Lake Toya

For those lucky enough to live or visit Hokkaido in the summer months, Lake Toya (Toyako) is a great place to visit as a day trip. Even better if you can stay a couple of nights. Lake Toya is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Besides the lake itself, the Toyako region features hot springs and an active volcano, Mt. Usu, which most recently erupted in 2000. The area also offers fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities.

The picturesque lake was chosen as the location of the the G8 summit which Japan hosted in July, 2008. The leaders of the world's eight major industrialized democracies met at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa.

The NPC team headed to Toyako last week for a break from the office. It was a great chance to get together away from work and go bowling, drink beer and eat great food whilst enjoying the stunning scenery all around.

After a relaxing onsen and a superb dinner we got to watch a very impressive firework display which is put on every night from the middle of the lake.
One of the sightseeing ferries gets all dressed up in lights and takes people out closer to the action.

And if that all sounds a bit too slow paced, there's always the option of drinking and singing through to the early hours in one of the town's many karaoke bars!

1st Annual Niseko Spring Charity Golf Classic

The 1st Annual Niseko Spring Charity Golf Classic, held last weekend, was considered a great success, raising close to 300,000yen for good causes. Playing the Texas Scramble format of the game, 10 teams of 4 players competed for the best overall score with plenty of individual prizes also available on various holes for such heroic feats as longest drive or closest to the pin.
After the golf and a relaxing soak in the onsen the players were joined by family, friends and adoring fans for a barbeque in Niseko Village's Pure area. Many of those involved then had the strength and determination to carry on to Black Diamond Lodge were the party continued until the early hours of next day. Now that the hangovers have cleared I'm sure everyone who took part or helped out will look back on the day as a really fun way to raise money for worthy causes. Let's hope this is the first year of many that the Niseko Spring Charity Golf Classic is held.

For a more extensive write up of the day and lists of prizes and winners, check out the report in Powderlife: http://bit.ly/15ArIl

Grant from Gaijin Golfers came up from Tokyo for the event and played on the Niseko Village Golf Course for the first time. You can read what he thought here: http://bit.ly/soIob

www.niseko-hirafu.com

Niseko Accommodation Discount

NPC is offering 10% discount on all Winter Season 09/10 accommodation in Niseko to all NisekoPowder followers on Twitter. To follow Niseko Powder Connection on Twitter go to www.twitter.com/nisekopowder and join the conversation.

Then simply make a quote online at http://www.niseko-hirafu.com and book your holiday before the end of June 2009.

Niseko Landmark View Apartments

Setsugetsu Terraces

J-Sekka

Suiboku

Shinrin Lodge

www.niseko-hirafu.com

Niseko Cuisine

'Known for its pristine ski fields, Hokkaido is more than just a winter escape. Japan’s northernmost island is also home to renowned seafood, chic restaurants, casual ramen joints and lively bars.'

Check out this interesting and fairly comprehensive article on eating and drinking in Hokkaido from Australian Magazine Delicious including great reviews of restaurants & bars in Niseko & Sapporo http://bit.ly/z2s5e

I say fairly comprehensive in that the writers managed to leave out the lively Wild Bill's in Niseko, a favourite among visitor and locals alike, home of the best Tex Mex food and Mojitos in Hokkaido.

www.niseko-hirafu.com

Blizzard of Oz

"Coming to Niseko is like Japan for beginners," one ski instructor tells me.

"You can get by here with no Japanese at all, but if you want, you can also try to speak Japanese, avoid Australians and have a cultural experience. It's up to the tourist here - in other places you're thrown in at the deep end."

Click this link to read more http://lru.jp/qx77

Jam

Jam Cafe opens on June 1st with a fantastic looking menu. Hours 1100-1600. Jam Bar will be open again July, August, September 1900-2400

Northern Exposures

Get a feel for Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu & Aomori with these images http://ping.fm/l6h0M