The clock strikes 8:00 a.m., signalling thirty minutes before our first descent. We call the ski valet to prepare our snowboards and boots, then make our way down to MASONRY, drawn to the freshly baked banana bread that we know awaits among an amalgam of other breakfast staples. At 8:30 sharp, the lift whirs to life, carrying us upward as Mount Yotei—cloaked in white—comes into view, serene yet commanding. Below, the network of interconnected resorts stretches out like a snow‑covered constellation. Ski season has begun at Niseko Kyo in Japan.

Plus, read on to claim an exclusive discount on booking Niseko Kyo for readers of The Hotel Journal.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of Niseko Kyo, Hokkaido, Japan

Niseko Kyo review Japan ski valet
Let the ski valet take care of all your equipment needs

Perfectly positioned at the base of the Hirafu ski lift, Niseko Kyo epitomises ski‑in, ski‑out luxury. When temperatures drop well below zero, proximity becomes privilege. Managed by The Luxe Nomad, the property deftly merges Japanese hospitality with an international sense of ease.

The name Kyo (郷) translates to “hometown,” and the concept delivers on that promise—a place of return, warmth, and belonging, even for those discovering it for the first time. With 22 private residences, each featuring its own onsen, along with a gym, concierge, and magnificent Mount Yotei views, Niseko Kyo blends comfort, sophistication, and the quiet intimacy of home.

The room

Niseko Kyo review Japan Bedroom Premier Residence with onsen
The living room is warm and inviting, the perfect spot to relax after a day on the slopes

Warm light welcomes us as we step into our Three‑Bedroom Premier Residence. The private onsen, set just beyond the living area, releases a gentle swirl of steam—a Japanese gesture of hospitality that needs no words. In keeping with measured minimalism, anything that might disrupt the clean lines of the interior, the Nespresso machine, plates, and even the iron, is concealed behind smooth wooden panels.

The fully equipped open kitchen blends practicality with aesthetic refinement, its refrigerator and dishwasher neatly encased within matching timber. One evening, we chose to stay in and cook, letting conversation flow late into the night beneath elegant artwork, sculptural pendant lights, and the electric fireplace’s golden glow, which warms both the room and the spirit.

Niseko Kyo review Japan room with private onsen
Take in the views from your private onsen

A corridor leads to three serene bedrooms, each with its own en‑suite. The master bedroom, while comparable in size, reveals its quiet luxury in thoughtful details: hers‑and‑hers sinks, customised storage, and a smaller private onsen that fills at the touch of a button. Even the washer‑dryer near the entrance is pre‑filled with detergent—an understated gesture of convenience that embodies the hotel’s precise attention to detail.

The amenities

While we made a ritual of soaking in the private onsen each evening, recovery often continued downstairs in the public onsen and sauna—a soothing space of cypress‑scented air and restorative stillness. It’s the perfect prelude to another day carving down the slopes.

The dining

Niseko Kyo review Japan MASONRY. Japan Interior
An evening at MASONRY is sure to delight

Convenience doesn’t get much better than dining on the piste. Nestled within Niseko Kyo, MASONRY ushers in a new era of elevated alpine dining under The Luxe Nomad’s curatorial eye. Formally known as Mason in Bali, the much‑loved restaurant group expands beyond Indonesia after seven years shaping the island’s culinary scene. Co‑founder Chef Ben Cross and Head Chef Tom Jack—whose résumé includes acclaimed kitchens such as Shōbōsho in Adelaide and hôntô in Brisbane—bring clarity and fire‑driven finesse to this northern outpost.

Designed by Vyvial & Co., MASONRY. Japan’s 60‑seat restaurant and extended bar are a visual and sensory retreat from the cold. Warm lighting, rich textures, and natural finishes create a convivial energy, while the open kitchen and bar invite diners into the rhythm of service. Long lunches spill easily into lively après‑ski evenings as skiers glide directly in from the slopes.

The menu surprises with its balance of boldness and restraint. The Wagyu carpaccio, paper‑thin and ruby‑red, melts with exquisite richness, while the fermented potato bread, an ode to the beloved Hokkaido spud, pairs beautifully with baba ghanoush and chickpea purée. The Hokkaido cod, grilled over coals, arrives with king oyster mushrooms, pearl barley, and soy butter—a harmony of earth, sea, and smoke that lingers long after the final bite.

The service

Asia is renowned for exceptional hospitality, yet Niseko Kyo’s team stands apart for their sincerity and warmth. Every encounter felt personal: from the ski valet who addressed us by name each morning to the evening turndown ritual that included hot chocolate, artisanal treats, and curated books by local authors. The experience strikes that delicate equilibrium between polished professionalism and genuine care—service with a human soul.

What to do

There are countless ways to experience Niseko. The dedicated athlete may live by the rhythm of ski, onsen, dine, sleep, repeat, while the more contemplative traveller might choose to alternate slope days with leisurely mornings, sauna sessions, and coffees in Hirafu. Whichever path you follow, Niseko Kyo accommodates both intensity and stillness, movement and rest.

Here, adventure and serenity coexist with effortless grace—each accentuated by thoughtful design and a sense of belonging that truly earns its name.

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