Holiday Niseko Blog

Not Quite Golf

Park golf is unsurprisingly a form of golf played in a park. The game was invented in Hokkaido in 1983 and it now boasts over a million players nationwide. Part of the appeal of park golf is the simplicity of the game. Only one club and one ball are required to play the game. The courses are quite short with the maximum length of a single hole being 100 meters and a typical 9 hole par 33 course being limited to 500 meters. Since there is no lower limit for course length, small park golf courses have popped up all over Japan in corners of municipal parks.

The rules are pretty similar to golf with the object of the game to hit the ball into a 20cm diameter hole in the fewest number of strokes. Not much power is required to hit the ball so pretty much anyone can play the game. The short courses, low physical effort required and low cost (typically around 500yen) has made the game a big hit with retirees, women and families.

Park golf can be enjoyed at the base of Hirafu Ace center 4 lift. There is also a free hot spring footbath beside the course to refresh your weary legs and also some natural spring water to quench your thirst after a not so grueling 9 holes.

On the road to Niseko Hilton and Annupuri you can double your park golf fun with 18 holes at Niseko Park Golf. The Niseko Village also offers up park golf in summer as does the Annupuri Ski Area. There is also a course on the banks of the Shiribetsu River in Kutchan.

Water water everywhere

Ever wondered where all the snow in Niseko goes? A lot of it filters into the ground and later  resurfaces as spring water.  With an average annual snowfall around 13 meters, it’s no surprise that the quantity of spring water around the Niseko region is one of the largest in Japan.

Around the Niseko area there are many places to collect spring water.  Some places are very popular as many Japanese believe certain spring waters to contain beneficial properties.

Kyogoku spring water

Fukidashi spring water of Kyogoku (15mins outside of Hirafu) was designated by the Environment Ministry as one of the greatest 100 waters in Japan.  There is an Eki no Michi (road station)  at Kyogoku where you can sample the spring water.

Fortunately for those without a car, you don’t need to travel to Kyogoku to taste one of the top 100 waters.   The Hirafu Seicomart (local convenient store) stocks Kyogoku water.

Tofu samples Makkari

Makkari Village at the base of Mt Yotei, (halfway between Hirafu and Rusutsu ski resort) has a very popular natural mineral spring.

If you are heading to Rusutsu make sure you stop here as there is a very good tofu shop that uses the spring water to make fresh tofu. They also have a large selection of tofu products for free tasting.

With so many natural springs available you will never go thirsty in Niseko.

Spring water in St Moritz Niseko

Spring water in Annupuri

More spring water, this time Higashiyama

Mt Yotei spring water, Makkari

Milk Kobo Higashiyama

One of the more popular summer tour destinations in Niseko is Milk Kobo in Higashiyama,(on the road to Niseko Hilton).

Milk Kobo

Using fresh milk from their own farm, Milk Kobo’s goal is to provide “safe and tasty produce with a smile.”

Choux creme (cream puffs)

Milk Kobo is well known in Japan for its delicious ice-cream, yoghurt drink, puddings, cakes and my personal favourite, choux creme.

Horse riding at Milk Kobo

In the main building you can buy freshly made ice-cream, choux creme and cakes. There is a small cafe and a couple of shops selling glassware and local produce. In summer there are scenic fields of flowers and it’s a great spot to photograph Mt Youtei.

Summertime Milk Kobo

For those with a sweet tooth coming to ski Niseko in winter, you will be happy to know that Milk Kobo is open year round 10am-6pm.

Niseko View Plaza

The Niseko View Plaza, located on route 5 just outside of Niseko town is a Michi no Eki (Road Sation). There are around 900 of these road side rest areas in Japan.

Local governments often use Michi no Eki to represent and promote tourism.  Michi no Eki range from restrooms only to those with shops selling local specialties. Some Michi no Eki even have camping grounds, hot spring, parks and a wide range of services. Interestingly most do not have gas stations.

The Niseko View Plaza Michi no Eki offers some of the freshest and best value locally grown vegetables in the Niseko area. Much cheaper prices than you’ll find anywhere else in the area.

