JR Hokkaido’s Niseko Station is a small railway station serving the Niseko ski resort area. It’s located in the town of Niseko itself, southeast of the Niseko Annupuri ski resort. JR Kutchan Station is the main gateway to Niseko as a whole, and it is closest to the main Hirafu ski resort area.
JR Niseko Station
Local and rapid trains stop at Kutchan Station, which is on the Hakodate Main Line linking Hakodate with Sapporo and Asahikawa.
Platforms and Layout
JR Niseko Station is very small and easy to navigate. It has two platforms. Each one has seven departures per day. The platforms are connected via overhead walkway.
Platform 1 serves trains bound for Rankoshi, Oshamambe and Hakodate.
Platform 2 serves trains bound for Kutchan, Otaru and Sapporo.
There is only one gate to the tracks, and it faces the main entrance to the station. Ticket-vending machines, a ticket counter, and a Niseko Tourist Information counter are on the left when facing the gate.
Niseko Tourist Information Center
There is a waiting area and a small Niseko Resort Tourist Information office through a set of doors to the right when facing the gate. The office has numerous brochures, maps and transport information related to Niseko.
Passenger Waiting Area at JR Niseko Station
Niseko Station only has six coin lockers, located in the waiting area. They are priced at 300 yen for small lockers and 400 yen for large lockers.
Lockers at JR Niseko Station
Taxis and local buses are available in the parking area directly outside the station. However, since Niseko is a smaller station, there are relatively few buses and taxis here.
In winter, it’s best to book taxis in advance by calling one of the following: Niseko Hire (0136-44-2635), Smile Taxi (0136-44-2700), Sprint Taxi (0136-55-5400), Niseko International Transport Taxi (0136-22-1171), or Hachiriki Taxi (0136-21-2508). The headquarters of Niseko Bus company is a block away to the southwest.
JR Niseko Station sign
There are no convenience stores or ATMs at Niseko Station, but there is one curry restaurant in the station building. Across the street, there is the Niseko Ekimae Onsen Kiranoyu, a hot spring center with bathing and laundry facilities in addition to a small gift shop and an electric vehicle charging station. The closest convenience store is a 7-Eleven about 1 km to the northwest.
Article by Tim Hornyak. All rights reserved.
