.T.A international travel agent. Check out our Located on Kutchan high street, Cocoroya offers a wide We stock seafood for takeout sourced daily from the coast –
or visit Rusutsu, Sapporo Kokusai or Teine Highland. We also website for a broad overview of the many ski resorts in range of Japanese antiques, furniture, Kimono and original oysters, King Red Crab, salmon, and more. We also prepare
have a range of backcountry tours to suit your lung capacity. Japan that we offer. handmade gifts.We also stock a selection of high-quality seafood platters and fish and chips.
power stone jewellery.
www.blackdiamondtours.com www.deeppowdertours.com www.cocoroya.jp www.ezoseafoods.com

8am–8pm daily 7 days 11.00am–7.30pm 7 days
Niseko’s backcountry Above Proski Demo Shop The ultimate ski and 10am–6pm Take home a unique piece Open every day Niseko’s seafood supplier Open from 4pm
powder specialists Opp. The Vale Niseko snowboard experience  0136 21 5827 of Japan
 090 2054 8687  0136 23 0008  0136 22 3019
B4 p53
Japanese Cultural Tours
KUTCHAN/HIRAFU
D1 p54
Niseko Photography Tours
UPPER HIRAFU
D1 p54
Fusion Sports Shop
HIRAFU AND HANAZONO
E3 p54
Momiji Gallery
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Tours will take you to various cultural attractions in Kutchan: From the deepest powder pics to group tours and family shots Great gear, good value, friendly staff. Fusion provides all your Gallery is a mix of stunning photography, renowned Hokkaido
Tea ceremory, Iaido sword demo, Taiko drums, sake-brewery – Niseko Photography are the local professionals. Book a pri- on mountain and après needs. Popular brands like Burton, artists, ( working in paint, bronze and plastic), unique antiques
tour and Japanese dinner. ¥5000/¥3000. Departs Seicomart vate tour and we will capture your priceless holiday memories Oakley, Dakine, The North Face, Volcom and more. and gifts, postcards and gourmet cookies.... An artful fusion of
Hirafu, ends in Kutchan. while you and your friends or family cruise the mountain. old and new, Japanese and Western.
www.niseko.co.jp/plat/ www.nisekophotography.com www.hanazononiseko.com

3–7.30pm Gallery: midday–8pm Hirafu 8am-9pm Open 7 days
“Experience Japan’s cultural Feb 3,18 Niseko’s professional On the mountain: Gear for the elements at two Hanazono 8.30am-5pm Art and Photo gallery, gifts 2–8.30pm
heritage” Bookings essential photographers all day, everyday locations in Niseko  0136 21 6633(Hirafu) and antiques
 0136 23 0222  0136 22 5764  0136 23 0911(Hanazono)  0136 55 8585
E1 p54
Niseko Foot
UPPER HIRAFU
B2 p54
Niseko Massage
MIDDLE HIRAFU
D1 p54
Niseko Photography Gallery
UPPER HIRAFU
D2 p54
Sakura
UPPER HIRAFU
Visit this popular relaxation salon and sample some of our many Experienced massage therapists, specialising in oil massage Stunning prints and fine art canvas works. Niseko Pho- Tucked in behind Paddy McGinty’s, Sakura offers a wide
treatments. All different styles of massage are avaliable for body for recovery and relaxation. Early bird special offers discounted tography’s gallery is a showcase of beautiful photography seleciton of gifts including kimonos, geisha hairpins, pottery,
and feet. 30-minute, 60-minute and 90- minute courses avali- rates for massages before 2pm. From ¥6,000 per hour. from Niseko’s stunning four seasons. We also stock t-shirts, paintings, traditional wooden furniture and more.
able. Big groups welcome. Also osteopathy and sports injuries. Gift vouchers available. handmade beanies and souvenirs as well.
www.grand-hirafu.jp/nisekofoot www.nisekomassage.com www.nisekophotography.com www.sakura-niseko.com

