Niseko is firmly established as an internationally acclaimed resort destination, and the name is now synonymous with incredible snow, mouthwatering food, and an ever-increasing range of fantastic accommodation. The areas name has become the brand for the area, but it can be a little confusing as to where Niseko actually with areas like Niseko Town and Niseko Village seemingly miles from where you may be staying.   

A quick explanation is that Niseko has become the name of the greater area, including and surrounding Mount Annupuri, which is the home of the Niseko United Ski Resorts, which is where you'll be skiing and snowboarding if you come here. Colloquially, Niseko is used to refer to the following areas: Hanazono, Hirafu, Niseko Village, Niseko Town, Annupuri, Mount Moiwa, and to some extent Kutchan.

So what are all these places with Niseko in the name?

• Niseko Town is just south of the resort area known as The Niseko United Resort. It is very unlikely you will book accommodation in Niseko Town, but there is a train station there and some nice restaurants too. It is also very unlikely that the station there will be a practical arrival or departure point.
• Niseko Village is one of the ski areas on the Niseko United Resort and is home to the Hilton Niseko Village, one of the largest hotels in the area and a prominent fixture on the landscape; the Niseko Village Gondola; and Niseko Village itself, which is a quaint shopping and restaurant area with some fantastic food. In summer, it's also home to the Niseko Village Golf Course, and Gate 11, which has some of the best lift-accessed off-piste terrain in the area.
• Niseko Cho (ニセコ町) is one visitors don't have to worry about too much, but interestingly, this is the official area that encompasses Niseko Town and has the Annupuri Ski area within its borders too.

So where are you staying?

If you've booked a Holiday Niseko managed property, you will be staying in one of the 7 main areas of Niseko.

1. Hanazono: we have just one property here, Etsuzan, and the Hanazono ski area offers some of the best terrain in the area, modern facilities and access to the Annupuri peak.
2. Kutchan: no properties here, but here you will find 3 different supermarkets, gas stations, a host of excellent restaurants, a hardware store, the train station and much more. Kutchan is the largest, best-serviced town in the area.
3. Izumikyou (Hirafu): is really just an extension of Hirafu but is far enough from the village that most would choose to drive or shuttle there, especially if walking in ski boots. There's a small handful of great restaurants within reasonable walking distance of the following accommodation - Aster, Lodge Mori, Nitai, Shiki & Koyuki, Yukine.
4. Hirafu: the center of all the action and home to most of the area's accommodation, restaurants, food trucks, bars and nightclubs, shopping, ski rental centers and the Hirafu Welcome Center, which is the major bus hub. If you're staying in Hirafu and catch the bus, we'll pick you up from here and drop you at your accommodation. Hirafu's lift system is awesome and this is where major ski schools such as GoSnow and Rhythm are based.
5. Kabayama: right next door to Hirafu and home to Lupecia restaurant and Gentem Stick snowboard shop. We have some excellent accommodation here including - Aoyama Lodge 2, Himawari, Hikaru, Ikigai, Kabayama Townhouse, Kabayama House, Kabayama Chalet and Mountain Butterfly, Yugen House.
6. Niseko Village: while Holiday Niseko doesn't have any accommodation right by Niseko Village, we do have some great options just a short drive away including Inari Chalet, Sawa, Yuki no Taki, and Yotei Chalets. Niseko Village is again home to some of the area's best free riding accessible via gate #11, has its own small village with shopping and restaurants, plus it's getting a new lift this winter!
7. Royal Town (Annupuri) A quieter part of the area with easy access to the Annupuri Gondola and Mount Moiwa, there are a handful of restaurants here and some great accommodation options including : Annupuri Onsen Chalet, Annupuri Retro Lodge, Koyo Chalet, Snow House Onsen, Yukikawa.  

Good to know -

• The majority of restaurants and accommodation are in Hirafu Village, and from here you can reach all the resorts in the Niseko United area on skis or snowboard via the connected lift system or via the shuttle system. 
• If you are planning to take the train here, your final destination should be Kutchan, not Hirafu Station or Niseko Station.
• Hirafu and Hanazono areas are covered under one pass, but if you want to explore Niseko Village and Annupuri too, you will need to purchase an All-Mountain lift pass, which Holiday Niseko will be happy to arrange for you in advance and have ready for you when you arrive.