Highlights
Authentic sleepy Japanese village
- Uncrowded village and ski resort
- Great off piste skiing through the Annupuri gates
- Best natural onsen (hot springs) in Niseko
Overview
The Niseko Annupuri area offers a sleepy Japanese ski village experience in Annupuri and Moiwa.
This area is the least crowded place to stay and ski in Niseko and is popular with beginners looking for a quieter place to learn as well as powder seekers wanting first dibs on the Annupuri and Moiwa off piste terrain.
When the day is done, relax in some of the best natural outdoor onsen in Niseko.
Where is Annupuri?
Heading from Niseko Village in the opposite direction to Hirafu is the Annupuri area. Annupuri village sits at the base of the Annupuri ski hill.
Neighbouring Moiwa village sits at the base of the Moiwa ski hill, which is not part of the Niseko United ski area.
New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the closest airport and can be reached in 3 hours by road. Kutchan is the closest town at 45 minutes’ drive and Sapporo is the closest major city at 2 hours’ drive.
Annupuri Area Map
Niseko United Ski Resort
The Niseko United Ski Area is comprised of the four connected ski areas of Hanazono, Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri. It is the largest single ski resort area in Japan.
There is enough terrain to keep everyone happy from mellow piste runs, steeper pistes, tree runs, sidecountry off piste and full backcountry terrain.
Annupuri Area Accommodation
Heading west from Niseko Village, the Niseko Annupuri area offers a sleepy Japanese ski village experience in Annupuri or Moiwa.
The area is the least crowded place to stay and ski in Niseko and is popular with beginners looking for a quieter place to learn as well as powder seekers wanting first dibs on the Annupuri and Moiwa off piste terrain.
Getting to Niseko
Whether you are coming from Tokyo, New Chitose Airport, Sapporo City, Otaru City or one of the other Hokkaido Ski Resorts, there are numerous options for the transfer to Niseko.
Annupuri Restaurants
Annupuri village offers a handful of local eateries at Annupuri Ski Ground Entrance in the central village area and within the ski in / ski out hotels. Rakuichi Soba is an absolute gem with diners making the trip over from Hirafu just to eat there.
Over at Moiwa village, the slopeside lodges have eateries on site, including the Matsuri Izakaya and Raphael restaurant and bar with the nearby Hotel Kanronomori and One Niseko Towers both offer in house dining.
Neither Annupuri or Moiwa vilages offer too much in the way of vibrant nightlife with the pace of life being pretty different from the lively Hirafu village.
Annupuri Onsen
The Annupuri area is the richest source of geothermal waters in the area and some of the best onsen in Niseko can be found here.
Coming straight off the mountain, the Niseko Northern Hotel and Ikoi no Yuyado Iroha hotel offer fantastic outdoor rock pools surrounding by trees at the base of the Annupuri ski resort.
The Yugokoro-tei onsen close to the Annupuri Ski Ground Entrance is a perennial favourite for visitors staying at Annupuri, Moiwa & Konbu Onsen.
Located past the turn-off to the Moiwa ski resort, Hotel Kanronomori and One Niseko Towers both offer outdoor and indoor baths.
Famous for mixed-gender bathing in its stunning Garden Rotenburo outdoor natural & open onsen bath complex, the Niseko Grand Hotel onsen, located in Konbu Onsen, is one of the very best in Niseko.
Child Care
Babysitting with trusted professionals in the Niseko area.
Getting Around Niseko
Whether you prefer to jump on a shuttle bus, book a taxi or hire a car and drive yourself, there are plenty of options to get around the Niseko area.