Open daily 7 Days 7 days Daily
Closest healing relaxation 11am–10pm Sports and relaxation massage 8am to 8pm Photo gallery – fine-art prints midday–8pm Your one-stop Japanese 1–7pm in winter
therapy spot to Centre 4 lift Free pickup available in the middle of Hirafu and souvenirs souvenir shop  0136 21 7007
 0136 22 1224  0136 22 0399  0136 22 5764
F1 p54
NISS
HIRAFU AND HANAZONO 308
E3 p54
NOASC
MIDDLE HIRAFU
B3 p54
SEKKA STYLE Shop & Gallery
MIDDLE HIRAFU
D2 p54
Yukara
UPPER HIRAFU
Niseko International Snowsports School is designed to assist NOASC is Niseko’s premier winter adventure company. A collection of unique photography, antiques and objects d’art Stocking a wide variety of souvenirs, original t-shirts, Hokkaido
your Hanazono/Hirafu snow holiday. With two great locations We offer ski school (skiing/snowboarding/telemarking) lessons selected by Shouya Grigg, the style-impresario behind the sweets and more. Remember your holiday and take home a
and a suite of programs we’ll help you learn new skills, gain for kids through to advanced skiers, powder lessons, mountain SEKKA projects. souvenir with you.
confidence and above all enjoy your time in the powder guiding, snowshoe tours, CAT skiing, Niseko Explorer Private
of Niseko. tours, kids adventure school, and backcountry tours.
www.hanazononiseko.com www.noasc.com www.sekkastyle.com
8.30am–4pm 8:00am to 7:00pm 7 days
Kids are our speciality Ticket sales/Kids Centre Just Do It adventure tours – an All year round You can never get enough SEKKSY 1–7pm Reopen on 2nd floor of Tozanken 9am–10pm
Hirafu and Hanazono Hirafu and Hanazono 308 experience you won’t forget Closed Mondays Asahikawa Ramen Restaurant
 0136 21 6688  0136 23 1688  0908 274 4814 0136 23 4546
RENTAL & SERVICES
D1 p54
Demo Equipment Hire
UPPER HIRAFU/HANAZONO
E3 p54
Glen Claydon Photography
HIRAFU
New store at The Vale Niseko. Huge fleet of K2 and Salomon Complete photographic services including architectural,
skis and boots, Burton snowboards and boots, helmets landscape, stock, prints and panoramic photography for online
and snow shoes for adults and kids. Deep powder, park, virtual tours.
groomed,off-piste, back country – we have equipment to suit
all conditions and all levels.
www.hanazononiseko.com www.glenclaydon.com
Hirafu 8am–9pm
Free drop off at Hirafu The Vale 8–10am, 4–8.30pm Complete photographic
Free O’night Storage 308 Hanazono 8.30am–5pm services
 0136 21 6677  080 6098 7244
C3 p54
Hermosa Angel Massage
MIDDLE HIRAFU
NA J-Build
HIRAFU
Offering both traditional shiatsu and relaxing oil massages • Consulting

either in your suite or at the J-Sekka massage space, Inka • Project Management
Rebeza’s skilled practitioners provide truly exceptional service. • New Homes
Chida-sensei’s team have a course to suit you, with flexible • Renovation
bookings and a variety of packages available. • Building Supplies
www.j-sekka.com www.jbuildniseko.com
Open 7 days We never close
Relax and rejuvenate in the Appointments available 18 years’ experience in Japan
heart of hirafu from 3pm–midnight
 0136 21 6133  090 9380 5729
F7 p53
Niseko Auto Rentals and Sales
HIGASHIYAMA
B2 p54
Niseko Physio
MIDDLE HIRAFU
Complement your holiday or home with a 4WD vehicle. Australian trained physiotherapists, sports injuries, back and
Locallicensed dealer offering affordable rentals and sales IN neck pain, rehabilitation, taping, braces, pain relief, managed
ENGLISH. Short and long-term rentals available. by Tokyo Physio (est 2002). Massage service also available.
English navigation available. Hakuba clinic now open in Phoenix Hotel.
www.nisekoauto.com www.nisekophysio.com
9am–9pm 7 days
4WD vans from ¥46,200/week 24hr Emergency English Niseko’s sports injury centre in 8am–8pm
or ¥135,000/month Roadside Assistance the middle of Hirafu
 0136 44 1144  0136 22 0399
E3 p54
Niseko Realty Sales
UPPER HIRAFU
D1 p54
Travelplan
UPPER HIRAFU
Dealing in real-estate sales, property management, and Australia’s #1 snow holiday specialist with 39 years’ experi-
holiday lettings. Our staff are native to the area and know the ence, offering a wide selection of pensions, hotels and quality
property market. For trustworthy advice, sales, accommodation apartments in Niseko and other resorts. CMH Heli Skiing in
contact us at 0136-23-2221, info@nisekorealtysales.com, or Canada – information night every Wednesday at J Sekka.
drop by our Hirafu office across from the SPLASH bar. For more information contact Travelplan.
www.nisekorealtysales.com www.travelplan.com.au
8:00am to 7:00pm 7 days
Secure your future in Japan’s All year round The world’s best ski holidays 8am–8pm
premier powder ski area
 0136 23 2221  0136 21 5354

