Skye Niseko's Summer Guide 2023
Niseko Village Niko Niko Summer Festival
The 6th edition of the Niko Niko Summer Festival is happening again after 3 years. The weekend-long event includes an artist and performance showcase highlighting the creativity and passion of the Niseko region. Don’t forget to try the delicious dishes conscientiously crafted by local chefs.
Date: Saturday, 15 July - Sunday, 16 July 2023
Hours: 14:00 - 21:00
Location: “The Village” Niseko Village Resort Shopping & Dining Area
Fee: Free
SkyBus
The SkyBus, which operates two different routes throughout the day and night, is a convenient way to access the lively Summer events and majestic scenery in the Niseko area. Feel the wind in your hair as you travel on the open-top double-decker bus.
Date: Saturday, 15 July - Sunday, 3 September 2023
Location: Greater Niseko Area
Niseko Hirafu Green Park
A new event for this year, the Niseko Hirafu Green Park runs daily throughout the Summer and features local food, music, film and outdoor pursuits. There will be pump tracks for biking, skateboarding, slacklines, and more.
The event's highlight is Cinema Caravan in Niseko, which will take place on 11 - 13 August.
Cinema Caravan, led by photographer Rai Shizuno since 2010, is a collective and communal project that includes artists, musicians, painters, carpenters and chefs. Through the outdoor cinema experience and the theme, “Play with the Earth”, Cinema Caravan aims to provide a platform where people from different cultural backgrounds and narratives can come together.
Date: Saturday, 15 July - Sunday, 3 September 2023
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00
Location: Hirafukogen Central Park and Hirafu Parking Lot 1
Fee: Free
Special Dates: 15 July - 17 July, 6 August - 13 August, 1 September - 3 September 2023
Special Date Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
*Please note that the schedule may vary depending on the weather.
Kutchan Jaga Matsuri
After a 4 year absence, the Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (Potato Festival) returns this Summer, marking its 61st anniversary. The weekend-long event celebrates Kutchan’s famous mascot and staple food of the Harvest season in the form of a “Potato Nebuta” and potato-based treats created by local chefs. The festival features parades, a “hundred-person drum”, music, beer gardens and traditional dances. Join the community as they come together under the fireworks.
Date: Saturday, 5 August - Sunday, 6 August 2023
Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Location: Kutchan Station Street/ Kutosan Park Parking Lot
Fee: Free
Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
This bicycle race up Hanazono Hill spans 617 vertical metres with a gradient of 4.6% along 16 km of terrain. The organisers have introduced various race categories that make it more accessible for different people to participate. The downhill section after the hill climb promises a serene and beautiful view of Kutchan town and the Niseko region below.
Date: 6 August 2023
Hours: 08:00 - 16:00
Location: Hokkaido Niseko Area/ Kutchan Town
Deadline for entries: Friday, 7 July 2023
Hirafu Matsuri
For the first time ever, the Hirafu Matsuri will take place over two days. Along with the Kutchan Matsuri, this festival is also set to be one of the biggest in Niseko this Summer. Featuring local live performances, chanbara competitions and traditional festive games, the Hirafu Matsuri is one not to be missed. There’s no need to travel far when the 20 most popular restaurants in the region will gather together at the Niseko Gourmet Carnival. Yotei drums and a firework display will close out the Saturday night.
Date: Friday, 18 August - Saturday, 19 August 2023
Hours: TBA
Location: Sun Sports Land
Fee: Free
NAC Trail Run
As one of the largest sporting events in Niseko, the NAC Trail Run is open to runners of all levels. Choose your preferred difficulty level and experience the natural beauty of the region as the run traverses creeks, luscious forests and mountains. Registration is open online until the day before. There’s also an option to sign up at the NAC centre the day before the race. Please note that the minimum age of entry is 6.
Date: Sunday, 3 September 2023
Hours: 06:30
Location: Niseko Annupuri area
Fee: 30 km: ¥ 7,300, 10 km: ¥ 5,500, 5 km: ¥ 4,500 (elementary school student: ¥ 2,900).
Panaracer Niseko Gravel
Ride on unpaved and paved roads while taking in the bewitching scenery of Hokkaido during the late Summer. Like the Hanazono Hill Climb, there are various categories that you can participate in. An extra long course is 120-130 km, the long course is between 80-90 km and the middle course is 50 - 60 km. The main race is scheduled on Sunday, while the reception is held the day before.
Date: Saturday, 23 September - Sunday, 24 September 2023
Hours: TBA
Venue: Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort No. 2 Parking Lot
Entry Period: 13:00 on Wednesday, 12 July - 18:00 on Friday, 8 September
