Rusutsu Accommodation

Perfect 47 Japan contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of the links below, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we use and trust. Read our disclaimer for more information.

Rusutsu in Hokkaido, Japan is the dreamiest winter wonderland and probably one of the most kid-friendly ski resorts in all of Japan. It has many great options for Rusutsu accommodation.

Rusutsu receives huge amounts of snowfall. In December, Rusutsu receives around 32 cm of snow a week, in January 35cm of snow per week and in February 32cm. You’ll expect to see it snowing 5-6 days out of your week. For detailed snow reports, visit snow-forecast.com.

Rusutsu lacks the crowds and hustle and bustle of Niseko, but still provides many activities in addition to skiing and snowboarding such as ice-fishing, horse-riding, craft activities and more.

Rusutsu Resort is a magical wonderland

There are a few different options for Rusutsu accommodation within the resort and close by ranging from luxurious to basic and affordable, so let’s check them out.

‘On the resort’ Rusutsu accommodation

Rusutsu Resort (The Westin, The Vale & Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention)

Rusutsu Resort complex accommodation
View from the Vale out towards Rusutsu Resort and the Westin

Rusutsu Resort is made up of three main hotels all linked; The Vale, Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention and the Westin. These are the most popular Rusutsu accommodation.

Rusutsu Resort and the Vale are connected by an indoor walkway and the Westin is connected by a regular monorail. These three hotels have access to almost all the same facilities.

Rusutsu Resort with its three hotels offers probably the best-known and most popular Rusutsu accommodation. It’s like its own mini-city, with long indoor walkways passing restaurants, shops, an onsen, a carousel, a games room, an indoor wave pool with a slide and more.

The snow skiing or snowboarding is plentiful and the ski lessons for kids are fun and offered in English and Japanese. The resort facilities are immense so there’s no reason to have to leave or hire a car during your stay.

The Vale

Luxurious, self-contained, family-friendly, great for groups

The Vale Rusutsu accommodation
The Vale offers luxe, apartment-style accommodation (picture from summer)

The Vale offers luxe, self-contained, apartment-style Rusutsu accommodation, great for ski-in and ski-out. It’s a wonderful option for families or groups of up to 10 people.

In 2021, The Vale Rusutsu was awarded the World’s Best Ski Resort title for its luxury condominium-style accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountainous scenery.

The large foyer area contains seating options around a cosy fireplace, there’s also a small cafe area with drinks and snacks and a well-equipped ski and snowboard storage area.

The Vale also offers access to all of Rusutsu Resort’s facilities, such as the kotobuki onsen, restaurants, talking tree (yes seriously) and the wave pool, to name a few.

The Vale’s apartments are modern and spacious with incredible views. Each apartment contains a full kitchen; one or two bathrooms; one to four bedrooms and a designer living room with the dreamiest views.

Each apartment style has a different layout and the four-bedroom penthouse is the most luxe option with a large rooftop patio complete with a jacuzzi!

In the winter, Vale has minimum stay requirements for different dates:

Stay DateMinimum nights
1 – 9 Dec 20231-2 nights
10 – 17 Dec 20231-2 nights
18 Dec 2023 – 5 Jan 20245 nights
6 Jan – 4 Feb 20245 nights
5-18 Feb 20243 nights
19 Feb – 8 Mar 20243 nights
9 Mar – 26 Apr 20241-2 nights
Vale winter minimum stay requirements

Costs: A one-bedroom apartment starts at ¥39,000 per night, the two-bedroom starts at around ¥75,750 per night, the three-bedroom starts at around ¥108,000 per night and the four-bedroom penthouse starts at around ¥195,000 per night. Rates can differ greatly however depending on the season.

Address: 〒048-1711 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Rusutsu, Izumikawa, 27−6


Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention

Convenient, offers Japanese and western style rooms, no kitchens, least expensive at Rusutsu Resort

Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention Rusutsu accommodation

Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention is the largest ski resort hotel in all of Hokkaido and the least expensive of the three hotels in the Rusutsu Resort complex.

Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention has many different room options and it’s the only hotel of the three that offers Japanese-style rooms, with tatami and futon on the floor, but it also offers Western-style options with beds.

They also specifically offer family rooms with low beds and waterproof, cushioned flooring, baby gates, nappy bins, kids’ steps, colouring sets and children’s toilet seats.

