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Niseko may be Asia’s powder capital, but it is a destination you shouldn’t miss in the summer as well. Contrary to popular belief, Niseko is not only a winter destination but rather, a place worth visiting for all seasons. Recognised for its breathtaking winterscapes and renowned ski resorts, Niseko may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a summer Hokkaido trip. However, being blessed with magnificent mountains, abundant natural resources, and a great climate – there’s a whole other charm to Niseko that can only be seen in the summer when it’s not blanketed by snow.
Pleasant Weather Conditions
Unlike Tokyo and Osaka which are notorious for their significantly warm and humid summers, Niseko’s summers are milder, not as humid, and cooler – especially in the evenings. With such pleasant weather conditions, summer is the best time to explore Niseko’s natural landscapes and the quaint, little towns encircling Mt. Yotei through a drive or a fun ride on a bike.
Lake Toya
Great Location
Another great thing about Niseko is the accessibility and convenience of its location. Not only is it just a two-hour drive or train ride away from Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital city; plenty of the region’s tourist spots, including Otaru, Shakotan, Noboribetsu, and Lake Toya are just an hour or two drive away – making Niseko a great home base for day trips or a stop if you’re going on a road trip around the island.
Enjoy Luxury Stays at an Affordable Price
With luxury hotels and ski chalets being developed in different parts of the area, Niseko has earned its reputation of being a premier ski destination in Asia. However, during summer, Niseko’s off season, accommodations in the area lower their nightly prices as well as offer special summer packages, making them actually more affordable in comparison to Lake Toya, one of Hokkaido’s more popular destinations in the summer.
Take advantage of our off-season, check out our rates here.
Mt. Yotei Views
Being located at the foot of Mt. Yotei, one of Hokkaido’s most famous mountains and well-known for its striking resemblance to Mt. Fuji, you can find some of the best viewpoints of the volcano just in Niseko alone. Perfectly blending with its surroundings, you can go on a drive around Niseko and its neighbouring towns and you’ll never run out of picture perfect views of Mt. Yotei.
Get A Taste of the Famous Kutchan 540 Potatoes
Kutchan, the biggest town in the Niseko area, is known for their potatoes. If you’re making a stop here, you should definitely try the famous Kutchan 540 potato. Its name comes from the wet-aging process the local potatoes go through for 540 days, making them sweeter than regular potatoes.
While these potatoes are only produced by one company in Kutchan, they are very much sought out and available in different areas of Hokkaido and Tokyo. However, what better way to try this one-of-a-kind potato than to try it in its place of origin? If you’re in the area, here’s a list of local restaurants and stores in Niseko that use the Kutchan 540 potato.
The only AFURI in Hokkaido
Another reason to drop by Niseko is this is the only place in Hokkaido where you can find AFURI. A well-loved ramen chain known for their signature Yuzu Shio Ramen, a light and refreshing noodle dish perfect for the summer, AFURI’s Niseko branch is located right inside Setsu Niseko.
What’s unique about Setsu Niseko’s AFURI is that it sources its water from Mt. Yotei for their ramen broth – similar to how other branches get their water from Mt. Afuri in Kanagawa – combined with the use of high quality Hokkaido ingredients, giving you a taste of Hokkaido’s flavors in ramen form.
Great Coffee in Town
For the coffee lovers, a pit stop in Niseko is definitely something you’d want to do.
Possibly due to the fact that Niseko has become a melting pot of international cultures, or the natural craving for caffeine after a day of skiing or maybe, simply because of the weather – but Niseko has nurtured a strong coffee culture that exists today. From the internationally renowned Kyoto coffee chain, % Arabica, to locally run cafes like Mountain Kiosk and Sprout, these cafes are scattered all over the area that you won’t ever run out of coffee (and pastries) to try.
Take on Japan’s Longest Zipline
If thrilling adventures are what you’re looking for this summer, Niseko is definitely worth the trip as it is home to Japan’s longest zipline, the MACH 3. Covering 1,700 metres in distance with speeds reaching over 110 km/hr, MACH 3 is part of the Hanazono Zipflight, a multi-stage dual zipline that is composed of two other zipline courses. In total, Zipflight covers 2,591 metres.
Mountain Lights
Discover Niseko with a Bike
If you’re coming to the area in the summer, we recommend taking a bike ride to explore the area for a day or two. By the time summer rolls in, the once snow-blanketed Niseko becomes a cyclist’s playground. Taking advantage of Niseko’s mountainous terrain and well-paved roads, people come to enjoy mountain biking or go on road cycling trips in the summer.
Cycling has become such a popular summer activity in Niseko that there are 4 main cycling events that happen every year: the Hanazono Hill Climb, the Niseko Gravel Ride in spring and autumn, and the Niseko Classic. In fact, Niseko is also set to host the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in 2026.
Enjoy the Stunning Mountain Lights
Another good reason to come to Niseko is to see the Mountain Lights exhibition. This is the first and only light art installation in Japan created and designed by internationally acclaimed British artist, Bruce Munro. This exhibition is only open during summer evenings, lighting up the foothills of Mt. Annupuri in Hanazono.
Niseko is as beautiful covered in green as it is covered in white. Niseko may be at the top of everyone’s winter holiday list, but few people realise how equally incredible Niseko is once the snow melts. Enjoy our special summer offers by reserving a stay with us now and discover a completely different side to Niseko this summer.
