Airport News Japan

Heli-Shuttle between New Chitose Airport and Niseko

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Aero Asahi's Heli Shuttle Image.

On March 3, two companies by the name of Niseko Village and Hilton Niseko Village based in Abuta District, Hokkaido that manage a year-round mountain resort teamed up with Aero Asahi, a Toshima Ward, Tokyo-based comprehensive aviation service provider that handles small aircraft, to start operating shuttle helicopter flights between New Chitose Airport and Niseko Heliport, and between Niseko Heliport and Sapporo Okadama Airport.

The service between New Chitose Airport and Niseko will provide a connection as fast as roughly 30 minutes, while the bus in winter takes three hours each way. Passengers can overlook locations like Lake Shikotsu, Lake Toya and Mt. Yotei during the flight while enjoying an aerial tour of Mother Nature in Hokkaido. Guests staying at Niseko Village can make day trips for sightseeing in Sapporo using the Niseko-Sapporo Okadama Airport route.

The helicopter model used is the AS350B3, which seats four. At least three passengers and a reservation made at least one week in advance are required to take the flight, which costs 189,000 yen per person (not including tax) each way. Inquiries into details and conditions of the service, as well as reservations, can be made at Hilton Niseko Village.

According to the companies, this is the first helicopter in Japan operated solely by a resort. They hope to attract large numbers of guests from Japan and abroad throughout the year while adding elements such as touring Hokkaido from the air, along with shortening travel times to “offer a world class comprehensive resort experience.”

Hilton Niseko VillageNiseko VillageAero Asahi