Experience Niseko Vol 5

EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCENISEKO.COM

VOL. 5 SUMMER 2018

Summer Celebration

ENJOY THE RIDE

EXPLORING THE RISE OF NISEKO’S TWO-WHEEL CULTURE

BBQ like a Local

HIRAFU MATSURI INSIDE NISEKO’S BIGGEST FESTIVAL

THE ART OF JAPANESE BBQ

Onsen Oasis NISEKO’S RENOWNED HOT SPRINGS

LIFE IN COLOUR

LOCAL ARTIST YUICHI HASEGAWA

ADVENTURE TIME DISCOVER NISEKO’S BEAUTY

PLUS! EVENTS, FESTIVAL GUIDE & MORE

EXPERIENCE NISEKO 1

True ski-in ski-out, luxury design and service in an unbeatable location, this is Skye Niseko.

Opening December, 2018.

Time to Enjoy.

enjoy@skyeniseko.com 0136-55-5123 www.skyeniseko.com

Editor’s Note Lush countryside, fresh air, mild temperatures, untouched nature, farm-fresh cuisine, captivating culture and world-renowned Japanese hospitality—welcome to summer in Niseko.

Nestled in Japan’s scenic northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a place most often discovered in winter, yet is the most unearthed in summer.

Niseko’s world famous snow attracts bountiful international visitors each year and when the winter wonderland eventually disappears, a whole new world opens up to explore.

Niseko in summer is a place of natural wonder and a destination all of its own. A new-found playground for powder skiers to get a thrill downhill on mountain bikes, for foodies to devour the freshest Hokkaido seafood and produce, for leisure seekers to relax and unwind in paradise and for families to reconnect and get back to nature.

Not only is Niseko its own glorious gem, it is part of Hokkaido’s sparkling summer crown. To the northwest are crystal coastlines and to the southeast lie glistening lakes, all only a short drive from Niseko and idyllic day trips as part of the quintessential Hokkaido summer itinerary.

In our second summer edition we explore the abundant warmer months in Niseko, including the top family-friendly activities to try, local recommendations, secret sightseeing spots and must-see events. We also meet some of the faces of Niseko; the people who live and breath the area year-round and who make it the incredible, unforgettable place that it is.

Whether you keep coming back winter after winter or you haven’t yet visited Niseko, we hope that the curiosity to experience the magic of Niseko in summer brings you back time and time again, anytime of year.

SOFIE LAHTINEN

EXPERIENCE NISEKO Vol. 5, Summer 2018 www.experienceniseko.com Published by HTM KK, 91-1 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan Advertising Enquiries: contact@experienceniseko.com Cover Photo: NAC DISTRIBUTORS We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the local and international businesses and individuals who stock and support Experience Niseko. Without everyone’s effort and contribution, Experience Niseko wouldn’t be the publication that it is today. While we would love to list everyone who has contributed, there are simply too many to do so! If you or your business, in Niseko or abroad, would like to help spread and share Experience Niseko, please contact us regarding distribution of our free magazine or refills when you run out. Email: contact@experienceniseko.com FOLLOW US experienceniseko

This magazine was published with the assistance of a national government grant from the Ministry of Tourism’s program supporting regional tourism brand development.

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Photo by Nolan Yoshiaki Isozaki

CONTENTS

Niseko News 7

Hokkaido in a Bowl 28

Shape of the Mountain 57

Event Guide 8

Enjoy the Ride 30

It’s Adventure Time 58

Summer Celebration 12

Touring Lake Toya 38

Life in Colour 62

Festival Guide 16

Autumn Allure 40

The Arts Trail 65

In Season 18

Through the Seasons 44

Escape to Nature 68

Sweet Treat 22

All in a Day’s Trip 50

BBQ like a Local 24

Onsen Oasis 52

EXPERIENCE NISEKO 5

Discover one of Asia’s best-kept secrets in summer

Perhaps it’s the breathtaking views of Mt. Yotei.

Or Chef Shinichi’s delicious Hokkaido cuisine.

Maybe it’s the relaxing traditional onsen.

Or the unforgettable personal service.

Come and experience summer at Ki Niseko and explore all the fun in Hokkaido.

www.kiniseko.com

Niseko News A round up of what’s turning heads in Niseko

Niseko Nature Center (NNC) NNC is a new venture by the Ikeuchi Group, a Sapporo-based department store and outdoor retailer with a strong presence in the Niseko area. Enjoy a range of summer activities in their opening summer season, including rafting, canoeing, cycling, hiking and cultural classes.

Skye Niseko

Skye Niseko Niseko’s largest ski-in ski-out accommodation is set to open in December, 2018, gearing up for its first winter season. Situated at the top of Hirafu village, the luxury hotel, featuring an onsen, restaurant, gym, spa and more, provides easy access to Niseko’s summer nature and ski resort in the winter. Reservations are now open.

Latest Developments With Niseko garnering more international interest, a number of new projects will begin this summer. ARUKU-ZAKA STREET is one of the largest and is scheduled for completion in early 2022. It’s set to be a thriving precinct with residential condominiums, hotels and retail space.

Aozara is a new hotel with commercial spaces and is due for completion in winter 2019, located where Green Farm Café and Rhythm Summit were previously. Next up is Setsu Niseko, a hotel project which will have its own onsen for guests to use with view to completion in 2021.

Park Hyatt is a new luxury hotel scheduled to open in December 2019, located at Hanazono with access to Hanazono Golf.

Ginger Situated in AYA Niseko, Ginger will continue to offer traditional Japanese-style lunch dishes and izakaya plates in the evening for its first summer season after opening this past winter.

Photo: Niseko Mountain Bike School & Guiding

Jungle Brothers Photo: Adam Locke

Trailblazer

Jungle Brothers

With a rise in popularity, more flow trails have been built over the past few years, with a number now opening this year for the first time. Designed for both amateurs and experienced riders, flow trails can be found both on and off the mountain.

Open for its first summer season, the already popular Jungle Brothers in Kutchan is serving up a storm with Hokkaido’s famous soup curry, a unique ramen-soup curry blend as well as international cuisine including Italian and Chinese dishes.

NAC Adventure Park The largest of its kind in Japan, the Adventure Park features six courses with over 100 different elements including zip lines and vertical drops. With a vast variety in routes, it is suitable for all ages to enjoy Niseko’s nature from the tree tops.

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Photo: NAC

Event Guide No matter the season, there’s always a reason to visit Niseko Find out more online at experienceniseko.com/events

Tee Off

By the end of May, golf season is in full swing.

Driving ranges open a little earlier so you can get your game on point pre-season.

When: May until November 8 EXPERIENCE NISEKO

SPRING Ride the Rapids

Riverbanks burst from the winter snowmelt come April. Ride the river on a rafting tour to get the heart pumping. The spring ski season ends after the Japanese Golden Week holiday early-May. When: April and May

Cherry Blossom Bloom

Take a Hike

Explore Niseko’s natural beauty with mountain trails opening in late spring. Choose from beginner walks to challenging climbs like Mt Yotei.

When: Late May until September

Niseko-Hirafu, Lake Toya, Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum and Makkari Shrine will be dotted with Japan’s iconic spring flowers.

When: Early to mid-May

SUMMER Find Your Flow

Go downhill even in the warmer months with mountain bike trails and the growing number of “flow trails” opening.

When: From early June

Ride in Nature

Suitable for riders of all abilities, the Nature Ride Niseko is a great way to see the area’s beautiful surrounds.

When: June 10

Lake Toya Anime and Manga Festival

See Japan’s colourful cosplay fans in costume at this two-day festival at popular sightseeing spot, Lake Toya.

When: June 23 - 24

Yotei Circuit Fun Ride

Photo: Niseko Classic

In celebration of the Niseko Classic and as a fun preliminary event for entrants as well as their friends, families and the community, this ride is mapped out on the most stunning course.

When: July 7

Niseko Classic

Cyclists from all around the world are invited to participate in this annual event in Niseko, with the event recognised as a part of UCI Grand Fondo World Series.

When: July 7 - 8

Go, Go, Gondola!

Take in the panorama and snap an amazing photo of Mt Yotei at the top of Niseko-Annupuri with a ride up the Hirafu and Annurpuri Gondolas when they start spinning.

When: Mid-June until mid-September

Hanazono Hill Climb

Get those muscles burning with this 15.5 km race climbing 617 vertical metres. It’s not for the faint-hearted!

When: August 5 Photo: Niseko Mountain Bike School & Guiding

Seeing Pink

Enjoy Mr. Mishima’s shibazakura garden free-of-charge when it blooms with eye-popping pink flowers.

When: Throughout June

Strider Enjoy Cup

Back for its third year, this family-friendly event is a fun day out with competition open to children who can ride on their own Strider Bike. Registration essential.

When: July 15 EXPERIENCE NISEKO 9

AUTUMN

Niseko Marathon

Happy Halloween

NAC Trail Run

Autumn Leaves

Over 1,500 participants will compete in this local community event in Niseko Town.

When: September 16

Hokkaido’s first trail run is now in its 19th event in 2018. Courses range from 5 km to 30 km travelling mountainous terrain including log hopping and creek crossings.

When: September 9 (entries close August 26)

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Get your camera ready with painted pumpkins on display in Niseko Town in celebration of Halloween. Niseko-Hirafu gets in the Halloween spirit late October with families trick or treating across town.

When: Early September through October

Explore the mountain and marsh trails to see the best of the stunning copper, gold and bronze autumn sights.

When: Mid-October

Your Niseko holiday, your way!

