Where to Stay in Niseko

Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Clients loved the onsen in every room - perfect for an apres-ski afternoon. Preferred Partner Perks: My clients receive daily complimentary breakfast for two; $100 resort credit; priority for early check-in and late checkout, and priority for a room category upgrade upon arrival if available.

Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono - Park Hyatt Niseko is a ski-in-ski-out haven for the whole family. Ten restaurants (some with Michelin stars) including teppan, sushi, French, and Italian and a Pierre Hermes patisserie. Heated indoor pool. All 100 rooms on the hotel side have 2 full bathrooms with en suite showers and a Queen sized sofa bed in the living room. Preferred Partner Perks: My clients receive daily complimentary breakfast for two; $100 resort credit; priority for early check-in and late checkout, and priority for a room category upgrade upon arrival if available.

Aya Niseko I wrote here on the blog about AYA Niseko’s spacious multi-bedroom suites (we stayed in 2019). One AYA’s biggest draws is its ski-in, ski-out convenience; and it’s just two blocks from many shops and restaurants in Hirafu Village. Review + pictures here. Website for photos and up-to-date details: Aya Niseko. We can book over a year in advance.

Skye Niseko Ski-in, ski-out luxury accommodations located near the Hirafu Gondola. Skye Niseko. Contact me for current rates and availability.

Where to Eat in Niseko

izakaya

Bang Bang Niseko Izakaya - Delicious small plates perfect with cold Sapporo, sashimi, and sake. Bang Bang, 188-24 Yamada, Kutchan 044-0081. Reservations essential (credit card required; must arrive within 15 minutes of reservation time).

Potato Ramen

Niseko Ramen Kazahana - Don’t leave Niseko without trying the potato ramen - a delicious and addictive original. Noodles are perfectly chewy and come with a fluffy and creamy “potato foam” on top of miso broth. Be prepared to wait in the cold - they don’t take reservations and the restaurant is limited to 35 seats, with only a tiny waiting area inside. Open from 12-2:15 for lunch (you must be seated at 2:15 or you’ll be turned away) and again at dinner. Double check their website for opening hours and times before heading over to avoid disappointment. Niseko Ramen Kazahana, Yamada 179-36, Kutchan town, abuta-gun, Hokkaido. (0)136-23-3444

Soup Curry

Tsubara Tsubara Soup Curry - Soup curry is a Hokkaido invention that needs to be replicated in Hawaii ASAP. Tsubara Tsubara, 132-14 Aza Yamada (Niskeo Kogen Hirafu), Kutchan-cho

Hot Pot/Nabe/Sukiyaki

Sessa Hot Pot - Choose your broth (nabe or sukiyaki) and a “course” menu of either beef, pork, or crab. Each menu comes with tofu, vegetables, and your choice or rice or udon. About $40/pp and open for both lunch and dinner. So good! Sessa Hotpot. The restaurant runs a free shuttle that will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back off again.

Best places to eat in Niseko Japan - Sessa Hotpot

Crab

Crab Dining Kanon - Crab is the name of the game. Choose one of two prix fixe menus (either 7500 or 10000 yen) — the more expensive special menu comes with a sashimi set in addition to the three types of crab served. Snow crab, hairy crab, and king crab were on the menu when we went. An absolute must if you’re a crab lover (I am totally a crab > lobster type of person). Crab Dining Kanon, 1F Lodge Kanon, 165-25 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho 044-0081

Soba (Buckwheat Noodles)

Soba Kaiseki Ichimura - Fresh, handmade soba made from specially sourced buckwheat is the name of the game here. Cross over the wooden bridge to experience delicious warm or cold soba. Soba Kaiseki Ichimura, 68-4　Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081 Japan.

Best places to eat in Niseko Japan - soba kaiseki ichimura

On the Go

Best places to eat in Niseko Japan - food trucks

Food Trucks - There’s something weird and wonderful about eating a steaming hot pizza roll from a food truck in the middle of a parking lot in a Japanese resort town. Find them next to Seico Mart.

Ski Stuff

GoSnow Niseko offers ski and snowboarding lessons either solo or in groups of no more than 8. Full-day ski lesson, 5.5 hours, ¥10,000. My instructor Ivan was nice, but I was exhausted after lunch so by the 5th hour I was ready to call it a day. Next time I’m gonna just do a half day.

We rented our ski gear from Rhythm Japan which was super convenient as they delivered the rental gear to the ski valet at AYA.

Niseko, Japan - Where to Stay and Eat