At the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection by Hilton adds to the powdery white allures of Niseko Village Ski Resort.
Arriving at The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, one would immediately notice that it’s not the Japan they may be familiar with. None of Tokyo’s high-rising skyscrapers are in sight, nor are there pastel-coloured cherry blossoms floating in the springtime breeze. Instead of crisp, clean, and minimalistic wear that seem to have stepped out of a UNIQLO catalogue, guests here are clad in heavyset puffer jackets and snowshoes. For those in-the-know, this wouldn’t be a strange sight, as Niseko Village Ski Resort welcomes thousands of skiers and snowboarders who wish to tackle the powdery white slopes of Mount Niseko Annupuri.
Though this area isn’t a stranger to sprawling ski resorts, the illustrious Tapestry Collection brand (making its Japanese debut) proves why it belongs among other prestigious properties already populating this winter destination from the outset: reservations are only available during White Season, which lasts about seven months from October to April, adding to its elusive magnetism. Once guests manage to book one of the 200 bedrooms, though, they would see that here, luxury isn’t just about exclusivity or mystique. After all, the Tapestry Collection ethos is one of uniqueness, a reflection of the locale it inhabits, and harnessing that power to curate a bespoke stay experience rooted in upscale lifestyle.
New York studio Champalimaud Design brought this approach to life through the interiors, applying the wooden, high-ceilinged sensibilities of ski lodges to the modern architecture. As guests wander through the corridors that lead to their accommodations, they would find painter Soichiro Tomioka’s ethereal handiworks that imbue the space with a quiet sense of purity and contemplation. But this isn’t the foremost testament to The Green Leaf Niseko Village’s artistic predilections. Sapporo-based artist and graphic designer Emi Shiratori lends much of her creative expression everywhere at this resort, big things to small, be it the murals that welcome guests to the lobby and spa or the graphics that adorn doors, lockers, room keys, and menus.
Undoubtedly, skiing and snowboarding anchors the experiences here; why else would guests gain direct access to the snow-covered mountainside; but a plethora of other allures are sure to tantalise. Take the outdoor onsen rotenburo, for example, a quintessential staple of Japanese ski lodges, or the Juhyo Spa that infuses European sports-science expertise into its offerings. As for dining, there are two options to choose from: the lobby’s Tomioka White offers light bites and laidback drinks by the fireplace (bonus tip, request a to-go breakfast here for time-crunched mornings), while the signature restaurant Goshiki embraces the marrying of Japanese and Western influences for its à la carte lunches and buffet dinners.
The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Higashiyama Onsen, Niseko-cho
Hokkaido 048-1592, Japan
T: (+81) 136443311
W: hilton.com
