Niseko Village - Hirafu
Magazines and Guides
Niseko.com - Niseko's favourite magazine - is the first and last guide you'll need for everything about Niseko. All SkiJapan.com guests will receive a copy of the latest edition on arrival to Niseko. The current edition is available to read online at Niseko.com
Banking, ATMs and Money
When travelling to Niseko please keep in mind the following points regarding money:
- We strongly advise you to obtain Japanese Yen in cash before you leave your home country.
- In Hirafu Village there is only one international ATM located in Yamashizen. It accepts MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, Visa, American Express, Diner Club, China Union Pay and Discover Cards for cash advances.
- In Kutchan the main Post Office and all 7-Eleven convenience stores have international ATMs.
- To exchange traveller’s cheques you will need to travel to Hokuyo Bank in the nearby town of Kutchan.
- In general credit cards are not accepted in in most shops and restaurants.
SkiJapan.com accepts Visa, MasterCard, JCB and American Express cards for tours, ski lessons, ski rental and other services.
Budgeting
If you plan to eat out in Hirafu Village it is best to budget ¥5,000 to ¥6,000 per day, per person. Restaurants on the mountain cost between ¥800 to ¥1,500 yen per meal.
Shopping
- The local convenience stores, Seicomart and Lawson, carry a wide variety of Japanese and Western foods from pre-cooked meals, everyday essentials, and alcohol.
- For a wider range of choice, there are a number of large supermarkets in Kutchan. Please note that most supermarkets in Kutchan do not accept foreign credit cards.
- For souvenirs, the shops in Hirafu Village are recommended.
- NBS Retail shop has all of the must have accessories you need for your time on the snow.
Ski School and Equipment Hire
We operate our own Ski and Snowboard School, Niseko Base Snowsports, catering for everyone. We offer English speaking group or private lessons for all levels of skier or boarders. Please visit our Ski School and Equipment Hire page for more details.
Child Minding & Kids Activities
SkiJapan.com recommends the child minding services of Niseko Snow Kids and win-dol. Both offer child minding in your apartment at reasonable rates.
Restaurants
Niseko, Hirafu offers a wide range of restaurants from traditional Japanese meals, Ramen, Yakitori, Izakaya’s to steaks, and French-Japanese fusion cuisine. We recommend you to make the trip out to Kutchan for a real Japanese experience.
Make sure that you get a copy of the Niseko.com Magazine which provides details on great restaurants within the whole Niseko area and Kutchan as well as news, events, bus timetables and information on local activities.
