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Hinode Hills Niseko Village is one of the best-looking hotels in Niseko, a region in northern Japan that’s home to 15-plus meters of annual snowfall and long adored by Australian skiers and snowboarders. Standing solitary against a wintery-white landscape, this all-suite hotel – named after the rising sun – glows with a warm, golden hue and offers a distinct make-yourself-at-home vibe.
1. It’s apartment living at its most luxurious
The conjunction of wabi-sabi Japanese aesthetics and contemporary elegance defines the character of Hinode Hills Niseko Village. Set against Mount Niseko Annupuri, the hotel offers spacious studio or one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment-style suites, all with fully equipped kitchens, and luxurious dining and living areas. Guests can enjoy breathtaking mountain views, an in-suite laundry and the convenience of a pre-stocked kitchen on request.
2. Its onsite dining is seriously good
Dining at Hinode Hills Niseko Village is a delight in itself. The Bistro offers homemade bread and a live cooking station buffet, followed by burgers, noodles and baked goods for lunch and indulgent, gooey pizzas for dinner. The cozy lobby lounge is the perfect spot to unwind with a book and a cocktail by the roaring fire after a long day. For those who prefer to stay in, in-room dining — courtesy of the neighbouring Mandala Club apres-ski restaurant — ensures that dessert in bed (or even in the bath) is always within reach.
3. The onsen is open all night long
The Japanese have sought comfort for centuries in the country’s thousands of natural hot springs, where magma-heated, mineral-rich waters emerge as a result of Japan’s location on the western edge of the ‘Ring of Fire’, a global volcanic belt. Hinode Hills Niseko Village continues the tradition with two onsite onsens, where skiers and snowboarders can ease tired limbs in gender-separated spaces. Open all night long and reserved exclusively for guests, the bathing areas provide the ultimate remedy to long days on the slopes.
4. Direct access to Japan’s premier ski resort
A conveyor belt-style lift takes guests directly from the hotel to the Green Leaf Station chairlift, allowing seamless access to the Niseko United mountain, home to more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, and almost 30 lifts and gondolas. There are multiple ski schools, while non-skiers and snowboarders will find snow rafting, snowmobile and snowshoe tours, as well as foreigner-friendly restaurants and cafes. Guests can ski directly to Hinode Hills Niseko Village at the end of the day, leave all their gear at the onsite ski valet and then head straight upstairs to their suite.
5. You can ski to bustling Hirafu township
Guests can ski straight into Hirafu, the lively heart of Niseko United that’s just steps from the Village Express chairlift. A mix of retail and dining options await, with fried chicken available for budget-conscious travellers at the popular Lawsons convenience store, and elevated fare on offer at Ezo Seafood and Michelin-starred KAMIMURA.
A full day on the slopes not enough? Keep the good times going with a night skiing session, pausing only to warm up by a food truck fire, sip a craft cocktail at Bar Gyu+ — tucked behind a discreet vending machine entrance — or dance into the early hours at Powder Room. A free 10-minute shuttle from the Hirafu Welcome Centre will take night owls back to Hinode Hills Niseko Village.
6. The Edo-period-inspired Niseko-Yo is at your fingertips
Niseko-Yo serves as a quieter little-sister enclave to Hirafu, featuring around 25 restaurants, bars and shops. Just two short chairlift rides from Hinode Hills Niseko Village, Niseko-Yo offers a secluded escape with minimal crowds, creating an intimate ambience that feels almost like a natural extension of the hotel. Highlights of this traditionally styled Japanese village include Omotesando Koffee, an artisanal coffee shop renowned for its minimalist elegance, The Holiday Project boutique and Chuya, a cosy wine bar.
Discover Japan
The writer was a guest of Hinode Hills Niseko Village.