With the largest range of accommodation in the Niseko area and exceptional service, Niseko Central can accommodate all of your needs and make your time in Hokkaido this summer an unforgettable experience.

ď‚• 0136 23 3503 ď€ƒ stay@nisekocentral.com

www.nisekocentral.com

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Summer Celebration Inside one of Niseko’s biggest and most eclectic summer festivals: the Hirafu Matsuri WORDS: SOFIE LAHTINEN PHOTOGRAPHY: GLEN CLAYDON

T

he smell of smoky yakitori wafts past, followed closely by two Japanese women dressed in casual summer kimonos.

It’s twilight and the seduction from the surrounding food stalls is working. Over to the right, droves of hysterical festival-goers try to catch wrapped rice cakes, or mochi, being thrown into the air–a lucky few win a prize. Mochi maki is a traditional part of many celebrations in Japan and one of the most popular events at the annual, and ever-growing, Hirafu Matsuri.

Summer in Japan means it’s festival season. Matsuri meaning “festival”, are one place you can experience how the locals celebrate summer: shaved ice desserts known as kakigori, mouth-watering, batter-fried octopus or takoyaki, people dressed in yukata and dazzling hanabi lighting up the sky—to name a few.

The Hirafu Matsuri began only a few years ago and despite its infancy, it has already grown into one of the largest events in the Niseko area.

Naoko Kerr of Summit Hotel Management, and Atsuko Kato of Jam Café, came up with the idea for the event after talking with other mothers about the need for a traditional Japanese festival in the area for their children to enjoy.

As the event grew, they teamed up with Junko Watanabe, owner of Graubunden and member of the Kutchan Tourism Association, together with members of the community, to help nurture and grow the festival.

“As the event was getting bigger and bigger and we were not able to handle everything ourselves, we contacted Kutchan Tourism Association where Junko-san was working as the head of the Hirafu branch,” Kerr explains.

The event has grown significantly over the years from around 15 food stalls and about 800 event-goers to now more than 35 stalls with around 6,000 people attending the one-day event.

The continuing growth and popularity of the festival is largely attributed to the increasing number of international visitors and residents in the Niseko area.

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“At that time, there were only a few tourists in Niseko during summer,” Kerr says. “More and more foreign tourists are staying in Niseko now during the summer time and they want to enjoy a Japanese festival.”

With increasing visitors, summer tourism in Niseko is gaining momentum with word spreading about Niseko being a year-round holiday destination.

“The number of people staying in Hirafu in a condominium for one or two months in summer here in Hirafu is growing,” Watanabe says. “Those people are looking forward to coming to the festivals every year, so they bring their family and grandkids too.”

With the number of summer businesses that cater to foreign guests growing in the region, the number of expats living in Niseko has also grown, adding to festival attendee numbers.

“There are now quite a few foreigners who are not only travelling in Japan, but who were actually living in Hirafu. So, the international food stalls started to come to the festival and cultures started mixing together,” Kerr says.

The mix of cultures with the addition of international cuisine on the festival menu, a rarity at Japanese festivals, has made the event unique and enjoyable for both international visitors as well as for the domestic market, Kerr believes.

“It is still a Japanese festival, but the fact that there is influence from different cultures makes this festival interesting,” she explains.

At the 2017 event, there were food stalls by many of Hirafu’s big names including Ebisutei, An Dining and JoJo’s Café. An eclectic mix of cultural cuisine was served ranging from Indian to Korean, plus many great Japanese festival staples like takoyaki and yakitori.

The coming-together of people is one of the fundamentals of the matsuri with the event a highlight on Niseko’s annual social calendar. A time for visitors to spend with loved ones and locals to get-together with new and old friends, all the while enjoying the unforgettable matsuri atmosphere.

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“Niseko has become a very famous resort all around the world and because of this, there are a lot of people who started living here,” Kato says. “For them, this festival is the only opportunity to get together as a community and experience Japanese culture together.

As a lot of people know each other and are friends in the community, it is the best part for foreigners who live here.”

The Hirafu Matsuri not only serves the community but is also a means for locals to give back and support what is now such a renowned local event. Ongoing community support is an essential element for the continued success of the festival, with the organising committee seeking new volunteers each year.

“We definitely need more help. If people can help us more, then I think this festival will be better and better,” Watanabe says. And the future is already looking bright with the long-term goal to turn the Hirafu Matsuri into a week-long event.

“I know it is kind of a big goal, and we are going to need a lot of effort to achieve this, but it is one thing that I really want to do,” Kerr says. “If we can make that happen, the hotels and the restaurants are going to thrive, so it is good for the community and its economy.”

This year’s festival is set to go off with a bang with the event’s famous combined fireworks and taiko (Japanese drums) show on again for another year. The crowd-pleasing Hirafu Samurai (newspaper sword battle) will also be part of the line-up alongside the increasing variety of delicious festival food. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture-buff or just a love a great time with family and friends, the event has something for everyone.

“I love that people get together; I love watching people having a lot of fun,” Watanabe says. “I think the reason why we keep connecting and we can make the festival happen is because people who live here really love Niseko.”

■ Join in the celebration on August 18 at Sun Sports Land, Hirafu.For more information see our Events at www.experienceniseko.com/events

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Summer Festival Guide Join in the celebration at one of the many summer matsuri in and around Niseko For more information see our Events at experienceniseko.com/events

Iwanai Shrine Reitaisai Festival

Witness locals carry mikoshi (portable Shinto shrines) throughout the town and raise them to wish good luck upon homes and businesses–a 200-year old tradition. Enjoy tasty festival food and the evening street parade.

When: July 7 - 9 Where: Iwanai Town

Shakotan Fire Festival

It’s a jaw-dropping sight to be seen when locals make a bolt through the scorching flames while carrying mikoshi. Beautiful embers fill the air making for a very magical atmosphere.

When: July 4-6 Where: Shakotan Town

Niseko Fireworks Festival

Look to the summer night’s sky as it lights up with over 1,500 dazzling fireworks. Be sure to taste the traditional festival eats too.

When: August 4 Where: Niseko Athletics Park

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Kutchan Potato Festival

Known as the Jaga Matsuri by locals (jaga meaning “potato”), this celebration is one of the biggest in the Niseko region with over 1,000 people performing traditional dance down the main street. The two-day festival features Japanese drumming, a paper lantern parade, food stalls, fireworks and of course, free Kutchan potatoes.

When: August 4 - 5 Where: In front of Kutchan Train Station

Makkari Flower Festival

Enjoy special flower displays and great deals on locally grown produce and flowers, including Makkari’s iconic lilies.

When: August 4 - 5 Where: Makkari Road Station and Flower Centre

Shakotan Fire Festival

Kutchan Potato Festival, photo by Sofie Lahtinen

Niseko Fireworks Festival

Scarecrow Festival, photo courtesy of Kyowa Town Tourism Association

Iwanai Dotou Fireworks Festival

Hirafu Festival

The largest firework festival in the Niseko area, marvel at over 5,000 fireworks launched by the Sea of Japan, creating colourful reflections on the water. Fun games and food can be enjoyed during daylight.

When: August 4 - 5 Where: Iwanai Town

Kyogoku Fireworks Festival

Celebrate with traditional bon odori dance and music performances, mochi cake making, children’s sumo contests, plus food, fireworks and more.

When: Mid-August Where: Kyogoku Town

Kyowa Town’s Scarecrow Festival

Hirafu Festival, photo by Matt Kaiser

A highlight on the annual calendar for locals and an event enjoyed by all with entertainment and beginning at noon. As the sun sets, enjoy dinner and drinks from the variety of food stalls with the night going off with a bang with a magical firework display.

When: August 18 Where: Sun Sports Land, Hirafu

Hoku-Hoku Festival

Celebrating Makkari Town’s local agriculture and produce, pick up some fresh-from-the-farm veggies or go and dig up your own at the Hoku-Hoku event. Enjoy festival food, games and prizes to be won.

When: September 2 Where: Makkari Town

Meet scarecrows of all kinds at this unique two-day festival which also features horse-drawn cart races, live performances and plenty of delicious food. Closing night sees over 1,000 fireworks in the sky.

When: Mid-August Where: Behind Kyowa Town Hall

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In Season Niseko’s iconic agriculture from the ground up WORDS: KIRSTEN FAIRBAIRN INTERVIEW: YUKO MIYAKE TRANSLATION: SABRINA TAKAGI PHOTOGRAPHY: GLEN CLAYDON

T

he world’s growing obsession with the farm-to-fork ethos is undeniable and it’s easy to see why. Increased health and nutritional benefits, economic vitality, sustainability and authentic flavours have people hooked. Foodies now travel far and wide to savour local flavour, not only because it tastes so good, but because food reveals the true identity of a destination.

Farming culture is at the root of Niseko’s food scene. From the farmers who grow the produce to the people who enjoy it, farming is the region’s undercurrent.

Fertile soil, ample rainfall and large open spaces make Niseko the perfect place for growth. The unique flavours and sweetness of the produce is said to be enhanced by the extreme climate changes, not just between seasons, but day to night.

Agricultural produce is often grown with limited use of chemicals with many organic farms in the area, as well as compost from the surrounding towns recycled and used as fertiliser to the already nutrient rich soil.

From the farm and then onto the plate the produce goes, with many farms partnered with local restaurants to provide ingredients, such as Prativo in Annupuri and An Dining in Hirafu village. Ripe and ready produce is also sent to Sapporo and throughout Japan.

Branding is an important tool in making a name for Niseko with farmers

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often including reference to their origin on packaging and boxes. Some farms allow visitors to tour the production process or take part in fruit picking to boost summer tourism.