To get there from Hirafu village, drive along route 343 until you get to the T intersection past the flashing lights going to Hilton Niseko village. Turn left at the T Intersection, go over the big bridge, through Niseko town. Then you’ll see a service station called Hokuren on your right. The Niseko view plaza is right opposite this service station.

We visited the plaza last weekend and got a weeks worth of veggies, here are some photos of what was on offer.

Niseko asparagus, broccoli etc

Niseko fresh produce in June at View plaza

Mt Yotei from Niseko view plaza

Hirafu hiking course

Within 5 minutes walk from the center of Niseko Hirafu village is the start of Hirafu’s hiking course. The trail leads to the Niseko village Hilton hotel and takes 30 minutes one way. So a 1 hour hike both ways. It is a relatively easy hike, no long climbs. It has been recently improved with multiple bridges and board walks.

Boardwalks near the Hilton hotel

Wet section near the Hilton side

The entrance from the Hirafu village side is opposite the sunsports center 200 meters up a steep gravel road.  From Seicomart go right through the traffic lights, you’ll see Sunsports 300meters on your left. If you’re driving you can park here.

Gravel road leading to hiking course start point

Sunsports land 300 meters from Seicomart

Throughout the trail  are trees with tags showing the tree name in Japanese and English. A lot of bird life can be heard and seen. At one point you can see Hirafu’s center 4 lift and popular Onne ski run.

Hirafu Center 4 lift and Onne ski run

Further along are glimpses of Mt.Yotei. Near the end, the trail runs parallel along the Niseko village golf course. You can see fairways and the odd golf cart going by.

Yotei on a cloudy June day

If you’re staying in Hirafu and would like to see Niseko’s native bush up close, the Hirafu hiking course is nearby and  suitable for people of all ages.

Overall an easily accessible and fun little hike.

Start of Hirafu hiking course

Silver birch trees and sasa bamboo

Hanazono hiking/mtb trail

The Niseko Hanazono trail has to be my favorite  trail in the Niseko resort area. Fairly long, about 6-7 km’s. Challenging climbs for the first 2km’s. Bit of a slug but laced with a few fun downhill sections, some nice views and a creek crossing. We rode it last weekend, a bit of snow leftover but should be all gone within a week.

Creek crossing in late May

After about 2km’s is a small lake called Kagaminuma or Mirror lake. Nice place to take a breather and get ready for the real fun, the long variable downhill run.

Mirror lake Hanazono trail

Once past the lake there is one small 50 meter uphill climb, then an 800 meter steepish downhill section with some slightly sketchy traverses. Then comes the best part.  A long 3-4km’s of trail on a small decline, no tight corners. Get some speed up and pump and carve the corners, no need for breaking. Sweet.

Last half of Hanazono trail

The trail finishes at the entrance of the Hanazono Tokyu Resort golf course. The trail is actually intended for hikers so look out for them. Generally you may come across  a small group of hikers on the first half of the trail, especially on weekends. From the lake onwards hikers are rarely seen.

You can find directions to Hanazono trail on this link directions to Hanazono trail

Hanazono trail. Long mellow downhill section

Niseko mountain biking

For visitors to the Niseko resort area hoping to get in some mountain biking while on holiday. The good news is Niseko has some great trails and plenty more to come. This is thanks to a small group of local mountain bikers. Driven by their passion for the sport and area, this core group of locals are building new cross country and downhill courses. In turn helping make Niseko a true year round resort.

If you’re here on a Wednesday come join the locals for the weekly downhill jam. Meeting place is 200 meters from the Seicomart, at the Sunsports carpark. Come around 17:30 and do a few runs with the crew.

The Niseko crew loading up the bikes

Getting a lift up to the dsen downhill mtb course

* For information on mountain bike trails in Niseko and more, check out this handy site Nisekomtb.com

* If you want to rent a decent mountain bike try local Niseko Hirafu bike shop Groove Cycles

Morning golf at Niseko Hilton

Great morning today, sunny and no wind. Played golf at Niseko Village Hilton course with friends. Not crowded at all.

Below is a shot taken on May 9th at Niseko golf course. Again sunny and no crowds, awesome.

Teeing off at Niseko golf course

Here is a shot taken on the same day on May 9th. Cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom at Niseko golf course Japan

With Niseko’s picturesque landscape and variety of great golf courses makes it a great place to call home.