When the snow melts the Niseko region comes alive as a base for many adventure sports such as rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, canyoning and hiking. If you're into something more relaxing try fly fishing, sampling some of the incredible local cuisines or playing some of the area's stunning golf courses.

Let The Niseko Company help you get the most from a visit to Niseko over the warmer spring, summer and autumn months. Please feel free to contact us to discuss arranging your trip.

Early Spring

Early Spring is a fantastic time to enjoy skiing with prices and crowds dropping and plenty of back country powder runs still to be found. Late spring sees the snow melt and the first buds appear along with many wildflowers and is a favorite time of year for sansai (wild vegetable) collectors and hikers. This is also the best time to experience the thrill of Grade 3-4 white water rafting on the Shiribetsu River which swells with the spring melt. Optimum conditions occur from around Golden week until the end of May.

Summer

Summer's comfortable temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities. Hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horse riding, cycling (both road and Mt. biking), tennis and golf are only the beginning. Over summer a wide range of locally grown delicious, affordable fruit and vegetables can be enjoyed from road side stalls and at many of the local restaurants.

Autumn

Towards the end of September temperatures begin to drop again and the trees begin to turn. As early as October it's not unusual to see the peaks dusted with the first snow falls. Niseko is famed for its beautiful autumnal colours making this another great time of year for sightseeing and to dine on the freshly harvested produce.

Flora

Niseko has four very distinct seasons and the accompanying annual floral changes produce one of nature's wonders. Spring begins with cherry blossom, tulips and many other native and introduced species creating colourful displays from early May until late autumn when the autumnal colors signal that snow isn't far away.

Golf

The Niseko region boasts a good selection of affordable golf courses. All courses are located in and around the mountains and forests giving guests the pleasure of golfing with Niseko's famous scenic backdrop.

. Niseko Tokyu Golf Course

7003 yard Par 72 course. Located right next to the Hanazono ski resort, offering spectacular views of Mt. Annupuri, Mt. Youtei and silver birch forests this course is one of Niseko's hidden treasures.

. Niseko - Youtei Country Club

From the green burst of summer to the beautiful autumn colours this course is beautiful year round.

. Niseko Golf Course

This Arnold Palmer designed course at 6,805 yard long Par 72 shouldn't be missed. Unlike the region's other courses, this course remains traditional in that players can walk the course. With ever changing views of Mt. Youtei walking and playing this course is a pleasure.

. Niseko Prince Hotel Golf Course

Running through pine and silver birch forests at the foot of Mt. Annupuri in the Higashiyama area, these two courses offer challenges for both beginners and expert golfers. The Prince course at 6,845 yard Par 73 is known for its challenging holes-look for the Par 6! The Higashiyama course is shorter at 5,768 yards and is a Par 71. Wider fairways make this the perfect course for the enthusiastic beginner!

Festivals

There are many local festivals (matsuri) held in the various towns and villages in the area. These festivals are highly recommended as they provide the chance to both meet the locals and sample regional cuisines. All towns have matsuri which usually incorporate the local "meibutsu" (famous local product) into festivities.

Scenic drives

With low traffic and well maintained roads the Niseko region is a great place to tour by car. Within an hour of Hirafu you can visit the rugged coastline of Shakotan or cross over the Mt. Annupuri ranges and drive down to Iwanai, a small town on the coast.
The Niseko panorama line is a favorite route winding up and over Mt. Annupuri from Kutchan to Goshiki hotspring, down to Niseko and back to Kutchan via Hirafu.
By making your way around Mt. Youtei via the rolling farmlands of Makkari you can visit the beautiful volcanic area surrounding Lake Toya, the site of the 2008 G-8 summit. Here you can visit many natural wonders scattered throughout this active volcanic zone including: active volcanic craters, beautiful crater lakes and one of Japan's newest mountains, Mt Showa-Shinzan, which shouldn't be missed. This area is also a popular destination for golf, hiking, cycling, and hot springs.