Co-sleeping as a family = discount

In Japan, it’s common for hotels to offer co-sleeping options if you have children. For example, at Rusutsu Hotel and Convention, a child aged 0-5 can sleep for free if they share a bed with an adult.
At the Westin, a child 0-12 can stay free if sharing a bed.

Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention rooms don’t have self-catering facilities such as a kitchen or kitchenette like the Vale and Westin offer.

The hotel also offers a whole log house, which accommodates 24, but still does not offer cooking facilities, however guests can use Rusutsu Resort complex restaurants. They also have cottage options for up to 6 people who like a little more space, but once again, these do not have cooking facilities. These could be great options for large groups looking for Rusutsu accommodation.

Costs: Japanese style room for 4 people from around ¥26,600 per night, western style room for 4 people (three single beds and an extra) from around ¥26,600 per night. In the winter this goes up to around 98,000 a night.

Address:  〒048-1711 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Rusutsu, Izumikawa, 13番地


The Westin

Family-friendly, self-contained, Exclusive Westin facilities, can still use Rusustsu Resort facilities

The Westin Resort Rusutsu accommodation
The Westin is slightly separate from Rusutsu Resort but it has a regular monorail connecting them

The Westin is also part of the Rusutsu Resort complex, allowing its guests to use all the Rusutsu resort facilities such as the restaurants, wave pool, games room and more. However, the Westin does have its own facilities that the Vale and the Rusutsu Resort guests are not entitled to enjoy making it the most exclusive of the Rusutsu accommodation options.

These exclusive Westin Facilities are not available to the Vale and Rusutsu Resort customers:

  • Fitness studio including treadmills, exercise bikes, free weights, yoga mats and balance balls
  • Sauna
  • Indoor and outdoor hot spring: The Vale and Rusutsu Resort share their own onsen facilities while The Westin has their own dedicated hot springs
  • Breakfast buffet: The Westin offers their own breakfast buffet dining, which is a treat as the restaurants shared by Rusutsu Resort and the Vale can have huge lines in the morning
  • Room service

The Westin is also ski-in, ski-out as it’s located on the Mount Isola and East Mountain side of the resort. On this side of the resort, you can also find the snow play land including dog sledding and igloo barbecue.

Monorail

Rusutsu Resort and The Vale are connected by indoor walkway, whereas the Westin is slightly separate, but connected via a monorail which departs approximately every 15 minutes.

Costs: Rooms start at ¥24,000 a night, and go up to ¥190,000 a night. Depending on the season, this varies greatly.

Address: Abuta-Gun 133, 133 Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711, Japan


Rusutsu camp village (summer only)

Rusutsu camp village Rusutsu accommodation
Rusutsu is worth visiting in summer also

Rusutsu is stunning in summer also (article coming soon)! And Rusutsu offers the opportunity to camp in the lush surroundings of the Rusutsu Resort complex during summertime. This campsite offers a unique alternative to Rusutsu accommodation.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a tent, or you’re flying in from overseas, you can rent everything you need such as tents (and someone to set it up for you!), sleeping bags, lights, stoves etc!

Camping sets

A complete camping set for 4-5 people includes everything you could need including your tent and costs around ¥45,000.

In typical Japanese style, where everything is convenient, Rusutsu Resort also offers meal sets to cook. You can order locally sourced lamb, or even pizza-making kits for your own pizza oven for example.

Facilities include a camp shop, restrooms, parking and a large outdoor kitchen. Camping guests can also use the kotobuki onsen inside Rusutsu Resort for bathing.

For kids, there are games and equipment set up such as swings, trampolines and hammocks.

In the evening, there is an illuminated light maze and projection onto Rusutsu Resort to enjoy. During the day, there’s the incredible Rusutsu Resort amusement park (with hardly any lines!), and nature activities to enjoy such as hiking and horseriding.

For rainy days, there’s also many indoor activities such as craft options to feed creativity or rock-climbing and swimming in the wave pool to burn energy. These come at an extra cost, however.

Costs: camping sites start at ¥2,200 per night, however rental equipment if you require it, is a one-off fee of around ¥45,000 for a complete set.


Off-site accommodation (but still within walking distance)

Outside of the Rusutsu Resort ‘official’ accommodation, there are also other Rusutsu accommodation options, such as lodges and full houses to rent. Some of these present great value and are within a 10-20 minute walk from the Rusutsu resort facilities. Some also offer transportation as a 10-minute walk in thick snow and freezing conditions can sometimes be tricky.


