As high as a kite in Annupuri

If you are driving near the Annupuri ski resort around dawn or dusk during the summer months you may have noticed a strange yellow object in the sky.  It is the Niseko Balloon and recently I got the chance to check it out.

I headed out to the Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort at 4pm as I wanted to see the whole process of setting up a hot air balloon.

Step 1: Lay out the balloon

Step 2: Use a big fan to fill the balloon

Step 3: Stand inside the balloon

Step 4: Turn up the heat to max

Step 5: Keep heating until the balloon rises

Step 6: Yatta! & don't forget to tie down

Interesting but obvious fact: The temperature of the air at the top of the balloon is around 100 degrees Celsius.

The Niseko Balloon operates mornings and evenings from June 1st to October 12th weather permitting.  The balloon is tethered so you won’t accidentally fly away and will take you to a height of 30m providing great views of the surrounding area.

Packing up. All good things come to an end

A big thanks to the great Niseko Balloon staff (I owe you a beer)

Doing the Maccarina

The fastest way to the Rusutsu ski area from the Niseko resort area will take you through the small village of Makkari. The Makkari area gained some exposure recently when the wives of the G8 leaders visited the village and had lunch at the French influenced Restaurant Maccarina.

Makkari Yotei View

The view back towards Niseko

On the outskirts of the village is the Makkari Snowmobile Land. Set on a sprawling farm the snowmobile tours are definitely worth trying during the winter. I have done these several times and thoroughly recommend the experience. In summer however, there isn’t much here except a Mt Yotei viewing platform and a couple of stalls selling local produce.

Forest trail snowmobiling

Giving it the full throttle treatment

Heading back to Makkari the other main attraction is the Flower Center. The Flower center was recently converted into a Michi no eki (road station) It consists of a large glass house where flowers are grown and sold. There is also a center building selling local souvenirs and interestingly it also houses a mini museum dedicated to Makkari’s most famous offspring, Takashi Hosokawa.

Makkari Flower Center

Takashi Hosokawa in all his glory

Takashi Hosokawa is one of the most popular enka singers in Japan. Modern enka are Japanese ballads that typically deal with themes of love and loss, loneliness, hardships and death. A Japanese blues almost. On a historical note, enka were originally political speeches set to music spread by political activists and dissidents during the late 19^th century. Enka were sung as a legal loophole during a crackdown by the government on public speeches of dissent.

Takashi Hosokawa hit it big in 1975 and has won numerous awards for his crooning. Takashi has always promoted his hometown and as a token of their gratitude local Makkari residents built a bronze statue of Takashi. A collection of Takashi’s awards, costumes and memorabilia are on display in the main building.

The main drag Makkari

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