Winter Access
Details for the 2023-24 snow season will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
Niseko Hanazono Resort
〒044-0082
328-36 Aza-Iwaobetsu, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-Gun
Hokkaido 044-0082 Japan
At the resort center Hanazono 308, you can purchase lift tickets, rent skis and snowboards, reserve and join snowsports schools and various activities.
Access From the Niseko Area
Hanazono Shuttle Bus
During the winter season, the Hanazono Shuttle operates daily for our guests. We have the entire Upper Hirafu village and surrounding area covered with a bus every 20 minutes; operating through the upper village to transport guests from their door direct to Hanazono. No one will have to wait or walk far to start their day, this service is ideal for the family or the keen pow enthusiast with the first bus arriving at Hanazono at around 8:30 am in time for early lifts. Bus stops are within walking distance of most accommodations in the Upper Village of Hirafu.
Period: December 3, 2022 – April 9, 2023
- First bus: Welcome Center around 8:00 → Hanazono around 8:28 (every 20 mins, every 30 mins from Feb. 24)
- Last bus: Welcome Center around 19:00 → Arrival at Hanazono around 19:28
- The last bus departs from Welcome Center around 17:00 except during the night skiing period. (December 17, 2022 ~ March 19, 2023)
- The first bus to Vale Niseko departs around 8:05 and runs every hour thereafter.
Real Time Shuttle Bus Location
Now you can check the real time location of Hanazono Shuttle and Niseko United Shuttle.
*Major buses in the Niseko area and all their bus stops (pink icons) are shown. Please note that Hanazono Shuttle does not stop at all bus stops.
- Hanazono Shuttle Bus only covers the Upper Hirafu village area during the 2022-23 winter season.
- Hanazono Shuttle Bus services may decrease the number of regular departures or suspend operation due to weather conditions.
Shuttle Maps
HANAZONO Shuttle Map 2022-2023
You can check out the route along with a map of the Niseko area.
HANAZONO Shuttle Map Simplified version
This is a simplified version that lists only the bus stops where the Hanazono Shuttle stops.
Ski Down to Hanazono
Niseko Hanazono Resort is part of the Niseko United group and lies on the North Eastern side of Mount Niseko Annupuri (far right-hand side of the trail map below) and can be accessed via the lift system with a Hanazono / Grand Hirafu Lift Pass or Niseko All Mountain Lift Pass.
- Confident beginners: From Hirafu, take the Hirafu Gondola followed by the Swinging Monkey, turn right off the lift onto Parallel Course (red), then the Silver Dream (green).
- Intermediate and above: From Hirafu, take the Hirafu Gondola or Ace Quad Chair followed by the King Hooded Triple, turn right onto Youtei Sunset (red), then follow the signs down to HANAZONO.
Also, if you use the Hanazono-Grand Hirafu Lift Ticket issued by the neighboring Grand Hirafu, you can take all the Hanazono and Grand Hirafu lifts.
ACCESS FROM AFAR
Traveling by Car
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.
Please be aware that the roads can be icy and dangerous in the winter. We advise that you make sure the rental car has all-wheel drive and snow tires.
TOYOTA Rent-A-Car (Kutchan Town) *
*Japanese website but available in English, please click the "Select Language" button within the page.
Use the following MAPCODE number for directions to HANAZONO on your car navigation system.
398 504 798*71
Traveling by Coach
The coach 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 – 3hrs. Whilst convenient and hassle-free, all coach transfer options are scheduled services departing at set times, which may not suit all guests. Click on the link below for a range of different services to cover all guests' needs and cut down on the wait time.
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.