 AFTER THE MELT
photo // niseko photography
photo // ross colle-hunter

photo // ross cole-hunter
Rusutsu Amusement Park HANAMI SURFING CAMPING AT LAKE TOYA
ROLLER COASTERS covered under HANAMI (cherry blossom viewing) WHILE not a surfing mecca, WITH a beautiful mountain back-
meters of snow is a strange sight, but involves sitting under a sea of cherry Hokkaido still has its fair share of drop, clear waters and stillness, Lake
as soon as the snow melts, this fun blossom petals, eating barbeque and great surf locations, and when the Toya is just one of the many scenic
little amusement park opens its gates. drinking alcohol with friends and family. weather conditions are right, surfing places to go camping near Niseko.
It’s Hokkaido’s biggest amusement The blossoms begin blooming in Hok- here can be quite enjoyable. The beautiful lake is unmistakable
park with over sixty rides, featuring not kaido in early May, many weeks after And, for those of you who think it due to the oddly shaped islands in
just one, but eight rollercoasters. Other Tokyo and Kyoto. Niseko has a few might be too cold to surf here in the centre. There is an abundance of
rides include a giant drop, a giant Ferris cherry blossom trees, however they’re summer, spare a thought for camping locations around the lake,
wheel and several pools. The park not as good as what you can find in Niseko’s diehard winter surfers and just as many things to do in the
opens at the beginning of May, and Hakodate or Sapporo. Last year, 1000 trudging down through the knee- area: canoeing, horse riding, hiking or
stays open until the end of October. cherry blossom trees were planted in deep snow before getting into the bathing in the onsens, and visiting the
Entry is ¥4,800 (¥3,800 for children). the Niseko area to rectify this. frigid waters in a full-body wetsuit. indoor heated waterpark, Sunpalace.
Summer // sapporo yosakoi soran festival
SAPPORO has its fair share of festivals:

the Snow Festival in February, the Beer
Festival in August and the Yosakoi Soran
Festival in June.
EVERY year during the second trawlers being invented.
weekend in June, over 30,000 It’s not just the energetic and
dancers in over 300 teams from well-timed dance moves that will
Japan and abroad converge on the impress, their amazing costumes
streets in the centre of Sapporo are also a thing of beauty. These
for a flamboyant dance-off. Teams costumes cost the dancers several
of dancers move around the city, hundreds of dollars and take many
stopping every few hundred metres weeks to create. Many teams actu-
for a performance, making it easy to ally have costumes that they modify
find a spot, relax and watch the acts throughout the performance, getting
stream past. more colourful (and revealing) as
The dancers train daily for several the dancing progresses. There are
months to prepare for this event, also giant flags being waved around
and when you see teams of 150 at the back that only the strongest
dancers moving in perfect unison, members of the team are able
you can appreciate where that time to handle.
was spent. And all of this accompanied by an
The style of dance has origins in amazing soundtrack that is a com-
fishing communities, with a lot of the bination of traditional instruments,
moves and chants mimicking those singing, yelling, chanting and per-
used by fishermen as they pulled in cussion that will be with you every
photo // ross cole-hunter
their haul and cast their nets prior to time you see a picture of Yosakoi.