WaPura Rusutsu – offsite Rusutsu accommodation

Fully self-contained, western style, three-bedroom house with kitchen and washing facilities

For a full house option for up to 6 guests, WaPura Rusutsu accommodation offers a newly renovated space with full kitchen, three bedrooms, washing machine, parking and more. It’s close to the resort, around a 10 minute walk.


Lodge Romulus – offsite Rusutsu accommodation

Large, western-style rooms with fridge, communal cooking and breakfast option

For a less expensive Rusutsu accommodation option try Lodge Romulus, which is also close to the resort, around 15 minutes walk, but the owners also offer transportation. The rooms also include a fridge and a communal kitchen area. Breakfast is an option for 1200 yen. The rooms are clean and the owners are helpful and kind.


Rusutsu Lodges Pension Lilla Huset – offsite Rusutsu accommodation

Western & Japanese style rooms, some with shared bathrooms, some private bathrooms

Another more affordable Rusutsu accommodation option is Rusutsu Lodges Pension Lilla Huset. This lodging is directly across from Rusutsu Resort and offers rooms with shared bathrooms or private bathroom options. The lodging offers breakfast and has a great restaurant on site called the Red House which offers a delicious shabu shabu dinner option (more info on this restaurant below).


Rusutsu accommodation comparison

Rusutsu accommodationmax guestsfacilitiesstyledistance from slopeswinter costssummer costs
The Vale10full kitchenwesterndirectly on slopesapprox ¥29k – 190k p/napprox ¥30k p/n
Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention4no cooking facilitiesJapanese or western rooms, or cottage styledirectly on slopesapprox
¥28k –
¥98k p/n

approx ¥28k p/n
The Westin7no cooking facilitieswestern (most are two levels)directly on slopesapprox ¥24k-190k p/napprox ¥24k p/n
WaPura Rusutsu6kitchen and washing machinewestern style house with 3 bedrooms8 min walk to Rusutsu Resortapprox ¥80k p/napprox ¥52k p/n
Lodge Romulus3kitchenette with stovewestern10 minute walk to Rusutsu Resort, however they also provide transportationapprox ¥40-¥50k p/napprox ¥20k p/n
Rusutsu Lodges Villa Lilla Huset5no cooking facilities, but buffet breakfast optionalMix of western and Japanese style10 minute walk to Rusutsu Resort, however they also offer a shuttleapprox ¥40-¥50k p/nn/a
Rusutsu Camp Village5cooking equipment can be rentedtent right on Rusutsu resort groundsN/A¥2,200 p/n
rental costs not included
Rusutsu accommodation comparison chart

Rusutsu Resort facilities

Rusutsu Resort is its own little world offering so much for guests. The indoor walkways snake around the facilities offering shopping, entertainment and dining facilities.


A magical land for kids

The Rusutsu Resort complex has its own indoor, European-style mini-land. The buildings pictured below offer an amusement park-type feel inside the resort.

In the North Wing’s first floor, there is an organ that plays music while the clock puppets dance and windows light up. These buildings are right next to the Oktoberfest restaurant and above the carousel and snow equipment shops.

In this same area of the resort, the North Wing, but a floor down, you will find the talking tree and the carousel. The talking tree is available all the time, and is free just like the carousel. The carousel however only opens in the afternoons from 1:00pm.

The Games room is located right next to the carousel and behind the talking tree on the ground floor of the north wing. Like the carousel, it opens at 1:00pm and offers claw machines, ‘whack a mole’ games and more. Games are paid separately.

Outside you can explore Stardust Avenue with many twinkling lights in the evening. There’s also plenty of space to play in the snow and try some sledding.


Daniel Street

Daniel Street is another area of Rusutsu Resort that has a few low-key dining options, some souvenir stores and a puppet band! Daniel Street connects the hotel to the kids’ ski school, the wave pool and more.

While in Daniel Street, don’t forget to get some souvenir photos at the photo booth for ¥600! These are so fun and it also makes a little video you can download in addition to the pictures. I also love that they add the ‘beauty filter’!

The only problem is that it’s located right outside the smoking room so you might need to hold your breath while you’re in there!


Hana Mori Kuma cream puffs/shu cream

Daniel Street also has the best cream puff, or shu cream eatery ever! They fill each cream puff with the freshest custard as you order so each is incredibly fresh, they are the best I have tasted in Japan! The kids are guaranteed to love these, as will the adults!


Wave pool

Rusutsu Resort attractions wave pool
The wave pool also has a slide

The wave pool is very cool. It has a slide that actually starts inside, goes outside the building and back in again!

