Cover Sylvia Tang, CEO and co-founder of Apex Property Limited (Photo: courtesy of Sylvia Tang)
Sylvia Tang, CEO and co-founder of Apex Property Limited (Photo: courtesy of Sylvia Tang)
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Be it pickleball courts, a nail and lash spa or an on-site organic farm, Sylvia Tang is bringing new experiences to Niseko's luxury property boom with her latest project, Hanacreek. She shares how travel is changing in the region, and where "in the know" travellers go to eat and drink when in town
The luxury property boom in Niseko continues. But in a sea of snow-capped chalets and condos, how does one stand out?
Sylvia Tang—CEO and co-founder of Apex Property Limited which developed luxury Niseko properties Loft Niseko and Hanaridge—says the secret is actually to shift the focus away from skiers. “There are more non-skiers and beginners travelling to Niseko than ever, so not everyone is looking to ski all day,” says Tang. “They are looking for other activities.”
Tang’s latest property development, Hanacreek, will offer just that, and in a way that she says “has never been done before in Niseko”. Alongside luxury townhouses and serviced apartments designed by Tokyo-based Ricardo Tossani Architects, Hanacreek will have a clubhouse with wellness, beauty and leisure facilities. Says Tang, “Our spa will offer the usual—facials, body scrubs and massages—but also manicures, pedicures and even lashes because they can sometimes get ruined after skiing.” We love a girls’ girl.
“A lot of the properties [in Niseko] are nice, but didn’t cater to the Hong Kong palate,” says Tang. “Historically, when they look at purchasing a [holiday] home, they would look at Bali or Phuket. Now, it’s Niseko. It’s really become a playground for the wealthy. What I’m offering is an estate that caters to everyone, whether you’re a travelling as a group of guys, a group of women or a young family.”
As Niseko becomes an increasingly family-friendly destination, Hanacreek’s on-site kids club will offer year-round activities ranging from swimming lessons to origami classes, snow-shoeing across surrounding grounds to learn about plants, trees and animals, and cooking classes using ingredients grown on the property's private rooftop garden.
See also: A food lover’s guide to Niseko, Hokkaido
Hanacreek was designed by Ricardo Tossani Architects
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Hanacreek’s facilities place a strong focus on wellness, with a fully-equipped gym, yoga studios, an indoor swimming pool, pickleball courts plus an infrared sauna and cold plunge circuit. There will also be a private onsen for each property—an increasingly rare luxury in Niseko following the Kutchan council's decision to stop onsen drilling in the surrounding areas of Hirafu and Kabayama.
Even the dining venues at Hanacreek will place emphasis on wellness, showcasing organic and seasonal ingredients. A deli in the clubhouse will stock a curated selection of locally produced goods, while the on-site restaurant will showcase seasonal menus, sometimes by visiting special guest chefs, using herbs and vegetables grown on the rooftop garden. This comes as no surprise, given Tang considers herself to be a "foodie". Naturally, we had to ask her about some of her favourite places to eat in and around Niseko.
Takazawa
This exclusive, invite-only fine dining restaurant is the Niseko outpost of chef Yoshi Takazawa’s famed Tokyo restaurant of the same name. “The chef is very passionate about the food he creates for his guests,” says Tang.
Torimatsu
Fun fact: The late Anthony Bourdain visited this humble family-owned yakitori restaurant in 2011. Owner Akihiro Matsuo is a master on the grill—and although grilled skewers of chicken meat and other chicken bits are the stars of the show, don’t miss out on delicacies such as grilled crab legs, whole squid and pig liver. The sashimi here is pretty great, too.
Rikka
Led by a local chef, Rikka is housed in a charming cabin-style building. Here, a refined omakase menu featuring seasonal ingredients is served in a refreshingly laid-back environment. “[This is] a new one, which is a very casual Kaiseki in Kutchan,” says Tang. “It just opened la few months ago, but I have already been there twice already this season. It’s amazing.”
81 Niseko
Described by Tang as a “hidden gem”, 81 Niseko is an innovative, modern kaiseki dining experience helmed by chef Takeshi Nagashima. Originally from Tokyo, Nagashima previously worked at the world-famous El Bulli before opening 81 Niseko after “falling in love” with the region.
BCC White Rock
A cosy, celebrated pizzeria in Hanazono, Tang says BCC White Rock has gotten the stamp of approval from many Italian visitors. “A lot of Italians who dine there, they think, ‘oh wow, this is like just as good, or if not better than Italy’,” she says.
Sushi Shin
Under the leadership of chef Masaki Miyagawa—a three Michelin-star sushi chef with an eponymous restaurant in Sapporo and highly regarded branches in Hong Kong and at the Four Seasons Kyoto—Sushi Shin serves world-class Edomae sushi crafted from the freshest seasonal fish and seafood found in Hokkaido.
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
