Niseko is two to three hours drive from Hokkaido’s international airport, New Chitose Airport, just outside Sapporo.
It is an international airport but not all airlines fly direct to Chitose. Most international visitors will have to catch a domestic flight from Tokyo via Narita International Airport or Haneda Domestic Airport.
You have three options to get to Niseko after arriving at New Chitose Airport:
1) COACH TRANSFER
The bus is the cheapest form of transport from the airport in winter. Buses depart about every 30 minutes from the airport to drop-off points in the three major resorts of Niseko: Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri.
They take roughly three hours and most include a rest stop halfway, some also drop-off at Rusutsu along the way.
A one-way ticket will cost roughly JPY Y4,000 per person.
Please note it’s important to book these tickets in advance and we’d be more than happy to arrange that for you.
2) PRIVATE TRANSFER
As you enter the arrivals hall you’ll notice your driver with a sign with your name on, so they can collect you and help you take your luggage to the vehicle.
Ministry of Villas works with several companies offering door-to-door transfer services from the airport to Niseko or Sapporo from JPY Y30,000 per vehicle, depending on the size of the group.
Wifi and DVD systems are included in each of the vehicles and they offer a luxurious way to be escorted directly to your accommodation.
3) RENTAL CAR
Renting a car is a great way to explore Niseko and surrounding areas.
You just have to be ready to negotiate the snowy, icy roads; and most importantly you must have an international drivers permit with you in order to rent the car.
Ministry of Villas works with Toyota Sapporo, with an office near to the airport, they will come and collect you from the terminal, escort you to the office in order to fill out the paperwork and collect the keys.
One of the big advantages of renting a car is not only do you save the money on the transfers to Niseko, but you’ve got the vehicle on hand for all of your adventures on your ski trip; and then you return it directly to the airport at the end.
The cost of renting a vehicle starts from roughly JPY Y5,000 per day, but please expect to pay up to JPY Y10,000 per day for a higher-end vehicle, like a Toyota Landcruiser.
Stay just one night in a villa and you’ll never stay in a hotel again
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