Frequently Asked Questions

About Luxury and Signature Collection


Before Check-In

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Our properties come with standard bed configurations, but we’re happy to customize them to your preference when possible.

About 2 weeks before your arrival in winter (or 1 week in summer), we’ll send you an email to confirm your preferred setup. You can make changes up to 1 week before winter arrivals and up to 4 days before summer arrivals. After that, additional changes may come with a small fee.

We understand that every guest has unique needs. Some of our properties offer futons (available at selected locations) — please contact us for more details, and we can provide baby cots with a little prior notice.

  • Signature properties: Futons are available at ¥10,000 per night, and baby cots can be rented for ¥5,000 (up to 3 nights) or ¥7,000 (for longer stays).
  • Luxury properties: There’s no extra charge for futons or baby cots. Baby highchairs are also available, subject to availability.

If you prefer proper beds for all guests, just let us know in advance, and we’ll discuss potential upgrades with you.

Check-in begins at 4 PM, and check-out is by 10 AM. If you arrive early or have a late departure, we’re happy to store your luggage for you so you can make the most of your day.

Traveling light? No problem! You can ship your ski, snowboard, or golf bags directly to us. We even offer a 5% discount on courier services with our partner.

  • For skis, snowboards, or general luggage, you can use this link to arrange your shipment.
  • For golf clubs and other luggage, please follow this link.

We’ll take care of the rest, ensuring your luggage is waiting for you at your property.

For domestic shipments within Japan, you can use Yamato’s hands-free travel service. Simply drop your luggage at the airport’s Yamato Counter, and we’ll deliver it to your property. Please note that during peak times or severe weather conditions, there may be delays. We recommend checking the delivery times on the Yamato website (linked above) before sending your luggage to avoid any inconvenience.

While we do our best to ensure your belongings arrive safely, please be aware that H2 Life is not held responsible for delays in courier service deliveries or any damage incurred during transit.

Please address your luggage to:

Niseko
\\[your name, accommodation name, check-in date and H2 booking number]
H2 Life Office
Niseko Hirafu 5 jo 3-11-1, Kutchan-cho, Abutagun, Hokkaido, 044-0086
Furano
\\[your name, accommodation name, check-in date and H2 booking number]
H2 Furano Office
21-1 Kitanomine, Furano, Hokkaido, 076-0034

To avoid any delays, please make sure to include all the required information on the shipping form. We’ll handle the rest!

We like to make your arrival as smooth as possible. To go straight to your property upon arrival, we’ll send you an online check-in form to complete. Winter guests will receive the form 14 days before arrival, and summer guests 7 days before. Once you’ve filled it out (at least 3 days before arrival), we’ll send you all the details on how to access your beautiful home away from home.

At H2 Life we manage over 140 unique properties across Niseko and Furano, we kindly ask for valid credit card details as a security measure to protect our homeowners in the rare event of damage. We understand wear and tear happens, and we carefully inspect each property after every guest's stay. Your card details are securely held by SQUARE, a trusted and secure platform. If you’d like more information, you can visit SQUARE’s security page here.

We’re also required by Japanese law to collect passport details for all international visitors. If you haven’t already provided these to our team before your arrival, we’ll collect them upon check-in. Rest assured, this information is handled with care and in compliance with legal requirements. For more details, you can contact the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at www-admin@mhlw.go.jp

Whether you prefer a relaxing bus ride or a private transfer, we’ve got you covered. You can find all the details and booking options on our Airport Transfers Page.

If you’d like a bit more freedom to explore, renting a car is also a great option—just make sure your accommodation has parking available.Remember to bring your home-country license and an international driver’s license if you’re planning to drive. It’s illegal to drive in Japan without these documents, and we wouldn’t want your rental to be canceled.

Trains are another option recommended only in summer, with regular departures from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo City. Visit the JR Hokkaido Website for timetables & ticket purchase.

In Niseko, the main hub is the HIRAFU WELCOME CENTRE, located at the top of the Hirafu Ski Village. This is where all the main bus transfers from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo City stop. This is also the main stop for the Niseko United Resort shuttle buses and the local shuttle bus services.

