Everyone flies to Hokkaido in the winter to ski. However, it’s actually just as wonderful in the summer. This is when the flowers are in bloom and the trees are a verdant shade of green that represent hope and life. It’s pure happiness to stroll around, enjoying the clear skies and cool weather.

This was how we felt, staying for a few days at the Chalet Mizunara. This is a lovely four-bedroom modern villa that we found via the Elite Havens website. It’s considered one of the nicest rental villas in the neighborhood of Lower Hirafu, an area popular with tourists.

One day, we’d just had brunch and were relaxing in the living room. Niseko Gourmet offers catering for Chalet Mizunara and we’d taken them up for daily brunches and dinners. That particular day, Annie of Niseko Gourmet had made the most delicious chicken rice at my request. We’d eaten way too much and something healthy was in order.

HOME SERVICE MASSAGE IN NISEKO

This was when the idea hit me. I asked Annie: “Is there a good masseuse who can come over?”

What better way to spend the afternoon, than having a relaxing massage several hours after a relaxing meal. Annie had a quick answer. A French lady named Melody actually offered massage treatments for Chalet Mizunara guests. She literally brought a spa with her. She had a large folding massage table, a pile of fluffy towels, and even spa music on demand.

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We read books until Melody arrived with her paraphernalia. Entering the living room, she asked cheerfully: “Where shall we set up for the massage?”

I looked around the villa as there were several options for a massage venue. We even had extra bedrooms to turn into a spa treatment room, if needed. But the second floor terrace suddenly caught my eye. So I said: “Can we have an al fresco massage? On the terrace?”

WHERE TO PUT A MASSAGE BED

The second floor terrace of the Chalet Mizunara is surrounded by greenery so there is enough privacy. Melody replied: “That’s a wonderful idea.” She quickly set up the spa on the terrace and we took turns getting the knots kneaded out of our backs.

Melody turned out to be one of the best massage therapists I’d ever met. She had a sixth sense for aches and pains, and a skilled touch. Furthermore, it was wonderful to lie on a massage bed in the open air hearing the birds chirping around.

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When my 60 minutes of bliss were over, I couldn’t wait to have it all over again. So I quickly booked her for every afternoon of our stay. And then it became a wonderful way of spending our days at the Chalet Mizunara, living a Travelife.

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On holiday for two weeks in beautiful Hokkaido, we ended our stay with several days at the Chalet Mizunara of Elite Havens Luxury Villa Rentals and Management. Located in a quiet street of vacation homes in Lower Hirafu, it’s a lovely four bedroom house that’s ever so relaxing.

ABOUT CHALET MIZUNARA IN NISEKO OF ELITE HAVENS

Meanwhile, the Chalet Mizunara is an attractive contemporary house. It’s all concrete, polished wood and steel so it has an industrial but warm feel. Most guests reportedly like it immediately. We certainly did.

In the summer, guests can enjoy views of greenery from the terraces and big picture windows. Meanwhile, in the winter, when the big tree behind the house sheds its leaves, guests are treated to a majestic view of Mount Yotei. As far as residents in Niseko are concerned, this is the million yen view that separates premium properties from ordinary ones.

A HOUSE DESIGNED FOR SNOW

From the outside, the villa looks like a simple box-like structure. The kind you’d expect to see in Niseko. Because of its extreme winter climate, the walls are thick for heat insulation and these have the added bonus of being cool in the summer. Meanwhile, the overall shape of the house is functional for heavy snowfall.

LAYOUT OF CHALET MIZUNARA

However, when you enter, it is anything but simple. For one thing, every living space is on a different level. There are two bedrooms and utility rooms on the ground floor, and guests usually enter from a double door entrance on the first floor.

From the entrance foyer, it’s a flight of stairs up to the living room and the first terrace. Then there’s a sitting area with book shelves and a fireplace two steps up. Meanwhile, the kitchen and the long dining table are on another level.

HOUSE WITH A VIEW OF MOUNT YOTEI

Two ensuite master bedrooms occupy the top floor and share a massive terrace with the best views of Mount Yotei in the winter. Each has a spacious bathroom with a deep built-in bathtub that’s a cross between a Japanese-style soaking tub and an oversized Western-style bathtub.

The design throughout Chalet Mizunara is stylish and yet practical. Everything has muted colors and clean lines so the effect is quite relaxing.

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It’s also constructed to house large families comfortably. For one thing, there are enough bathrooms for everyone. This feature should not be underestimated by holiday makers when choosing the best villa to book in Niseko. In general, bathrooms are always in short supply when everyone is in a rush to head for the ski slopes at the same time.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BATHROOMS

The situation is especially acute in Japanese-style homes. The idea of ensuite bathrooms plus extra bathrooms for the common areas is very much a Western concept so please make sure to ask about the number of bathrooms when renting.

There are also enough nooks and crannies at Chalet Mizunara so that every guest can find some peace and quiet without others getting in the way. I suppose this is the beauty of the multi-level construction.

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Again, this feature is especially vital for villa rentals in Hokkaido in the winter. You see, amidst the extreme cold of Hokkaido, you’re basically confined to your villa unless you are out skiing or doing adventure sports.

Meanwhile, the Chalet Mizunara is perfect in the summer. You can open all the windows and terrace doors to allow in the breeze, and everywhere you look is a fresh green. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and every day is just wonderful.

Read more about the best places to stay in Hokkaido in Travelife Magazine.

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