.jpg)
Autumn Leaves
Day 1: Arrival Day
Afternoon & Evening
As you drive through the Niseko countryside, feel the fresh chill of the afternoon breeze and sit back and enjoy the mesmerising views of the landscape changing with the seasons. Setsu Niseko is located in Grand Hirafu adjacent to Mount Annupuri, an area famous for its beautiful, colourful Autumn foliage.
After a long day of travelling, warm up and wind down in the mineral rich onsen before heading off to dinner to celebrate your first night in Niseko. To commemorate your trip, satisfy your appetite as you savour the perfectly constructed dinner course at méli mélo - Yuki No Koe -. Autumn is Hokkaido’s harvest season which means the freshest ingredients and the finest food.
Day 2: Colourful Exploring
Morning
Beginning with a mouthwatering breakfast, grab your rental electric bike from our on-site retailer, Rhythm Japan. Rhythm offers both rental and tour options with a range of mountain, road and children’s bikes to suit your needs, whether you are keen to hit the off-road single tracks, explore the countryside or ride from cafe to cafe to sample Niseko’s delicious local cuisine. Cruise around Hirafu village and the surrounding areas exploring the best spots to snap photos of the spectacular Autumn views. From Mount Annupuri to the small hills around the village, there are plenty of charming cafes throughout the village to refuel and catch up on the latest news.
Afternoon & Evening
Autumn brings about a drastic change in the colour palette of Niseko’s landscape as green makes way to vibrant oranges, rich reds and golden browns. Drive around Niseko to visit the most breathtaking sights around the region.
Depending on your preference, private day tours, rental cars or taxi services may be arranged. Please consult with our Concierge team at concierge@setsuniseko.com
Our top three recommended spots are:
- Shinsen Numa
One of the region's top beauty spots. Approximately 40 minutes from Setsu Niseko, Shinsen Numa is a great spot to observe Autumn leaves and feel at one with nature. A well-built and maintained wooden path allows you to navigate the Shinsen Numa easily.
- Fukidashi Park
Located in Kyogoku 20 minutes from Setsu Niseko, this large Japanese inspired garden with its wide open lawns, quaint bridges and fun playground is the perfect family hangout. Located inside the park is a small waterfall with Mount Yotei’s tasty spring water. Most of the restaurants in the Niseko area use this spring water source for their cooking. While taking in the glorious colours you can enjoy local delicacies including melon ice cream and coffee pudding.
- Lake Hangetsu
Located at the foot of Mount Yotei 15 minutes from Setsu, this stunning half moon shaped lake takes on a life of its own in Autumn. Perfect for all ages, take a short and serene walk around the lake to explore the wild plants and exotic birds.
Stay energised on your adventure with a takeaway lunch prepared by the team at AFURI. We recommend visiting them in store to collect some kakuni pork buns or a karaage don, leaving you stress-free to enjoy your day.
If you visit us in October, remember to stop by Niseko Station for photos with their famous Halloween decorations. Complete your day with inspired cocktails and delicious ramen at AFURI before having a soak in the hot onsen and steamy sauna. And what better way to cap off the day than with a cold Niseko craft beer in your suite.
.jpg)
Day 3: Activities Day
Morning & Afternoon: Choose between Golf or Hiking
Niseko offers some of the best golfing experiences available in Hokkaido with three world-class golf courses all within a 30-minute drive from Setsu Niseko. With the refreshing air and amazing Autumn landscape, playing has never felt so good. Or why not discover the scenery on foot with a hike across Annupuri? Hiking in Summer and Autumn offer very different experiences: with the cooler temperatures Autumn is often regarded as the best season for hiking, and the views are simply spectacular.
Dine at one of the many restaurants dotting the Niseko countryside for lunch:
- Rakuichi is famous for their handmade soba noodles and kaiseki course
- La Villa Lupicia offers a variety of options from their restaurant, patisserie, bakery and deli, and of course their outstanding assortment of teas.
- Maccarina uses the freshest Hokkaido ingredients to produce delightful course meals
Don’t forget to contact our Concierge team to make bookings as some restaurants require reservations!
Evening
One can never get enough of spending an afternoon rejuvenating your body at the Spa and Wellness Centre. Peruse the extensive menu of treatments at Rikka Spa or speak with the dedicated spa therapists to select the best treatment for you.
Enjoy an intimate dining experience centred around a beautiful Cypress counter at Tempura Araki. The sister restaurant of Sapporo’s two-Michelin star ‘Tempura Araki’, this will be a feast for the senses, with delicate tempura created to perfection like precious art pieces right in front of your eyes.
Day 4: Discover Autumn Leaves Outside Niseko
Morning & Afternoon
To experience more of Hokkaido’s Autumn scenery, it’s time to explore further afield. Visit a few sightseeing spots all within a 60 to 90 minute drive from Setsu Niseko.
Our recommended spots for a full day excursion include:
- Jozankei
The famous Jozankei dam draws visitors from all around the world during Autumn with its fantastic views over Lake Sapporo and across the valley. There are a few popular scenic spots in the area to best capture the scenery: Futami Park, Futami Tsuribashi suspension bridge and Akaiwa no Kan mountain stream.
- Lake Toya
Another great place to visit are the hot springs, art shops and charming cafes of Lake Toya. You can take a ropeway to the peak of Mount Usu and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the lake to witness the colours from the boat.
- Jigokudani
Autumn is the best time to visit Jigokudani (Hell Valley), also well-known for their hot springs. Walk through the wooden paths as you take in the beautiful Autumn landscape through the steamy valley.
Depending on your interest, our Concierge team can recommend a private day tour or reserve a rental car for you.
Evening
Your evening wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing pre-dinner dip in the onsen. Don’t forget to book your private onsen before you head out for the day, and enjoy the peace and quiet after your return. After bathing, enjoy an authentic and personable culinary experience with a gastronomic journey of the ocean that is second to none with an intimate dinner at Sushi Kato INORI. Located at Setsu, Sushi Kato INORI promises the ultimate ocean-to-table Japanese kaiseki experience, with Chef Kato's stellar reputation for his crab markets and restaurants in Sapporo and Niseko.
This is only one example of a fun itinerary you can experience while staying at Setsu Niseko, there is so much more for you to explore and enjoy! Let our dedicated concierge team know about your interests and preferences and we will create your own personalised journey full of cherished holiday moments just for you.
Share your cherished Niseko moments with us during your stay on social media and tag @setsuniseko and #setsumoments