Kiroro, Japan, is for those looking for a ski destination with reliable, pristine snow cover, and an investment opportunity in an area on the precipice of massive growth.
This largely unknown (and therefore blissfully unspoilt) ski area has abundant snow cover and excellent facilities already. The only reason it is relatively quiet at present is that the ski crowd tends to gravitate to the alternative Hokkaido ski resorts nearby instead.
Hokkaido’s most popular ski area,Niseko, gets about 600 inches of snow annually, but the whole region is incredibly blessed. Including the Kiroro resort, which has been quietly getting on with providing superlative ski surfaces slightly in the shadow of neighbouring resorts.
However, in recent years Kiroro’s high appeal for winter sports, and its ability to be a magnet for summer visitors has been well and truly recognised.
Which is why in early 2019 the resort owners unveiled a 100 billion yen (US$900 million) masterplan to massively upgrade Kiroro, with new ski in and ski out hotels, eateries, bars, shops and a children’s centre. Property Perfect’s investments in Kiroro, Japan, also include creating new luxury villas, townhomes and apartments.
Living in Kiroro and Things To Do
This area has developed its facilities to cater for the "every whim" of its growing number of ski and snowboard visitors. However, there is also an enviable list of après ski activities too.
This includes refreshing indoor and open-air hot springs, a beautiful swimming pool and a luxury day spa. You could take a Snowcat sightseeing tour or use a local guide for a snowshoe trek. Sledding and snow tubing are on offer, though you could also head indoors to the resort’s games arcade. Restaurants and bars are good and as it’s in Japan, you're never far from karaoke!
The local tourist events for Kiroro, Japan include cultural festivals, winter firework displays, magic shows and winter sports competitions.
Summer experiences keep the holidaymakers coming to the resort year-round. The pinnacle of this is using the excellent gondola system to climb Mount Asari (elevation 1,180m). In warmer months, this provides incredible views of lush greenery to the mountains of Niseko and the beautiful Ishikari Bay and Shakotan Peninsula. There are some unmissable hiking trails on Mount Yoichi (elevation 1,488m) to explore too.
Back in the resort centre, summer visitors can enjoy such abundant activities as golf, tennis, paddle boats, bicycle hire, four-wheeled buggy expeditions, treasure hunts, trout fishing and bungee trampolining. The highlight for “little legs” is often Strider Enjoy Park, a specially designed children’s cycling course.
If you’re considering living in Kiroro, Japan, there's one thing to keep in mind. At the time of going to press, this is not a resort that’s particularly lively or boisterous in the evenings. This makes buying a property in Kiroro, Japan a great option for family-orientated holidays, rather than party-animals. However, the new developments planned over the coming years will open up the evening economy to include more variety.
Investment Potential in Kiroro
The Hokkaido region as a whole is fast emerging as the world’s most aspirational ski destination. The reliability of its snow is assured, due to its unfailingly cold winters! This means that Hokkaido visitor levels grew an impressive 17.8% (to 2.2 million) in the 12 months to 2017, according to the latest figures from the Japan National Tourism Organisation.
Investment in the region includes the 2016 launch of the first Shinkansen bullet train route into Hokkaido’s Hakodate station. It reduced travel time to Tokyo from nine hours to just four!
Skiing in Kiroro
Much of the substantial development in the area is due to its superlative ski appeal and relative ease of access.
Kiroro offers 22 runs (green, blue and black piste) and can cater equally well for beginners and the more adventurous. The local lifts are excellent. There are also opportunities for off-piste and side country skiing in the area, but these come with strict provisos to ensure safety.
Take a look at our up-to-date snow report for Kiroro, Japan, and you will see not only reliable cover but quality powder from late November right through to early May. This is the longest ski season in Japan. The abundant snow comes at the price though, as you'll experience very chilly evenings!
This is a very family friendly ski resort, with excellent children’s ski and snowboarding coaching, and activities for time off the slopes. You will also find plenty of English speakers among the friendly resort staff.
Transport to Kiroro
Kiroro is a resort spread across two mountains in Akaigawa, 43km from Sapporo Hokkaido and 28km from the coast at Otaru. The airport journey from Sapporo New Chitose takes around two hours by bus, and possibly about the same by a combination of train and taxi.