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Niseko

Niseko
ニセコ町
Town
Summer in Niseko Annupuri, one of the most famous mountains for downhill skiing in Hokkaido.
Summer in Niseko Annupuri, one of the most famous mountains for downhill skiing in Hokkaido.
Flag of Niseko
Flag
Official seal of Niseko
Symbol
Location of Niseko in Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Location of Niseko in Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Niseko is located in Japan
Niseko
Niseko
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°48′N 140°41′E / 42.800°N 140.683°E / 42.800; 140.683Coordinates: 42°48′N 140°41′E / 42.800°N 140.683°E / 42.800; 140.683
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
District Abuta
Government
 • Mayor Kenya Katayama
Area
 • Total 197.13 km2 (76.11 sq mi)
Population (30 September 2016)
 • Total 4,938
 • Density 25/km2 (65/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Japanese white birch
 • Flower Lavender
 • Bird Great spotted woodpecker
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 47, Aza Fujimi, Niseko-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō
048-1595
Website www.town.niseko.lg.jp/english/

Niseko (ニセコ町?, Niseko-chō) is a town located in Abuta District, Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. To the Japanese people, Niseko principally refers to a mountain range and a municipal area. However, overseas the name has come to refer to a wider area of ski resorts encompassing Hokkaido's Mount Yōtei, often referred to as the "Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido", and Annupuri ranges. The name Niseko derives from the Ainu language and means "a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains". The Niseko town's main industries are agriculture and tourism.

The town had an estimated population of 4,938 as of 30 September 2017, and a density of 25 persons per km2. The total number of visitors during the 2009 winter season was 201,000. The total area is 197.13 km2.

Niseko is composed of six ski areas, in order of size:

Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu, refers to the combined areas of Hirafu and Hanazono. Both of these and Weiss are within the municipality of nearby Kutchan. The other three resorts are within the adjacent municipality of Niseko.

Of these six ski areas, the main four (Annupuri, Higashiyama, Hirafu, and Hanazono) are sequentially interconnected and may be skied on one ski pass. The lift systems are owned respectively by the Chuo Bus company, YTL Resorts (which purchased Niseko Village from Citigroup in 2010), Tokyu Corporation and Pacific Century Premium Developments. Together they form 2,191 acres (8.87 km2) skiable of what is known as the Niseko United. The lift system comprises 38 gondolas and lifts connecting 61 ski runs. Kutchan's sister city is St. Moritz, Switzerland in a relationship established in 1964. Niseko Moiwa, adjacent to Annupuri, can be skied to from Annupuri but is not currently connected by the lift system. Niseko Weiss has not operated its lifts for decades, but people can still ski in this area, being taken uphill by snow cats.


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Wikipedia

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