Winter Access


 

ACCESS FROM
THE NISEKO AREA

 

Hanazono Shuttle Bus

During the snow season, we operate three shuttle buses daily, running every 20 minutes between the Upper Village and surrounding areas. All guests using Hanazono are welcome to board these buses. If you take the first bus at 8:00 am, those looking to hit the slopes early can ride the lifts starting at 8:30 am when the resort opens.

Period: November 30, 2024 – April 6, 2025

First Departure: Welcome Center at around 8:00 → HANAZONO 308 at around 8:28
Last Departure: HANAZONO 308 at 19:28 → Welcome Center at around 20:00
*Operates at 20-minute intervals.
*Outside of the night skiing period (December 14, 2024 - March 23, 2025), the last departure from Hanazono is at 17:28.

 

Real Time Hanazono Shuttle Bus Location

Now you can check the real time location of Hanazono Shuttle with light blue icon.

*Major buses in the Niseko area and all their bus stops are shown. Please note that Hanazono Shuttle does not stop at all bus stops on the location map.

Hanazono Shuttle Map
You can check out the route along with a map of the Niseko area. *Click on image to enlarge.
Hanazono Shuttle Map Simplified version
This is a simplified version that lists only the bus stops where the Hanazono Shuttle stops. *Click on image to enlarge.

 

Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono Shuttle Bus

During the operating period, the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono shuttle bus runs daily every hour on two routes: the Kutchan route and the Hirafu route. Guests visiting Hanazono are encouraged to make use of this convenient service.

Period: December 7, 2024 – March 31, 2025

Kutchan Route (Operates every 60 minutes)

  • First Departure: Park Hyatt at 15:00 → JR Kutchan Station at 15:40
  • Last Departure: HANAZONO 308 at 22:10 → JR Kutchan Station at 22:40

Hirafu Route (Operates every 60 minutes)

  • First Departure: Park Hyatt at 17:00 → Yuki Niseko at 17:40
  • Last Departure: HANAZONO 308 at 00:10 → Yuki Niseko at 00:40

 

 

NISEKO UNITED Shuttle Bus

A convenient shuttle bus service is available for travel between the Niseko United resorts: Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, and Niseko Hanazono Resort. This inter-resort shuttle connects all four Niseko United resorts, providing comfortable and easy access.

Period: November 30, 2024 – May 6, 2025

Real Time NISEKO UNITED Shuttle Bus Location

You can now check the current location of the NISEKO UNITED shuttle bus online.

*Click on the “BUS INFO” tab on the trail map to view it.

NISEKO UNITED Shuttle Map
You can check the bus route along with Niseko all mountain course information. *Click on image to enlarge.
NISEKO UNITED shuttle bus timetable

The number of operating services and the last departure time vary between the night skiing period and outside of it. Please check the timetable before boarding.

 

Taxi - GO App

GO – Convenient Taxi Dispatch Service

Launched last season in the Niseko area, “GO (Niseko Model)” offers a convenient way to call a taxi using a smartphone app. It ensures smooth transportation from ski resorts, accommodations, and restaurants.

The service provides real-time tracking and fare estimates for a transparent and comfortable taxi experience. It is also reliable during snowy conditions and busy periods.

Period: December 16, 2024 - March 15, 2025

Information on Other Taxi Operators in the Niseko Area

For transportation within the Niseko area, several other taxi operators are also available. Please refer to the page below for detailed information.
During the high season, wait times of over an hour may occur, so we recommend making reservations in advance.

 

 

Ski Down to Hanazono

The Niseko All-Mountain Lift Pass or Hirafu Hanazono Lift Pass allows you to access Hanazono from all the ski resorts via the ski runs.

The main routes are listed below, please refer to them according to your skills.

  • For beginner and intermediate skiers
    [From Hirafu] After boarding the King Gondola (former Hirafu gondola), connect to the Swinging Monkey lift. After exiting the lift, ski out to the right, down the Parallel Course (Intermediate) and then down the Silver Dream Course (Beginner) to reach Hanazono Base.
  • For intermediate and advanced skiers
    [From Hirafu] Take the King gondola (former Hirafu gondola) or Ace gondola (former Ace Quad) and connect to the King 3rd Triple Lift. After alighting from the lift, ski the Yotei Sunset Course (Intermediate) on the right to access Hanazono.

 


 

ACCESS FROM AFAR

 

Traveling by Car

The Niseko area is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive from major cities in central Hokkaido.

Please take extra care when driving on snow-covered roads.
Hanazono has a blog with ‘5 tips for safe driving on snow-covered roads from Hokkaidō residents’. Please take a look at it.

Rental cars can be hired from Kutchan, Sapporo or New Chitose Airport and are an inexpensive and convenient option for those who are comfortable driving in the snow and wish to explore the area.

*Japanese website but available in English, please click the "Select Language" button within the page.

Getting to Hanazono by car

 

Traveling by Ski Bus

Ski bus services are very efficient and provide a frequent schedule to the resorts in the Niseko area during winter.
The typical journey takes around 2.5 - 3 hours.

Each bus must be pre-booked.

Most ski buses arrive at Hirafu Welcome Center, but Hokkaido Resort Liner offers a direct service to Hanazono(Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono and Nikko Style Niseko Hanazono hotels) for your convenience.

For Hirafu arrivals, please take the free Hanazono shuttle bus departing from Hirafu Welcome Center to Hanazono.

 

 

Traveling by Train

Hakodate Line is the main rail artery of Hokkaido, running through the Niseko area, it offers easy access to Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa and other major cities in Hokkaido.

Kutchan station is the most convenient stop when traveling to/from Niseko, just 10 min drive to Hanazono and 15 min drive to Hirafu Village.

To reach Hanazono from Kutchan Station, you can take a taxi or the Chuo Bus Kutchan Line heading to Hilton Niseko Village via Hirafu. From Hirafu, transfer to the free Hanazono shuttle bus to complete your journey.

For JR route maps, fares and timetables, click on the buttons below.

Travelling to Hanazono by train