Winter Rentals & Services

Equipment can be picked up free of charge after 1pm the night before the rental starts and can be kept until 10am the day after the rental period finishes.

Due to hygiene reasons we don’t rent these items. However we have a great range of low cost gloves and goggles in our retail range.

There is a replacement charge, however if the equipment is returned to us in its original state we will refund the money. In the meantime we will fit you out with a new set of skis/board so you can continue your holiday.

Rhythm Hirafu shop is located 100m from the Grand Hirafu Gondola, directly opposite of Ki Niseko.

Rhythm Summit shop is located in the centre of Hirafu Village, 50m above the town’s only traffic lights and a short walking distance from the family chair lift.

Rhythm Setsu is located inside Setsu hotel, about 300 metres from the Grand Hirafu gondola.

Rhythm Wadano (Hakuba) is located at the old Wadano Visitors Centre, next to Mominoki Hotel.

Rhythm Happo located in central Happo-one, a short walk from both the Happo-one Gondola and the Happo Bus Terminal.

Rhythm Furano is located in a custom-built space inside the Fenix accommodation, directly opposite Furano Ski Resort’s Kitanomine Gondola.

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We provide a free pick up and drop off service on your first day of rentals, so once you have been fitted out with your rentals, we can drive you back to your accommodation.

Helmets, wrist guards, après boots, jackets and pants are all additional items and need to be booked separately.

We want to ensure that you’re kitted and fitted in all the correct gear, as such, Rhythm requires all customers to provide their height (cm) and weight (kg) measurements, as well as their ability level in accordance with our Skills Guide.

We do not deliver equipment. Although we may have all your sizing details, it is still important that the renter gets fitted in the store to ensure the customer gets the right gear specific to them.

Absolutely! Regardless of the package rented, it is important that the boots fit well. If you have trouble with your boots, come into the store and we can change them for a better fit!

There is insurance built into the price of the rental and this covers repairable damage, which includes:

– Base work and p-tex
– Tunes and edge sharpening
– Base patches
– Core shots

If there is extensive but fixable damage, the minimum cost of a full tune is charged.

If equipment is damaged beyond repair, the payable insurance excess is the 14-day rental price for that item.

Non-repairable damage includes:

– Snapped board or ski
– Cracked top sheet
– Excessive base damage
– De-lamination
– Lost or stolen item

View our Terms & Conditions for more details.

Yes, lessons and rental can be booked as package. But not lift pass.

Yes, you can pick up your gear from our store in Niseko, Furano and Hakuba then take it to other resorts within Japan.

Standard is a ski/board designed for first-timers, intermediates, and the budget-conscious. Standard equipment can be swapped between disciplines, helping those who can’t decide if they would like to learn skiing or snowboarding by giving them access to both!

Premium is a more specific ski/board, designed to cater to all ability levels, whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned expert. The range features the latest equipment from the best brands. The equipment can also be swapped to suit the snow conditions or the type of riding you wish to do, i.e., groomers, powder, park, or all-mountain.

Yes. The price difference is determined by the amount of time used compared to the amount of time remaining.

Yes. Standard package can be swapped unlimited times between the same package.

Ski boots start at a size 15.5cm and go up to a size 33.5cm.

Snowboard boots start at a size US2 (kids) and go up to a size US16.

No. We are unable to hold specific boards or skis as another customer may have the product out at the time of your arrival. When you pick up your rentals we can check our system and see when the product is expected back and contact you if it arrives earlier.

Yes, but you can only book with our backcountry tour.

Yes! We can pick you up and take you to our shop to collect your rental equipment.

Our Niseko area includes Hirafu, Niseko Village, Hanazono & Annupuri.

Our Hakuba area includes Happo, Wadano, Echoland, Goryu and Sierra.

Our Furano area includes Kitanomine to city centre.

Shuttles cannot be pre-booked ahead of time, please call us 15-20 mins in advance. 

1.1. Insurance is built into the price of the rental and this covers repairable damage, which includes:

1.1.1. Base Work and P-Tex.

1.1.2. Tunes and edge sharpening.

1.1.3. Base patches.

1.1.4. Core shots.

1.2. If there is extensive damage from misuse of equipment, but can be fixed, the minimum cost of a full tune is charged.

1.3.  If equipment is damaged beyond repair or lost/stolen, the payable insurance excess is 14-days’ rental for premium and backcountry gear and accessories, and 10-days’ rental for standard gear and alpine accessories.

1.4. Examples of non-repairable damage includes:

1.4.1. Excessive damage from misuse of equipment, such as skiing down roads.

1.5. If the non-repairable damage is deemed a product fault which can be claimed by Rhythm Japan as a warranty from the supplier, no charge will be required from the customer.

1.6. Normal wear and tear on all rental equipment will not incur a charge.

1.7. If a rental bicycle is damaged beyond repair or lost/stolen, the replacement fee will be charged based on the cost price of an equivalent model.

2.1 Cancellations of paid reservations made more than 48 hours prior to the rental start date will receive a full refund. 

2.2 Booking amendments made more than 48 hours prior to the rental start date will receive a balance refund in case of reduction. 

2.3 Cancellations/reductions of paid reservations within 48 hours will not be refunded. Instead, guests will receive store credit of equal value to the cancelled portion of the booking. Store credit will be valid for the current season, in any Rhythm Stores in Japan. 

2.4 In the case where the additional items were used and exceed the paid amount of the original booking, the payment for the additional items can be made in-store.  

