Horiemon Joins the Buzz as Louis Vuitton Opens with Hourly Wage ¥2,000 in Niseko, the Elite’s Hub

The snow quality is great, but,

Niseko, Hokkaido, known as an international ski resort, is getting hotter and hotter with the first winter season after the COVID-19 crisis. Last December, a Louis Vuitton pop-up store opened in the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono. Diageo Japan, a subsidiary of a major British brewing company, opened an ice lounge serving high-end tequila and other beverages on the site of the former Hotel Niseko Alpine.

According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, many hotels and condominiums in the Niseko area, consisting of Kutchan and Niseko towns, reported an increase in accommodation bookings in December 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. Mr. Yoshito Tanaka, who is involved in ski rental and car rental businesses in Kutchan and served three terms as a member of the town council until March of last year, also mentioned this trend.

“After the relaxation of border controls last season, it was said that about 70% of tourists returned. However, this season is showing momentum surpassing the pre-COVID era. In December, accommodation facilities were fully booked everywhere. Last winter, many hotels operated at about half capacity due to a shortage of staff, but this season, they secured staff early and are operating at full capacity.”

Hourly wages in Niseko have been rising even before the ski season began, and looking at various job sites, wages of 1,500 yen per hour are not uncommon. Some of the jobs are paying over 2,000 yen per hour.

“The Sukiya beef bowl restaurant, which opened in Kutchan Town in December last year, pays 1,650 yen per hour during the day and 2,088 yen at night.”

Without raising hourly wages to that level, it would be impossible for any industry in Niseko to secure the manpower it needs, but at the same time, new lodging facilities continue to be built to provide employment opportunities.

“In December 2022, a condominium-style hotel called Setsu Niseko opened in the Hirafu area of Niseko, and in December of last year, another one named Mowa Niseko opened. Both developments are led by foreign investors.”

At the World Ski Awards 2023, which honors excellent ski resorts worldwide, Setsu Niseko was selected as the Best New Ski Hotel. Checking the accommodation prices for late January, a 1-bedroom suite (for 4 people) costs 532,200 yen for a 3-night stay, equivalent to 177,400 yen per night.

At the World Ski Awards 2023, Haku Villas, which opened in the Niseko Hirafu area in 2019, also received the Best Ski Boutique Hotel award. The penthouse here costs 35 million yen for a week’s stay.

“Seasons Niseko, a detached condominium in Annupuri, Niseko Town, offers stays from 5 nights. With an indoor hot water pool and an in-house chef, it costs 26 million yen. I heard that Vietnamese travelers added various options and stayed for 30 million yen.”