Niseko Begins To Tackle Traffic Congestion

As tourists have roared back into Niseko following the lifting of Covid restrictions, so has the traffic.

The issue is most pronounced in Hirafu and on 8 February Kutchan Tourism Association (KTA) convened a meeting of public and private stakeholders to come up with solutions.

The participants, which included the Kutchan Police and Fire departments as well as government officials, the Shiribeshi General Promotion Bureau and the Niseko Promotion Board discussed a wide range of possible solutions, including better traffic signal control, road widening and signage upgrades.

KTA Chief Director James N. Suzuki, in speaking with Powderlife, underscored the need to address the problem immediately if concrete steps are to be taken for next season.

Ahead of the meeting, KTA board member Keith Rodgers of real estate company Taiga Niseko orchestrated capturing drone footage of Hirafu that was reviewed during the discussions.

Suzuki san explained that “on the spot” during the meeting a petition was created with budget appropriations and surveys for the next fiscal year and beyond.

As the petition is an internal document, the details aren’t being released at this time but Suzuki san said improvements to the traffic situation will become clear later this year.

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