Niseko is the most famous ski resort in Japan, known for having tons of light powder snow, spectacular backcountry and a large number of foreigners - especially Australians - who in recent years have been responsible for popularizing the resort area with the skiing/snowboarding community outside of Japan.
In addition to kilometers of ski trails, many of Niseko's resorts offer winter adventure seekers the option to explore off-trail skiing, a relatively uncommon attraction at most other ski resorts in Japan. The backcountry can be accessed through special gates around the resorts or experienced on guided tours and helicopter tours. The latter is also possible on nearby Mount Yotei, a nearly perfect volcanic cone, which can be seen from Niseko.
Niseko's ski resorts are all located on Mount Niseko-Annupuri. Three major resorts, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri, cover most of the southeastern half of the mountain while a few smaller resorts dot their perimeter. The big three are joined together with each other at the top of the mountain, and it is possible to ski between them, while shuttle buses connect them at their bases.
Japan gives out the sense of being timeless, a place where ancient traditions and culture are fused with modern life. It is an island country lying off the east coast of Asia. It consists of a great string of islands in the North Pacific Ocean. Almost the entire land area is covered by the country’s four main islands; Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu with Honshu being the largest of the four. The Japanese landscape is rocky, with more than four-fifths of the land surface consisting of mountains. There are many active and dormant volcanoes. Since 1950, Japan has emerged as one of the world’s most economically and technologically advanced societies. Heavy emphasis is placed on education, and Japan is one of the world’s most literate countries.
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