10 Summer Activities in Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu

Ever wondered what happens when the snow melts?

With the snow slowly disappearing from the slopes and cherry blossom pictures dominating our feeds — summer (or “green season” if you prefer) — is well on its way in Hokkaido.

Places like Niseko, Rustusu and Furano are well known for their powder snow. But there's so much more to see in summer than you think. We know, we live here. Furano, for example, boasts some pretty famous, Instagrammable sights and Rusutsu even has its own amusement park.

To convince you to join us this year, here are our 10 top picks for summer activities!

Cycling

Niseko is a hot-spot for road cycling during summer, annually hosting Hokkaido's largest road race, Niseko Classic, as well as Niseko Gravel and Hanazono Hill Climb. The mild temperatures and low humidity attracts cyclists from near and far. There are many different events and courses with wide, quiet roads to be enjoyed by all.

For magnificent scenery and a relatively flat course, you can ride a loop around Mount Yotei. For something more challenging, the Niseko Panorama line meanders through the mountains towards Iwanai, offering plenty of altitude change.

The Maples Niseko is the perfect accommodation base for cyclists during summer, given its central location in Grand Hirafu. Additionally, the condotel features a Rhythm ski rental kiosk; a huge benefit for hobbyists needing to rent gear. You can hire everything you require online and have it dropped off to you, and collected once you're finished with it.

Hiking and Walks

You’ve skied it a hundred times, but have you ever hiked Mount Niseko and Mount Annupuri? Accessible from the ski runs straight from Hirafu village, or via designated trails, you’ll get spectacular views from the 1,308m-high peak. In fact the entire Niseko range offers a myriad of different trails and peaks to discover, with more than 10 peaks stretching from Niseko to Iwanai.

Other popular mountains to scale are Chisenpuri, Iwaonupuri and Nitonpuri, which are backcountry goldmines in winter. In summer however, they present a whole set of new challenges and each have their own unique personality.

If you’re looking for the ultimate challenge, the Mount Yotei hiking season officially opens around mid-June. The 1,898m peak is the tallest in the area and is home to over 100 species of plants that bloom from early July through to August. It's important to be prepared for this hike though, as the weather can change quickly. We highly recommend hiring a guide for your first ascent.

Enjoy being a foodie

Niseko is the perfect location to enjoy the best of local produce. There are plenty of neighbouring towns and cities that have their own special dishes, showcasing the variety of food available during the warmer months. A 30-minute drive from Hirafu, Iwanai is a town known for its fresh seafood, with plenty of fresh seafood and sushi to choose from.

Kutchan, a 10-minute drive from Hirafu, is known for growing some of the most amazing potatoes in the world. Specifically, the famous Kutchan 540 potato is unique to this region; this potato variety is specially aged for 540 days in a controlled environment. The aging process has an incredible effect, making the end product sweeter over time. The Kutchan Potato Festival (Jagamatsuri) is hosted every year in early August, boasting a myriad of activities like rock climbing and carnival games.

If you're planning a later stay in Niseko, the Autumn Food Festival is a great way to experience the local cuisine. Up to 15 famous restaurants and bars showcase their special dishes and beverages using the freshest, seasonal produce.

BBQ with a view

Catch the last week of skiing at the top of Mount Annupuri (lifts are set to close May 6), explore Hirafu village or just sit back and enjoy the jacuzzi and barbecue from the Setsumon penthouse. Take in the views of the summer village from the top floor, enjoyed with family or friends in the warm weather.

Weather not the best?
Check out the climbing gym at the Niseko Adventure Centre, go rafting; you'll be getting wet anyway! You can also try ice-cream making at the Niseko Outdoor Centre.

Our luxury property The Vale Rusutsu provides the perfect base for all summer activities in Rusutsu.

