Rhythm Japan リズムジャパン

Pickup is free from 1 pm the day before your hire starts, and the gear can stay with you until 10 am the day after it ends. Fitting happens in store — Rhythm does not deliver to lodges, because boots get checked on your feet. Pre-booking asks for height in cm, weight in kg and ability level.

On your first rental day a free shuttle can collect you, get you fitted and drop you back at your lodge with the gear, subject to availability. The pickup zone covers Hirafu, Niseko Village, Hanazono and Annupuri; Moiwa, Niseko Town and Kutchan sit outside it. Call 20–30 minutes ahead — the shuttle cannot be booked in advance.

Standard sets let you swap between skis and a snowboard as often as you like, which suits a group where someone is still deciding. Premium is the higher-end fleet you swap by conditions: powder, groomers or park. You can upgrade mid-trip and pay the difference for the days left. Insurance for repairable damage (base scratches, core shots, edge work) is included.

Not in the set: helmets, wrist guards, jackets, pants and après boots are separate rentals, and goggles and gloves are not rented at all, so buy them in store. Boots that hurt can be swapped any time during the hire.