With over 40 years of history since its founding, Rusutsu Resorts has long been one of Japan’s most beloved snow resort destinations catering to families and groups travelling for a diverse nature-abundant offering in all seasons.

Rusutsu, meaning a path at the foot of a mountain in the native Ainu language, was named after the history of its village site, a legacy it continues to champion to this day. What makes Rusutsu so unique is its extraordinarily vast footprint covering a total of 820 hectares, operating the largest number of ski lifts and gondolas in any single ski resort in Hokkaido — perfectly accommodating vacationers in pursuit of pure powder snow.

Rusutsu Resorts’s third generation President and CEO Hisatake Kamori — who stepped into the role in 2018 — has been leading the established resort with a contemporary vision that sees new wellness suites, newly-built modern condominiums The Vale Rusutsu, a newly-renovated hot spring onsen utilising their own rich mineral water source, and dining facilities worthy of any gourmet traveller.

Located in Japan’s north island of Hokkaido, Rusutsu is positioned just a short hour-and-half car journey from New Chitose Airport taking guests through Hokkaido’s picturesque scenery. Departing the urban city, through to a stunning view of white birch shirakaba trees native to the area, past Lake Shikotsu Tōya and through Shikotsu Tōya National Park, whilst gradually increasing into a white, snowy landscape of mountains.

WELLNESS SUITES

Welcoming 14 newly-designed wellness-focussed guestrooms to the resort — twelve Wellness Suites in a luxury glamping style and two Wellness Premium Suites in a superior suite format — each is focussed on recharging and rejuvenating guests in ultimate comfort and luxury. Located on Rusutsu Resort’s 9th floor with a sleek and sophisticated corridor entrance, the rooms features stellar views of the property’s pure, mountainous surrounds.

The Wellness Premium Suites — comprised of an expansive 99sqm — feature a large private bath with projection mapping artwork, private Finnish-style sauna, cold bath and impressive wellness-focussed machines utilising the latest technology on the market. Guests can self-operate each machine at leisure during their stay. From hydrogen inhaler Suilive from Suiso Japan promising anti-ageing benefits that include improving immunity as well as improving the flow of red blood cells whilst activating white blood cells, to Celldrive Pro — a state-of-the-art advanced-technology multifunctional esthetic skincare machine — allowing guests to operate both body and facial treatment functions.

The Wellness Premium Suite interior was designed as two contrasting halves — the lounge area, bath, sauna and wellness corner features a sophisticated dark marble, whilst the adjoining bedroom is met with neutral, organic tones in a palette of cream and beige providing a meditative, calm atmosphere. The room features a sublime texturality that includes a textile-clad ceiling fabricated in a pattern inspired by the surrounding mountainous terrain. An additional Panasonic Facial Steamer, Panasonic Body Massage chair and an O2 Oxygyen Capsule can also be enjoyed at leisure in the bedroom, aiding in recovery from fatigue with therapeutic benefits.

Within each suite, all of the six senses are considered. In-room, a nebulising diffuser oil from Japanese company @aroma produces botanical air with 100% Pure Essential Oil blends. Guests can choose from Refresh (Marjoram Pine), Relax (Geranium Lavender), and Positive (Bergamot Mandarin) in the form of glass canisters that are easily inserted into the electric diffuser.

The additional twelve Wellness Suites designed in a luxury glamping style occupy a comfortable 66sqm and feature a deep, round goemonburo traditional Japanese bath, accompanied by all-timber Barrel Sauna and indoor camping-inspired lounge area.

Focussed on highlighting the best of the region, Rusutsu Resort have curated an impressive selection for the in-room mini bar, offering locally-crafted beverages and snacks. Find Higashikawa Sparkling Water from Hokkaido’s Mt Asahidake, to Saturdays ‘Bean To Bar’ Hokkaido Milk Chocolate crafted in Sapporo, and Hakko Original Ginger Beer made in the neighbouring town, Niseko. The suites also stock North Farm Stock’s 100% straight tomato and apple juices, alongside the brand’s Hokkaido Cube Potato (rich truffle) snacks.

For on-site dining, Rusutsu’s stellar restaurant Sekkatei led by Executive Chef Mizukami alongside Sommelier Miyakawa, prepare a truly unforgettable dining experience designed around modern wellness — integrating sumi charcoal ink or blue spirulina to sushi rice and beverages for their unique health benefits.

WINTER LUXURY PROGRAMS

Sports enthusiasts can also indulge in Rusutsu Resorts’s one-of-a-kind programs such as Champagne Powder Addiction offering limited guests exclusive, private access to guarantee champagne-like powder snow in the neighbouring mountain Nakayama Pass, with all-inclusive photography and catering. For information on the 2023/24 Winter Programming, discover more here.

With an extensive and unmatched legacy, Rusutsu Resorts‘s third generation President Hisatake Kamori is leading with a vision for the future, developing modern and sophisticated, contemporary design spaces for all guests to enjoy their pristine, snow-capped landscape and winter playground.

RUSUTSU RESORT
13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura,
Abuta-gun 048-1711
Hokkaido, Japan

For more design and travel destinations in Japan, click here.

Text: Editor-in-Chief Joanna Kawecki
Images: As credited, Rusutsu Resorts & Champ Magazine©