MIJ Staff Blog | Made In Japan

THE NISEKO

Hello, gentlemen.

The ski season is coming to Niseko again this year.

“Niseko” means “steep cliff” in Ainu language.

Did you know?

Niseko, surrounded by magnificent and beautiful nature, is known as a place where ski and nature lovers from all over the world gather. Niseko Annupuri (1,308m above sea level) has four ski resorts, Grand Hirafu, HANAZONO, Niseko Village, and Annupuri, collectively known as Niseko United, and the appeal is that all ski resorts can be easily accessed with a common lift ticket for all mountains. You can also enjoy world-class snowfall and high-quality powder snow.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there are many other activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tree trekking, and snow biking. You can experience the charm of Niseko in all scenes, such as backcountry easily accessible from the ski resort, unique village atmosphere, and dining that attracts foodies

Niseko is known for its high-quality powder snow and ski season in winter, but in summer, it is filled with breathtakingly beautiful, lush nature. You can hike the lakes and marshes surrounded by beautiful nature, try challenging mountain climbing and trekking, splash around in the water with rafting and canoeing, or enjoy mountain biking, golfing, hot air ballooning, and many other outdoor activities. Summer in Niseko is a paradise for nature lovers. In July and August, there are lots of events such as summer festivals and fireworks displays organized by locals.

Mt. Yotei, the most majestic mountain in the middle of nature, will show you different faces throughout the four seasons.

Ski resort opening period 2024 – 2025

☆Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
November 30, 2024 – March 31, 2025

☆Niseko HANAZONO Resort
November 30, 2024 – April 6, 2025

☆Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort
November 30, 2024 – May 6, 2025

☆Niseko Village Ski Resort
November 30, 2024 – April 6, 2025

☆Rusutsu Resort
November 23, 2024 – March 30, 2025
(Planned)

Next time, I would like to post about hotels and gourmet food in the Niseko area.

Made In Japan (MIJ) Escorts can dispatch women to Niseko only during the ski season.

If you are interested, please contact us.

Henjin

Photos by Kutchan Tourism Association and Nisade

Oct/02/2024

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Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai Guide for Luxury Travelers

Hello everyone,This is the manager of Made In Japan(MIJ)Escorts.Have you had the chance to visit the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai yet?Whether you’ve already been or are still planning your visit, the Osaka-Kansai Expo—currently being held for a limited time—is surely something you’re curious about.Some people might still be unsure whether to go, especially if they haven’t heard much information about it.That’s why I’d like to share my personal experience with you here in our Concierge Blog, as I recently had the opportunity to visit ahead of time—and it was absolutely amazing. As someone who regularly hosts VIPs from overseas, I can confidently say:You should definitely visit Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai.I personally recommend it to all of you. The Expo runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025.Since it’s the first time in about 20 years that a World Expo is being held in Japan, it has attracted attention from both inside and outside the country.It’s also frequently covered in Japanese media, which adds to the growing excitement. Upon entering the venue, the first thing I did was take a photo of the official mascot “Myaku-Myaku,” who is essential to any explanation of Expo 2025.This unique character was chosen from 1,898 entries in a public design contest.There are over 70 pavilions and more than 20 shops at the Expo.You might find yourself wondering where to start!Although I tried to visit as many pavilions as I could, the queues were quite long, so it was impossible to see everything in just one day.However, I managed to enter a few, and I’ll share some photos of the pavilion exteriors below.Now, let’s talk about food, which is another major highlight of the Expo. You can enjoy cuisine from all around the world, but since the Expo is being held in Japan, don’t miss the chance to indulge in delicious Japanese food as well.At Kura Sushi’s Expo branch, for example, not only sushi but various global dishes are served on the conveyor belt, giving you a delightful mix of “Japanese culture” and the “international Expo spirit.”If you’re concerned about dietary needs, the Osaka Halal Market at Expo 2025 offers menus that accommodate a wide range of food cultures and preferences.Many pavilions also serve their own national cuisine inside, which is worth exploring.Among them, I highly recommends the French Pavilion, especially Le Bistro and La Boulangerie, both supervised by the world-famous bakery Maison Kayser.You can enjoy authentic French cuisine, breads, and pastries there.With over 70 restaurants and cafés across the venue, I recommend planning ahead and making a shortlist of the places you want to try before you go. Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance to enter the Expo. In addition, you’ll also need to reserve your visit date and even pre-book certain pavilions—so preparation is key.But don’t worry.When you book an Made In Japan(MIJ) Osaka Escort Date Course, your escort will take care of the tickets and all arrangements in advance.You’ll travel to the venue together, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience with peace of mind.One of my personal highlights was the Grand Roof Ring.This structure, with a diameter of about 675 meters and a height ranging from 12 to 20 meters, has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest wooden structure in the world.It serves as a central walkway throughout the venue and provides comfortable shelter from sun, wind, and rain. Seeing it in person was breathtaking.I highly recommend walking around the entire ring—it’s a beautiful and refreshing experience.The ocean breeze, the stunning views—it’s a perfect spot for a memorable Made In Japan(MIJ) date.If you’d like to learn more about Expo 2025 or how to plan your visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Concierge.

