Wild flowers are at their best in Niseko!
May 01, 2012
As the frozen ground thaws, Niseko bursts with spring color of varieties of wild plants such as Dogtooth violets, white arum, and amur adonis. You can see colonies of Ezoengosaku (corydalis ambigua) and Katakuri (Dogtooth violet) in Sakuragaoka Park in front of the Niseko Station, which is also great locations for bird watching.
Please rush to Niseko during the holiday weeks and don’t miss this moment of spring color!
No more words.Here you are!
Photo by KEI from Niseko HANAZONO Hill Climb Jikkoiinkai Jimukyoku.
Posted by: natsu | category: Green Season, Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Relief program in Niseko
Aug 11, 2011
For the past few weeks, sufferers of the Great East Japan Earthquake have been taking relief in Niseko through a program. It was named “Niseko Tsunami Relief Program.” We have only 20,000 residents in the area, naturally most locals involved to be volunteers, along with most companies, have been cooperating to offer the participants to enjoy their stay. The 420 people, mostly mothers and children (most fathers visit only for a few days, or cannot come due to work), are passing their summer vacations in a relaxed way, enjoying running around outside or just napping on the grass.
We have been delighted to offer the many kids from Fukushima, who can’t leave home and must remain in hot, humid rooms in Fukushima, to play around outside, frolicking in streams or catching bugs in Niseko’s great nature. At the same time, it’s been complicated to hear their stories of Fukushima, where they cannot live normally such as breathing outside or exposing to sunlight. Some participants in the program have already made the decision to move to Hokkaido, encouraged by Niseko’s wonderful nature and kind people.
The number of visitors from Fukushima have been peaking this week, with summer in full swing and many local festivals being held. Most children are under 12-years-old, and the volunteer team has been running plenty of events for the kids, such as English game time, hiking, and BBQs. There will be many opportunities to communicate with the families through the end of August.
We welcome anyone who is interested, especially families with kids!
If you would like more information, please call Yoko (Tel:0136-21-2551) or refer to brochures in the Owashi Lodge communication salon (Hirafu area).
Posted by: Yoko | category: Green Season, Media, events | Tag: Comment: 0
Full-on nachos from Downtown Cafe
Jul 19, 2011
I’ve long lamented the lack of plentiful Mexican food in Japan. Where I grew up, Mexican food was cheap, plentiful, filling, and delicious. There’s a lot of fabulous Japanese food around Hirafu, but sometimes I just want a big plate of chips or a quesadilla.
You can imagine how excited I was to hear that Downtown Cafe would be renewed with a Mexican menu for the summer! A couple of days ago I stopped by for lunch, where I settled on a plate of nachos. As you can see, I was not disappointed. The oven-torched chips were perfectly singed and topped with a mix of onions, tomatoes, avocado, and cheese. Underneath, much to my surprise (and delight!), was more cheese as well as a layer of well-simmered, spiced meat. The meal left me full, and Sai (who enjoyed the rice and pork in the background) left satisfied, too. This is real Mexican, loads of coriander and mixed herbs to provide just the right hints of flavor.
Needless to say, Downtown Cafe comes highly recommended. Make sure to check it out as soon as you can!
Posted by: Max | category: Food, Green Season | Tag: Comment: 0
The Fittest and the Dirtiest
Jul 04, 2011
This weekend, HANAZONO308 hosted one the JCF Japan Series MTB X-Country races, and it was quite the event. Competitors from all over Japan came to compete, and teams from major brands such as Cannondale and Giant were well-represented. The main course wound for 5km around Hanazono’s activity center and up towards the ski slopes and the nearby Tokyu Golf Course, leaving competitors muddied and tired, but the crowd loved it! Over 180 riders of all ages participated.
The elite-level race was a sight to see. The start of the race was a short climb then a cut back into the woods where things got tight and dusty. A number of racers fell over quickly, and even among these athletes their skills weren’t always enough to stay on the bike in such tough conditions.
There was a chance for all levels and ages to try out the course, too. The kid’s races were probably better attended than the ones with more competitive fields. Personally, I was inspired seeing those kids, from elementary school to high school, and I can’t wait to get back on my bike and try out the course later this week.