To encourage people to shop locally-grown food, supermarkets also provide options of Hokkaido and Niseko made products, not limited to produce but also milk and wheat products. Niseko View Plaza, Japan’s top six rated michi-no-eki or “roadside rest stop” in Niseko Town, sell only local produce from around 60 farms.

May is the busiest month for farmers, in which they build greenhouses and prepare seedlings for the short spring season. The dedicated care farmers provide to their fields is rewarded in late summer during harvest season, dependent on the crop type. Farmers will often cultivate many crop varieties each year and track their growth and harvest in order to receive the maximum yields.

While Niseko is home to a wide range of agriculture, Hokkaido and the Niseko

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Hokkaido is responsible for up to 80% of Japan’s potato production

area are most well-known for several in particular. Hokkaido’s dairy farms produce roughly half of Japan’s milk products including famed yoghurt milk and cream puffs. Hokkaido also produces almost 10 times more wheat than any other region of Japan, including buckwheat, used in many restaurants in Niseko to create handmade soba noodles.

In Niseko, asparagus is harvested in the early summer, beans through August and September and the humble potato harvested latest in the year. Hokkaido is responsible for up to 80% of Japan’s potato production and although not something usually associated with Japanese cuisine, the versatile vegetable is used in many Japanese dishes.

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Potatoes became widely cultivated in the 1800s when it was found Hokkaido had the perfect climate for production and potatoes became the answer to famine in areas that were not able to grow rice easily. There are several breeds of potato grown in the Niseko area, the most common being May Queen, Danshaku and Kita Akari.

In Niseko you can find potato in every direction, used in delicious dishes in restaurants, sold in supermarkets, already roasted and ready to eat, and even used to make ice cream. Potatoes are so popular there is even a summer festival dedicated to it, the Jaga Matsuri or “Potato Festival”, in honour of the farmers who work so tirelessly to produce the harvest that supports the town.

The event is a weekend of potato themed games, street food and performances. The event is attended by the Kutchan mascot, Jagato-kun, a skiing potato, paying homage to the best of summer and winter in the area. The festival falls in early August each year, the time of the first potato harvests.

Though this celebration is only two days, the potato farming process involves months of preparation, as farmers can attest. Local farmer, Sakie Hongo, grows potatoes, beetroots, soy, beans and corn. With her husband, she works the summer season every day to grow vegetables and raise their four children together with her parents in-law. She shared with us what it’s like to live the farm life.

a good rest actually, but if it rains too much, I have to dig a furrow to ditch water with a scoop shovel and that can be a lot of extra work.

Do you have your favourite view of the field?

I love to see Mt Yotei with potato flowers. In spring, I love to see when the snow melts in the rice field next door and the swans there fly altogether at dawn. It is beautiful with Mt Yotei in the background. It looks as if it’s a picture on a postcard.

What is your daily routine?

I prepare breakfast, do housework, send my kids to school and then go to the farm. Some farmers who work with us part-time have children, so they cannot come to work too early. As a result, we normally start work at 9 am; however, it depends on the weather and what type of work we have to do that day.

I finish work by the time I have to pick my kids up from school. After that, just like every working mother, it is very busy from dinner time to bed time. It can be harder than the farm work.

What are your waking hours?

It depends on the weather, and how much work there is to do, but I wake up around 4.30 am or 5.00 am. At night, I sleep at 9.30 pm or 10.00 pm. I try to put my four-year-old to sleep first, but the fact is, I sleep before my kids do.

What do you think about every morning when you go out to the field?

I think that that I am going to do my best.

Do you have any other people help on the farm?

My husband mainly works with the machines and I work with two part-time workers.

What kind of work do you do when it is raining?

I do work that I can do inside. For example, maintenance on machinery and tidying up. It’s

When do you feel the happiest in a day?

I feel the happiest when I make good products and people say that it tastes delicious. Also, when my kids help me harvest the potatoes.

What is the best and worst thing about being married to a farmer?

It’s good that both of us have the same motivation and work together. I also like that I can show both of us working hard together to our children. Downside is every day routine is completely different from before getting married. It is almost like a culture shock.

What is your favourite aspect of Kutchan in summer?

All four seasons can be seen very clearly here.

It has been many years since I started living here but the beauty of the nature takes my breath away all the time. We have a lot of mountains close by, but the ocean is also close, so we can enjoy leisure at the beach, outdoor activities and agricultural experience. I hope that people get to know not only the winter, but also the beauty of summer in this area. Of course, we have a lot of delicious agricultural products to try.

What aspects of living here makes you feel the happiest?

Even though there are always tough things in life to face every day, the fact that living in an international resort is my ordinary life makes me the happiest.

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Photo: Adam Locke

Clockwise from left: Milk Kobo, Niseko Gelato, Ruhiel

RUHIEL This popular ice cream shop is one of my favourites during the summer. It’s hard to miss the shop, not only because of the big ice cream statue along the roadside, but because the ice cream tastes so good. I love the full fruit flavour of the gelato-style ice cream.

All of the sherbet gelato is made from real fruits that are in season, so the flavours change from month to month. You can never get bored! To make the gelato, they put the fruits in the juicer with the mineral rich water from Mt Yotei, then they mix them cold with their special base and it turns into a smooth gelato. Seasonal flavours include: Spring: apple, pineapple, kiwi and mandarin (dekopon) Summer: gold kiwi, grapefruit, plum, watermelon and melon Autumn: grape and pumpkin For me, strawberry, watermelon and melon are always best, especially after cycling and rafting (I always get at least two flavours!). They give me a fresh feeling and are a great way to pamper myself after working hard. For those that are after something less fruity, they also have a creamy gelato in a nut flavour with four different types of roasted nuts.

Sitting in front of the shop, enjoying an amazing view of Mt Yotei with fruity ice cream is the best combination ever.

Visit: 34-62 Aza Yamada, Kutchan Town Phone: 0136-21-2355

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Photo: Adam Locke

Sweet Treat A visit to one of Niseko’s famous ice cream parlours is pure pleasure on a sunny summer’s day. The hardest part is choosing your flavour, as Thai expat, Niseko local and summer-lover, Sirada Tranghiranyatorn, writes.

NISEKO GELATO

MILK KOBO

In summer I like to go to Lake Toya for canoeing and Makkari Onsen, and on the way back I stop at Niseko Gelato.

It’s located conveniently at the popular roadside rest stop at Niseko View Plaza so it’s a great spot to have a short break on a road trip.

All of the gelato is made in small batches from the freshest and best Hokkaido ingredients. They work with the weather and the seasons and change the flavours to suit. The ice cream makers work with the fruits and vegetables that are in the peak of their season and seek out full or almost overripe produce to get the best taste and sweetness out of them.

Yuzu (Japanese citrus) sorbet in a handmade crispy cone is the best on hot days, but on a cooler windy day Death By Chocolate makes me smile too. Trying to find a good combination of flavours is always a little tricky but always part of the fun.

I love to take my friends and family to this summer hot spot when they visit me in Niseko and this is for a few reasons. Firstly, apart from ice cream, they also have lots of dairy products and all of them are delicious (I can’t pick!). For example, drinking yoghurt, cream puffs, custard pudding, cheese tarts and cheesecake. It is a heaven for everyone, believe me! Secondly, Milk Kobo is a great spot for photos. I could say it’s one of my favourite Mt Yotei viewpoints, especially on sunny days. The other great thing is they have an ice cream workshop where you can make your very own ice cream and it was pretty easy and fun to do. My friends and I enjoyed it and it’s a good activity for families too.

The ice cream is made with morning-fresh milk which gives an incredibly creamy flavour. I always get rum and raisin and original fresh milk flavours, and a drinking yoghurt to take away. If you’re a milk lover, you can’t go past Milk Kobo.

Visit: 79-45 Motomachi, Niseko Town Phone: 0136-44-1385

Visit: 888-1 Aza Soga, Niseko Town Phone: 0136-44-3734

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BBQ like a local When the weather warms up, it’s time to head outside and enjoy the quintessential Japanese summer get-together: the barbeque, or as it’s affectionally known, the BBQ. We caught up with local BBQ expert, KOJI SAKAKI, from Japan BBQ College, to learn the art of Japanese BBQ and why it’s a must-do when in Niseko.

INTERVIEW: EMI METCALF & SOFIE LAHTINEN TRANSLATIONS: SABRINA TAKAGI PHOTOGRAPHY: GLEN CLAYDON

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How is Japanese BBQ different to other BBQ-styles globally?

Firstly, because of the chopsticks culture, it is common to eat and cook at the same time.

Unlike in western countries, in Japan, people do not cut and eat the meat only after everything is cooked. We cook and eat at the same time.

Secondly, in Japan, people mostly cook BBQ with wood charcoal. As it has a strong heat, the ingredients cook fast, so we use thinly sliced meat so that we can cook and eat at the same time.

What makes Japanese BBQ so unique?

Japan is one of the few countries in the world that has lots of forests, so cooking with wood charcoal has been popular for a long time.

Charcoal grill has a strong and steady fire, so the weather doesn’t bother people when cooking.

In addition, the outside of the food gets crispy and the inside remains juicy when cooked with wood charcoal, so you can enjoy the ingredients much better. There is also a culture that Japanese people like to enjoy the full flavour of ingredients, including textures and eating in-season produce. This is why Japanese BBQ has simple flavouring and not a lot of sauce is used like in western BBQ. What meats do you recommend for BBQ in Niseko?

