Aoyama Lodge

Aoyama Lodge’s concierge team is on-hand to give you all the information you need. They can also make restaurant reservations for you (if availability permits) or help rent sports equipment as well as arrange ski lift passes. With our competent team at your service, leave all your worries behind. Though the area has a plethora of activities, here are our top choices for things to do in Niseko, regardless of the season you visit:

• As Hokkaido has opened up to international tourists, the region has gained popularity for its pristine surrounds and the amazing local produce that comes from the land and the sea. Local and international chefs have flocked to the area to take advantage of these great products and Niseko has become a food lover’s paradise. Aoyama Lodge is perfectly positioned to enjoy the fantastic restaurants from Annapuri to Hirafu and Kutchan. Options range from small yakitori shops run by old families to world-class fine dining restaurants.
• For a bespoke dining experience, Niseko Gourmet can arrange for a special meal to be cooked in your own chalet by one of Japan’s finest chefs. From a traditional sushi bar to an intimate sukiyaki meal, this is indulgence to the next level. Gourmet food delivery and grocery shopping are also offered in case you prefer to self-cater.
• Acclaimed as Hokkaido’s premier health and wellness destination, Niseko is blessed with a number of atmospheric thermal hot springs, known as onsen, renowned for their relaxation and rejuvenation properties. Head into Hirafu for Hirafutei onsen that overlooks the ski fields or further afield to Makkari Onsen with amazing Mount Yotei views.
• Niseko’s striking mountains and four distinct seasons has attracted many artists to the region over the years. There are many art galleries in the region showcasing local talent and artists from around Japan. Gallery Ram is just a short walk from Aoyama Lodge at Lupica and nestled in the Hanazono Hills is Somoza Gallery, built in a 150 year old farmhouse displaying artefacts from Hokkaido’s first settlers and art from around Japan.
• For a night out around town, we suggest heading to cosmopolitan Hirafu Village and sampling rare Japanese whiskies at Bar Gyu or the vast selection of Japanese craft beers at Mick's. If you still have energy left, be sure to check out Wild Bill's for live music and late-night DJ sets.
• The Nikka Yoichi Distillery is a popular place to visit and learn the workings of the world-renowned whisky’s first distillery, opened in 1934. Some use it as a halfway point to Otaru, the quaint harbour city known for is well-preserved canals, café culture, glassworks, music boxes and street side stalls plying amazing seafood.
• For something more urban, Sapporo City is abuzz 24/7. Japan’s fifth largest city is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, ramen and great beer, as well as the annual snow festival in February featuring art and sculptures made of snow and ice, including snow slides.

Winter 

Widely acclaimed as Japan’s powder playground, Niseko enjoys an average of 15 metres of snow annually, which, combined with fabulous infrastructure and a buzzing international vibe, makes it one of the most sought-after winter experiences in the world. Here are some tips to make the most of your stay in the snow season.

• Aoyama Lodge is just a five-minute drive from the ski lifts in Hirafu so getting on the slopes in the morning is a breeze. Niseko Village is also just around the corner and is recommended for beginners, or for the more advanced skiers there are great powder lines early in the morning.
• Gentem Snowboard shop is five minutes walk from Aoyama Lodge. The snowboards sold in this shop are works of art. Uniquely designed specifically to handle Niseko’s deep powder snow, they are amazing to ride, and look fantastic too. The earlier models are fast becoming investment pieces. There is a café there as well so you can sit and contemplate which model you want.
• Driving a snowmobile is an exhilarating way to explore Niseko's incredible scenery. From adventurous guided tours speeding down forested trails to skidding along the snow on a raft, there are plenty of options available for safe and exciting family fun.
• For those more adventurous, we can recommend Niseko's specialist mountain guides. Hiking up Mount Yotei and skiing powder snow down into the caldera is a rare and rewarding experience you will not forget.
• How about whisking across the sparkling snow on a reindeer sled just like in fairy tales? This is one experience the kids will cherish. The whole family can also join a jumbo sled tour, on a custom-designed snowmobile sled which seats up to six people.

Spring and Summer 

• As the snow melts, the landscape explodes with wild flowers, making Niseko the perfect base for hiking. Enjoy the crisp clean air as you ramble across the moors or climb Mount Yotei to enjoy a 360-degree panorama from the trail that winds around the caldera.
• Autumn in Hokkaido is a special time, as the leaves change colours across the countryside. It is the perfect time for a hike or drive, taking photos to capture the unrivalled beauty of Hokkaido’s autumn leaves.
• Play a round of golf while enjoying glorious scenery and spectacular views of Mount Yotei at Niseko Village Golf Course, which was named Japan's Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2014.
• Treat the whole family to a day of fun at Pure at Niseko Village – a nature activity centre with the longest zip line in Japan. You can also enjoy horse riding, panoramic views of Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range from a hot air balloon. The little ones will love ‘Pure’ Adventure the park’s newest attraction, which has an inflatable playground, filled with mazes and slides.
• Regularly hosting Japan's largest cycling race – the 'Tour de Hokkaido' Niseko is a popular cycling destination with a wide variety of trails suitable for all levels, including exhilarating downhill mountain trails via gondola. Got something more leisurely in mind? Quiet country lanes are ideal for gentle family biking.
• Picturesque lakes and rivers make fresh water fishing, canyoning and rafting popular summer pastimes. Shiribetsu River offers some of the best rafting in Asia and you can expect stunning alpine scenery and crystal clear water. Alternatively, head to the nearby Shakotan Peninsula where sea kayaking reveals a magical ocean colour known as Shakotan blue.