insights from frontier Japan

Hong Kong based company "The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts" operates high-end resorts in areas like Europe and Southeast Asia. It has officially launched construction of 19 vacation home condominiums in the town of Kutchan in Central Hokkaido's Niseko area, and plans to complete the homes by 2025.

Niseko Gravel, a ‘gravel bike’ event using road-racing bikes with fatter tires that can be used on unpaved trails was held in the three central Hokkaido towns of Kutchan, Niseko and Rankoshi for the first time on August 1.

Potato plants are in full bloom at the foot of Mt. Yotei in the town of Kutchan in the Shiribeshi prefecture, which is known as one of Hokkaido’s leading potato producing regions. The sight of fields full of flowers swaying in the breeze is a sign that summer has arrived.

It is understood that the town of Kutchan in the Niseko region of central Hokkaido is considering tightening regulations to restrict the use of buildings in the Hirafu district, where there are many resort facilities.

Chatrium Niseko, a luxury hotel located in the Hirafu area of Central Hokkaido's town of Kutchan, announced a new plan allowing hotel guests a free upgrade from a standard room to a special "Penthouse" room on the top floor. In anticipation of the State of Emergency Declaration ending, the goal is to enhance guest inflow from the summer tourist season to the autumn slow season.

The shibazakura (moss phlox) cared for by former farmer Mishima Kazuo in the town of Kutchan within Central Hokkaido's Niseko region are popularly known as "Mishima's Shibazakura Garden". And the shibazakura flower viewing season has arrived again this year, with a virtual carpet of vivid flowers spreading out across the field and delighting the gaze of area residents.

When I was a kid, I was never inside. The kids in the street spent every free moment playing in the park, exploring the forest, climbing trees, swimming in pools or the river, riding our scooters, bikes and skateboards. Endless, there was so much to do outside and nothing to do inside.

This year’s season for ‘spring rafting’ that involves shooting the snowmelt rapids in a rubber boat has begun on the Shiribetsu River, which flows through the towns of Kutchan and Niseko in central Hokkaido.

It has been revealed that the UK hotel chain, IHG Hotels & Resorts, which develops the ‘InterContinetal’ brand in Japan, is planning a luxury brand hotel ‘Six Senses Hotel Resort and Spa’ in the town of Kutchan in the Niseko region. It is hoped the hotel will open in 2024 or ’25.