Atka mackerel, salmon, squid and scallop are the seafood that represent Hokkaido. When it comes to fish, dried fish tastes better than raw fish. As Hokkaido is also one of the best places for animal husbandry, it has high quality of beef and pork too.

Tell us more about the dried fish and where can you buy it?

Dried fish can be bought at the supermarket; however, I recommend you buy it while driving by fishing harbours like Otaru, Yoichi, Iwanai and Setana. Dried fish at the supermarket is usually dried by machines rather than by the sun at the harbours.

By sun drying, the smell of the sea remains and the salt is natural, so it tastes much better. Depending on the area and season, surf clam, saffron cod, squid and flounder are dried overnight.

What do we try besides meat?

Fresh vegetables are easier to grill and are delicious. Onions and corn are suitable for whole roast!

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Do we need to season or marinate the food?

The reason why we need to marinate is to make the meat softer and to take away any unwanted raw meat smell. If you are concerned about the smell, just use herbs or spices to change it.

If you would like to make the meat softer, use vegetables or fruits that have proteolytic enzyme in a paste and use it to marinate, but be careful not to make it too salty. It’s best to sprinkle a little salt just before putting meat on the grill because it dehydrates the meat and it can make the meat dry if added too early. Do not marinate wagyu though because it makes the meat less delicious.

Is there an art to grilling?

You should not grill the meat when there is a flame from the charcoal but rather when the charcoal glows orange. Never grill with a strong fire as you are not grilling but burning your meat. If you remember this, you’ll know how to grill well. Also, cut meat only after it is cooked.

The more you cut, the drier it gets.

Which local drink do you think best complements a BBQ? Not to mention beer or wine, I want people to try Japanese sake that is made in Hokkaido.

It is good to drink it cold, but if the weather is hot, drink it on the rocks. It goes the best with seafood.

What are your top tips for people to enjoy a BBQ in Niseko?

I believe that food tastes much better if you know where the ingredients come from, so I want people to enjoy Niseko by experiencing a Niseko-style BBQ with local produce. I want people to enjoy BBQ even more by respecting other people and having good manners when it comes to disposing of trash.

Why is Niseko a great place for people to experience Japanese BBQ? In summer time, the weather in Niseko is very nice for BBQ in the daytime as well as at night.

There are not so many bugs, like mosquitos, here either so it is very suitable for BBQ. The main island of Japan is too hot in summer and there are too many bugs, so it makes it difficult to enjoy the BBQ. BBQ is fun just enjoying the meal with family or friends, but the sense of seasons is also very important. Hokkaido is one of the best places in Japan to feel the difference of all four seasons, but Niseko is even better. You can enjoy different views in all four seasons and also the view of Mt Yotei is amazing.

Because of this location, it makes the BBQ taste even better.

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Hokkaido in a bowl Unearthing a local gastronomic delight WORDS: KIRSTEN FAIRBAIRN PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LOCKE

HOKKAIDO-BORN SOUP CURRY IS NOT A traditional Japanese dish but not any less an authentic dish of Northern Japan. Known as a type of yoshoku, a fusion of a foreign dish adapted to suit Japanese tastes, soup curry is fairly new-wave in the Japanese food scene.

Conceived in a Sapporo restaurant, Ajanta, in the 70s, the dish is inspired by Indian curries, rich in spices but simmered into the Japanese style of a light broth. It can be said, at least in appearance, it is more soup than curry; however, it is the combination of spices used in the broth that give it the title. Originally coined as a “medicine herb curry”, the dish went through several variations including “magic spice”, before settling into the soup curry we now know.

As with most Hokkaido native dishes, soup curry was created with all seasons in mind, boasting the freshest seasonal produce from local farmlands. Unlike the traditional almost gravy-like Japanese katsu curry, soup curry is made in a broth of meat stock, sometimes combined with a tomato or coconut base and simmered with a variety of spices. Thick or light, mild or sweet, every restaurant has a unique blend of spices and a slightly different taste. Boiled in the broth is a range of vegetables and a choice of meat, usually an entire chicken leg. In good soup curry the contents of the broth will be tender enough that it can be cut with the edge of your spoon.

There are no strict rules on how to enjoy your soup curry. The favoured way is to dip

spoonfuls of rice into the broth, though some prefer to pour the broth over rice.

There are also various ways to customise the dish to suit your palette; often eggs, slices of thick bacon and even cheese are offered as extra toppings.

One of the most important aspects of ordering soup curry, however, is the heat level. Spice complements the broth well and are often scaled from one up to 20.

Some restaurants challenge guests to try extreme levels of spice, but it may not be worth risking the taste of the curry. Often lassi, an Indian yoghurt drink, is offered on menus, both homage to the heritage of the dish and to stifle the heat.

A favourite among visitors to Niseko, soup curry is the must-try dish of the area with many local ingredients and flavours.

It can be found at several restaurants in Kutchan Town and Hirafu, though my personal favourite is Tsubara Tsubara.

Located in Izumikyo, just outside Hirafu village, Tsubara Tsubara is famed for its soup curry and is often full of both locals and visitors. My favourite order is the coconut milk vegetable curry with spice level eight, which makes my eyes water occasionally. You cannot go wrong with the tsumire or “meatball” and vegetable curry too.

Soup Curry Goya have homemade curry pouches for those who want to take the experience home with them. Each restaurant’s recipe is different and the simple solution to finding your favourite is to try them all.

TRY:

KUTCHAN TOWN Jungle Brothers 0136-55-8127 Markie Curry 0136-23-3166

HIRAFU Tsubara Tsubara 0136-23-1116 Niseko Curry Goya 0136-23-3688

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Enjoy the ride Exploring the rise of Niseko’s two-wheel culture

No one knows Niseko quite like those who know it from behind a set of handlebars. Summer explorers are taking to a bike and discovering sights not listed on a map, local-eats not everyone knows and experiences that are uniquely their own. More and more people are jumping on, going along for the ride and not looking back.

WORDS: SOFIE LAHTINEN TRANSLATIONS: SABRINA TAKAGI

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ON THE WAY UP In a recent study by leading global provider of sports insights, Nielsen Sports, Japan has seen the second highest growth rate in cycling interest globally, second to the Hong Kong market. Popularity has jumped from 14% in 2013 to 21% in 2017.

Niseko’s leading cycle rental and retail store, Rhythm Japan, is one of the many businesses in the region witnessing and nurturing the cycling culture.

Andy Meadows, Assistant General Manager and key facilitator in their cycling business, has seen the growth first-hand with their fleet of cycles expanding from a humble 15 to more than 130 in six years. “There’s a big cycling scene going on here now–road cycling and mountain biking, with most of our business being rentals,” Meadows says.

The clientele is as diverse as it is in winter with visitors from across Asia, Australia, some from Europe and a slightly higher domestic market in the summer.

Meadows believes part of the increased interest stems, surprisingly, from deep winter.

“For the customers coming over here, who in the winter know the restaurants and the area, they want to understand what it looks like in the summer. It’s the curiosity of people to see the different aspects of Niseko,” Meadows explains.

The majority of those heading into store for rentals are beginners, and not just kids either. First-timers of all ages who have never sat on a bike saddle are welcomed with open arms, encouragement and top-quality gear.

The key word is freedom

Second to those are the fanatics headed here with only one thing on their mind. They are familiar with the exhilaration of going downhill by powder skis and this feeling flows across to cycling.

“When you speak to cyclists, the closest thing they get to powder is to ride a bike. It’s the descending, coming down off the back of a mountain, along roads or a mountain bike trail. It gets your heart racing,” says Meadows, who himself is a keen mountain biker.

FREEDOM TO EXPLORE Therein lies part of the appeal of jumping on a bike– its inclusiveness. Embracing this philosophy is UK-based Freedom Treks, specialising in cycling holidays world-wide. Niseko-based Country Manager for Japan, Kenji Matsuzawa, saw a gap in the market for cycling holidays for the non-athlete. “Niseko is the perfect destination for families or leisure tourists but no one was doing cycling holidays,” Matsuzawa explains. “We focus more on the average customer, those who enjoy skiing or snowboarding in Niseko but are not serious athletes. It’s cycling and sightseeing, not about how many miles per day.”

Accommodation, transfers, breakfast and self-guided cycle maps are all part of the package, designed to give ease but also choice. The liberty of a bicycle is undoubtedly one of its biggest drawcards in the age of the individual. It’s worlds apart from the, paradoxically, restrictive nature of a car.

“The key word is freedom,” Matsuzawa says.

“Cycling enables customers to choose wherever they want to go or whenever they want to stop. There are so many breathtaking views that only cyclists can enjoy because they cannot be reached by car. There is a satisfaction in that.”

With the growing infatuation with curated holidays combined with the autonomy of cycling, it seems to be resonating with visitors with local self-guided and tailored day tours both increasing in popularity.

Photo: Rhythm Japan

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More vivid than any car ride and more personal than a bus tour, cycling is exploring in high-definition. All senses are stimulated when taking to a bike, from the wind in your hair to the taste of roadside café lattes.

“People can enjoy the cooler summer climate in Niseko. They can smell the flowers or trees. They can enjoy the atmosphere. They don’t miss things,” Matsuzawa says.

And there’s a lot to take in. Niseko’s summer scenery is post-card perfect with glorious peaks, glistening lakes and rivers; ocean panoramas to the west; and rolling vistas as far as the eye can see.

Sunny skies, fresh air, mild temperatures and very little humidity make for comfortable summer days outdoors.

Not to mention the many traditional Japanese onsen or “hot springs” in the area.

Add to this the lack of summer traffic, respectful drivers, low speed limits and well-paved roads, and the region is really ticking a lot of boxes for all levels of cyclists.