The pool starts shallow and gets deeper and the waves aren’t always turned on, so the pool can be quite calm and then after a few minutes the waves will start and there is plenty of time for little ones to get out if they wish. The pool opens at 2pm daily until 10:00pm and is free for overnight guests to use.


Kotoboki Onsen

The Kotobuki onsen is a family-friendly onsen with large dressing room and washing area. It also has an indoor and outdoor spring with beautiful views over the mountainscape.

The onsen is open in the mornings from 6-9am and in the afternoons from 2pm.

The onsen rules state ‘whole body tattoos are not allowed’.


Day care/nursery

Rusutsu Resort Nursery School is a private nursery taking care of children from one year old to pre-schoolers on an hourly basis. You can however book your children for a whole day stay starting at 8:30am and closing at 6:30pm.

The nursery also provides lunch and snack if required. The nursery costs 2,000 yen per hour with lunch costing 1,300 yen and snack 250 yen. The nursery is closed on Tuesdays.


Other winter activities

Ice fishing (catch and release)

This three-hour ice-fishing experience was honestly one of the most memorable we had at Rusutsu.

Rusutsu Resort attractions Mount Yotei

The English-speaking guide will pick you up from the resort in a comfortable van and drive for around 30 minutes to the ice-fishing site.

The journey is gorgeous with beautiful views of Mount Yotei on snow-covered roads.

When you arrive at the fishing location, the guide offers hot chocolate or soup and life jackets, just in case.

The guide then shows you how to drill a hole in the ice and you can have a try yourself if you like.

Ice fishing commences, and before you can even count to 60, you’ve caught a trout! It’s a great experience for kids as the waiting time is minimal and all fish are released so there’s no trauma! Our kids loved this. We highly recommend this experience.

Hours: 9:45 – 12:45 / 13:30 – 16:30 from late December until Late March

Address: Ice fishing takes place at Big Fight Matsumoto, but you will be picked up and returned to Rusutsu Resort

Cost: ¥17,500 per person

Duration: The experience takes three hours total, with 30 minutes of travel time each way

Reservations: We suggest booking as soon as you can via the Rusutsu website


Horse riding

We loved our horse-riding experience in Rusutsu with our beautiful horses Max and Kimuchi. The views from the ranch across Lake Toya were stunning and the horses were gentle and calm.

Rusutsu Resort attractions horseriding
horse riding in Rusutsu is a wonderful experience

Riding a horse in the snow seemed too magical an experience to pass up, and we loved it.

Max, the smaller horse is a native Hokkaido horse and he was a little naughty as he kept trying to eat his way around the mountain, but the horse I rode, Kumichi was the ‘number one good boy on the ranch!’.

The experience took around two hours total including 30 minutes travel time each way in an air-conditioned van meandering along country roads with the most beautiful scenery.

The guide could speak English so he divided up our group and he took us alone to speak English the whole way.

We rode our horses up the mountain, through the snow to a wonderful view over Lake Toya from the mountaintop. The horses were calm and slow and it was a truly relaxing and beautiful experience.

Hours: 10:00 – 12:00 / 12:15 – 14:15 (Late December until Mid-March)

Duration: The actual horseriding is around 30 minutes, but the whole experience including travel tales around two hours in total.

Cost: ¥8,800 per person

Reservations: Book directly from the Rusutsu Resort website

Tip: Wear ski clothes all the time

I learned in Rusutsu there is so much snow everywhere you always need to be wearing snow clothes outdoors. The horses here are a bit wet as it snowed while they were waiting for us to arrive so I borrowed some ski pants at the ranch so I didn’t get soaked. Luckily they had some!


Dog sledding

The dog sledding activity takes place near the Westin Resort, so you will need to take the free monorail across (which our kids loved riding).

The dogs look healthy and well cared for and they became really excited when they were chosen to pull the sled along the 250 metre course. It’s a quick trip because these doggos are so fast!

The experience only lasts a few minutes, but the dogs run their little hearts out and as soon as they are done, they are given a big bowl of water and lots of pats.

The weight limit is 90 kilograms and children under four may sit on a parent’s lap while children over four can ride alone if they wish.

Hours: 10:00 – 14:30 (mid-December until late March), Closed Tuesdays

Duration: Around 15 – 20 minutes

Cost: ¥4,400 per person or ¥6,050 for two people

Reservations: Book directly from the Rusutsu Resort website


Other winter activities

There are many more activities to suit your interests such as snowmobile rides, snow drifting, snow rafting, nature tours and snow tent sauna and snow dive.