 TRAVEL FEATURE // zamami-jima, okinawa
PHOTOGRAPHY AND WORDS BY // ross cole-hunter
S
UGARCANE fields, its voice. unquestionably, but it feels so far barely moving out of our way as we
pineapple plantations, It’s not just sugar and sunshine removed from any tourist destination floated above them.
white sandy beaches in Okinawa, these beautiful islands that we’d been to thus far on our trip, Coming from the east coast of
and clear blue seas have been the scenes of some which started at the top of Japan. Australia, it takes a lot for a beach to
filled with vivid tropical fish might bloody battles throughout history, There were no large incongruous impress me, but the pristine white
fool you into thinking that you’re most recently the closing days of concrete hotels and no giant omiyage beaches that surrounded Zamami-jima
no longer in Japan. World War II. Amazingly, even after all (souvenir) shops. Instead there were are unforgettable and are a contrast
UPON further discovery, it’s not just that has happened to the people of rustic, Ryukyuan-style surf shacks and to grey, pebbly and murky beaches
the landscape that’s different; it’s the Okinawa, including it now being the scooter-hire shops operated by laid- usually associated with Japan. Even
people, the language and the culture site of the largest U.S. military base back locals running on island time. though it was the end of October, and
too. Okinawa was only a recent in Japan, Okinawans are some of the Tourists primarily come to Zamami thus considered as being too cold to
addition to the Japanese Empire. Prior most friendly and open people we to laze on the beach and dive in the swim, the clear blue waters were
to being absorbed into Japan in the met during our travels, with no hint of shallow, rich waters surrounding the a perfect temperature.
“
19th century, Okinawa was its own The other critical part of travel in
nation, Ryukyu; an archipelago of Japan is testing out the local cuisine,
hundreds of tropical islands that stretch The highlight of our time in Okinawa – two days and we tried our best to sample as
”
from Kyushu in the south west of of remote bliss on a small tropical island. much as we could, from the clean and
Japan down to the very edge refreshing Orion Beer, ultra-fresh reef-
of Taiwan. fish to delicious slowly cooked pork
Due to its past ties with mainland hostility or resentment to island. After wading no further than and the famous goya chanpuru (a stir
China, Okinawa has many aspects that our presence. waist-deep into the water, we felt like fry). Pig feet weren’t bad, but neither of
are more similar with Chinese culture After a week of exploring Okinawa we were inside a tropical aquarium. us were brave enough to try anything
than Japanese. The temples are bright Island, we left the modernity and There was an abundant number of from a pig’s face.
red and decorated with vivid wooden headed to the small island of Zamami- fish and other sea-creatures from A tropical paradise might not be the
carvings of animals. And the food that jima (jima is Japanese for island). small clownfish, like Nemo, safe inside first thing people associate Japan with.
Okinawans eat is more adventurous; It was the highlight of our time in anemone, through to shy eels with But, this is exactly what Okinawa is –
pig’s feet, ears, nose and pig’s face Okinawa; two days of remote bliss nothing more than a head poking pristine, blue and warm.
features on menus. Locals famously on an island small enough to walk from a cave within the coral. The fish Getting there: 2 hour, ¥2,120 ferry
proclaim to eat all of the pig, apart from around. Zamami is a tourist island, all seemed oblivious to our presence, from Tomari Port in Naha City, Okinawa.

Big mountain.
Big dream.
Big picture.
A property investment in Niseko offers tremendous potential for both lifestyle and
financial returns. But the market is complex and dynamic. To invest wisely you need
to consider many factors. In other words, you need to accurately see the big picture.
Led by long time realtor Jason King, the Hokkaido Real Estate team boasts over
60 exclusive listings, putting you ahead of the pack right from the start. Having
focused on the Niseko market for over six years (a long time for this area), we have
comprehensive knowledge from both local and international perspectives. We do
not trade in the market, so we remain impartial, allowing us to always keep your
best interests at heart.
In short, we’ll objectively present you with a wide range of options and
considerations so that you can make informed and intelligent investment decisions.
For a private discussion anytime, or to join a Wednesday evening ‘Big Picture’
seminar, call Jason on +(0136) 21 6211 or email jason@hokkaidorealestate.com
This week’s feaTure

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Issue 33 // Feb 19 to March 4 // 2011

winter print run 35,000 estimated readership 100,000+

25 編集長 managing editor Lizzy Hoo リズィー・フー

出版者 publisher Bevan Colless ベバン・コレス ,

Kris Lund クリス・ランド

企画運営アシスタント editorial assistant Kisato Kurihara 栗原季里

デザイナー designer Paul Malandain ポール・マランデイン,

Shane Agard シェイン・エィガード (conceptual designer)