Rusutsu Amusement Park

The largest theme park in all of Hokkaido, Rusutsu Amusement Park opens for business this year on April 29; perfect for a Golden Week getaway. Featuring eight rollercoasters, a children’s play area, Ferris Wheel and plenty more thrill-inducing rides, it’s a wonderful way to spend a day with the whole family. It even has an outdoor jumbo pool with slippery slides, perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Time your stay perfectly to experience the Golden Week and the summer firework festivals, which are excellent ways to round off your day of thrill-seeking.

Golfing

Rusutsu Resort Golf 72 consists of four 18-hole courses, making it an extremely popular venue during the warmer months. Each of the four courses are designed to highlight the natural terrain surrounding Rusutsu and provide magnificent views of Mount Yotei. For the keen golfer, check out the Tower Course designed by professional golfer Jumbo Ozaki; an excellent challenge to test your skills.

The facility also has a Park Golf course and a driving range, great for beginners and practicing your swing. The opening season for golf is highly dependent on snow and weather conditions, but typically occurs around late April.

Adventure sports

Rusutsu is a haven for sports enthusiasts over the warmer months, with plenty of facilities to entertain all guests. Take a trip down the Shiribetsu river in a canoe or raft and take in the picturesque natural landscape. You’ll need to be brave to conquer the surging current though, or keep your feet dry and take to the water with some fly fishing, hunting for char and trout in the nearby fishing pond.

Prefer to stay away from the water altogether? Rusutsu also has facilities for tennis, horse riding, trail running, and mountain biking which you can take advantage of. Take your pick and enjoy the wonderful summer environment of Hokkaido.

Fenix Furano and Fenix West serve as excellent accommodation options for all summer activities in Furano.

Flower Viewing

Furano is known for its incredible flower fields that bloom from spring through summer, with lavender being the most popular among visitors and locals alike. In fact, Furano tends to be busier in summer than in winter. Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido since the 1940s but as lower-priced imported lavender has made its way into the country, demand has reduced. As a result, the local farmers shifted their main function from agricultural to being a tourist attraction, which is the main reason there are so many beautiful flowers to view in and around Furano.

You can also find plenty of other species of flowers, such as poppies, sunflowers, lupins, lilies, and more in the area. It pays to have a vehicle if possible, so you can visit as many flower farms as possible. There are plenty scattered between Furano and Biei that you can visit while in the area.

Hokkai Heso Matsuri | Furano Belly button Festival

Located in central Hokkaido, Furano is fondly known as the “belly button” of Hokkaido. The Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Furano Belly Button Festival) began in 1969 to strengthen the bonds of the people and is held annually, celebrating the Hokushin Shrine. This shrine attracts prayers relating to love, childbirth, personal growth, health, happiness, prosperity and peace.

The biggest attraction of the festival is the belly button dance competition, with over 4,000 dancers attending over a total of two days. Participants draw faces on their bellies and perform a unique style of dance through the city of Furano. You can join in on the fun for a small fee of ¥3,000, which includes all the gear necessary to fit in with the rest of the dancers.

There is also plenty of food available for purchasing from local vendors who set up stalls. This is a great opportunity to try some of the local cuisine, which includes dishes such as the Furano-style curry, yakisoba (fried noodles) and more.

Fruit Picking

Furano is also a hot-spot for fruit picking in the summer, with plenty of locations allowing you to collect the local fruits during harvest. This includes harvesting asparagus, digging for potatoes and picking strawberries or cherries from the local farms.

Furano Jam Garden takes this one step further, hosting jam-making classes during the summer. Guests can join for a one hour session where they will be taught how jam is made, allowing them a hands-on experience. There are plenty of fruits to choose from as a base and participants also get to make their own unique label for their creation. Upon completion, you can take your special jam home to try with your favourite bread.

While Hokkaido is generally renowned for its winter season, there are plenty of reasons why it is also a beautiful summer holiday destination. Whether you’re looking for activities to do in the warmer climate, or simply wish to sit back and soak in the sun, Hokkaido has a place for you.

Check out our accommodation options between Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano below for your next summer getaway!