Kids ski school Rusutsu – Crayon Shinchan Ski School

Rusutsu Resort ski school

Rusutsu boasts the Crayon Shinchan Ski School which is perfectly suited to young children wishing to learn to ski properly. They offer ski lessons in English with instructors from English-speaking countries. They do not offer snowboard lessons.

They also have a large indoor ski practice component. The indoor part is quite clever, as it offers a respite from the sometimes inclement weather experienced in Rusutsu. Due to heavy snowfall, sometimes there are blizzards and it’s safer for children to stay indoors until the weather passes, but this way they are still learning and having fun.

When booking your child for ski school, they will ask you to confirm your child’s ability by asking you to confirm their ability in these areas:

  • experienced but can not stop
  • able to stop on gentle slope
  • able to make turns on a slow slope
  • able to make turn under control
  • able to ride a chair lift on slope

The child will then be placed in an appropriate class for their level and off they go!

Ski school hours and cost options:

Lesson times1) 10:00 – 12:002) 13:30 – 15:30Lunch: 12:00 – 13:30
Lesson duration2 hours (1 or 2)4 hrs (1+2)5.5 (1+2 + lunch)
Group lesson¥11,000¥17,000¥20,000
Private 1:1¥46,000¥62,000¥65,000
Private 1:2¥51,000¥67,000¥73,000
Private 1:3¥57,000¥72,000¥81,000
Crayon Shinchan Ski School hours and prices

Ski School public holiday lessons

The hours and prices listed on the table are for regular days only, during holidays the hours can change slightly and the prices increase also by around ¥1,000.

What to bring to ski school:

  • warm base layer (like thermals or warm undergarments)
  • ski wear (including ski jacket and pants
  • thin knit/hat for under helmet
  • high socks
  • outdoor gloves
  • goggles
  • indoor gloves
  • neckwarmer or buff balaclava

**skis, ski boots and helmets are included in the lesson price**


Where to eat in Rusutsu?

Restaurants on site

The resort has many dining options on-site, however, I do suggest you book some restaurants off-site but within close walking distance for some of your stay to save money and avoid crowds. See these options below under ‘restaurants off-site’.

There are restaurants dotted throughout the Rusutsu Resort complex some requiring reservations and others just walk-in.

There are also more casual dining options in the North Wing of the Resort in a section called Daniel Street.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is the large buffet restaurant on-site at Rusutsu Resort. This is a dinner and breakfast buffet. The dinner options are incredible and if you like snow crab, this restaurant offers all-you-can-eat! They also offer seafood bowls that you can customise with your favourite sashimi toppings.

However this restaurant gets very busy, so I suggest you go early, especially with kids to avoid the huge lines getting in and then lines at the food stations which can snake all around the restaurant.

Rusutsu Resort restaurants

Breakfast is usually included in accommodation packages at the Rusutsu Resort hotels and includes the plentiful breakfast buffet at Oktoberfest. We found this a little frustrating as the lines to get into the restaurant were incredibly long in the mornings.

Halfway through our stay, the resort did implement some breakfast boxes that could be picked up from a different location in lieu of the breakfast buffet which was a much better option.

However, as we stayed at the Vale with a full kitchen, I actually wished breakfast wasn’t included in our stay so we could leisurely cook and eat breakfast in the apartment and avoid the breakfast crowds altogether before hitting the slopes. In fact, we did do this anyway and forfeited our paid-for breakfast for some of our stay.

Cost: Dinner ¥6,600 per adult; ¥4,620 per child; breakfast (if not included) ¥3,300 per adult, ¥2,310 per child or ¥2,200 for the breakfast box

Hours: 6am – 9:30am (last order 9am) & 17:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:30)


Pub Cricket Bar and Grill

Rusutsu Resort restaurants

This casual bar and grill is located on Daniel Street and is a great place to relax with a beer after a day of skiing. They also have a fantastic band to help unwind for the day.

There’s no need to book a table, as it offers walk-in. The menu includes mouth-watering burgers, rotisserie chicken, local craft beer floats and more.

There are 17 eating options on-site. Here is the full list of restaurants, please note which require reservations and plan in advance.


Restaurants off-site (but within walking distance)

Rusutsu Resorts offers some great dining options, but there are also restaurants within walking distance that offer great value and less expensive prices than the Rusutsu Resort options. Just remember to book in advance!

