Overview
Rustusu Resort offers a fantastic Ski In / Ski Out resort hotel holiday experience for everyone.
The transfer time to Niseko is just 30 to 40 minutes depending on your choice of transfer.
Combining a trip to Niseko with a few days in Rusutsu or staying in Niseko and doing a day trip to Rusutsu are both popular options.
Bus, private taxi transfer and self-drive are all possible options for transport from Rusutsu to Niseko.
Rusutsu to Niseko Bus
- Price: ¥1,000 per person
- Transfer Time: 60 minutes
Donan Bus Company operates a bus service departing from Rusutsu ski resort and dropping off at the centrally located Hirafu Intersection.
If you let your accommodation provider know which bus you have booked, most will meet you at the Hirafu Intersection and take you to your accommodation for check in.
Similarly for departure from Niseko to Rusutsu, if you let your accommodation provider know which bus you have booked with sufficient notice, most will drop you off at Hirafu Intersection in plenty of time.
Pros
- Well priced
- Reasonably convenient
Cons
- Not many departures each day
Rusutsu to Niseko Taxi
- Price: ¥3,000 to ¥26,000 per person - depending on vehicle type and number of passengers
- Transfer Time: 30 minutes
Private Taxi Transfers are the most convenient and fastest option for transfer from Rusutsu to Niseko with a variety of vehicle sizes offered.
Tips
- Book an off piste guiding tour at Rusutsu with a Niseko-based guiding company for your last day in Rusutsu. Check out in the morning and ski at Rusutsu during the day with the guide. At the end of the afternoon, the guide will return to Niseko and can drop you off for check in at your Niseko accommodation.
- You can book a stop off at a supermarket to buy groceries for an additional charge. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation in Niseko and plan to cook some of your own meals, this can be really useful. Hirafu has a couple of grocery stores but none of Niseko’s villages have any large supermarkets. So, a trip to the supermarket requires visiting nearby Kutchan town.
Pros
- Available 24 hours a day
- Most convenient
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Drive from Rusutsu to Niseko
- Price: Varies by vehicle type and hire duration
- Transfer Time: 30 minutes
If you are planning on visiting Rusutsu before Niseko and would like to hire a car, you can do so from Chitose Airport or Sapporo. Rusutsu Ski Resort does not have any car hire options on site or close by.
The route is pretty straightforward with road signs in English but driving in January and February can be a little tricky for those without experience of driving in challenging winter conditions. Snow & ice covered roads are commonplace and visibility can be poor when snow is falling, which is not uncommon in Hokkaido!
If you are comfortable driving in these conditions, having a vehicle opens up the possibility of day tripping to Rusutsu or Kiroro ski resorts, off-the-beaten path Onsen (hot springs) in the area or authentic dining in Kutchan Town.
If you like the sound of this but prefer not to drive yourself from Chitose Airport to Niseko, you can hire a car in Niseko. This is becoming increasingly popular, so book as early as you can and check that your accommodation has sufficient parking.
Larger 7 or 8-seater vehicles, such as Toyota Hi-Ace or Mistubishi Delica, are commonly available to book in advance and can easily transport ski and snowboard bags.
Hire vehicles are four-wheel drive, come with winter tyres already fitted (so no snow chains are required) and English language GPS can be booked.
All drivers must bring their own national driver's license and a valid International Drivers Permit to legally drive in Japan. Car hire companies will not hand over the keys without these documents.
Pros
- Flexibility to get around in the Niseko area
Cons
- Challenging driving conditions – snowy / icy roads & poor visibility
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Niseko Transfers
Whether you are coming from Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate or one of the other Hokkaido Ski Resorts, there are numerous options for the transfer to Niseko.
Book now through our Pre-Trip Concierge Service.
Available for guests that have booked accommodation with us.
Getting Around Niseko
Whether you prefer to jump on a shuttle bus, book a taxi or hire a car and drive yourself, there are plenty of options to get around the Niseko area.
Niseko Accommodation
With the healthy mix of visitors from East and West, there is a variety of styles to suit everyone.
Rusutsu Ski Resort
A medium size Japanese resort located in West Hokkaido, located just a short drive from Niseko with similar amounts of snow.
Rusutsu Accommodation
Rusutsu Resort is well serviced by two ski in / ski out resort hotels with plenty of restaurants and facilities. Ideal for groups and families wanting an all in ski holiday experience.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.