Akazora

The rooms were spacious and suited us well, and everything was clean and well organized. There are cooking facilities if you’d rather make your own meals, though we ate out. Reception staff were friendly, helpful, and engaging. It’s right by the street food sellers and lots of restaurants, close to the centre of Hirafu, and well placed for the shuttle to the main Gondola base. We had a great stay.

The pillows were awful, with no loft, and the bar next door that offers “all you can drink” made nights noisy when we were trying to sleep. On the plus side, the apartments were clean and roomy, the kitchen was well stocked, and the shower had amazing temperature and pressure. The nearest Hirafu shuttle stop is Middle Hirafu Stop 2, by Magic Mountain Bar, less than 20m away. You can also walk to Ace Quad lift.

The staff were lovely, and the rooms were well serviced and equipped. It’s handy for nightlife, food, supermarkets, and bus stops. The drawback for families was that there was no service to the lifts or ski fields.

The staff were friendly, professional, and always ready to help. There’s a ski locker downstairs, and although it isn’t ski-in/ski-out, the slopes are easy to reach and the hotel is near the heart of town. I’d happily stay here again for ski season in Niseko. Our room had plenty of space and storage, comfortable beds, a cozy living and dining area, smart TV, kitchenette, laundry, and several heating options. The bathroom stood out, especially the deep tub after a day on the slopes. As the village grows into a global destination, Akazora has what you need for a comfortable visit.