| |
Niseko Initiatives and Community Update
The melt water has ensured that every day busloads of tourists have been getting their summer thrills white water rafting on the rivers close by. Canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing, downhill mountain-biking and trekking have seen the busiest Niseko green season to date.
Hiking is one of the emerging activities with more people earning their view as they labour up the peaks to enjoy views in all directions. From the summit of Mt Yotei you have an unsurpassed view of the ocean, lakes, fertile valley and the surrounding mountains peaks. Several ski-lifts are running daily, taking people to the mountain top (the quick way) to savor the views of the lush alpine valley below.
Niseko’s music lovers were thrilled by the hugely successful Hanazono Kutchan Jazz Festival which was held on July 5th and 6th. International superstar jazz musicians (such as Roy Ayers, Wayne Henderson and Miko Howard) performed at the festival. Nisade’s Setsumon was a luxurious home away from home to the headlining acts for the weekend.
A member of Niseko Mountain Bike Club takes
on a dirt jump at a local “dirt jam” competition!
Local Niseko businesses are engaged in staging the upcoming Niseko Cycle Week and Niseko Golf Week, initiatives designed to establish and grow annual events. The Niseko Promotion Board publicised Niseko as a world class resort destination at the June International Travel Expo in Hong Kong and the Singapore NATAS Travel Expo in early August.
In local new, the “hotel formerly known as Prince” has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation (backed by corporate giant Citigroup) was reopened on July the 1st as the Hilton Niseko Village. The hotel now offers onsite summertime activities including golf, horse riding, fishing, hot air ballooning and tree top rope courses.
The Hilton Hotel’s entrance
|
|
地鎮 Ground Breaking Ceremony
A traditional Japanese ground breaking ceremony was undertaken by a Shinto Priest to bless the grounds of The Vale Niseko. The Jichinesai Ground Breaking ceremony is an ancient Shinto ritual intended to pay respect to Kami-Samma (god) of the earth. It is believed to help bring protection against bad luck, incident or injury, both to those who construct the building and, also, to those lucky people who will inhabit it.
The ceremony is both a religious and a cultural one. Nisade is owned by Australian directors; however it is a Japanese registered company. We at Nisade have great respect for Japanese culture and tradition, and when appropriate we like to “do things the Japanese way!”
Nisade Staff Update
The Nisade team has grown quickly in recent months to keep pace with the rapid growth of the Niseko property market. Six new staff have been hired in the last two months alone, with varying specialisations in interior design, sales and marketing and property management.
A Canadian-Japanese with international professional experience in interior design, Ryo Miyagaki joins our team. He will lead the conceptual design direction of future projects as well as design oversight on current projects.
Chris Chan has been appointed head of Sales and Marketing at Nisade. With many years in Japan, and in luxury property development, he will bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the sales team.
The Sales team has another new member in the shape of young Irishman Andrew Clarke. Starting his fifth year in Japan, this International Marketing graduate hopes to compliment Chris’s extensive experience with his friendly charm.
Togashi Masamichi could boast about over 20 years of wide-ranging hotel industry experience, that is if his Japanese sense of modesty would let him. He has joined Nisade specialisnig in domestic summer marketing. |
|
