The Kutchannel was created in winter 2006, partly as a way to bring attention to the town that hosts Grand Hirafu (hint... it ain't Niseko), and partly to provide an online forum for residents of the area to exchange watercooler chat. It has grown to include news, classifieds, a directory, an events schedule, and more... all created by and for the users of the site. The Kutchannel tears down the walls that keep the locals apart and injects a breath of unfiltered fresh air into community discourse. Thanks to everybody for partipating.
The kind folks at The Daily English Show (TheDailyEnglishShow.com) interviewed me and worked me into the above video lesson and news report. They do incredible work at TDES. In addition to the lessons and Stick News they produce professional video media for local businesses and manage affordable accommodation in Kutchan. Cool people, check 'em out.
OK, Martin and I were on way to Hakodate from Niseko (together with 3 other locals we run a bar in Hakodate and we were hoping to get some work done). There was road construction near Yakumo, and the road was down to one lane. Guy with red flag, etc. We stopped behind a truck. Another truck stopped behind us. We were chatting... suddenly WHAM! WHAM!!! Car totaled.
What happened: a truck did not stop for the construction. He plowed through the truck behind us. That truck shot across and off the highway. Then he plowed into us, and pushed us into the truck in front of us.
Luckily the truck directly behind us, whose driver left the scene in an ambulance, clipped us in the back, because it turned my truck to the side a bit, and that kept my car from crumpling when the truck that caused the whole mess plowed into us too....
We're fine. How Martin escaped with his legs not broken even he can't explain. If we had been in a smaller car, if the guy behind us hadn't been there to shield us from the blow, if the steel rod we had in the back of the car had shot through one of our heads...
Just because you're a safe driver doesn't mean you're safe on the road. All the same... drive safe on the mean streets of Hokkaido!
My wife is in her last year of nursing school in Japan, which means basically a punishing schedule of classes, homework, a thesis, and constant on-the-job training at assorted area hospitals. She finally was able to get a few days, our only vacation this year, and we decided to recharge in Niseko. Excellent choice!
Accommodation:
The friendly and accommodating staff at Niseko Powder Holidays booked us into Avalon, a luxury 3bed/2bath townhouse in the main village. Whenever I hear "Avalon" I think of the Mamoru Oshii movie, but apparently the name comes from the legend of King Aurthur, who was, according to local Niseko lore, actually Australian.
Avalon has a spacious dining area with a chill living room. Windows everywhere, so the natural lighting is incredible. There are a couple of decks that must certainly get good use in the summer, and after living in Japanese apartments so long, the full-on western kitchen completely rocked. We were going to go out the first night but we stayed in. I've always loved this kind of accommodation in the middle village. Spacious, quiet, peaceful, but just a minute drive from the main corner, where the NPH group's offices are located. Avalon could comfortably accommodate at least six people, we may come with friends next time. [Stay at Avalon] [Invest]
Food:
Some bars and restaurants are closed during the summer (I have to wait until winter for my Wild Bill's chicken burrito and mojito fix!) but there's still plenty going on:
The thought of a couple pints of Kilkenny lured me to Paddy McGinty's. The best fish & chips in Niseko are a bonus. The wife went with that least Irish of drinks, the house red. Which must have complemented the tartar very well, because it disappeared before I could get the fish to it!
Kamimura. Where do you start. Exemplary. I was just not expecting this level of world class cuisine and service anywhere in Niseko, especially during the summer. Considering Yuichi Kamimura's reputation as protege of the master chef of Sydney's Testuya, I should have known better. We started with caviar hors d'oeuvres before moving on to Kamimura's gourmet creations (I'm not cultured enough to know what I was eating, but scallops and lamb fillet definitely made appearances), and washed it all down with a few bottles of fine Aussie and NZ wines (we kicked it off with a Ata Rangi pinot noir). We'll be back.