GOING OFF-ROAD Existing infrastructure plays a pivotal role in the growing market, with Niseko’s ski resort and local businesses that operate in the warmer-months a solid base for summer tourism. Last year saw the completion of a number of mountain bike trails and flow trails in the area– characteristic of the summer face of ski resorts globally.

Ginto Village Flow Trail opened in August 2017, providing great fun for both entry level and experienced riders.

Asahigoaka Flow Trail reopened in October last year after further rebuilding from its 2016 opening. The Grand Hirafu Flow Trail and Niseko Mountain Bike School and Guiding opened in September 2017 and are now preparing for their first full summer season this year.

Flow trails are purpose-built courses that allow riders of any level to enjoy a mountain bike experience and “feel the flow” with cleverly-designed banks, mounds and gradients. The best part is that even beginners can get the “flow” feeling.

“Japan’s mountain bike market is growing quicker at the moment than the road market,” Meadows says. “Mountain biking has become a bit cooler.”

The Grand Hirafu Flow Trail is set to run from the top station of the Hirafu Summer Gondola, finishing at the bottom station at the base of the mountain. Currently construction is a third of the way there with around 1.4 km of trail built. The aim is to complete 70% of the trail by the end of summer, increasing it by around 2 km, with full completion by summer’s end 2019.

Photo: Rhythm Japan

Photo: Niseko Mountain Bike School & Guiding

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LITTLE RIDERS Grown-ups don’t get to have all the fun either with kids practising their new found skills on the course too. Twelve-inch wheel training bikes, or increasingly-popular “Striders”, have been making an appearance the past summer. With no pedals, the mini-bikes aim to help kids learn to balance and ride from as young as 18 months old.

Hailing from the United States, Strider Bikes have a growing following across Japan’s main island and it’s spreading north. Strider enthusiast and the man behind Niseko’s Strider Enjoy Cup, Gakuji Higashiuchi, is leading the crusade for youngsters to get on bikes after discovering Striders for his own daughter.

Higashiuchi’s passion for the tiny bikes grew and he soon noticed a number of large-scale Strider events in Tokyo and Osaka and made it his mission to bring some of that energy to Niseko. In 2016, he was successful in bringing to life Niseko’s first ever Strider Enjoy Cup. The race caters directly to children two-to-five years old so they can experience the thrill of racing and to parents, allowing their children to enjoy some healthy competition. The first event attracted around 200 participants and in 2017 this number rose to 300.

“One of the main reasons is that children these days are all about TV, video

Photos above and right: Niseko Mountain Bike School & Guiding

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games and the internet,” he explains. “As a result, many children are not as good at sports as they used to be and their sense of balance has been dramatically decreasing.

Parents are using Striders as a tool to make their kids play outside.”

“Not to mention Niseko’s beautiful nature. It’s a place that is attractive to parents who want to encourage their children to ride Striders because Niseko is full of activity,” he says.

While most of the participants are currently Japanese, international interest is

on the rise with a number of families from overseas, particularly China, partaking last season. This as a result of strong strategic marketing collaboration between Strider’s Japan and China teams.

“It’s good for Niseko to promote cycling sports in summer, being a place famous for winter; however, there were previously not any cycling sports that little kids were able to participate in, so Striders are perfect to gather not only kids but their parents and grandparents as well,” Higashiuchi says.

KENJI MATSUZAWA’S TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

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Pace yourself – If you start cycling too fast at the beginning, you will be too exhausted and won’t be able to enjoy the rest of your cycling.

Stop whenever you like – Take photos or have coffee breaks, you will still get to the destination. Just take your time.

Check bike and ensure you have all belongings – This includes helmets, mobile phones and water bottles before you set off. You wouldn’t want to be without these!

CRUISING WITH FRIENDS Bringing people together is at the heart of cycling culture in Niseko. From families riding together on holiday to locals punctuating their week with a cycle with new and old friends. It’s catching on, with Rhythm’s “hour of power” social ride a hit over the past summer.

Once a week, locals and visitors meet up and enjoy Niseko’s spectacular summer mornings in the best way possible. The program is aimed at beginners and takes riders on a different route each week, with the goal to showcase cycling as the easy and non-intimidating sport that it is.

Co-founder of local soy bean start-up Pura Tempeh and a regular at Rhythm’s social ride, Emily Lobsinger, considers herself an “aspirational athlete”. While not one to be Lycra-clad every day of the week, she finds great pleasure in leisure cycling.

Originally from California and having ridden occasional multi-day bike trips through San Francisco, South Korea and Kyoto in Japan, she says the ride itself is half the fun, it’s not just about the destination.

“Niseko roads make you want to make a journey out of them,” she explains. “It’s mapping your route based on points of

interest and terrain. Making tiny journeys for yourself is rewarding.”

As many will attest, the hardest part is often the start; however, pushing yourself to finish a challenge will bring boundless rewards.

“There’s always a downhill,” Lobsinger says. “In Niseko, you have dips of challenge and dips of downhill excitement. You’re not always pushing yourself to the max, so I feel that everyone can enjoy that. If you are an extreme cyclist there are those courses too.”

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THE NEXT LEVEL The annual Niseko Classic caters for cyclists in the pursuit of, what many might consider, incomprehensible levels of fitness and the ultimate cycling conquest. A battle between not only other competitors, but one’s own physical and psychological limits.

This July marks the fifth international cycling event in Niseko and the third time the Niseko Classic has been recognised as part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. Around 880 riders participated in 2017, 28% more than the year before. Last year saw a 4% increase on international riders, with most from Hong Kong and Singapore.

The 140 km road race course includes 2,362 metres of vertical, leading competitors up the awe-inspiring Panorama Line, out to the Sea of Japan and back to Niseko-Hirafu. Both the 140 km and 70 km races are official UCI Gran Fondo qualifier events and are supervised by the Japan Cycling Federation.

The event has matured into an event impacting the entire community through the increasing influx of participants, along with their friends and family. Last year, 100 riders took part in the first Yotei Circuit Fun Ride. The event is designed as a social preliminary ride for entrants, their loved ones and all members of the community at all fitness levels.

The comradery between riders, both elite and leisure, and their connection to the broader community is brought to light at the Niseko Classic Festival, now in its third year. Delicious food, live music and entertainment for the whole family makes for an entire weekend of activity.

Will I remember how? Yes, it’s just like riding a bike Photos: Niseko Classic

Director of the Niseko Classic and its organiser Hokkaido Events, Kazuki Maeda, says the main purpose of the festival is to pleasure not only the riders but locals and families.

This year’s Niseko Classic will see the introduction of a time trial race of approximately 2-3 km. The sprint is part of the bigger goal for Niseko to host the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, with the quick race an essential part of the event program for all hosting cities.

Maeda is already looking to the future for the region’s next chance to host this world-stage event, after the Canadian city of Vancouver was announced for 2020.

“They select the host based on the suitability of the course first, the environment next,” Maeda says. “If the local area, not only Kutchan but also Niseko, Kyowa and Rankoshi areas can all come together, we could do it. If the whole area unites, maybe it’s possible.”

Local businesses are gearing up for summer with Rhythm Japan’s fleet set to expand again for another year with e-mountain bikes a priority, perfect for those wanting to sit back and relax. “Fat bikes” are being introduced in spring–wide-wheeled bikes ideal for

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on-snow, off-road and are a novelty to ride.

Managing Director of Hero Hokkaido Bike Tours in Niseko and Representative Director of Hokkaido Cycle Tourism Association, Yukihiro Takahashi, says visitors are seeking guiding services and local tours for the summer ahead with most enquiries for tailor-made tours.

“They are expecting to come back to Hokkaido for riding and enjoying great holidays,” Takahashi says.

“They would also like to take other friends and family members to Niseko this summer.”

For those just starting out, local businesses are ready to roll no matter where you are in your cycling journey.

“We are stoked about getting new riders on bikes.

When someone has never ridden a bike before or is a little bit nervous and they come back and say, ‘That blew my mind,’ that’s gold for us,” Meadows says.

“We’ve had adults that are wanting to learn to ride a bike or haven’t ridden for 25 years and they ask, ‘Will I remember how?’ and I say, ‘Yes, it’s just like riding a bike.”

■

Check our Event Guide on page 8 for cycling event dates.

Touring Lake Toya A DAY EXPLORING ONE OF HOKKAIDO’S MOST EXQUISITE NATURAL GEMS PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT KAISER

Known as one of the clearest lakes in Japan, Lake Toya is a glistening topaz in summer.

Surrounded by the lush mountains of Shikotsu-Toya National Park and with plenty to see and do both on and off the water, it’s an idyllic day trip from Niseko.

Feel Hokkaido’s fresh air on your face and discover hidden local delights all at your own pace via a guided tour, as Matt Kaiser discovers.

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LEAD THE WAY We embarked on a customised tour with Rhythm Japan, to include a sightseeing cycle from Niseko to Lake Toya, stopping off at points of interest and photo opportunities along the way. Then, a ride along the shore of Lake Toya, followed by a delicious lunch and some afternoon water-action with standup paddle boarding or “supping”.

Our trip took us up and down along the mountainous roads and past some remarkable sights and scenery. The beauty of a custom tour is you can choose one to suit the ability of you and your group and tailor the trip to suit your interests, like a cycle-only tour or one which includes hiking if you’re feeling more adventurous!

For just ¥100, we bought a packet of ostrich feed which ended up providing us with a couple minutes of furious head-bobbing as they pecked away at the feed trough.

