Niseko Village Niko Niko Summer Festivals
After 3 years of absence, the 6th instalment of the Niko Niko Summer Festival takes place on Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th 2023, featuring a specially curated lineup of artists and performers that celebrates the culture within the community. There will be a selection of local vendors, where you can sample delicacies of the local cuisine.
Date: Saturday, July 15th - Sunday, July 16th 2023.
Time: 14:00 - 21:00
Venue: Niseko Village Resort Shopping & Dining Area “The Village”
Admission: Free
SkyBus
Explore the beautiful scenery of Niseko this Summer by cruising around in an open-top double-decker bus. The SkyBus operates two different routes, the Niseko Panorama Line and Niseko Night Line, which stops at local events and picturesque sites that either sparkle in the sun or glow beneath the moon.
Date: Saturday, July 15th - Sunday, September 3rd 2023.
Venue: Greater Niseko Area
Niseko Hirafu Green Park
Niseko Hirafu Green Park is a local celebration of food, film, music, arts and outdoor activities (pump track, slacklines, mountain biking). So if you’re ever in need of an afternoon siesta, head to Hirafukogen Central Park right opposite Ki Niseko.
This event runs throughout the Summer, starting on Saturday, 15th July until Sunday, 3rd September 2023. They will be hosting Cinema Caravan on the 11th - 13th of August.
Revolving around the concept, of “Play with the Earth”, Cinema Caravan aims to bridge people of different cultures and journeys through an outdoor cinematic experience. Established in 2010 by photographer Rai Shizuno, as both a collective and a community project, this multi-disciplinary group includes artists, musicians, painters, carpenters and chefs.
Date: Saturday, July 15th - Sunday, September 3rd 2023.
Time: 10:00 - 18:00
Venue: Hirafukogen Central Park and Hirafu Parking Lot 1
Admission: Free
Special Dates: July 15th - July 17th, August 6th - August 13th, September 1st - September 3rd 2023.
Special Date Times: 11:00 - 21:00.
*Please note that the schedule may vary depending on the weather.
Kutchan Jaga Matsuri
The 61st Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (Potato Festival) is happening on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August. After four years, this two-day event celebrating the staple food of Kutchan’s harvest season brings together the community with traditional parades, music, dances, beer gardens and a thousand fireworks. Don’t miss out on the “Hundred-Person Drum” and “Potato Nebuta”, while feasting on a wide variety of Potato-based dishes crafted by local vendors.
Date: Saturday, August 5th - Sunday, August 6th 2023.
Time: 10:00 - 20:00
Venue: Kutchan Station Street/ Kutosan Park Parking Lot
Admission: Free
Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
Register and race up the Hanazono Hill this Summer! The 16 km bicycle race covers 617 vertical metres of terrain at an average inclination of 4.6%. The race categories organised within this annual event make it accessible to everyone regardless of experience.
Date: August 6th 2023.
Time: 08:00 - 16:00
Venue: Hokkaido Niseko Area/ Kutchan Town
Deadline for entries: Friday, July 7th
Image credit: Yasuyuki Shimanuki (2017)
Hirafu Matsuri
Like the Kutchan Matsuri, this event is one of the biggest in the Niseko region. It’s the first year that the Hirafu Matsuri will run over two days, so join in the fun with local live acts, festival games and chanbara competitions. Don’t forget to sample the local flavours of the Niseko Gourmet Carnival, which features 20 of the most popular restaurants in Niseko. Stay until the finale for the firework display and Yotei drums!
Date: Friday, August 18th - Saturday, August 19th 2023.
Time: TBA
Venue: Sun Sports Land
Admission: Free
NAC Trail Run
Open to all runners, the NAC Trail Run is one of the largest sporting events in Niseko. Spanning mountains, forests and creeks, this trail runner’s paradise will host hundreds of people for the event. Join the run and choose your difficulty level: a 30 km mountain course, a 10 km mountain course and a 5 km forest course. Registration is open now, but those that wish to join the day before can sign up at the NAC Centre. The minimum age to enter is 6 (primary school).
Date: Sunday, September 3rd 2023.
Time: 06:30
Venue: Niseko Annupuri area
Admission: 30 km: ¥ 7,300, 10 km: ¥ 5,500, 5 km: ¥ 4,500 (elementary school student: ¥ 2,900).
Panaracer Niseko Gravel
For cyclists wanting to explore Niseko using routes away from roadways, the Panaracer Niseko Gravel may be perfect for you. Choose between a middle course (50 - 60 km), a long course (80-90 km) and an extra long course (120 - 130 km). The reception of this event takes place on Saturday, while the cycling event will be held on Sunday.
Date: Saturday, September 23rd - Sunday, September 24th 2023.
Time: TBA
Venue: Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort No. 2 Parking Lot
Entry Period: Wednesday, July 12 (13:00) - Friday, September 8 (18:00)
