Year-round onsen hotel Ki Niseko is the first new ski-in/ski-out project to break ground since 2008.
The development comes with much anticipation following the demolition of four ageing hotels at the base of the Hirafu ski runs before the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami slowed down all construction.
Ki Niseko sites on a previously undeveloped block by the Hirafu Gondola.
Featuring a master-planned Japanese garden, the hotel is expected to attract strong summer business.