In summary
Thanks to its gorgeous and original design, modern equipments and good location, Chalet Seshu is the perfect chalet to spend your ski holidays in. You will enter in Chalet Seshu in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for you and your faimly or friends.
Bedrooms
Room 1 -
Master Bedrooms 1 & 2
:
Room.
Room 2 - Guest Bedrooms 1 & 2 :
Room, direct access to the terrace.
Room 3 - Guest Bedroom 3 :
Room.
Indoors
The edgy alpine architecture and the stylish interiors tastefully decorated with natural building materials will make you feel at ease in this chalet with the spacious living areas and the large fully equipped kitchen, perfect to try cooking some local food with your close ones!
You all can gather in the night around the firestone in the living room, to warm you up after a day on the slopes.
Four of the rooms are on the ground floor with their own bathroom each. The fifth bedroom is in a tatami room on the lower floor ; the traditional Japanese-style tatami room, with access to a separate toilet and shower room.
Outdoors
The large terrace, accessible from the living room on the first floor, is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular view of Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri, while having a meal on the dining table. You can enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi as well.
Location
Steak Rosso Rosso Restaurant : 0.12 km
Bar Gyu+ : 0.30 km
Hirafu Intersection : 0.40 km
Kamimura Michelin Star Resto : 0.50 km
Hirafutei Hotel Onsen : 0.60 km
Alpen Hotel Onsen : 0.80 km
Grand Hirafu Gondola : 1 km
Niseko Village Golf Course : 6 km
Mt. Yotei Makkari Entrance : 8 km
Lake Toya : 45 km
Otaru City : 60 km
Sapporo City : 90 km
Located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and overlooking the active volcano of Mount Yotei – a smaller version of Mount Fuji – Hirafu, one of Niseko’s four separate but interconnected ski resorts, is blessed with some of the driest, lightest and most abundant snow on Earth.
Despite an average yearly snowfall of 15 metres, Hirafu also enjoys comfortable summers. Its untamed volcanic landscape, excellent hiking trails and increasing reputation as a wellness haven, make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts all year-round.
Chalet Seshu is conveniently located on a quiet edge of Hirafu’s middle village, close to many of its most popular restaurants and entertainment venues. It is a mere ten-minute walk from the Grand Hirafu Ski Gondola.
An on-call driver will be happy to drive you to and from the gondola and any other locations within Hirafu village. There are also free shuttle buses that will take you to any of the other Niseko resorts.
Things to do
Our Concierge team is always on hand to provide you information about all the places of interest in Hirafu and the wider Niseko area. They can also assist in equipment rental, transport arrangement and other requests that you may have. Do ask them about the closest ‘onsen’ you should visit, it is the best way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Whether you visit Niseko for its powder snow or to appreciate the blooming valley in summer, here are some of our favourite things to do in the region:
All year-round
Hokkaido’s produce is renowned throughout the world and thus it is no wonder that Niseko has a thriving food scene. Meat lovers will appreciate the rare Kobe beef at Steak Rosso Rosso, and if you prefer seafood, we suggest trying out some of Hokkaido’s freshest catch at Ezo’s. Hirafu has not one but two Michelin-star restaurants – Kamimura and Ichimura, both serving exceptional fine Japanese dining.
Japan’s volcanic hot springs or ‘onsen’ not only soothe your aching muscles after a long day, but they are also known for their health and wellness benefits. Ask the Concierge team for the best onsen in the region and also some of the dos and don’ts in terms of attire and behaviour.
There are several art galleries in Niseko which are definitely worth a visit. Kiyoe gallery in Hirafu village showcases some of Hokkaido best artists, while Somoza gallery in nearby Hanazono also offers a beautiful place in which to relax. Our favourite remains Galerie Ram in Niseko Village, with its exciting collection of steel sculpture and woodwork. Inside the gallery, you’ll also find ‘La Cave’, a cellar with a great selection of imported wines. Now you understand why we love it, don’t you?
A little further afield, we can recommend a daytrip to the attractive seaside city of Otaru any time of the year. Less than two hours away by car from Hirafu, it is best- known for its hairy crab and seafood delicatessen, fish markets and historic buildings.
For a more urban experience, you can also visit Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital and central transportation hub. As a relatively recent city, it somewhat lacks the alluring architecture you might find in other Japanese cities. Yet, Sapporo is a vibrant and pleasant metropolitan with lovely tree-lined boulevards, excellent shopping and varied cultural activities, including the world-famous annual snow sculpture competition in February.
Experience some of the typically Japanese matsuri festivals any time of the year. The ‘Potato Festival’ in nearby Kutchan town and the Niseko Fireworks Festival are two of our favourites.
Winter
Known for its "champagne powder", unparalleled infrastructure, sophisticated dining and varied nightlife, Hirafu has been the driving force behind Niseko’s stellar rise as one of the world’s most phenomenal ski areas. With an average snowfall of 15 metres, Hirafu is known as the world’s second snowiest ski resort with flakes so large that locals jokingly refer to them as ‘chicken feathers’. Here’s how to make most of your winter holiday:
Chalet Seshu is only one kilometre away from the Grand Hirafu Gondola which provides access to some of the area’s steepest slopes, as well as several great runs for beginners.
Whether you’re a first-timer trying to familiarise yourself with a pair of skis or an accomplished snowboarder aiming to perfect your turns, the Niseko Grand Hirafu Snow School has a wide range of lessons and programmes available which cater to all levels.
Part of four interconnected ski resorts, Hirafu and the neighbouring resort of Niseko Village boast of some of the steepest slopes in the region, with those in nearby Hanazono offering slightly easier terrain for beginners. Meanwhile, the Annupuri Resort is well-known for its backcountry gates, popular with accomplished skiers and snowboarders eager to access some of the area’s deep snow on off-piste trails – something we don’t recommend doing without necessary training.
Whether it is tobogganning or snowmobiling that gets your adrenaline pumping, what better place to slide down the slopes than Niseko? Our Concierge can help rent a snowmobile for your use or guide you on the best places to go to.
Summer
From white water rafting on the Shiribetsu river or stand-up paddling at nearby Lake Toya to mountain biking down volcanic slopes or playing golf at the 18-hole Niseko Golf Course, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself during the warmer months.
With its elevated rope courses, zip-lines, free-fall platforms, bouncy slides and horse rides, the recreational park PURE provides a wonderful day out for the whole family.
Come spring, the snowmelt raises the water levels of the Shiribetsu River by almost two metres, making it ideal for white water rafting. A 12 km-long course runs from Hirafu Station to Niseko Station across what is known to be Japan’s cleanest river. Although it will take you past several exciting challenges, the course is easy enough to navigate while enjoying the valley’s stunning beauty.
The 18-hole, 73 par Niseko Village Golf Course is seen as the jewel in the crown of Hokkaido’s golf scene, thanks to its excellent facilities and the area’s dry and pleasant summer. With the photogenic Mount Yotei in the background, we really can’t think of a better place for practising your shots and improving your handicap.
Indeed, regularly hosting Japan’s largest cycling race, the ‘Tour de Hokkaido’, Hirafu is a much-loved cycling destination thanks to its stunning landscape, comfortable summers and a massive variety of cycling trails.
Looking at its well-developed infrastructure and the sheer number of international visitors, it might be hard to believe that the wider Niseko area was once better known for its potatoes than for its powder. Relive its starchy past by hiring a scooter and driving through some of its vast rice paddies and buckwheat farmlands. Close your eyes and feel the wind in your hair. Be sure to visit one of the many farmers’ markets on the way and sample delicious fresh local produce.
Notes
Welcome pack (for min of 2 nights)
