Best Indoor Activities to Enjoy in Niseko

Skiing and snowboarding in winter, mountain biking and rafting in the summer – Niseko is the perfect outdoor playground in any season due to its terrain and abundance in nature. However, there are also plenty of indoor activities in Niseko – perfect for a day when the weather turns not so outdoor-friendly or you just happen to find yourself wanting to take a break from the sun or snow. 

Take a Spa Day

The best way to spend a day indoors is by giving yourself and your body a much needed rest and relaxation. Spend an hour or two soaking in the natural hot spring waters in our onsen, or treat yourself to a luxurious facial and spa treatment in Rikka Spa – located just inside Setsu Niseko.

Be Physically Active

There are plenty of ways to still keep your body moving despite being indoors. If you’re looking for a good workout sweat, here are some of our suggestions.

Yoga

Stretch out your muscles and improve flexibility with a yoga session at Studio En, a yoga studio also located inside Setsu. Studio En offers a variety of classes suitable for all levels and abilities from dynamic Vinyasa Yoga to refreshing Yin & Deep Stretch Yoga sessions. You can choose to join a group class or have a private one-on-one class with any of their instructors.

Make sure to check which classes they have available on your preferred date as the schedule changes on a monthly basis before reserving your slot. 

Pilates

If you’re looking for some core training and muscle toning, how about a Pilates session at Focus Physio? About a 10 minute walk away from Setsu, Focus Physio holds Group Reformer Pilates classes that are suitable for both beginners and those who have experience. If you’re looking to have a session tailored to your abilities and needs, they also offer private classes.

Climbing Gym

Climbing enthusiasts will be elated to know that Niseko does have an indoor climbing gym right at the Niseko Adventure Centre (NAC). The climbing wall is 11 metres high, stretching up all the way to the ceiling, passing through the second floor where Jojo’s Cafe & Restaurant is located. The gym also has a bouldering area that can be used by anyone 13 years old and above. 

If you’ve been wanting to get into climbing, NAC also has a climbing school held any day between Monday to Wednesday.

Indoor Skating

For those who have been wanting to practice their skateboarding skills and tricks, there is also an indoor skate ramp in Kutchan. LOWSTAR is a local shop where not only you can get snowboarding and skateboarding gear, but also enjoy their mini indoor ramp. They also have a skate school for kids 12 years old and under.

A Day of Kids’ Play

If you came to Niseko with your little ones, Setsu’s very own kids playroom is the perfect space for them to play when spending the day indoors. A range of toys, games, and books are available inside the playroom to keep them entertained for hours. For those looking for a more active form of entertainment, head on over to Hanazono’s Galaxy of Kidz – an indoor kids’ adventure zone where they can enjoy wall climbing, a ball pit, and a floating adventure trail.

Enjoy the Day at Your Own Pace

Museums

If you are a lover of the arts, or museums in general, Niseko has plenty of museums you can visit. For literature lovers, drop by the Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum which features the life and works of Taisho-era author, Takeo Arishima. For fine arts, head on over to the Shu Ogawara Museum of Art which showcases the works of the Kutchan-born painter. You can also consider visiting the Kiyoe Gallery Niseko which holds exhibitions of various artists from Hokkaido and all over Japan that specialise in different mediums of art including painting, calligraphy, sculptures, and more. 

To get to know more about the town of Kutchan, Niseko, and its surrounding areas, head on over to the Kutchan Museum of Natural History. Its exhibit is divided into nature, featuring the well-loved Mt. Yotei and the Niseko mountain range, and history that focuses on the history of the town and the people from the prehistoric age until present day. 

Niseko Distillery

For the whisky and gin lovers, you will definitely want to stop by Niseko Distillery. Despite just being recently established in 2019, the local distillery has been making a name for itself internationally with their classic Ohoro Gin (Standard) winning the World’s Best Classic Gin at the 2024 World Gin Awards. 

Everyone is welcome to visit the shop and the distillery but if you are wanting to get a tour of the place, make sure to make a reservation to get a slot. The tour will take you to their production area and barrel cellar – with product tasting included as well.

Attend a Workshop

If you are wanting to get crafty, there are also plenty of workshops you can attend in the Niseko area. Just in Niseko Outdoor Centre, there are already plenty of activities you can do from Wool Crafts to Ice Cream Making. If you are a fan of leather goods, head over to fan fun for some leather goods, or even make your very own leather pouch.