Keep Slopes & Streets Clean
Who is Kappa?
The Kappa (河童) is a legendary water-dwelling creature, a type of yōkai (supernatural spirit), that means "river child". The Kappa is drawn to Niseko because the Shiribetsu River is renowned as one of the cleanest in Japan. These creatures are known for their amphibious nature, a turtle-like shell, and a bowl on their head filled with water that gives them power. This mischievous river imp demands politeness and cleanliness (and hates filth), and can be a symbol of respect for water and nature’s purity.
Please take your litter and trash home, or find a trash can.
During winter the magical snow makes the litter vanish…until the spring melt, and the garbage rears its ugly head. Several times in spring, the local residents, businesses, and school children organize massive clean-ups of the village, wandering deep into the weeds to pick up beer cans and glasses left by winter visitors. So if you feel the urge to toss a beer can in the snow drift, consider the 80 year old retiree who will pick it up for you in four months.
Unfortunately, the mountains are just too big and too hard to access in spring, so the litter people toss while riding is slowly accumulating. Some people treat the mountain as their personal toilet, even though with a small amount of planning there are numerous mountain restaurants with restrooms. This really hurts the Kappa, leaving it weakened and unhappy. Kappa says “please, be clean in the mountains!”
Community garbage stations are for local residents only, and are a simple but efficient system that works well if the trash is sorted properly, and put out only on designated days. Unfortunately, during winter the garbage stations often get stuffed with visitor trash until they overflow onto the streets - which is perhaps the single biggest source of frustration for locals. Recycling and garbage management is a point of pride in Japan, with more than 10 categories for separation. Most visitors only see the simplified rules.
