Event Detail

In a short few years Japan’s Niseko has become a globally recognized brand and winter destination, and is destined to be “Asia’s Aspen” in the near future. Billions of dollars are earmarked for investment in Niseko’s villages over the next few years by Asia’s largest development companies in preparation for the new Shinkansen that will place Niseko’s skifields, the snowiest in the world, just 3 1/2 hours from Tokyo Station. These projects have transformed the Niseko area, physically, economically and culturally from just one more moribund domestic tourism destination in decline to a vibrant, multi-cultural model of public/private partnerships.

Australian and now increasingly Asian pioneers and entrepreneurs have led the way in rationalizing hospitality infrastructure and ski field development. Examples include the Hilton Niseko Village with multiple hotels and golf courses, the Grand Hirafu Resort with its multiplicity of Western and Japanese dining experiences including a Michelin Star restaurant, and the Hanazono Village that is being built to accommodate over 3,000 new residences, several world-class hotels and state of the art all-season recreational amenities.

Our speakers are:
Riccardo Tossani is a Tokyo-based architect whose firm won an international competition for the design of the Hanazono Resort, now well underway with the first new Base Lodge just completed. He was also architect and master planner of the new Hirafuzaka Main Street, now under construction.

Colin Hackworth is a ski industry veteran with more than 32 years of experience in ski resorts across the globe. Prior to his role as President and founding shareholder of Nihon Harmony Resorts KK (NHR), he was CEO of two of Australia’s largest ski resorts.

VENUE: Roppongi Hills Club, 51F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower
MAP: <http://www.roppongihillsclub.com/visitor/dfw/en/info/access.html>
NOTE: This meeting is OFF THE RECORD