Bathed in Summer Sunshine and Vibrant Greenery

Bathed in the brilliance of summer sunshine and vibrant greenery, Niseko welcomes its fleeting summer season. While winter remains overwhelmingly popular among visitors from around the world and the area takes on the atmosphere of an off-season destination, summer offers an abundance of experiences found nowhere else—lush nature, seasonal flavors, and a quieter rhythm that reveal a different side of Niseko’s charm.

At Raku Suisan, a refreshing fragrance of incense drifts gently through the air, while the lobby is filled with a cool serenity and quiet elegance.

In one corner stands a Steinway grand piano. Its polished black surface gleams so deeply that it reflects the scenery beyond the windows, resting in silence as though patiently awaiting its next pianist.

From time to time, intimate lobby concerts are held exclusively for guests, featuring invited pianists and vocalists. Crystal-clear voices and beautiful piano melodies fill the space before seeming to dissolve into the wide Niseko sky. These private performances offer a rare sense of exclusivity and refinement. Guests are also welcome to sit at the piano themselves. Watching a young girl, delighted to play on a Steinway, naturally brings a smile. Some returning guests, passionate about music, even say they come back simply “to see the Steinway.”

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a drink and a seasonal sweet in the lobby. During the summer months, however, the terrace is also opened for this experience. On the secluded wooden deck—a private retreat tucked away from view—an array of refreshments awaits, including cider from Yoichi, Hokkaido wines, beer, and soft drinks.

With Mount Yotei rising before them and the warmth of the summer sun overhead, guests can leisurely raise a glass and take in the view. As they do, the fatigue of travel seems to gently melt away, carried off with each sip. It is a moment of relaxation filled with a sense of freedom, tranquility, and the quiet luxury of being far removed from everyday life.

A Room in the Colors of Summer

At Raku Suisan, every guest room is named after a color that evokes one of the four seasons. Among the property’s eighteen rooms, this visit focuses on Sōbi (Rose), one of the summer-themed accommodations.

Sōbi is also the name of a traditional Japanese color—a subdued pink created by blending a hint of blue into a red base. More restrained than the vivid rose tones commonly associated with the West, it possesses a distinctly Japanese elegance. The color has been used since the Heian period and appears in classical literary works such as The Pillow Book and the Kokin Wakashū. Deeply woven into Japanese culture for centuries, it continues to captivate with its softness, refinement, and understated beauty.

Inside the room, high ceilings create an airy sense of space, while artworks by artists from Hokkaido are displayed throughout. Several pieces incorporate rose-colored accents inspired by the room’s name, adding vibrant touches of color amid the warmth of natural wood and enhancing the room’s tranquil atmosphere.

Awaiting guests is a welcome chocolate from the renowned Sapporo chocolatier, Chocolatier Masále. Presented in a wooden box, Raku Suisan’s original Yurine Chocolat features a delicate filling made from lily bulb paste encased in lightly sweetened chocolate. Smooth and refined, with a subtle Japanese character, it is accented by finely chopped pieces of lily bulb that add texture and depth. Equally enjoyable alongside an afternoon coffee or a glass of wine in the evening, it is a thoughtful expression of local flavor.

Each guest room at Raku Suisan features a uniquely designed bathing space, and the bath in Sōbi is crafted from stone. Through expansive windows that stretch nearly to the ceiling, guests can look out over lush greenery with Mount Yotei rising in the distance.

In summer, opening the windows allows the fresh mountain breeze to drift inside while guests soak in the naturally flowing hot spring waters. Watching the landscape shift with the passing light and changing weather, one experiences a profound sense of freedom and connection with nature. It is a moment of relaxation that feels both restorative and deeply luxurious.