MEETING THE LOCALS Our first stop at Niseko Ostrich Farm made us realise that ostriches are surprisingly big creatures. You see them on TV or in a book and you can tell that they are large, but face-to-face, nose-to-beak, they are almost unnerving!

The farm commands a respectable view of Mt Yotei in the distance. The ostriches provided us with plenty of entertainment.

‘ROUND WE GO The circuit around the lake is an easy ride, mostly flat sections with the occasional rise and drop. It wasn’t hard peddling on the cross-bikes we borrowed from Rhythm. They even brought along a pair of electric-assisted bicycles and we all took turns trying them out.

The lakeside is lined with lovely rice farms, tiny temples and plenty of great spots to stop and take a photo.

TASTING TREATS Our next stop was only a bit further along from the ostrich farm. Apparently, the little bakery named Boulagerie Jin, which really is out in the middle of nowhere, is said to be one of the top two bakeries in all of Hokkaido!

From what our friends at Rhythm told us, in order to be certain to get something you need to be there before 10 am. The sooner you get there the warmer and fresher the bread is and the greater the selection there is to choose from.

SKIPPING STONES Each stop was a great chance to chat about the area, take a few photos and sip some water before hopping back on the bicycles.

At one point not too long into the day, we walked down to the lakeside along a little rocky beach.

We spent about 10 minutes cooling down and a few of us went in search of smooth, flat stones to skip along the water. It was a nice moment to soak up the amazing views.

CREPES FOR LUNCH We didn’t ride all the way around the lake that morning, but we had definitely worked up an appetite! Our guides loaded the bikes onto the support van when we got back to our starting point.

There are a number of different restaurants and cafés to choose from at Toya. We chose a little creperie called Cafe Lake Toya, where we fueled back up before the day’s final adventure.

ONTO THE WATER We spent about two hours out on the lake on the stand up paddle boards (SUPs). It took a little while for us to figure out the balance and build up our confidence as we were all first-timers, but once we did it was a real blast. Trying to bump each other off our boards and playing some great games that the Rhythm team taught us really made the day.

A few of us worried over the water temperature before going out on the lake.

It was the end of June and summer had only just started, but the water was actually really warm. Lake Toya is a geothermal lake and it never freezes over, even during the winter. This probably means it warms up a bit quicker when summer rolls around.

When the day was done, we brought our SUPs back to the support van, changed into dry clothes and headed back to Niseko-Hirafu with Rhythm, all the while playing back the incredible day we had.

■ Want to tour Toya? Visit www.rhythmjapan.com for more information.

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AUTUMN A guide to Niseko’s most colourful season

ALLURE WORDS: SOFIE LAHTINEN

IN JAPAN, TWO WORDS, KOYO OR momiji meaning “autumn-coloured foliage”, go hand-in-hand with bike rides, picnics, hikes and leisurely drives through the countryside. In Niseko you can do just this, with the annual autumn leaves a dazzling display of gold, copper and bronze, cascading over the mountainside.

Around mid-October, enjoy one of nature’s finest shows at these top spots around Niseko.

Opposite page: Makkari Aroboretum; Right: Shinsen-numa; Below: Fukidashi Park; Bottom: Chisenupuri

Fukidashi Park

A popular spot for sightseeing all year-round, Fukidashi Park in autumn is filled with fiery-red shades and reflections on the water.

The park has approximately 80,000 tons of water spilling out of its natural springs every day–Kyogoku Town itself is famous as the “village of water”. The park features two large ponds and interconnecting streams where the famous spring water flows. Collect the fresh water into bottles to enjoy later.

Where: Kyogoku Town

Shinsen-numa

An easy boardwalk that’s great for all ages and fitness abilities, Shinsen-numa is a serene spot to feel the autumn atmosphere and witness

the beautiful shades of copper. With shinsen meaning “god” and numa meaning “marsh”, the autumn reflections on the water are reminiscent of a painting. Since Naganuma is also nearby, be sure to stop by there too.

Where: Kyowa Town

Chisenupuri

Take a hike at Chisenupuri to enjoy epic mountain views and beautiful autumn hues.

With the mountain a dormant volcano shaped like an overturned bowl, soak up Mt Yotei and Annupuri views from the summit. The moderate-intensity hike will take around one hour to the top.

Where: Rankoshi Town

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From top: Lake Hangetsu; Panorama Line; Shirakabayama

Lake Hangetsu

Hangetsu meaning “half moon”, this iconic lake situated at the base of Mt Yotei is an autumn sightseeing delight. The small lake, roughly 18 metres deep, is an easy-moderate 20 minute walk from the parking lot to the lake shore.

Where: Kutchan Town

Panorama Line

Take a scenic autumn drive along this route’s winding roads and views that go on and on out to the Sea of Japan. Be sure to visit before the road closes for winter in late October.

Where: Road 66 from Niseko to Iwanai

Makkari Arboretum

A great autumn stop if you’re on a sightseeing drive around Mt Yotei with a playground and popular tofu shop nearby.

If you’re lucky, you might even meet a squirrel as it forages in the final preparation for winter.

Where: 217-1 Yashiro, Makkari Town (Road 66)

Shirakabayama

A great hike for beginners with the end reward well worth it. Take in the stunning contrast of colour between the warm-hued mountains and the marsh of Shirakabayama and Shakunage-numa.

Where: Kyowa Town

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Through the seasons Exploring the region’s many distinct faces with local photographers Hitomi Igawa of Japan and Monika Syroka of Poland.

REFLECTIONS Lake Hangetsu, October 2016 Hitomi: The breathtaking beauty of autumn colour.

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Green River Tarumae Garo Gorge, June 2017 Hitomi: A fresh green valley creates inner peace.

Summer Florals Niseko-Hirafu, June 2017 Hitomi: Many lupine flowers make the town colourful.

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Furry Faces Cape Kamui, July 2017 Monika: Cycling up to Cape Kamui, we have stumbled across five foxes playing near the road.

While we were concentrated on taking pictures of the kids, an adult fox started biting our bike–cheeky!

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Fiery Foliage Mt Niseko-Annupuri, October 2017 Monika: Beautiful road trip around Mt Niseko-Annupuri, seeing the varying faces and scenery of this and surrounding mountains.

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Beaks and the Peak Arishima Ostrich Farm, June 2017 Hitomi: Friendly ostriches living freely in front of Mt Yotei.

Sunset Silhouettes Tomari, September 2017 Monika: Tomari might not be an obvious choice for coastal views in Shakotan, but the peeking rocks and cranes created a perfect end to the day.

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All in a day’s trip Niseko is just one of many beautiful areas of Hokkaido, an island full of nature, culture and history. While every corner of Hokkaido is full of surprises, these are some of the most unforgettable day trip destinations.

WORDS: KIRSTEN FAIRBAIRN

01 Shakotan Situated on the northern coast of southwest Hokkaido, Shakotan is known for crystal clear waters and production of some of the best seafood in Japan. Cape Kamui is a must-see destination in the area; a combination of dirt paths and bridges provide panoramic views of the ocean, interrupted only by the pathway before you. The water here is so clear that you can make out stones beneath the surface even from almost 100 metres above.

Just a short drive away is Shimamui Coast. Through a 30 metre entrance tunnel, visitors are met with a stretch of clear, blue ocean and a winding, moderate level path down to a rocky shore. Sit on the shore and enjoy the summery ocean air.

While many fishing industries flourish in Shakotan, the most famous is uni, Japanese urchin, harvested in the summer months. Uni is one of the most popular delicacies in Japan and Shakotan is renowned for producing the best. While the unique taste and texture may not be for everyone, you would be remiss not to try it as it is readily available in the area’s restaurants in dishes such as uni donburi and uni nigiri.

Access: Around a 2-hour scenic coastal drive from Niseko.

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Photo: Monika Syroka

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01

02 Noboribetsu With as many as ten different onsen or “hot spring” sources providing a diverse range of water qualities, Noboribetsu is one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring towns. The main sightseeing is at Jigokudani or “Hell’s Valley”, a lowland of natural, steamy and bubbly sulphuric ponds. Access to the springs is suitable for all fitness levels with viewing platforms as well as more moderate level walking trails into the surrounding woodland where you’ll discover more ponds and a natural foot bath.

Relax in one of the many public-access onsens in the area. Dai-ichi Takimotokan has over 30 baths with over two million litres of geothermal water flowing through daily. For a bite to eat, a small family-run ramen restaurant, Aji no Daio, is famed for its devilishly hot jigoku or “hell” ramen, complementing the area perfectly.

Take a visit to Noboribestu Date Jidaimura, a theme park focused on the Edo Period of Japan–the time of ninjas, samurai and oirans. Watch performance battles, be dressed in traditional kimonos and enjoy interactive games while learning the history of Japan.

By local train ride from Noboribetsu to Shiraoi you will find Porokotan, an open-air museum dedicated to the indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu. Learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Ainu and even watch a ceremonial dance performance.

Access: Around a 1.5-hour drive from Niseko.

03 03 Yoichi A place famous for two things: fruit and alcohol. The Yoichi Distillery of Nikka Whisky is widely popular with visitors, as Nikka is one of Japan’s top whisky brands. Explore the distillery and see the various stages of production, even sample a whisky or two. Around town, pass by perfect lines of fruit trees as Yoichi provides ideal conditions for fleshy fruits like cherries, blueberries and peaches. Stop at one of the orchard fruit stands for nutritious road trip snacks, and if you have the time and stamina, Yamamoto Farm allows guests to pick all-you-can-eat fruit until 5pm.

