We celebrated the start of 2018 in true Japanese style! Together with our guests, we welcomed the new year with a host of events including live music, workshops and traditional ceremonies, and here is a wrap-up of our festivities.
A traditional New Year Sake Celebration or "Kagamiwari" in the Ki Lobby to bring in 2018.
On New Year's Eve we started our celebrations with a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and "taiko" drumming. Guests then enjoyed the New Year's Eve Fireworks and 42nd Torchlight Skiing on the slopes of Niseko.
Torchlight skiers making the shape of '2018' to celebrate the New Year.
On New Year's Day we hosted a traditional New Year sake celebration or "Kagamiwari" and traditional Japanese game known as "Fukuwarai". Kagamiwari is a Japanese ritual of breaking open of a barrel of sake (Japanese rice wine) on a special occasion like New Year's Day.
Guests also soaked up the atmosphere of authentic mochi making and getting to taste the mochi, too! The Japanese New Year tradition of mochisuki (餅つき), is the pounding of rice to make mochi (a rice cake that can be eaten in a sweet or savory dish or on it's own).
A guest helping to make New Year mochi.
Live music was also brought in New Year cheer with the Japanese harp or "koto" being played, complete with artists wearing beautiful, colourful kimonos.
The soothing sounds of a zampona and guitar duo also had everybody mesmerised!
The mesmerising sounds of the Japanese harp.
Thank you and Happy New Year to all of our amazing guests and visitors to Ki Niseko over the festive season.
See out host of in-house events coming up at our Events page. See you in 2018!
