Visiting Niseko is as much a gastronomic experience as it is an odyssey into deep powder. The freshest of seafood, every Japanese delicacy, traditional Izakaya plus a full range of Western cuisine can be found here across almost 150 restaurants and pubs. Among the more notable eateries are A Bu Cha, Bang Bang, The Vale, the Barn, Ezo Seafoods, and Kamimura (fine dining).
There is even a cafe lifestyle of sorts, with places like the Green Farm Cafe a go-to for organic farm-to-table meals, and New Zealand’s AllPress coffee is poured at Glorious Coffee in Rhythm Snowsports.
On the field, popular places include the atmospheric Boyoso housed in a wooden building above the Holiday Pair chairlift. Inside is a big fireplace around which people sit and dry their gear and warm up before heading through to eat delicious home-style ramen, sushi, katsu curry, and buns. The enormous Hanazono 308 Day Lodge is the complete opposite but no less inviting. The modern upscale building has a cafe, carpeted non-slip floors, and soaring windows overlooking the alpine landscape.
Bars in Hirafu
Wild Bill’s is a great Japanese restaurant that turns into a wild party around 10 pm with live music and the occasional guest DJs. When Wild Bill is behind the bar, his heavy hand when pouring dirks is bound to help get you in the mood to party.
Tamashii Bar is an excellent après and first stop around town. You need to get there early because it closes at midnight and you wouldn’t want to miss out on the locals’ atmosphere, dedicated billiard area, and the three big-screen TVs.
Bar Gyu+ is an experience in lower Hirafu this is hard to find. Hidden behind a vintage Coca-Cola vending machine door, is a warm and cozy bar with a welcoming atmosphere.
For an upmarket experience, the Vale Cellar is located in the lower level of the award-winning The Vale Niseko hotel. and offers a wide variety of classic cocktails with a Japanese twist and an impressive premium whiskey menu.
Hirafu Night Club
The Powder Room is the first premium nightclub in Niseko. Located in the Lower Hirafu, the Powder Room offers 3,000 square feet that includes a dance floor and champagne room.
Local Brewery
Located in Niseko Town, about a 10-minute walk away from the Niseko JR station you will find Niseko Brewing which was established in 2014 and uses the crystal clear water of Mount Yotei and local ingredients to quench your thirst.
What About Karaoke?
The town of Kutchan, which is about a 10-minute drive from Hirafu Village, offers several authentic Karaoke spots inside the restaurant and bar district. It’s best to Karaoke after dinner, so grab something to eat in Kutchan and then grab a private room where you and your friends can relax and get to know each other. Two recommended places to try are Utaya Karaoke and Utaya Karaoke.
Fusion Restaurant ECLAT
Location: Niseko Northen Resort,Annupuri
Food: Scandinavian, Japanese food
Bar: No
Phone: +81 136-58-3311
an-non
Location: Niseko Northen Resort,Annupuri
Food: Japanese food
Bar: No
Phone: +81 136-58-3311
Tanta•an Restaurant and Café
Location: Mountain Center 2F
Food: Japanese
Bar: Yes
Phone: +81 136-22-0648
Rest House ACE HILL
Location: Next to Ace Quad Lift No.2 Sancho Station
Food: Japanese
Bar: No
King Bell Hut
Location: Next to Hirafu Gondola Sancho Station
Food: Japanese and Western cuisine
Bar: No
Mountain Hut Café
Location: in King Bell Hut
Food: coffee, hot chocolates, and delicious sweets
Bar: No
Restaurant SLALOM
Location: Hotel Niseko Alpen 2F
Food: Japanese
Bar: Yes
Phone: +81 136-22-1105
Grand HIRAFU×Milk Kobo Sweet&Café
Location: Hotel Niseko Alpen 1F
Food: coffee, hot chocolates, and delicious sweets
Bar: No
Phone: +81 136-44-3734
Japanese Restaurant Syokusai Hirafu
Location: Hotel Niseko Alpen 1F
Food: Japanese seafood
Bar: No
Phone: 81 136-22-1105
Base Café
Location: Base Ski Center 2F
Food: bread and sandwiches
Bar: No
HANAZONO308
Location: near ASPERGES
Food: Local Japanese
Bar: Yes
Phone: 81 136-21-3333