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Niseko, Jewel of Hokkaido

Nestled in the mountains of Hokkaido is the ski resort town of Niseko. The name means, "a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains" and it does appear to do just that near majestic Mount Yōtei, a mountain known as Hokkaido's Mt. Fuji. White with snow in the winter and purple with lavender in the summer, Niseko is a premier tourist destination in any season.

Niseko's ski season is from December until late April. Four linked resorts, Hirafu, Higashiyama, An'nupuri and Hanazono provide 2,191 acres of slopes for skiers of all levels. While the 38 gondolas take skiers to 61 ski runs, there are also some back-country ski runs for advanced visitors to try, including Strawberry Fields, a famous run that takes skiers through a forest route.

After a day of skiing or snow-boarding, there is nothing better than a trip to one of Niseko's 16 open-air onsens, or hot springs. Guests can relax in an onsen rich in minerals. Relieve muscle pain, joint pain and arthritis in the naturally heated volcanic waters of an onsen. Most of Niseko's onsens are separated by gender but there are a few same-gender onsens that couples can attend together such as the one at the Niseko Grand Hotel, one of the many accommodation choices for tourists. Other hotels include the Hotel J First which also has its own onsen and the J Second which has a friendly atmosphere and offers budget accommodation. More accommodation choices include apartments and pensions or guest houses.

Dining in Niseko is a culinary experience with the medley of choices available. Visitors can try Japanese and French cuisine at EN, teriyaki or hamburgers at Yukibar Café Sports Bar, sandwiches at Sekka Deli or grilled scallops at Kamimura Restaurant. Niseko also has Indian cuisine, Nepalese cuisine and pizza.

About the Author

George Pettit is a SEO and travel specialist from Australia. He writes about various travel topics such as destinations in Japan,Niseko, for example,things you can do there and Niseko Accommodation....

Author (George Pettit). Submitted on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 Time: 9:39 AM

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