Kizuna

The entryway bench was a thoughtful touch, giving all of us room to sit and change shoes, and there’s parking right out front. We booked the penthouse for six, with a great view of Mt Yotei. It also had a roomy living area, a good-sized kitchen and dining table, and soft bedding with nice pillows. Each of the three bedrooms had its own bathroom, with a tub in the master, plus there was a large locker room for ski gear.

The apartment is in an excellent location, but the service was appalling for a property meant to be premier. Cleaning and servicing were very infrequent. Expect to wash your own towel, since you only get one even if you ask for more, and to handle your own bedding and buy toilet paper, tea, coffee, and other basics. The snow was great, though.

You’re right in the middle of Hirafu, with spectacular views over town and the ski runs. The ski area is a quick walk in the morning, and a local pickup service can take you to the gondola and bring you back if you’re old or tired. The hotel apartments were amazing.

We came back to Kizuna for a second stay and had a fantastic time. The apartment suited our family well, both for its location and its amenities, and all the bookings arranged in advance worked out perfectly. Well done again to the Vacation Niseko team. We’ll be back next year.