At Sekka The avacado bacon sandwich alone was worth the trip, but the Hokkaido Plate elevated the experience, with a mix of Hokkaido meats, cheeses, vegetables, & sauces. Omiyage-fever also hit, because we scooped up some almonds, dried green aspagus, veggie chips, curry curry senbei, and some amazing spiced plum jam as well. You can taste test the jams, highly recommended!
If you're looking for a guided Hokkaido powder tour, these are the guys to turn to, but this visit to Black Diamond Lodge was inspired by my growling stomach. Their Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is the real deal. Do not delay getting down to BDL right now and plowing into one of these. The wife settled for a Taco Salad, which was also excellent (thanks for letting me sample half your meal baby), but I straight went savage on that Philly. Service was good, the staff look familiar, I think they're year-round. Didn't catch a glimpse of the proprieter, maybe he's off at his other pension, Black Mountain Lodge, at Kurodake in Daisetsuzan.
Ice Cream!
At Ruhiel (homemade gelato & ice cream) we stopped for double scoop ice cream cones, just jpy 350 each. There were around 20 flavors to choose from, we ended up with one banana & cream cheese and one macadamia chocolate & gold kiwi. Don't know what we were thinking on that second one but they both disappeared pretty quick. Off to the right of the entrance there's a bench you can sit on and look down on a small valley that goes under 343, it's the perfect place to cool out.
Milk Kobo uses all natural Niseko Takahashi Bokujo milk in the production of their ice cream, yogurt, and cakes. We stopped here to secure some "omiyage" for the wife's family and also managed to polish off another ice cream cone. There's a flower garden, some shops, and a place for "genuine" country photo ops:
Activities:
I'd been on a Niseko Adventure Centre rafting trip on the Shiribetsu before with the company I used to work at. I recall that it was in April, it had snowed the day before, and that I almost lost my feet to frostbite (feet CAN turn purple!). With that on the mind, I delayed my wife's rafting ambitions, late July seemed a bit safer, and it was time to pay the piper. We considered "Canyoning", which is apparently rafting without a raft(?), but ended up going with "Ducky", a blow up boat thats seats two. Our guide, Magi, was basically awesome. She kept telling me, "Webb-san, relax! Stop trying so hard!" Um, yeah, I was furiously fighting the current. The photos were hilarious, my wife is smiling in each one, and I look like a man navigating a river in hell. I should have taken her advice, but I wanted to paddle all the way to the Sea of Japan, backwards!
Tree Trekking at Niseko Village rules. Using carabiners and pulleys fastenened to your body via a harness, you can use the cables running across the canopy of the trees to traverse from tree to tree. The first half of the course can get a little crowded, but the second half, reserved for adults with both a beginner and advanced section, is a little bit more of a party.
Niseko Village's PURE summer nature activity repetoire includes horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, park golf, mountain bike rentals, and much more. MORE INFO (PDF)
Rusutsu: Riding roller coasters in the sky, amongst the trees, while overlooking the natural beauty of Hokkaido from horizon to horizon, simply kicks ass. We spent just a few hours there, enough time to hit all the "big rides". The ride in the video below was a bit tame compared to the others, but for once I was confident of not dropping my camera, so this ended up being the only footage (No, that is not me screaming!). Great place for families and couples! MORE INFO (PDF)
Shopping:
Niseko View Plaza is where we do a lof of our "omiyage" shopping. We successfully left without buying more ice cream, but our arms were weighed down with a few bags worth of fresh produce.
Also, fellow expats, don't overlook M Pocket located on Route 5 at North 3 West 1. In addition to Kutchan's finest retail selection of beers and wines, they also have an excellent selection of frozen and foreign goods.
Getaway to Niseko!
Summers in Niseko are really paradise, especially when compared to the heat and humidity in many other cities and towns throughout Japan. Niseko summers mean rafting, hiking, fishing, tennis, golf, jetcoasters, and more. Come check it out. There's nothing like spending a few days in Niseko.
Obligatory Youtei Shot...
Planning to visit Niseko? Additional online resources:
