If you asked the town of Niseko, Hokkaido what it wants to be when it grows up, it would say St. Moritz, Switzerland. Now there's a town with a vision. And due to what I call "Why not?" town planning, it may even get there. I have faith that Niseko will someday join the European Union.
The one thing both Niseko and St. Moritz do have in common is skiing. So what if there are no other similarities between the two towns? In Japan, similarities can always be created. First, Niseko adopted St. Moritz as its sister city. Then, the town built its train station using Swiss architecture. So what if the train station is in the middle of nowhere and tourists never see it? It will still look good in the brochures.
Lastly, Niseko named one of their bridges the St. Moritz Bridge. Wallah, we are St. Moritz!
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