Well, the covers have come off the buildings! Both the gondola base and summit stations are bigger and renewed, there is a new mountain center right near the gondola, and the new cars for the gondola have arrived. I took a trip up the mountain to take a few pictures. They fit 8 people and offer fantastic views, as you can probably see in the pictures below.

On our way down, we had to take a short detour, so I snapped a shot of the new gondola station with all its little cabins lined up. If you look behind the station, the trail up to Miharashi is visible. Since it used to be an immediate right to start climbing that trail, you can really tell how much larger the station is.

From the mountain, you can see the Grand Hirafu Mountain Center below, which really looks great from the slopes. I’m sure that it will make a fantastic focal point and can’t wait to see it lit up at night. The bigger triangular windows are designed to frame in Mt. Yotei on one side and Mt. Niseko-Annupuri on the other. Looks good!

Now this isn’t something we’ll really see the results of for a couple of years, but it’s still pretty exciting. These holes at the top of Hirafu’s main street are the first step in a plan to bury all of the power lines and install road heating along the entire length of the road. We won’t see the results until the very end (they’ll dig holes and install all the conduits before starting to pull replacement cable), but it’s something to look forward to. It will make a huge difference in the feel of Hirafu in the years to come.

Less than a month until skiing starts!

1.Nature and habits of hornets

Active in August and September

In Hokkaido most incidents caused by hornets are reported in August and September. Based on the number of hornets and the size of nests, hornets tend to be more aggressive in these months than usual.

Whites are not necessarily safe
Although it is said that hornets tend to be more aggressive toward the color black, there is no guarantee that white is safe. Hornets may tend not to approach the color white as easily as black.


Certain kinds of smells attract hornets

Not only sweet smells of juice and candies, but also the scent of perfume and hair spray attracts hornets.

Sensitive to rapid movements and loud sound

Even though they may not want to attack people, hornets can become agitated and aggressive when encountering rapid movements, such as trying to wave them off or loud sounds.

2.When you are approached by hornets…

Stay still

As mentioned above, hornets are very sensitive to rapid movements. In most cases, they are only looking for food or nesting material when they approach you. Unless there is a nest nearby, duck slowly when approached and stay still, and they will leave you alone.

3.You may not realize that you are approaching a nest.

○Hornet’s nests can be located well out of sight. You may be approaching one without realizing it. When you are in mountains and fields, stay on established courses.

○Hornets may attempt to warn you as you are approaching their nest. They will hover closely around you at first, and, if you ignore them and continue approaching, they would clap their mandibles and make noise to give you a final warning, saying, “Stop proceeding or you will be attacked.” If you hear them clacking, you are already in serious danger. Try to stay quiet, move slowly, and leave the area.

4.Are hornets pests or beneficial insects?

○One benefit of hornets is that they will eat bugs which may destroy trees or crops. Hornets generally do not attack people unless agitated (such as a person approaching their nest). Understanding their nature and habits will help prevent any unnecessary accidents.

5.If you are stung by a hornet…

① Leave the area immediately. Move at least 50m away.
②Attempt to suck the venom out of the body. Insect poison removers can be purchased at stores, but if you don’t have one available, using your mouth to suck out the venom is said to be effective. Make sure you spit out the venom.
③ Repeat step ② to get all the venom out of your body.
④ Ice the bite if possible and do not move around more than necessary.
⑤ If you experience general symptoms such as palpitations, trouble breathing, dry mouth, cold sweats, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, numbness, nausea, or hives, see a doctor as soon as possible.


※If you have been stung by a hornet before or have an allergy, you may experience sudden hives and/or breathing difficulties within 15-30 minutes after being stung. If this is the case, a delay in treatment can be fatal. Please see a doctor immediately.

For me, a major highlight of the day was seeing many local restaurants come out and offer their expert cooking skills for the rest of town. As much as I love typical Japanese matsuri fare, there’s something special about being able to have craft sandwiches, beef stew, or smoked salmon and a beer (or wine!) in sight of Mt. Yotei with the rest of the community.

Events included junior Yosakoi dancing and flag tiggy, but the real excitement came after the sun set. First, there was a candy toss, with heaps of people cramming together to catch treats tossed from the top of a tower (photo credit: Glen Claydon).

After that, with bonfire in full flame, a local Taiko drumming group performed. It was quite the long set, and really got the blood moving – good, because it’s already getting a bit chilly in the evenings!

The evening ended with a fireworks show, and a large number of people stood around chatting by the bonfire later into the evening. All-in-all, a well-done event with all the hoped-for flavors of Niseko. See you there next year!

I was lucky enough to sit down with three chefs who work at the Hilton, Yoshio Kikuchi (Sous Chef at Melt, Bar & Grill), Manabu Ogawa (Sous Chef at Japanese Dining “REN”), and Tsutomu Oyane (Chef de Partie) to discuss how they ended up in Niseko, how they feel about the area, and how it’s affected their cooking.

Q: How did you end up in Niseko? Was it your own decision to come here?

Yoshio Kikuchi: I initially started working in Tokyo, but I’ve been in Niseko for quite a while – about 15 or 16 years. At the start I didn’t know what the area had to offer, because where I was born is very different from Niseko’s countryside. Of course, I met with no real problems and really loved the area, so I decided to stay.

Manabu Ogawa: I worked in Sapporo for a time as a French chef, but my mentor told me, “Why don’t you come to Niseko? There are all sorts of great opportunities for a chef here.” I checked out the area and decided to come, quickly realizing “Wow, this is a great place, I could live here with my family.”