Many fruit tree farms are contracted with nearby wineries, with Yoichi home to the largest wine grape production in all of Hokkaido. The Yoichi Winery offers free tours so that guests can see the production process as well as to enjoy wine tastings. Sample not only locally produced fruits and vegetables but also meats, pastas and breads at the restaurant.

Access: Just over an hour’s drive from Niseko.

04

04 Lake Shikotsu An oasis of calm waters, rolling mountains and native wildlife. The lake is one of the deepest and clearest in Japan and the surrounding mountains can mirror perfectly on its surface on a still day. Formed by volcanic eruption, this lakeside village is now part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park and home to native foxes, birds and even the Hokkaido brown bear. Beside the lake you will find Kyoboku no Mori, the “gigantic tree forest”, where oak trees and Japanese judas trees of over 300 years stand and are said to be inhibited by old spirits. There are nearby camping grounds and walking trails.

Rent a paddle boat, ride in a speedboat or even scuba dive in the lake. For more relaxation, eat a locally-produced melon flavoured ice cream, take a ride on the sightseeing boat and soak in an onsen at one of the nearby hotels, some of which welcome day guests. A short drive away, the adventurous can attempt Mt Tarumae, an active volcano open all summer to hikers.

Access: Around 1-hour and 40 minutes by car from Niseko.

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Onsen Oasis A relaxing soak in a hot spring or onsen, is an essential cultural experience for anyone visiting Japan. Hokkaido is home to over 250 of them–more than in any other part of the country.

Niseko has some of the most renowned onsens in all of Hokkaido.

So, who better to ask than some local hot spring lovers what their favourite onsens are in Niseko and why.

INTERVIEWS: YUKO MIYAKE TRANSLATION: SABRINA TAKAGI

Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yugokorotei

Tsukimi no Yado Akahane

438, Niseko Niseko-cho Phone: 0136-58-2500

680-13, Yunosato, Rankoshi-cho Phone: 0136-59-2881

Both the indoor bath and open-air bath are not too hot, so you can enjoy soaking for a longer time. The indoor bath is a little smaller, but the open-air bath is spacious.

It opens early in the morning until late at night, so I often come here in the evening hours or after lunch because you get to enter for free if you eat the pork cutlet.

(30s, Female)

The hot spring looks very traditional. The open-air bath is nice and big. The water is a 100% sulphur spring and you are able to do a mud pack which makes your skin smooth.

The onsen is open to the public during the day only, with exclusive use to hotel guests in the evening. The great thing about this is if you can visit the hot spring on week days, it’s not very crowded at all which makes it even more relaxing.

(40s, Male)

Above: Tsukimi no Yado Akahane; Left: Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yugokorotei

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Hotel Kanro no Mori 415, Niseko, Niseko-cho Phone: 0136-58-3800 The best thing about this onsen is the fact that is not too crowded, so it is very relaxing.

It contains a lot of sulphate ion, so it makes your skin smooth. It also smells good and has a bigger dressing room, which is popular with female customers. Every night, you get to listen to live music performance at the lobby, so you get to enjoy your time even after getting out of the hot spring.

(30s, Female)

Niseko Ekimae Onsen Kiranoyu 33, Chuodori, Niseko-cho Phone: 0136-44-1100 I have two little kids and this onsen is very family-friendly. They not only have kids’ bath chairs and cribs, but also free picture books.

Once a month, they have special baths with infusions like wine, yuzu (Japanese citrus) and apple. They actually put real wine or fruits into the bath, so it is nice to enjoy with family. While it costs an extra fee, you can book a private bath too.

(30s, Female)

Kutchan Onsen Hotel Yotei 69, Aza Asahi, Kutchan-cho Phone: 0136-22-1164 This onsen is very suitable for my lifestyle.

Personally, I like it here because it is close to my home, but it is also good because it is opened until 10 pm, so I don’t have to be in a rush after work. I like the soft feel of the water and the temperature is nice and hot compared to other onsens. I like that it keeps you warm even after getting out of the bath.

(30s, Female)

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PROMOTION

Home is Where the Heart Is “I always wanted to come back home to open my own restaurant.” Chef Shinichi Maeda

SINCE RETURNING TO HOKKAIDO FOUR YEARS AGO, SHINICHI MAEDA, EXECUTIVE CHEF and Owner of An Dining, has become one of the most renowned Hokkaido chefs amongst local and international guests. His passion for produce-inspired cuisine is the essence of his restaurant.

We caught up with Maeda in preparation for summer.

Tell us about your career and why you came back to Hokkaido?

I have always been close to great Hokkaido produce and cooking, with both of my grandmothers being chefs. It was not long until I started as a sushi chef in Ginza, Tokyo. After 12 years in a Japanese restaurant in Australia, which was awarded “Best Asian Restaurant” twice, I returned to Hokkaido to achieve my original goal of opening my own restaurant. I now utilise my cuisine styles to showcase what Hokkaido has to offer to guests from all over the world.

How do you create the concept for your menu?

There is no explanation needed other than I want the menu to focus on local Hokkaido produce. The first step is that I always visit the farm. I will physically feel the environment that the produce is grown or made and talk to the producer where they are working to ensure the quality and safety of their produce.

Ultimately the restaurant aims to be a place where guests can enjoy the culinary experience with a seasonal menu, while learning at the table about how the produce is made or grown.

What more can you share with us?

After continuous networking in Hokkaido, finally we can offer Hokkaido produce all year round. What helped us to achieve this was my recent visit to southern Hokkaido in working with organic vegetable producer, Apure. Together, we have been able to widen their production period to be mutually beneficial.

There is also a national and local movement called “KIT BLUE” that I support and am passionate about. They produce local Hokkaido seafood, including sea urchin and sea cucumber, all throughout the year in west Hokkaido. This collaboration with local producers enables us all to enjoy even more wonderful produce and flavours from nature.

www.andining.com T: 0136-22-6161 E: eat@andining.com 1F Ki Niseko, 183-43 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta gun, Hokkaido, Japan 044-0081

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Grand Hirafu Summer Gondola

Shape of the Mountain Mount Yotei is undoubtedly Niseko’s most captivating and iconic landmark. Soak up those stunning views at these two top spots as recommended by locals.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GLEN CLAYDON

The Scenic Ride: Grand Hirafu Summer Gondola Take in the crisp mountain air and the amazing scenery of Mt Yotei and Niseko with a ride on the Grand Hirafu Summer Gondola.

Opening in July, the Summer Gondola ascends to 820 metres above sea level so you can really enjoy the panorama from Niseko-Annupuri. This is a great activity for the whole family, including pets (conditions apply).

Enjoy an ice cream at the café once you reach the top and soak up the scenery. Sit back and relax with the Niseko Siesta, featuring two-metre, round cushion couches on the hill so you can take a nap and take pictures with Mt Yotei in the background. It’s free of charge to use the couches too!

Access: .Base at Niseko Grand Hirafu Open: July 14 - September 24

Countryside Love: Milk Kobo

Milk Kobo

Famous for delicious sweets made with fresh milk just squeezed at a nearby ranch, Millk Kobo is also a wonderful place to take in Mt Yotei’s magic during the summer.

It’s particularly popular with families boasting wide open green pastures for the kids to run around on and an old farm tractor and hay bale to play and take photos on. Not to mention the array of scrumptious desserts including “soft cream” ice cream. Many visitors return to Milk Kobo many times during their stay in Niseko, and you might just too!

Access: 888-1 Aza Soga, Niseko Town Hours: Open year-round from 9.30 am – 5.30 pm

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Go out and discover Niseko’s beauty with the many unique activities on offer in summer. From on the land, to the lake, and indoors too, a rainy day has never stopped us from having fun.

WORDS: VICTORIA YAP

ON LAND 01 Horse Riding Enjoy a relaxing horse ride around Niseko or take a lesson to try something new. Offered by K2 Stables and Niseko Joba Village, it is a beautiful way of exploring parts of the countryside.

01

02 Hiking Surrounded by nature, Niseko has many hiking routes at varying difficulties on offer. First-time hikers can take a fun climb up Mt Annupuri and use the Summer Gondola to descend. For more experienced individuals, hike up the famed Mt Yotei and reward yourself at the summit with a panoramic view.

03 Hot Air Ballooning Enjoy the beauty of Niseko from sky high, with Lion Adventure. A perfect way to see the Hokkaido sunset with Mt Yotei serving as its backdrop.

04 Tree-trekking Head over to NAC’s newly built Adventure Park which has more than six courses to choose from. Challenge yourself to an adventure packed day up in the trees.

05 Golf A sport enjoyed by all ages and Niseko locals. Niseko Village offers a variety of golf courses spanning over 6,800 yards.

06 Park Golf Born from the love of golf and croquet, park golf is a fun activity for locals in the summer. Get involved at one of the four large park golf courses around the area and learn a unique sport.

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Photo: NAC

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04 Photos: NAC

ON WATER 01 SUP

03 Kayaking

Work on your balance and cruise down the Shiribetsu River on a stand up paddle board (SUP). Get involved for a good laugh and a few splashes.

Take a tranquil self-paddling tour into the wilderness of Niseko and get one step closer to nature.

02 Canyoning

Get ready for some white-water action with water rafting fun. Work together with your team mates to overcome river jumps and tough turns. Feel victorious at the end of your journey.

Cool down by venturing around the scenic Sazuki River canyon. Jump in, climb around and swim through the clear mountain river whilst soaking up the beauty around.

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04 Water Rafting

INDOORS

01

01 Rock Climbing Let your inner monkey free! Burn off that extra energy on NAC’s colourfully graded routes or create your own.