2.5 Refunds will be made for extreme weather, mountain closures, injury or illness, flight cancellations or full-day flight delays.

2.6  Flywire may charge additional processing fees, including up to 1% of the refund amount.
Flywire is the Payment Platform used for online transactions with Rhythm Japan.

All customers must agree to the following personal liability and injury policy when renting equipment from Rhythm Japan. Customers renting equipment are referred to ‘The Hirer’ for the purposes of this policy:

3.1. The Hirer (customer) understands the information contained therein and warrants, agrees and accepts the information provided by him or her is true and correct.

3.2 The hirer also understands, warrants, agrees and accepts that the ski or snowboard boot-binding system of any ski or snowboard equipment has been adjusted and set based on the information provided by the hirer.

3.3. The hirer understands that rental equipment has been correctly tuned and set up based on information provided by the hirer.

3.4. The hirer further understands, warrants, agrees and accepts that the ski or snowboard-binding system equipment will not release at all times, under all conditions and in all circumstances; and that Rhythm Japan, its employees, affiliates or agents cannot and will not guarantee or indemnify the safety of the hirer or any third (3rd) party. All snow sports (skiing, snowboarding, touring, tobogganing) carry the risk of injury and damage to property, and that risk is reduced but not eliminated by correct bindings, the use of wrist guards and an approved helmet. All summer sports including but not exclusive of road biking, mountain biking carry the risk of injury and damage to property, and that risk is reduced but not eliminated by the use of approved helmets, correct footwear, body protectors.

3.5. The hirer understands, warrants, agrees and accepts that there are inherent risks of injury involved in using the equipment hired and where such injury arises the hirer will indemnify and keep indemnified Rhythm Japan, its employees, affiliates and agents from all actions, suits and claims for damage and demands for personal injury, loss or damage sustained by the hirer or any person named in this schedule or any third (3rd) party. 

3.6. For any loss and theft of equipment the hirer agrees to reimburse Rhythm & Beats Co.,Ltd for a replacement cost at the value of 14 days rental of that specific item for Premium and Backcountry gear and, 10 days rental of that specific item for Standard gear or alpine accessories, or subsequent rental days until it is returned to the store.*

The replacement fee for a lost or stolen bicycle is based on the cost price of an equivalent replacement model.

3.7. If there is extensive damage from misuse of equipment, but it can be repaired, the minimum cost of a full tune is charged. Where equipment is damaged beyond repair the payable insurance excess is 14 days rental of that specific item for Premium and Backcountry gear and 10 days rental of that specific item for standard gear or alpine accessories. Normal wear and tear on all rental equipment will not incur a charge.

3.8. The hirer confirms, understands, acknowledges and accepts that in the event where personal injury, loss or damage to either the hirer or any third (3rd) party arising out of the use of such equipment occurs, it is the responsibility of the hirer to make good such personal injury, loss or damage*.

3.9. The customer warrants that he or she is 18 years of age or more.

3.10. The hirer agrees that any outstanding money owing that has not been settled before the hirer returns the equipment can later be charged to hirer’s credit card at Rhythms discretion.

3.11. *The 14 days rate will be applied to Premium and Backcountry equipment and the 10 days rate will be applied to Standard equipment and alpine accessories only. Other items will be calculated at cost value.

4.1. Children’s prices are determined by age.

4.2. Children aged 13 years and under are considered “children” or “kids” for the purpose of renting equipment.

5.1. We encourage all customers to swap equipment when renting our Premium packages. This means you can change your skis or board to suit the snow conditions.

5.2. We also provide a FREE waxing service for our Premium gear as the snow temperature changes dramatically in Japan, which means we have change wax compound to suit.

5.3. Swapping from skis to snowboards and vice versa is FREE when renting a Premium package, however we cannot hold the gear you are swapping from so keep in mind it might not be available when you wish to swap back.

5.4. Standard gear is perfect for beginners but can limit progression due to the shape of the ski or board. We recommend using Premium gear so our expert staff can pick the perfect ski or board to help you improve.

5.5. Rental bicycles in the same category can be swapped only if another model is available in stock.

6.1. Be ready to hit the slopes early for your first day of riding! You can pick up your rental equipment the afternoon / evening after 3pm the day before your rental period starts. You can hold onto the equipment up until 10am the day after your rental period expires.

6.2. On your first day renting, we provide a FREE pick up and drop off service from your accommodation on request. Simply contact us 20 – 30 minutes prior to your desired pick up time so we can arrange a driver. 

6.3. Pricing is based on a per person per package basis.

6.4. Rental bicycles can be picked up only on the rental start date. Pick up service is not available during the Summer operation. 

7.1 Rentals may be kept until 10AM the day after your rental period ends.

7.2 Gear must be returned to a Rhythm Store or official return point.

7.3 Only customers staying at an official return point can return their rental equipment to that accommodation

7.4 If you are unable to return your equipment on time, overdue fees may apply.

7.5. Rental bicycles must be returned to the store by the store closing time. Store operation hours may differ depending on the location

7.1. All prices are in Japanese Yen and are inclusive of a 10% Japanese consumption tax.

7.2 Full amount of the payment is required to be made at the time of the booking.   

7.3 If the booking contains Lesson/ Guiding, Rhythm Rides Payment Terms will apply on the entire booking.

7.4 Flywire is the Payment Platform used for the online payment transaction with Rhythm Japan.
Flywire Terms and Conditions