Niseko has been particularly bustling recently, attracting many visitors from overseas.
While visiting during the lush green season is certainly recommended, I also recommend visiting during the snowy season, as you'll see a completely different landscape.

And speaking of sports you can enjoy in winter, there's skating, snowboarding, and skiing!

...So, from among the many ski resorts around Niseko, this time I'd like to focus on and introduce "Niseko Iwanai International Ski Resort," located in Iwanai Town.

We'll also be introducing some recommended inns located near the ski resort, so please check those out as well!
Let's get started!

<Table of Contents>
1. The cat tour sold out instantly! It's incredibly popular every year!!
2. Takashima Ryokan, a ryokan (Japanese inn) near the ski resort.
Afterword

For those of you wondering, "What exactly is a cat tour?", let me explain.

The "cat" in "cat tour" refers to the caterpillar, and also to snow groomers and snowmobiles found at ski resorts.
Then, you ride on it and enjoy traveling along unused slopes, such as the background. That's why it's called a "cat tour."

The cat tour at Niseko Iwanai International Ski Resort is always popular, and although reservations open at 9:00 AM on November 1st each year, they sell out in about two hours.

For 25,000 yen per person, you'll travel in a 9-seater cat.
The main reason for its popularity is that it's cheaper compared to other catfishing tours.

Other ski resorts average 39,000 yen, so the fact that this one is 14,000 yen cheaper is very appealing.

Next, let's look at the location of the ski resort.

Since Iwanai Town is located on the Shakotan Peninsula, you can enjoy skiing while overlooking the sea known as "Shakotan Blue."
This could be considered a privilege unique to "Niseko Iwanai International Ski Resort" among the many ski resorts in the Niseko area.

Skiing under a clear blue sky, feeling the powder snow and gazing at the Shakotan Blue... isn't this the ultimate moment for any skier?

Another thing that surprises visitors from outside town is the distance between the ski resort and the town.
Typically, ski resorts are located at least 30 minutes or more by car from the city center, but Niseko Iwanai International Ski Resort is located only about 10 minutes by car from the city center.

In other words, it's close to both the sea and the mountains. That's the blessed proximity to nature that Iwanai Town is so proud of.

The ski resort has three courses in total: A, B, and C, so you can enjoy the Shakotan Blue no matter which course you ski down.
Since the distance to the lift is the same for all courses, I think both beginners and advanced skiers can enjoy them together.

By the way, our cat tours attract many customers not only from outside Hokkaido, such as from Tokyo and Osaka, but also from both within Japan and internationally!
Looking at the breakdown by country, it seems that many visitors come from Australia and Singapore! You might even get to enjoy a bit of cross-cultural exchange!

Can you guess what this is? Actually, this is the mascot character of Iwanai Town.
His name is "Taramaru." Iwanai Town is the birthplace of longline fishing for Alaska pollock, so this character, "Taramaru," is based on that.

But seriously, it's amazing how "Taramaru" can ski without ski poles, which are essential for skiing!
You can tell from the photos that they're very athletic!

Now, after a day of fun at the ski resort, why not relax in a hot spring and enjoy some delicious food?
This is Takashima Ryokan, located less than a 5-minute drive from the ski resort.

The restaurant's design is primarily based on traditional Japanese aesthetics, attracting many visitors not only from within Hokkaido but also from outside the prefecture who come seeking the unique beauty of Japanese culture.

Can you tell from the photos? It looks so warm and inviting. The comfort of a hot spring made of cypress wood is something unique to Japan, isn't it?
At Takashima Ryokan, you can enjoy hot springs along with your meal.

In winter, you can relax in a hot spring while watching the gently falling snow...
This is a moment of pure bliss. Please relax and enjoy your time while soaking in the natural hot spring water, known for its skin-beautifying properties.

Perhaps taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is something that modern, stressful people need, don't you think?

These are some of the dishes that Takashima Ryokan is proud to serve.
First, starting from the top left of the image, we have sea cucumber in vinegar, grilled ingredients (abalone, shishito peppers, scallops), hairy crab, and sashimi (surf clam, herring roe, shrimp). White rice is also served with this.

And this is flounder sashimi.
It looks just like fugu sashimi... In fact, the flounder was still alive when I was served it.

Being able to serve sashimi in such a fresh state is surely due to the skill of the chef. I don't think it's something that can be done easily.

And these are the ingredients for the hot pot. There are fresh abalone that are still alive, and large snow crabs that are overflowing from the plate.
This dish is packed with the bounty of the sea, a specialty of Iwanai Town, a port town!

Add it to a pot with flavorful broth.
The flavor is miso, so it's a hot pot that's very familiar to Japanese people! I don't think you'll find a hot pot this luxurious anywhere else!

And this is pottery.
We serve raw abalone and seasoned scallops, which are grilled over a net.

They're so fresh you can eat them as they are, but grilling them is also a great way to enjoy them.

We still have more dishes to offer. This is grilled fish.
Actually, the name varies depending on the region.

In Iwanai Town, it's called "Ooba," but in Shimamaki Village, it's called "Monke."
Its common name is "hatsumebaru." It was perfectly seasoned with salt and absolutely delicious!

And finally, dessert!
This is red-fleshed melon with pomegranate. Pomegranate has a unique texture, doesn't it?

It was my first time trying it, but I think I'm going to get addicted to its crunchy texture.

This is lunch, and there are three different lunch course menus to choose from.
The chef's choice course is 7,700 yen, the special course is 6,050 yen, and the seasonal course is 4,400 yen.

By the way, I had the chef's choice course this time. It was very filling.

All courses include access to hot springs, so after a day of skiing, be sure to warm up with delicious food and a relaxing soak in the hot springs at Takashima Ryokan!

There are two types of rooms available. First, there is a Japanese-style room where you can relax comfortably.

And then there are the Western-style rooms. These are also popular, so we recommend booking early.

~Afterword~

The ski resort manager said this this time.

"Working here is fun because I get to interact not only with Japanese people but also with foreigners," she said.

While ski resorts are primarily places for skiing, they can also be seen as a kind of social gathering place where you can enjoy casual interactions with other people.

Then Mr. Takashima, the owner of Takashima Ryokan, said the following:

"I believe that a chef's cooking isn't just about preparing the food; it begins from the moment they source the ingredients," he said.

I believe that it is this kind of attitude and mindset towards cooking that allows them to provide high-quality hospitality.

This time, we introduced Takashima Ryokan as an accommodation near the ski resort, but there are many other wonderful hotels and inns as well.
I'll tell you more about that another time! Everyone, please come and visit Niseko Iwanai International Ski Resort♪
Article written by: Hozuki Amane

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