travel updates after the 3.11 earthquake

The Japan National Tourism Organization has provided answers to some Frequently Asked Questions following the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.

developments planned

Development projects in the Niseko area are scheduled to proceed from this Spring as planned:

• Construction on Shiki, next to the Mountain Side Palace, has already begun. 
• The Hotel Scot demolition is on schedule to make space for The Rocks development. 
• Construction on the M Hotel on Momiji-zaka Street has begun.

In preparation for Grand Hirafu’s fiftieth anniversary, a number of exciting projects are slated to begin around upgrading the Hirafu gondola. Upgrades include:

• An 8-person cabin (replacing the 4-person cabins)
• Speed boost – the whole trip will now be only five minutes
• Renovated building

Additionally, a new ski centre will be built next door, complete with restaurant, ski school, rentals, and ski shop. A new kids’ space will be constructed, as well. When the first ski guests arrive later this year, there will certainly be new and exciting changes.

niseko's safety

Niseko is more than 500 kilometres from the epicentre of the earthquake and inland, so it experienced  almost no direct impacts from the event.  Despite concerns about food shortages in affected areas, Niseko neither expected nor experienced supply issues. Additionally, the Hokkaido power grid is completely separate from Tokyo Electric, so the power restrictions affecting parts of the main island do not extend to Niseko.  Although several countries issued travel advisories against Tokyo and the areas most severely damaged by the earthquake, Hokkaido and therefore Niseko were not included in many such advisories.