by Nathanial Matthews
Niseko’s future is looking very bright. This year has seen the area’s customer base broadening. Increasing numbers of visitors from Asia and Europe coupled with record numbers of Australians has further cemented Niseko’s position as a world class ski resort. In the domestic market, the construction of the Shinkansen (bullet train) extension from Tokyo to Sapporo via Kutchan, which is slated to be completed by 2015, will further augment year-round visitors and facilitate travel to the region.
As the fame and popularity of Niseko settles more comfortably with its residents, both locals and visitors look to a promising future full of exciting developments, improving infrastructure, and fantastic powder. Increasingly, within the expanding development of Niseko there have been subtle changes taking place to preserve the area’s natural beauty for future generations. These changes include investors requesting developments that are not only profitable, but aesthetically pleasing and in balance with Niseko’s natural environment. A quick survey of Hirafu will see a number of beautifully designed homes that compliment Niseko’s many qualities while being exceedingly popular in the growing rental market.
On February 8th 2008, in conjunction with this desire to protect Niseko’s natural beauty, the Kutchan Quasi-Urban Planning Scenic Districts Zoning (https://www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp/town/juutakutoshi/toukei/tokei/toshikeikaku.jsp) came into effect. These new construction regulations are designed to ensure that the area grows tastefully and sustainably. Although these new regulations do not represent any major obstacles to development they aim to preserve Niseko’s character such as protecting neighboring views of Yotei and preserve the pastoral landscape.
Other signs of maturity in the town are reflected in increasing harmony amongst competing companies. There is a growing realization that working together and communicating ideas provides a win-win situation for all. The creation of The Niseko Promotion Board is another solid step for the resort’s future. The Niseko promotion Board is a group of both local companies and local and federal government interests that aspires to promote Niseko as a year round holiday destination. The board has already begun to contribute towards strengthening the relationships among companies and the community and this in turn has helped promote Niseko to the world, creating growth in real-estate and many spin-off markets throughout the region.
As Niseko develops and grows it will benefit everyone if the area preserves the qualities that attracted the first visitors to this beautiful corner of the world.
Nathanial (Nate) Matthews works for The Niseko Company and has been living in Hokkaido for 7 years. His first trip to Niseko was in the winter of 2000/1 and he’s been coming back ever since.