Casa La Mount

Our Concierge team is always on hand to provide you with information about all the places of interest in Annupuri and the wider Niseko area. They can also assist in equipment rental, transport arrangement and other requests you may have. Do ask them about the closest onsen you should visit, it is the best way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Whether you visit Niseko for its powder snow or to appreciate the blooming valley in summer, here are some of our favourite things to do in the region:

All year-round

• Hokkaido’s produce is renowned throughout the world, and it attracts world-class chefs to the region that has in turn developed a thriving food scene. Operating since 2000, Rakuichi Soba is one such restaurant, the first of Niseko’s restaurants to become known around the world and a must for your stay in Annupuri Village. Next door, Karabina is a great spot as is Loft Club, popular for lamb barbecue. Del Sole Pizza is a local secret that is getting out, just down from Annupuri ski resort. Get your curry fix at Taj Mahal Annupuri, while Milky’s and Lucky Fingers are bars to head to nearby. Further afield is the hustle and bustle of Hirafu with Michelin star restaurants like Kamimura and Sushi Shin by Sapporo's three Michelin-starred Masaaki Miyakawa.
• Japan’s volcanic hot springs or onsen not only soothe your aching muscles after a long day but they are also known for their health and wellness benefits. Annupuri Village is home to what many locals consider the area's best onsen, Yugokorote. Nearby, you can also find Iroha (three-minute drive) and Kanrono Mori onsen (five-minute drive). A scenic twenty-minute drive through the mountains is the must-experience Goshiki Onsen, ask the Concierge team for directions and also some of the dos and don’ts in terms of attire and behaviour.
• There are several art galleries in Niseko which are definitely worth a visit. Kiyoe Gallery in Hirafu village showcases some of Hokkaido's best artists, while Somoza Gallery in nearby Hanazono also offers a beautiful place in which to relax. Our favourite remains Galerie Ram in Niseko Town, with its exciting collection of steel sculptures and woodwork. Inside the gallery, you’ll also find ‘La Cave’, a cellar with a great selection of imported wines. Now you understand why we love it, don’t you?
• Offshore Snowboards is located in Moiwa only five minutes’ drive from Casa La Mount, they produce custom snowboards, designed in Niseko, for Niseko and handcrafted here using local products.
• A little further afield, we recommend a day trip to the attractive seaside city of Otaru any time of the year. Less than two hours away by car from Hirafu, it is best known for its hairy crab and seafood delicatessen, fish markets and historic buildings.
• For a more urban experience, you can also visit Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital and central transportation hub. As a relatively recent city, Sapporo is vibrant and easy to navigate with lovely tree-lined boulevards, excellent shopping and varied cultural activities, including the world-famous Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival) in February.
• Speaking of festivals or Matsuri, Niseko has a number of different festivals throughout the year. Kutchan’s ‘Potato Festival’ in summer is the largest in the area and Hirafu has a fantastic food festival in Autumn. Niseko Fireworks Festival is heading into its 38th year and is a local favourite.

Winter

In contrast to Grand Hirafu Resort, Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort provides a more exclusive experience. The ski hill itself provides a greater range of terrain for beginner to expert skiers and in general, is less crowded than the other resorts. On the southeast side of Mt Annupuri, it is exposed to more of the famous champagne powder of the region.

Here’s how to make the most of your winter holiday:

• Casa La Mount is under a kilometre away from the Niseko Annupuri Gondola which provides access to the largest beginner skiing area in Niseko as well as access to the best backcountry skiing for experts through Niseko’s Gate system.
• Whether you’re a first timer trying to familiarise yourself with a pair of skis or an accomplished snowboarder aiming to perfect your turns, our Concierge team can connect you with Niseko Black ski school to provide a wide range of lessons and programmes available that cater to all levels.
• If you want to experience the other resorts in the region, as part of Niseko United, you can ski over to the neighbouring resort of Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono from Annuprui on a Niseko All Mountain Pass. Moiwa resort is also accessible by skis from Annupuri but is only recommended if with a guide and for advanced-level skiers, for the less adventurous skiers, Moiwa is five minutes' drive from Casa La Mount.
• Expert skiers with a good level of fitness and looking for a challenging day can try the amazing and unique experience of hiking Mt Yotei and skiing down into the caldera. Booking an experienced guide is essential. Speak to our Concierge team.
• Whether it is tobogganing or snowmobiling that gets your adrenaline pumping, what better place to slide down the slopes than Niseko? Our Concierge can help rent a snowmobile for your use or guide you on the best places to visit.

Summer

From white water rafting on the Shiribetsu River or stand-up paddling at nearby Lake Toya to mountain biking down volcanic slopes or playing golf at the 18-hole Niseko Golf Course, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself during the warmer months.

• Go see the team at the Outdoor Adventure Centre (OAC) in Niseko Village for the unique experience of a hot air balloon ride to see the Niseko region in all its splendour. OAC also provides exciting rafting adventures down Shiribetsu River.
• Hiking is a large part of summer life in Niseko, Mt Annupuri is considered an intermediate hike, for the more committed hikers Mt Yotei offers a significant challenge that is rewarded with the best views in the region and some tired legs at the end of the day.
• With its elevated rope courses, zip-lines, free-fall platforms, bouncy slides and horse rides, the recreational park PURE provides a wonderful day out for the whole family.
• Opened in 2023, Twin Peaks Mountain Biking Park in Kutchan offers mountain bike trails suited to all levels of rider and is free to ask our team about the best place to hire a bike.
• The 18-hole, 73 par Niseko Village Golf Course is seen as the jewel in the crown of Hokkaido’s golf scene, thanks to its excellent facilities and the area’s dry and pleasant summer. With the photogenic Mount Yotei in the background, we really can’t think of a better place for practising your shots and improving your handicap.
• Niseko is a much-loved cycling destination thanks to its stunning landscape, comfortable summers and a massive variety of cycling trails regularly hosting Japan’s largest cycling race, the ‘Tour de Hokkaido.
• Powder Company offers backcountry tours which can be a very enjoyable way to discover the countryside.
• Looking at its well-developed infrastructure and the sheer number of international visitors, it might be hard to believe that the wider Niseko area was once better known for its potatoes than for its powder. Relive its starchy past by hiring a scooter and driving through some of its vast rice paddies and buckwheat farmlands. Close your eyes and feel the wind in your hair. Be sure to visit one of the many farmers’ markets on the way and sample delicious fresh local produce.