May/19/2025

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Niseko lift users: 11.31 million people

Good evening, gentlemen.The number of people using the Niseko lift this season has been reported.It is said that Niseko’s popularity is declining, but that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with it.I’m looking forward to next season.from December 2012 to March 2013; weak yen attracts more foreign visitors; highest number since 200 The total number of people using lifts and gondolas at the four main ski resorts in the Niseko area (Kutchan and Niseko towns in Shiribeshi district) from December last year to March this year increased 13.5% from the same period last year to 11.31 million people, surpassing the 10 million mark. Although no data remains, this is believed to be the first time since the 2000s that the number has reached the 10 million mark since the ski boom of the late 1980s and 1990s. In addition to successfully attracting new foreign visitors from the United States and other countries, the introduction of new gondolas also had a major effect. The four ski resorts are Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Ski Resort and Niseko Hanazono Resort in Kutchan Town, and Niseko Village Ski Resort and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort in Niseko Town. According to the statistics of each operating company, the number of passengers this winter exceeded 9 million last winter for the first time in five seasons, reaching 11,318,863, exceeding the 9.97 million passengers last winter. Annupuri, which had been open since April, closed on May 6. The strong attendance is due to overseas visitors, who are thought to account for 80 to 90% of the total, and Niseko Village says, “The proportion of overseas visitors has increased since last season.” In addition to the “core demographic” from Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, there has been a significant increase in visitors from the United States and Canada. The fact that season passes can be used at about 60 ski resorts in North America and elsewhere is also helping the situation, and Hanazono Resort says, “Awareness of ‘Japanese powder snow’ is spreading in North America as well.” This season, the adult one-day pass common to all four ski resorts is now 1,500 yen, 1,000 yen higher than last season, and food, beverage, and lesson fees have also increased, but each ski resort says, “Due to the weak yen, there is no impact on overseas visitors.” One-day tickets at overseas resorts are said to be over 30,000 yen, and some believe that Niseko still has room to raise prices, but Annupuri is wary, saying, “The image that ‘Niseko is expensive’ has strengthened, and it feels like the number of domestic visitors has decreased.” By resort, Grand Hirafu performed well, with passenger numbers increasing 45% compared to the same period last year thanks to a successful conversion from its main four-seater lifts to 10-seater gondolas. Snow conditions in December were also good, and “the operating rate of lifts and gondolas at the start of the season increased by 70% (compared to the same period last year).” Accommodation facilities near the ski resorts also remained strong, with “occupancy rates of over 90% continued” (Niseko Village). At Hanazono Resort, a new hotel opened near the slopes, helping to attract visitors.We are looking forward to next season. MIJ Escorts will also be adding to the entertainment in Niseko.

May/13/2025

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