In Furano, the main bus terminal is HOTEL EDEL WARME, located in Kitanomine Village.

The closest train station to Hirafu is Kutchan Station—the most convenient stop for guests staying in Niseko. Be aware that Hirafu Station and Niseko Station are more difficult to reach – Please do not get off at these stations.

If you’re heading to Furano, Furano Station is your best bet.

We’re delighted to offer complimentary arrival and departure transfers for our guests. If you’re staying in Niseko, we’ll pick you up from the Hirafu Welcome Centre or Kutchan Station. In Furano, we’ll meet you at Hotel Edel Warme. Just let us know your arrival details at least 48 hours in advance, and we’ll take care of the rest.

When you arrive, our friendly Resort Host will be there to greet you with a sign displaying your name. If you prefer a different name or logo, just let us know, and we’ll accommodate your wishes.

*These transfers are subject to availability and must be arranged at least 48 hours prior to arrival. We will contact you 7 days before you arrive via email to remind you to book your complimentary transfers.

Check-In

Our standard check-in time is 4 PM. If you arrive early and would like to access your accommodation before this time, just let our reception team know, and we’ll do our best to make it happen. We’ll confirm on your arrival day if an early check-in is possible. Please note that a small fee may apply for early check-in.

If you have arranged an arrival transfer from the bus stop or train station, our Resort Hosts are happy to take care of your luggage and deliver it to your accommodation so it will be there at check-in time.

If you are arriving by private transfer, you can have your luggage delivered to our H2 Life office in Niseko or Furano and we’ll make sure it’s waiting for you at your property.

During your stay

Getting around Niseko is easy and convenient. There are free Hirafu shuttles that loop around the village every 20-40 minutes. For more details and a map of pick-up points, visit the Hirafu Free Bus website.

The Niseko United Shuttle service can take you to the bases of the four main Niseko ski resorts—Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri. The shuttle is free with an all-mountain lift pass, or you can pay a small fee without one.

If you’re headed to Hanazono, their separate shuttle service is free for all passengers, departing from the Hirafu Welcome Centre and other stops in the Hirafu area.

Public buses operate throughout the Niseko area connecting Kutchan Town, Hirafu, Niseko Town, and beyond. The two main public bus companies are Niseko Bus and Donan Bus. Check the Niseko Tourism Local Bus Page for timetables and bus schedules. During winter, the Night Go Bus runs regularly between Hirafu and Kutchan in the evenings.

While taxis are available, they can be limited, especially during peak seasons. We recommend downloading the GO taxi app and registering in advance for a smooth experience.

Download Link (for mobile):

  • App Store logo
  • Google Play logo
  • Service typically available from early December to mid-March
  • SMS Authentication with a phone number is required when registering an account.
  • Please note that certain phone numbers can only be used to register an account while in Japan.
  • For details (Niseko only), please visit the website. https://go.goinc.jp/en/niseko/

Other Taxi providers (Niseko only):

For our Luxury Tier guests, we are pleased to offer a private shuttle service to the nearest lift base. This service is available from 8 AM to 8 PM in Niseko and from 8 AM to 6 PM in Furano, with one shuttle each way per day. We ask that you book in advance and be ready at the designated pick-up time to ensure a smooth experience.

*This service operates on a first-booked, first-served basis. Advance bookings are required and any changes to pick-up time cannot be made later than 6pm the day prior. We kindly ask that you are ready and waiting for your shuttle in front of your accommodation or at the designated pick-up point at the pre-booked time as the shuttles cannot wait longer than 5 minutes to prevent being late for the next booking.

Please contact our reception team by phone or WhatsApp to make a booking.

For Signature collection guests, we recommend the Hirafu Free Shuttle with bus stops conveniently located throughout the Village.

Hirafu Village is wonderfully walkable, with most properties within strolling distance of the ski lifts or a Hirafu Free Shuttle stop. Restaurants are also conveniently located throughout the village, offering plenty of dining options nearby. The streets in Hirafu Village have a moderate slope, so we recommend solid footwear with good grip. Please note that skiing on village roads is not allowed for safety reasons.

