Niseko Pre-Arrival Information: Winter

Check-in and check-out

Check-in time is 3pm and check-out time is 10am for all Vacation Niseko managed properties. Check-in/out locations and reception hours vary by property. Click the button below to see what hours and locations apply to your selected accommodation.

Early check-in and late check-out requests

Please note we can only satisfy early check-in and late check-out requests if availability permits. If we cannot grant an early check-in or a late check-out, we can hold your luggage at Niseko Landmark View or SnowDog Village until 3pm on check-in day or until you leave Niseko on departure day.

Check-in requirements

If you are an international guest, passports for each member of your party must be presented upon check-in, and the reception staff may take a copy of it for documentation purposes. If you booked your stay under the Go To Travel campaign, a piece of identification proving your Japanese address must be shown upon check-in. If you cannot provide sufficient evidence of your address in Japan, Go To discounts may be revoked and you will be charged the full amount for your reservation.
Please practice social distancing and follow reception staff’s instructions when gathering in common areas for check-in and check-out.

Emergencies during your stay

If you need urgent assistance during your stay, please call the Niseko Landmark View reception on +81 (0) 136 21 6466. If there is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, please call the Japanese ambulance service using ‘119’.

Bedding configuration

Our standard bedding arrangement will be arranged for your stay unless otherwise requested (at least 14 days prior to arrival). Any last-minute changes made from the standard or requested bedding arrangements during your stay may incur a fee.

Ski Bus Transfers

Ski bus transfers between Niseko and Chitose Airport/Sapporo City will be operated by Resort Liner. For meeting points, please refer to the links below:

Resort Liner: Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Meeting Point

Resort Liner: Chitose Airport International Terminal Meeting Point

Resort Liner: Sapporo City Meeting Points – scroll down

The exact hotel where you will meet the driver will be confirmed upon booking

Resort Liner – Hirafu Welcome Center Meeting Point (for Hirafu-based guests)

Resort Liner – Hilton Niseko Meeting Point (for SnowDog Village guests)

Please note you must check in with bus operator staff at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your bus. Failure to check in may result in a ‘no-show’ and the bus leaving without you. ‘No-shows’ for ski bus reservations will not receive a refund.

Ski bus reservations made via Vacation Niseko will be booked under the lead guest’s name – please quote this name at the meeting point to be granted access to the bus.

For guests arriving and departing via ski bus, Vacation Niseko will provide lifts between your accommodation and the Hirafu Welcome Center or Hilton Niseko Village. If you have booked your ski bus transfer with our team prior to arrival, these lifts will automatically be scheduled. If you have booked your ski bus transfers independently, please let our team know your bus numbers and ETAs so we can arrange lifts for you. Lifts will be conducted in Toyota Hiace vans with Vacation Niseko branding on the side – please keep an eye out for us when waiting for your lift!

Private Transfers

Private transfers will meet you at your accommodation in Niseko or Sapporo at the pre-arranged time, or at the arrival gate for your flight. We require flight numbers at the time of booking, as drivers will track the gate and arrival time (including any delays or cancellations) for your flight on the day and arrange their location/meeting time accordingly. Private transfer reservations made via Vacation Niseko will be booked under the lead guest’s name – please keep an eye out for a name board at the arrival gate, this is how your driver will find you.

If you have arranged a rental car with Vacation Niseko as part of your package, you will have chosen to pick up the car in either a. Niseko or b. New Chitose Airport.

Niseko Pickup/Dropoff

• If you are picking up and/or dropping off your rental car in Niseko, the pickup/dropoff point is Niseko Landmark View.

New Chitose Airport Pickup

• If you are picking up your car at New Chitose Airport, please go to the corresponding location listed below after you have collected your baggage, and quote your lead guest’s name – the rental car staff will pick you up and take you to the car lot where you can collect your vehicle:
  • Toyota Rent-a-Car counters, Domestic Terminal
  • Toyota Rent-a-Car counters, International Terminal (scroll down)
  • ** Please note there are 2x Toyota Rent-a-Car branches that we use, please go to the ‘Suzuran’ counter first, as we use this branch 9 times out of 10. The staff will instruct you to visit the ‘Poplar’ counter if the reservation was made with them.

New Chitose Airport Dropoff

• If you are dropping your car off at New Chitose Airport, please go to the corresponding location listed below, park and drop the keys off in the building – this is where you will leave the car, and the rental car staff will take you to your desired terminal for departure:
  • Toyota Rent-a-Car Chitose, Suzuran Branch
  • Toyota Rent-a-Car Chitose, Poplar Branch
  • ** Please note there are 2x Toyota Rent-a-Car branches that we use, please go to the ‘Suzuran’ location, as we use this branch 9 times out of 10. The staff will instruct you to visit the ‘Poplar’ location (right nearby) if the reservation was made with them. If you would like to reconfirm which branch you have booked with in advance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Rental Extensions

Please note that rental car bookings are calculated using 24 hour blocks, so if you would like to extend your reservation by a few hours/half day, the rate for a full 24 hours will apply.

License Requirements

It is imperative you have a valid International Driver’s license when renting a car in Japan. Otherwise. you will be unable to rent the vehicle and may be charged a cancellation fee. More information on valid licenses can be found in the links below:
• Valid International Drivers license details
• Details on the Insurance cover of Toyota Rent-a-Car
• Details on safe driving practices in snowy conditions

If you have reserved your lift passes with Vacation Niseko as part of your package, we will have them ready for you at your designated check-in point.

Please note that if you have a pre-school aged child (under 6), lift passes cannot be arranged for them in advance, as they receive free passes, and they must be age-verified at a lift ticket counter. Please visit a lift ticket counter with your preschooler to receive their free lift pass before you go riding.

Once lift passes are activated, they are no longer refundable. Lift pass activation occurs as you tap onto a lift or use it on the Niseko United Shuttle for the first time. If you have booked a multi-day pass, once it is activated on the first day, days that you don’t use the pass are non-refundable. Lift passes are also non-refundable after check-out.

If you have not reserved your lift passes in advance, you can find a list of lift ticket counters here.

Hotpot Set Delivery

The ingredients for your hotpot will be delivered to Vacation Niseko staff on the day of your desired dinner. Unless otherwise specified, Vacation Niseko staff will deliver your hotpot ingredients and cooking setup to your room around 6pm on your chosen evening. Please leave the cooking setup in your room, housekeeping will collect it either during a mid-stay clean or upon check out.

Grocery Pack Delivery

Your grocery pack will be delivered to Vacation Niseko staff on the day of check in and placed in your room after cleaning and prior to your arrival.

The following check-list is used as a guideline of items you may need during your ski holiday.

Ski/board equipment (if not renting)
✓ skis/snowboard
✓ ski/board boots
✓ ski poles

Safety Equipment
✓ helmet (if not renting)
✓ inner protectors (snowboarder)
✓ beacon, probe and shovel if you are venturing into the backcountry

Others
✓ passport – valid for at least 6 months
✓ a valid International driver’s license – especially if you are renting a vehicle
✓ sunscreen, lip balm and hand cream

Skiing / boarding clothing
✓ face mask and neck warmer
✓ leggings
✓ thermal top or under-layer (not cotton)
✓ fleece
✓ goggles
✓ beanie
✓ ski / board jacket (if not renting)
✓ ski / board pants (if not renting)
✓ ski / board gloves
✓ ski / boards socks

Please note that Vacation Niseko cannot make reservations for guests. Most restaurants secure bookings with the guest’s credit card. Please contact guest services or reservations via your booking email for links to booking information.