A Photographer’s Guide to Niseko’s Best Views

Powder days aren’t the only thing worth chasing in Niseko — a photographer shares the best spots to whip out your camera

Niseko is best known for its powder snow. But point a camera in almost any direction and you’ll find many photogenic spots.

Meet Patrick Pimienta — photographer, snowboarder, and the kind of person who has ended up in Niseko with a camera and very good timing. As part of the social media team at NISADE | The Luxe Nomad, Pimienta spent a full winter season doing what most visitors only dream of, shooting the most photogenic spots in the renowned ski village.
 

Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Pimienta learned to ski before he learned to drive. He caught the photography bug in Finland in 2018, surrounded by snow-covered trees and the northern lights but with nothing to capture them; he bought a camera the moment he got home and hasn't travelled without one since.

After spending winters in New Zealand, summers in Tenerife, Pimienta moved to Niseko for the powder season, lured by the legendary snowfall, the sidecountry gate system; and if we're being honest, the food and people too. Here are his favourite spots to capture it all.

Where: Route 276, from Kutchan to Kyogoku Town

This is a spot that rewards a slow drive. A long straight road creates natural leading lines toward Mount Yotei, flanked by powder-filled fields and traditional farmhouses. The farmland around here also offers plenty of unique compositions, so take your time and explore.

Where: Bridge at Fukidashi Park, Kyogoku Town

A gentle walk that photographs beautifully in almost any weather. On a cloudy or snowy day, the muted tones give this park an almost cinematic quality. The small wooden bridge over the pond is the hero shot. Put a person on it and you’ve got a frame worth keeping.

Where: Route 478, from Kutchan to Kyogoku Town

On a clear day with good visibility, you can spot hikers making their way up Mount Annupuri from the pizza box chairlift. Pack your telephoto lens — the distance is part of what makes the shot.

Where: Nokanosobaya Yoteizan, Kutchan Town

One of the most serene spots on this list. A calm pond sits in easy reach of the road, and on a clear, windless day the still water mirrors Mount Yotei almost perfectly. Pro tip: Layer Niseko’s delicious doughnuts and a soba shop are mere steps away.

Where: Nakano Bridge, Kyogoku Town

If you’re flying a drone, the shape of the river winding through snow-covered trees and rocks makes for a compelling aerial. On the ground, the red of Nakano Bridge punches through the all-white surroundings in a way that’s hard to ignore.

Where: Aikawa Viewpoint, Kimobetsu Town

A single road, a single mountain, and a composition that more or less frames itself. Pull into the small parking spot on the roadside and take your time. Do keep an eye on the traffic if you step onto the road for the shot.