Our favorite platypus ninja, Kamonohashi, even made an appearance to help slake the thirst of tired competitors during the beginner race. Most riders took advantage of it, but a couple were so focused that they didn’t even know he was standing there! That’s serious dedication.
The HANAZONO308 Activity Center is open this summer, offering various off-site watersports, a wakeboard park, mountain biking, nature exploration activities, and golf. Stop by – everything you need is there. More photos are available from the event.
Posted by: Max | category: Activities, Green Season, events | Tag: Comment: 0
Spring rafting for the adventurous
May 30, 2011
Yesterday, I went rafting with Hokkaido Lion Adventures.
The Shiribetsu River, one of the most dramatic rivers in Japan, offers a number of activities you can enjoy throughout the year, and spring rafting is the most thrilling experience of all . Click to read more…
Posted by: natsu | category: Activities, Green Season, Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Photographer Mr. Hanamura’s memories
May 18, 2011
Mr. Hanamura, a photographer who worked in Niseko last June for Trail-running Kingdom, ran a story about his memories of Niseko for his blog.
“An artisan photographer’s story/Spring in Niseko”
Don’t miss his work in Trail-runnning kingdom !
Mr. Hanamura mentions flowers of potatoes in his blog.
Potato-flowers are usually in full bloom from mid June to late June in Niseko. We can enjoy magnolias and cherry trees at their best now!
Posted by: natsu | category: Green Season, Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
Sakuragaoka Park Niseko is now the blooming season!
May 11, 2011
Sakuragaoka Park, located just above the JR Niseko Station, is a beuatiful area where you can enjoy a blanket of seasonal flowers like Fawn lilies and Corydails fumariifolia (ssp. Azurea). The scenery is truly magnificent.
Unfortunately, if you look closely, it seems like we’re at the peak flower-viewing team, but we’ll be at the end soon. Don’t miss these few sunny days!
Posted by: Yoko | category: Activities, Green Season | Tag: Comment: 0
Spring message from Niseko
Mar 28, 2011
Cherry trees are said to have started blooming somewhere in Japan recently. We have to wait for a while till flowers bloom, but still can feel some spring sunshine!
Blue sky, fluffy powder in the tree runs and soft corn snow in the base area in the Niseko Village Ski resort ( pictures taken on March 22) .
We’d like to express our heartfelt condolence and sympathy to all who have suffered from the huge earthquake and tsunami hit the eastern coastal areas on March 11.
The earthquake activity has not directly affected Niseko so far. We’d pray to those affected by the earthquakes and hope every reconstruction and prosperity.
As our message to all who love and support Niseko from all over the world, we have opened new webpages to introduce the upcoming melting snow season in Niseko.
Japanese 輝きの春 ニセコへようこそ！
English Spring Sunshine Green of Niseko!
Korea 봄빛 넘치는 니세코로 어서 오세요!
Simplified Chinese “春季推荐”
Traditional Chinese“春季推薦”
You are always most welcomed in Niseko with the beautiful nature in the colorful four-seasons.
Posted by: natsu | category: Activities, Food, Green Season, Mountains, Out there..., Uncategorized | Tag: Comment: 0
The latest niseko.com hits the streets
Dec 10, 2010
Whether you’re here for a holiday, a season, or you’re a transplanted local, the new niseko.com has something for you. 
Packed full of info, the latest mag has hit the streets in both English and Chinese. This mag improves every issue and credit goes out to its entire team. Pick one up during your stay for a better understanding of the town and the people that make it such a great place!
It’s free, and it’s everywhere!!
Posted by: Chris | category: Activities, Development, Green Season, Media, Retail | Tag: Comment: 1
The sun sets on Autumn
Nov 30, 2010
I snapped this pic the other afternoon just before the snows moved in for good. We (hopefully!) won’t be seeing the grass around here until May is back so I just thought I’d throw this up.
Let’s hope that the snow falling today is just the beginning of a really good season without any more warm spells.
Carn old man winter ! Bring it on !!
Posted by: Chris | category: Green Season, Out there... | Tag: Comment: 0