If you’re planning to rent a car, please check that there’s parking available at your accommodation, as it can be limited in Hirafu.

For a truly convenient and enjoyable stay in Niseko Village, we recommend renting a car. Both properties offer the convenience of off-street parking for one car, as well as a garage. This gives you the freedom to explore the area at your own pace.

If you prefer public transport, you’ll be pleased to know that the Niseko United Shuttle bus stop is just about 200 meters from both properties, Higashiyama Pension Village. The shuttle will take you directly to the Niseko Village lifts and the Hilton/Niseko-Yo area, where you can enjoy some delightful dining and shopping. For those wanting to explore a bit further, you can stay on the shuttle to reach Annapuri Resort, or head in the other direction to visit Hirafu Village.

Our Annapuri and rural properties, like Starchase and Yukihyo, are nestled in some of the most peaceful and picturesque parts of Niseko. To make the most of your stay in these tranquil locations, we highly recommend renting a vehicle. It’s the best way to fully enjoy the serene surroundings and have the freedom to explore the area. Just remember to bring an international driver’s license, which you’ll need to obtain before leaving your home country.

At H2 Life, we aim to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. You’ll find a range of amenities provided, including towels, slippers, hairdryers, and toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion. We also offer a personal amenity kit that includes a toothbrush, razor, facial mask, shower cap, and cotton buds—everything you need for a relaxing stay.

For coffee lovers, all of our properties come with Nespresso machines and an initial supply of coffee capsules. If you’d like more, just contact our Reception, and we can arrange additional capsules for ¥1,100 per sleeve, plus a delivery fee of ¥1,100. In the kitchen, you’ll find dishwashing liquid, tea towels, and cleaning cloths. Laundry detergent is also provided in all properties.

We strive to keep your accommodation spotless and comfortable throughout your stay. The housekeeping schedule depends on the tier of accommodation you’ve chosen and the length of your stay. You can request your specific schedule at the time of booking or as your arrival date approaches. Additionally, you can always check your schedule in the Digital Guest Directory in your property.

Should you need any additional cleaning or extra towels during your stay, these can be arranged for a fee, depending on our housekeeping team’s availability. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our reception team for any special requests.

Check-out

Our standard check-out time is 10 am. We kindly ask that you vacate your accommodation by this time to avoid any additional fees. Our housekeeping team will need access to the property from 10:00 am onwards. There’s no need to visit or notify our Reception upon your departure—simply leave any keys or keycards on the dining room table.

If you’d like a little extra time before departing, please contact our reception team the evening before your departure. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, but please note that if there’s a scheduled check-in for the same day, we may not be able to approve a late checkout. Any unapproved late check-outs will incur a charge of ¥20,000-¥50,000 per hour or part thereof.

We understand you might want to enjoy a bit more skiing or some last-minute shopping before you leave. We’d be happy to take care of your luggage after check-out so you can enjoy your day worry-free. Just let our reception team know your plans, and we’ll arrange to collect your luggage from your property and deliver it to your departure point.

We offer complimentary departure transfers!

  • Niseko Guests: Transfers are available from the Hirafu Welcome Centre and Kutchan Station.
  • Furano Guests: Transfers are available from Hotel Edel Warme and Furano Station

These transfers are subject to availability and must be arranged before your arrival. We’ll send you an email 7 days before you arrive to remind you to book your transfers. When booking, please provide the incoming/outgoing bus number or train arrival/departure time and the number of passengers.

We conduct a detailed inspection of our properties on the day guests check out. If our hosts or housekeeping find any items left behind, they will be safely stored in our main Hospitality office.

H2 Life keeps Lost & Found items for the following durations:

  • Items left in the property: One month
  • Items left in the property’s in-room safe: Three months
  • Perishable items will be held for no longer than 24 hours

If you’ve left something behind, we can post it back to your preferred address at your cost. Shipping charges can be paid by credit card to H2 Life, or you can arrange your own shipping, and we’ll ensure the items are packaged and ready for collection.

Pet Policy

Certain properties are pet-friendly! Please contact us for more details, and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect accommodation for you and your furry companion.