Summer Activities for Kids

Hosting such events as the Hanazono Hill Climb and the Niseko Classic, there are plenty of bicycle races and events for adults—but did you know that Niseko also hosts a cycling event for very young kids and toddlers?

The Niseko Strider Cup gives small children a chance to enjoy their first experiences of cycle racing on specially designed push-bikes, all in one of Asia's greatest cycling destinations. Taking place in July and with exciting and varied courses and even mini-prizes and photo ops, the Strider Cup is the perfect event for the budding bicycle enthusiast!

There are few things that are more exciting to kids on holiday than trying out all of the local sweets and treats—and luckily for visitors to Niseko, there are a number of incredible spots guaranteed to get anyone's sweet-tooth tingling!

Located in Niseko town, make sure you make your way to Niseko Gelato first for your cool refreshing fix. Perfect for a summer's day, this spot offers freshly made gelato of a dazzling array of flavours—from old classics to surprising new taste-profiles—all in delicious home-baked waffle cones. And no artificial nastiness in sight!

Less than 5 minutes drive (or just a short bike ride away) from AYA Niseko is local favourite Ruhiel Gelato. Sample the sumptuous icy offerings from a Niseko sweet veteran, also made without preservatives and artificial colouring.

If you're looking for a more classic creamy ice cream, be sure to visit Milk Kobo for their famous Hokkaido milk soft-cream. Offering classic cones and a variety of other incredible desserts, such as their famous choux-cream pastry and delightful castella sponge cakes. With milk coming straight from Milk Kobo's own dairy farm, kids will be able to taste the difference!

Summer hosts an eclectic range of local festivals, but none will excite the little ones as much as Hirafu's own green season festival! Taking place in August and seen by many as the height of the summer, the Hirafu Matsuri offers exciting games, competitions, events, and food and drink for all the family.

Past years have given children a chance to join in on dancing and sparring competitions and classic Japanese festival games. If you're in Niseko in the summer, make sure you bring your kids to this local favourite — we hope you like fireworks!

Find out more about the Hirafu Matsuri and other Upcoming Summer Events!

One of our favourite things about the green season is the access the Summer Gondola provides. Located just minutes from our doors on the main slopes of Grand Hirafu resort, kids can enjoy stunning views from inside of their cabins, which look out over thick forests and steep hillside trails, before being greeted by the gondola station and the Ecol Ecology Center.

At this central station, kids can find out more about Grand Hirafu and its inhabiting flora and fauna, before setting off on an adventure of their own on some of Mt. Niseko Annupuri's many hiking trails. If the little ones are hungry before (or after) their trek, the Ace Hill Building that hosts the Ecology center also has a great little restaurant!

For those wanting lofty adventure without the gondola ride, the NAC Adventure Park is a fantastic way to enjoy nature from exciting heights, located minutes away from AYA Niseko.

This aerial adventure park gives kids a chance to take to the treetops to climb, swing, and zip line between elevated trunk-bound platforms, solving puzzles that make up the park’s range of exhilarating obstacle courses. With a variety of course lengths and difficulties, kids won't be able to get enough of this adrenaline packed activity!

For a memorable, rewarding, and sometimes confusing sightseeing spot, the Daini Arishima Ostrich Farm rarely disappoints. Give your kids a chance to feed and watch these majestic birds as they run and play in front of a stunning Mt. Yotei backdrop.

This is a wonderful local trip when you're looking to do something truly unique — and will provide your kids with stories they can't wait to tell their friends!

Find out more about upcoming summer events, exciting green season activities, or contact a member of our team to book your restful summer stay at AYA Niseko.