Luxe resorts in Greater Niseko hopeful for the return of Japow skiers and the sector’s recovery

The self-professed St. Moritz of Japan is gearing up to welcome tourists as vaccines start to rollout 

On 29 March, Channel News Asia reported that Japan will expedite the vaccination programme next month, with the COVID-19 vaccine minister Taro Kono pledging to get 10 million doses of vaccines each week in May. 

Renowned for its gorgeous powder snow, also known as Japow, this town in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan once revelled in the growing number of local and foreign tourists during its heyday. 

The minister’s announcement comes as a relief as Greater Niseko, which remains to be one of the most visited ski destinations in the world, have been waiting out the pandemic, seemingly resembling a ghost town. 

In November 2020, when the cases rose alarmingly, the government declared a temporary pause on the Go To Travel scheme that aimed to encourage local tourism. This decision has caused the real estate market to suffer as profits declined, investors took a step back, and tourists remain confined in their own homes. 

More: 6 of the best places to experience the beauty of Hirafu, Greater Niseko, Japan

Fortunately, the recent developments not only in Japan, but in major countries all over the globe, has sparked hope to the town’s major tourism operators, including the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) 2020 titleholders: Niseko Alpine Developments Co Ltd. and Temak Treehouse KK.  

For now, tourism leaders patiently wait for the reopening of the borders, confident in the fact that travellers are eager to book a flight and travel the country, anticipating complete recovery for one of the world’s top ski destinations. 

Know of any award-worthy homes, condos, flats, or other real estate projects in the Greater Niseko? Nominate them for the 2021 Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) on or before 24 September 2021. Simply visit asiapropertyawards.com/award/asia-property-awards–greater-niseko/ for more details.