Industry News
A newly-built boutique hotel is on the market in Japan’s most popular ski resort Niseko. The luxury hotel features 14 luxury condominiums and is a beautifully designed sanctuary in the middle of Hirafu, the bustling ski village at the foot of Niseko’s ski area. Niseko used to be four separate ski areas united under the ‘Niseko United’ umbrella. The other three villages at the bottom, Annupuri, Niseko Village, and Hanazono, mainly have a few hotels and parking at the foot of the mountain. In contrast, Hirafu has a European-style village with shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, and a mixture of hotels and private residences.
The boutique hotel was developed by tour operator SkiJapan.com when the founder and CEO, Pete Murphy, saw the unique opportunity to invest in the Niseko ski area. As his company SkiJapan.com is a ski tour operator and not a real estate business, he has decided to divest the property and focus on his core business. The three-story property is being sold as a whole, with no plans to sell individual units in the hotel. SkiJapan.com can continue to manage Shinka Niseko if a buyer prefers that.
The luxury development boasts ski lockers, heated floors, and an underground parking garage. All condominiums have wrap-around balconies and central air conditioning so that they can be used year-round. There is also a ground floor retail space which would suit a restaurant. The hotel was designed by architect Katsuya Matsunaga and interior designer Ryo Miyagaki, who previously designed Annupuri’s The Kamui Niseko.
The ski area Niseko United is located on Japan’s island of Hokkaido and is about two hours from Chitose Airport. The resort offers over 800 acres of skiable area, serviced by 30 lifts and three gondolas. Niseko is known as one of the snowiest ski areas in the world, with more than 50ft (15m) of snowfall every year. The resort offers access to the famous Japanese powder dubbed ‘Japow’ through several backcountry access gates that the operator carefully monitors.
Ikon season pass holders can access Niseko United and scan their passes straight at the resort’s gates as Niseko All Mountain five or seven days pass, or up to four days on Ikon Session Pass.