Q: Having worked in other areas, what sort of unique opportunities does Niseko offer? How is the atmosphere around food and the gourmet industry different?

YK: The biggest difference quite simply is – vegetables. The most famous aspect of the area is how quickly and easy we can get our hands on fresh produce. Further, we have the unique chances to talk with farmers directly, so we can receive fresh vegetables from a short distance away in the morning and then offer them to our guests the same day.

MO: In particular, here at the Hilton we currently rent fields just down the street (near Milk Kobo), so we can hop in a car and check out the vegetable fields, think about how we want to use them, and then come back and cook it. Our guests up here will eat just about any sort of vegetables, and pastries are much more common.

TO: I agree as it’s the same for the fruits I use in my pastries. We can get hold of fruits and use them in cakes and baked foods the same day, which is something you don’t hear about too much in Tokyo or even Sapporo. This and also people’s desire to try these sorts of foods is unique to Niseko as a resort area.

Q: Although it’s clear that summer is the best time to enjoy fresh produce, Niseko is much more popular in the wintertime. How do you maintain food quality throughout the winter?

YK: Niseko has this mountain image, but the ocean is very close, and many fish are even more delicious when winter comes. In addition to great fish, Niseko and Hokkaido are known for great potatoes, too, which keep well through the winter.

MO: Exactly. In terms of potatoes and root vegetables, we have to wait a while to use them, but there are plenty throughout the winter, even though there aren’t too many green vegetables. Niseko has three main appeals – skiing as the main, onsen (hot springs), and terrific food, particularly our winter seafood –we try to focus on all three at the Hilton.

Additionally, as the Teppanyaki (Japanese grill) chef, we only use the highest-end beef, pork, seafood and other ingredients. To complement the food, we wanted to encourage a local style, mixed with modern décor and fusion ingredients.

TO: In terms of pastries, we receive many of our fresh fruits from the neighboring town of Niki where apples and cherries are quite famous. In the winter we switch our focus to Hokkaido’s great cheese and milk, emphasizing the best available ingredients.

Q: How has living in Niseko and the international atmosphere here affected your cooking?

YK: I try to keep simple dishes and side dishes in mind. I try not to change the ingredients too much, but rather let the ingredients and their flavors shine through, such as their sweetness and natural texture. I also try to think about how those flavors tie together.

MO: In Niseko I’ve studied new things like farming and different ingredients, one of which was asparagus. In Hokkaido green asparagus is well known, and people see it in the supermarket all the time, but white asparagus is something new to most people. They don’t know how to cook it or the simple way of eating it. Even now, when people are given a choice they’ll go for the green asparagus I think, but with white asparagus’s tastiness and charm it is a shame that people don’t realize how delicious it is, even though it’s fairly easy to find!

Q: Finally, last question – When you go out to eat, what type of food do you eat and where do you go?

YK: I go out for soba (buckwheat noodles). Or, because it’s Niseko, Jingis Khan (grilled lamb with special spices). Generally, I enjoy other Japanese foods.

MO: I like to go to nearby places for lunches, mostly because I’m curious how other people are cooking in the area. I get to see, “Oh, this is how they cook here.” In this area we’re all using the same ingredients but creating very different flavors. At the Hilton and around Niseko in general, we are trying to make sure that everyone can find something that appeals.

This Friday, July 1st, a new style of horseback riding club will open at the K2stable in Niseko

The stable has a beautiful view of Mount Yotei, and the owners, a husband and wife couple, spent over a year searching for the right spot. It was worth it!

One unique part of the stable is the opportunity to learn about horseback riding from the basics. For beginners, you will first learn about how to ride a horse and how to do it safely in a lecture, then you will hop on! Until you and the horse have gotten used to one another, you’ll walk around slowly. It’s quite safe.

The horses here are extremely gentle compared to other places. In any case, you’ll quickly get a good feel for using the reigns and stirrups to control the speed and direction of your horse.

Learning to ride is all about developing a relationship, and you’ll have a good opportunity to learn lots here. It won’t be just a fun experience, but a memorable day spent in the outdoors.

The stable owners, Mr. and Mrs. Tero, are laid-back and easy to talk to.

Of course, there’s a relaxed rest house as well. Make sure to check it out.

K2stable

〒048-1551
238-5 Satomi Aza Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan.
TEL.+81 136 44 3788
FAX.+81 136 44 3788

Their homepage is here.

Shortly after the earthquake, the locals at Niseko Photography filled their van with supplies and drove down to Tohoku to deliver and provide whatever support they could. Naturally, they brought along their cameras.

The result was an emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, and sometimes enlivening look into the lives of those who suffered a horrible ordeal. The photos were printed and on display at Niseko Photography about 10 days ago. With the support of Hokkaido Tracks, they fired up several barbecues for the event and invited everyone to grill what they could.

Here’s to more events like this! For the record, there was another barbecue going on down the street, too. Gotta love the summer.

Although there was a total eclipse of the moon this morning and many parties across the world, in Hokkaido it was only a partial eclipse this morning. Anyone see it?

Enjoying a hot-spring bath in the open air under a full moon is one of my favorite memories here… truly beyond description. The onsen at the Hilton Niseko offers a mysterious mood as you gaze off into the forest under the moonlight. The pond’s surface shimmers, and sometimes you can hear the owls hooting.
Lovely full-moon days…