Tip: Book restaurants outside the resort ahead of time to save money and avoid crowds

The restaurants on site can be expensive and busy, so I suggest you book restaurants off the resort before your visit. Go for the earliest dinner time, as chances are, everyone will be ravenous after a day on the snow.


Red House – for shabu-shabu

This cute little restaurant is only a three-minute walk from Rusutsu Resort and has delicious home-style shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot) as well as a variety of other dishes such as hamburg steaks, garlic prawns, Hokkaido grilled chicken and more.

The shabu-shabu dinner set for two costs around ¥2,500 per person while other main dishes are around ¥1,600.

Hours: 12pm – 9pm

Address: Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711

Located directly behind Seiko Mart inside of the Rusutsu Lodges North Building

Access: Walk for three minutes from Rusutsu Resort or drive and park directly in front.

Contact info/reservations: Call 0136-55-5103 or visit website


Pirate Man – for izakaya (pub-style food)

This cute and small izakaya serves up delicious food and great hospitality only a few minutes’ walk from Rusutsu Resort. They have a variety of dishes both Japanese and western catering to families.

Hours: 5:30pm – 9pm (closed Tuesdays)

Address: 35-9 Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711, Japan

Access: Walk for around 10 minutes from Rusutsu Resort or drive and park right in front

Reservations: 0136-55-7646


Yo-chan – for hot pot

A family-run local restaurant offering Genghis Khan-style mongolian lamb grill and hot pot with Hokkaido crab and seafood options. It’s a short 5-10 minute walk from the resort, but offers a respite from the crowds. Make a reservation far in advance.

Hours: 5:30pm – 10pm or 11pm every day in winter

Address: 24 Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711

Access: walk around 10 minutes from the resort

Reservations: 090 7511 1221 or website


Convenience stores close by

Rusutsu Resort restaurants near by

Only 5 minutes walk from Rusutsu Resort you can find 7-Eleven and Seicomart convenience stores.

These stores are a great option to get meals on the go such as the famous ‘love love sando‘ (creamy egg sandwich), or some heat-up ramen.

They also offer fruits and vegetables, drinks (yes beer!) and also hot food options like chicken nuggets and pork buns.

You can also buy breakfast items here such as eggs, bacon, milk and cereal if you decide to cook breakfast in your self-contained accommodation.

Grocery delivery

The Vale offers a grocery delivery service, however we tried organising this a week prior to our trip and were told it was too late. So if you want to do that, try further ahead of time.


Getting to Rusutsu Resort

From Sapporo to Rusutsu Resort

Rusutsu Resort offers a free shuttle bus from Sapporo! It’s a two-hour journey between Sapporo and Rusutsu, so a free shuttle is a great option as private transfers can be expensive.

The free shuttle leaves at 8am every day from Kamori Building 3 Sapporo. The bus arrives at Rusutsu Resort around 10am with a quick break along the way.

From Rusutsu Resort to Sapporo

The shuttle also runs in reverse from Rusutsu Resort to Sapporo departing 16:40 from the Vale, 16:50 from the Westin and 17:00 from Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention. The bus arrives in Sapporo at 19:00.

**Please make sure you book in advance!**

Reservations: [email protected] or via the website.


From New Chitose airport to Rusutsu Resort

BigRuns buses operate a service between New Chitose airport and Rusutsu Resort in winter only (25/11/2023 – 31/02/2024). This shuttle costs ¥4,500 per seat and children under two sitting on a lap do not require a ticket.

You must reserve at least seven days in advance to use this service. Please view the website for reservation and full details of the location meeting point at New Chitose airport.

Reservations: [email protected] or via website


Private transfer

If you prefer a private transfer rather than bus to Rusutsu Resort, try Go Hokkaido. They offer a chartered van any time that suits you for around ¥36,000 from Sapporo.

Reservations are essential.

Reservations: Go Hokkaido website or email [email protected]


Round up of Rusutsu accommodation

Rusutsu offers the opportunity for an unforgettable family vacation. The accommodation on offer suits all types of budgets, family compositions and preferences ranging from the super luxurious Vale resort to cosy pension accommodation such as Lodge Romulus or Rusutsu Lodges Pension Lilla Huset on the less expensive side.

Wherever you choose to stay, Rusutsu will leave you bewitched with its magical scenery and unbelievable powder snow.

Watch the Perfect 47 Rusutsu Accommodation video