投稿者 contributors Chris Chan

写真撮影 photography Niseko Photography, Glen Claydon Photography,

Paul Malandain, Ross Cole-Hunter

170-5 Aza Yamada Kutchan-cho

07 Editor’s Note 31 Eyespy

13 In the loop

37 Real Estate News

15 Social 41 Backcountry & Health

Past issues available at the Powderlife office, Lower Ground Floor

23 Eat and Drink

Eat and drink news

29 Powder Poster 57 Travel Okinawa

5 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011  www.powderlife.com

photography // aaron jamieson – niseko photography

my work. Between snowboarding, Japanese lessons, watching rail ーボード、

been happening in Niseko? To sum it up – a lot has been happening. ぎわいました。今シーズンの終わりを迎えるまで、更ににぎやかになることでしょう。

page for more details. から注目されました。ニューヨークタイムスやBBCニュース・オンラインなど、

hosting various film crews over the years. 上での見識や将来の夢を語られています。

7 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011  www.powderlife.com

Name Angela Kennewell Age 30

MTV COMING TO TOWN

MTV Japan Jam held at Niseko Village will no

FEB 20–24 celebrities to be announced. shoten, Kutchan Favourite onsen? Poporo

9 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011  www.powderlife.com

Explore NISEKO VILLAGE

NISEKO Village sits between Annupuri

are searching further and snowshoeing/skinning up mountains, there are

Basashi – Raw Horse

02 FOR a whole host of reasons, the very suggestion of

eating raw horse may stir up a variety of emotions in

some people, from disgust to outrage. Some may

11 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011  www.powderlife.com

Start // 7:30 pm Start // 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm

13 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011  www.powderlife.com

“What’s your favourite

Send your entry to

エフェクター ヒラフ 永田学・由紀さん 唐火七 アンヌプリ 頼真生さん

スINUNECO HOUSEを6年前にオープンした。そしてニセコで出会った大阪出身の奥さん、由紀さんもま に、ゆっくりと食事やお酒を楽しめる場所を提供したいと、以前祖母が住んでいた家を改築してお店を

りを持った職人たちが作る本物のJAPANESE QUALITYと、新しい世代の日本人デザインの良さをニセ のこと。生まれ育ったニセコが大好きで、今でもほぼ毎日スキーに出掛ける頼さんは、

FEATURE // clayton kernaghan

Cof fee , Rh ythm

ZANGI ‘STRANGE’ JAPAN

Ingredients: A Hokkaido twist on kara-age, the popular

WORDS BY // lizzy hoo PHOTOGRAPHY BY // aaron jamieson – niseko photography

THE plummeting price of rice sisted using natural alternatives

DURING the Meiji period,

In 1935, with the help of seven craftsmen

SOAKING in a bath after a day on the

PIEPS FREERIDE BEACON ANON FIGMENT 40LOVE NORDICA JAH LOVE

BURTON NUG OAKLEY KARING JACKET GIRO ENCORE 2

What’s on your playlist? First IMpression

Ski or snowboard? Snowboard, 2 years.

First thoughts? I was a bit surprised at how

Something that made you look/think twice?

Going anywhere else in Japan? Definitely

13 In the loop

37 Real Estate News

15 Social 41 Backcountry & Health

23 Eat and Drink

29 Powder Poster 57 Travel Okinawa

5 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

7 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

9 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

11 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

13 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

エフェクターヒラフ永田学・由紀さん唐火七アンヌプリ頼真生さん

スINUNECO HOUSEを6年前にオープンした。そしてニセコで出会った大阪出身の奥さん、由紀さんもまに、ゆっくりと食事やお酒を楽しめる場所を提供したいと、以前祖母が住んでいた家を改築してお店を

りを持った職人たちが作る本物のJAPANESE QUALITYと、新しい世代の日本人デザインの良さをニセのこと。生まれ育ったニセコが大好きで、今でもほぼ毎日スキーに出掛ける頼さんは、

37 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

51 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

55 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com

57 powderlife issue 33 // February 19 - March 4, 2011 www.powderlife.com