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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Kutchan

12 stays · 8 aparthotels and 4 serviced apartments

Kutchan is a town in Hokkaido's Shiribeshi region, next to the Niseko ski resorts, and aparthotels and serviced apartments are a natural fit. Ski holidays mean boots, skis and wet clothes, and stays often last a week or more, so a flat with a kitchen, a laundry option and space for a group is more practical than a single room. Families and groups sharing one booking also gain by having a separate living area.

12 stays

Where to stay in Kutchan

Hirafu

  • skiing
  • first-time visitors
  • groups

Wikivoyage describes Hirafu as the main activity hub of the Niseko area, and Niseko United lists Grand Hirafu as one of its four resorts. Wikipedia says the Hakodate Main Line also has a Hirafu Station. Staying here puts the main lifts, restaurants and shuttle stops close together.

Stays in or near Hirafu

Kutchan town centre

  • trains
  • long stays
  • local life

Wikipedia says the subprefecture government offices are in Kutchan, and Wikivoyage recommends taking trains to Kutchan Station and then a local bus of about 20 minutes to Hirafu. The town site lists the Ogawara Art Museum and Kucchan Folk Museum among its facilities. It suits longer stays where you want to be near the station and everyday services.

Annupuri

  • skiing
  • families
  • resort hopping

Niseko Annupuri is the first of the four resorts listed by Niseko United. Wikivoyage says the Niseko United Shuttle connects all four resort areas, Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hirafu and Hanazono, during the ski season. It lies west of Hirafu on the map, so check the shuttle times if you plan to move between resorts.

Getting around Kutchan

Wikipedia names New Chitose Airport as the closest major airport, about 2 hours away by car. Wikivoyage says that in winter limousine services and two public bus lines run from the airport to Hirafu. It also recommends Kutchan Station for reaching Hirafu by rail, and says the Niseko Liner runs in the evenings from Sapporo to Kutchan. The town's official site gives the distance to Sapporo as 91 kilometres, about 2 hours 8 minutes by car.

Wikivoyage says the Niseko United Shuttle links the four resort areas during the ski season, running roughly from 8 am to 4:40 pm with longer hours in peak periods. The Niseko tourist association also mentions a Sky Resort Shuttle Niseko. Check current timetables before you travel, because services change between seasons.

Living in Kutchan for longer

For longer stays, a base in Hirafu keeps you near the lifts, while the town centre is nearer the station and local shops. The town's official site offers living information for foreigners and multilingual support in English, Korean and Chinese, which is useful for planning a longer visit. The region is also known for potatoes and potato products, according to Wikipedia, and the town site lists a Potato Festival among its seasonal attractions.

Wikipedia says Kutchan recorded about 1.3 million visitors in 2023, with around 80 percent of winter guests from overseas. For help choosing between formats, read aparthotel vs hotel and what is included in a serviced apartment.

When to visit Kutchan

Wikipedia describes Kutchan as one of the snowiest towns on earth, with average annual snowfall above 10 metres, and says January averages 2.9 metres of snow and a temperature of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius. Wikivoyage says winter focuses on skiing and snowboarding through early April.

In summer, Wikivoyage lists day hikes and biking around Mount Yotei, and calls onsen popular places to relax. The town site also promotes the Snow Tipia Festival among its seasonal attractions.

Wikipedia says Kutchan lies slightly north of Mount Yotei, about 50 kilometres west of Sapporo, and had an estimated population of 15,573 in 2017. Two of the four Niseko United resorts, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono, are within the town boundaries. Below are the areas to choose from, how to get there and what each season offers. For the wider country see Japan and for the nearest big city Sapporo.

Long-stay tips for Kutchan

Of the 12 properties here, 6 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 2 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 3 include some form of housekeeping and 2 have a 24-hour front desk. Each property page has a facts box, so you can compare apartments before you book.

12 properties list a full kitchen and 0 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 84 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Japan

Travelling further? See aparthotels in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Naha, Hakuba, Nagasaki and Beppu.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Kutchan?

Hirafu is the best base for skiing and the main shuttle stops. The town centre suits longer stays near the station, and Annupuri suits a base further west.

How do I get from New Chitose Airport to Kutchan?

Wikivoyage says limousine services and two public bus lines run from the airport to Hirafu in winter, and recommends trains to Kutchan Station for the rail route. By car, Wikipedia says the airport is about 2 hours away.

Is Kutchan the same as Niseko?

Not exactly. Two of the four Niseko United resorts, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono, are in Kutchan, according to Wikipedia, and Niseko United lists Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Village as the other two.

How much snow does Kutchan get?

Wikipedia says average annual snowfall exceeds 10 metres, with January averaging 2.9 metres.

How far is Kutchan from Sapporo?

The town site says 91 kilometres, about 2 hours 8 minutes by car. Wikipedia gives about 50 kilometres west of Sapporo as the straight-line position.

How many aparthotels are there in Kutchan?

We currently list 12 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Kutchan.

Do aparthotels in Kutchan have kitchens?

12 of the 12 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Kutchan have a washing machine?

6 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Sources

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