Kimamaya
Scandinavian-Japanese alpine lodge — warm timber, clean lines, zero pretension. Chalet energy without the chalet prices.
Book spa treatments in advance — slots fill up fast and guests wish they'd booked earlier
Why It Matters
One of Niseko's most consistently praised small properties. Nine rooms means the team knows every guest by name. Member of both Design Hotels and Tablet Hotels. The attached Barn by Odin restaurant, an award-winning barn-architecture building serving French alpine cuisine, is a destination in its own right.
Kimamaya — 'be yourself' in Japanese — is a nine-room wood-framed lodge sitting right in Niseko's Hirafu middle village, Hokkaido. Built in 1985 and completely redesigned in 2009, it runs more like a well-appointed private home than a hotel: jazz on the speakers, a roaring fireplace, wines poured from the owner's own Burgundy vineyard. The rooms are compact but thoughtfully designed by Andrew Bell, with premium down bedding, tatami-floored mezzanines in the loft rooms, and private onsen baths that'll remind your legs they exist after a big powder day.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Alpine 1
The cozy, compact option. Warm-toned furnishings with textured materials and a European king-size bed. Small but well considered — great for two who plan to spend most of their time outside.
European King · 17 sqmAlpine 2
Twin beds with an ottoman at the foot setting a deliberately unhurried mood. Larger than Alpine 1 with careful attention to colour, texture, and material palette. A proper breathing space between long days on the mountain.
Twin · 20 sqmLoft 1
A proper step up in space. A comfortable living corner with sofa and table anchors the base floor, while a mezzanine level with Japanese tatami flooring overlooks a double-height ceiling that reveals the original lodge's timber framework. Sleeps up to 4 adults plus one child.
Double/King on base floor + Japanese futons on tatami mezzanine · 34 sqmLoft 2
The prime rooms. Everything in Loft 1 dialled up — the living corner gets an L-shaped day-bed sofa, making it genuinely usable for a group to gather, open a bottle, and decompress. Warm materials throughout. Sleeps 4 adults plus one child.
King on base floor + Japanese futons on tatami mezzanine · 36 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Summer fishing excursion arranged by the concierge on the Shiribetsu river, which runs through the Niseko area. Popular with guests looking for something quieter than the ski scene.
A winter favourite for families. The hotel's snow expert, Osaka-san, builds proper igloos in the backyard for kids. One of those details that makes Kimamaya stand out as genuinely family-friendly.
Summer concierge-arranged excursions to local Hokkaido farms and artisan producers. Hokkaido is famous for its dairy and produce, and the concierge knows the good spots.
Trails and mountain biking tracks through the surrounding pine forests of Niseko are accessible in summer and autumn. Concierge can advise on routes and equipment.
Summer activity arranged through the concierge. Mount Yotei (1,898m) is the dominant volcanic peak in the area — a serious day hike offering panoramic views across Hokkaido. Staff will help organise guides and transport.
Complimentary drop-off and pick-up to/from the Hirafu ski area and Grand Hirafu gondola zone. On-demand via WhatsApp or phone call to the concierge team. Osaka-san (the house driver) is frequently cited by guests. Not guaranteed on all dates — confirm at booking.
Niseko Grand Hirafu and surrounding resorts (Annupuri, Hanazono, Niseko Village) are minutes away. The concierge arranges ski passes, equipment rental, and ski/snowboard lessons. Off-piste and backcountry touring can also be arranged.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
An honesty bar running on wines from the owner's family vineyard in Burgundy. The Crémant is particularly well-regarded by guests.
The social hub of the hotel. Timber floors, lazy couches, a curated library of books (guests encouraged to leave their own), and a fireplace. Jazz plays. It functions almost like a private home sitting room.
A curated book collection in the Living Lounge. Guests are actively encouraged to leave their own books when they depart.
A dedicated children's room with cushions and a big-screen TV. Positioned downstairs for evening entertainment after a day on the slopes.
Flat-screen TV with satellite channels, Netflix (confirmed in guest reviews), DVD player and iPod dock in loft rooms.
Highly personalised concierge — the team arranges restaurant reservations, ski lessons, ski passes, airport and slope transfers, guided tours, and more. Staff provide guests with a mobile phone to use during their stay for on-demand pickup.
Dedicated ski storage with drying facilities so gear is warm and ready each morning. Frequently praised in guest reviews.
Two communal hot spa-bath rooms — one with an oak (moku) tub, one with a stone (ishi) tub. Available for private booking and complimentary for hotel guests. Advance booking required.
BUILD YOUR KIMAMAYA BY ODIN PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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