02 Soba Making Cold soba (buckwheat noodle) is one of the nation’s favourite dishes in the warmer weather. Participate in making this delicacy and enjoy a bowl of it after. Try Uga-soba or Agri Station Yotei.

03 Sand Glass Workshop Personalise your souvenirs from Niseko by heading to Doumu Glass Gallery. Make beautiful decorative tumblers or beer glasses from scratch.

04 Swimming Don’t let the weather ruin your day! Dive into the full-size pool at Hotel Niseko Alpen for a relaxing swim.

05 Ten-pin Bowling After a few rounds at Family Bowl Iwanai, explore their Japanese-style arcade and take some fun purikura at the photo booth.

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Photo: NAC

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Life in Colour Looking through the kaleidoscope with local artist, Yuichi Hasegawa WORDS: YUKO MIYAKE TRANSLATION: SABRINA TAKAGI PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LOCKE

MUCH OF YUICHI HASEGAWA’S ART IS full of colour. Although he uses different materials for different art, there are always colours. If you look at his life, there are colours too.

While Hasegawa studied education and obtained a teacher’s license, he was always attracted to creating something of his own. At first, he collected woolen yarn and started making hand-knitted beanies. The waste yarn was unique to him, with many shades mixed altogether. After finishing one part of the beanie, Hasegawa would have fun thinking about what colour he should use next. The unique combination of the colour in his beanie became art.

These special beanies became popular among young people who wanted to be different from others. He has hand-knitted 300 colourful beanies since then.

In the same period of time, Hasegawa started making large candles for weddings.

Not only candles that have the shape of a cylinder, but also ones that have a complex shape. He focused on the colour of the candle itself as well. He used yellow, blue, purple and pink wax, and tried to blend all those colours together. He didn’t focus just on each individual colour, but on the gradations that the colours were creating

altogether. The glowing colours of the candles danced romantically and created a magical mood at the many weddings where they were lit.

For the 2015 Cow Parade, a charity art event held in Niseko, Hasegawa artfully covered a cow statue in countless colourful beads. He used some 30,000 of them. Placing two millimetre beads all-over the cow’s body took him one and a half months, and it was his masterpiece.

Expressing art by using beads is time consuming work; however, that made him even more focused.

These days, he has started creating art using golden foils which are often used as a traditional Japanese art material. This work is simple in that it uses just black and gold. The gold’s gloriousness with the black’s quietness is beautiful. He says the shine after pouring resin onto the art is like looking at space.

Hasegawa’s parents were both teachers, so he moved around the Shiribeshi area every few years when his parents were transferred to different schools. The whole area is now his hometown. He does not really try to name where exactly his birthplace is, but if he had to, he would say it is the Niseko area.

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In recent years, he has noticed the region has been dramatically globalising.

For him, this situation is like seeing many different colours together. People from all over the world, from different races and cultures, bringing their own unique colours. These colours do not really blend together, but they represent their own colour individually. This phenomenon is creating a beautiful design that he thinks is like an art.

Hasegawa is interested in the growing number of tourists every year and Niseko’s diversity, but he is also interested in bringing up the next local generation. As he has worked at an elementary school for many years, he wants to increase the imagination of the children that grow up in the area using his ideas that he obtained through art.

This year, he is going to host an art workshop mainly for children around the Mt Yotei area. If the opportunity for a location presents, he aspires to run a workshop studio to allow children to enjoy art and develop their creativity. And, maybe one day when they are older, they can come back again to the studio to share their love and knowledge of art with the next generation. He hopes to make this a cycle. â–

Discover more at www.ochikochi-design.com

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MUSEUM & GALLERY GUIDE

The Arts Trail Whether you’re an art connoisseur or after a great spot to relax, there’s something for everyone.

Kiyoe Gallery

Kiyoe Gallery

This contemporary gallery houses a collection of Hokkaido-inspired artworks created by rising Japanese artists, all of which share a unique relationship with the Niseko area. Special events are hosted throughout the year.

Where: Niseko-Hirafu Phone: 0136-55-8107 Open: Variable holidays; check www.kiyoegallery.com for details.

Shu Ogawara Museum of Art

Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum

Somoza Café & Gallery

Get close to nature at the re-purposed 150-year-old traditional Japanese home or “kominka”. Somoza combines art, culture and cuisine, with Hokkaido-made pottery, prints and more also available for purchase.

Where: Hanazono Phone: 0136-55-8741 Open: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.

Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum

Shu Ogawara Museum of Art

Avant-garde painter, Shu Ogawara, spent 70 years of his life painting in his home town of Kutchan after graduating from the Tokyo Art School. See Ogawara’s life and exquisite works commemorated in the museum.

Where: Kutchan Town Phone: 0136 - 21 – 4141 Open: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (admission until 4:30 pm); Closed on Tuesday and Public Holidays.

Somoza Café & Gallery

Enjoy a coffee, the beautiful scenery and explore the works of famous Japanese writer, Takeo Arishima. Climb the tower for stunning views of Mt Yotei and Niseko-Annupuri.

Where: Niseko Town Phone: 0136 - 44 – 3245 Open: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (admission until 4:30 pm); Closed Monday and Public Holidays.

Galerie RAM

Galerie RAM

Marvel at over 30 pieces of elaborate steel works by local artist, Masafumi Sawada. Enjoy artisan breads and cakes nearby at Boutique La Villa Lupicia.

International shipping is available for purchased works.

Where: Kabayama Phone: 0136-21-6818 Open: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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NISEKO GEL ATO Artisan gelato handcrafted from the best local dairy and produce Niseko Motomachi 79-45 opposite Niseko View Plaza Tel: 0136-44-1385 nisekogelato

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Escape to Nature WORDS: VICTORIA YAP

LIVING BUSY LIVES IN URBAN JUNGLES, MANY parents struggle to spend time with their children and connect as a family. In turn, more families are getting back to nature with a summer trip to Niseko and enjoying the increasing number of family friendly activities in the area.

Specialising in camps for families and children, EdVenture is one of the many thriving local businesses catering for this shift. Combining an educational experience through adventure outdoors, EdVenture is now in its seventh year, with popularity growing.

Participation has increased from just a handful of families in the first one-week program to over 100 families joining in across the six weeks of summer camps now each year.

Director of EdVenture Tim King believes that with more and more guests coming to Niseko from Asia means it is changing what guests are expecting from a holiday.

There is now, more than ever, a focus for visitors to build stronger family bonds while on holiday. “We have a lot of families who in Asia do crazy work hours,” King says, himself having grown up in Hong Kong with his junior years in Australia. “The family aspect is really important and trying to reconnect families with themselves as much as getting them to connect with spaces that we’re in.”

EdVenture provides three different summer camp programs for children between the ages of 6-14 years old as well as their most popular family program with the combination between family and child-only activities.

King says the program gives parents the opportunity to bond, spend precious time together as a family and watch their child grow, and that is the real value to incorporating mothers and fathers in the mix.

The overnight camp trip on the family program forms part of a family bonding exercise that relinks parents with their children and creates lasting memories for the whole family. The programs are also scaffolded to ease in families who are partaking in the summer camp activities for the first time.

“It’s combining the best natural elements that Niseko has to offer in a very hand on experience,” King

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says. “They come here to these huge open fields, camp grounds where there’s grass as far as their eyes can see. You can see kids almost intimidated by the space, they’re so used to having buildings around them, cars and people moving by and all of a sudden, a giant park.”

Taking place in Niseko’s great outdoors, the camps take families on an adventure in the wild. From endless green forests, clear blue lakes to challenging mountain trails, EdVenture inspires and encourages children and their parents to explore.

“By the end of the week they’re super excited to be there. They’re not intimidated and actively pursue it all on their own,” King explains. It’s an eye-opening experience for young children, forming a memorable part of childhood unattainable in the city.

With the week-long summer camp, both parents and children can have a great time learning about their surroundings and also about each other. The programs also aim to instil children with values such as adaptability, gratitude and endurance. These values are subtly taught through the hands-on activities.

King hopes that through each program, children and adults will be exposed to a lot more than they are used to being in urban jungles. “It’s trying to get kids, and just as much adults, aware of that things have a process,” he explains.

From picking cherries off the trees, finding potatoes covered in dirt through to cooking them in kitchen, this process teaches children to be grateful for their food. Overnight camping and hiking up the mountains teaches kids to foster independence, leadership and a strong sense of self. Raft building at Lake Toya shows them comradeship and how to build lasting friendships with each other.

King says that the most rewarding part of his EdVenture journey is watching the transformation of a child from day one to day five, seeing their excitement and watching them learn. “That’s the most valuable lesson, being aware that there are other ways that things can be done,” he says.

■ Camp dates for 2018: Week 1 July 2-6, Week 2 July 9-13 Week 3 July 16-20, Week 4 July 23-27, Week 5 July 30-Aug 3 Week 6 Aug 6-10, www.edventureniseko.com

EXPERIENCE NISEKO 69

Winter Edition Keep an eye out for Experience Niseko Vol. 6 Winter 2018/19, coming this November!

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AUTUMN

STAY

GIVEAWAY!

Win a stay in one of four luxury accommodations this coming autumn!

One contest, two nights, three days, four winners!

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3 Bedroom Penthouse 2 nights, includes jacuzzi hot tub

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Enter on our website for your chance to win a stay in one of these four great options!

www.experienceniseko.com/autumn-stay

Contest closes on August 21, 2018. Accommodation prizes are redeemable between September 1, 2018 and November 15, 2018.

See our website and contest page for full terms and conditions.

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