Fine Dining in Niseko
Tempura Araki
Omakase dining
Setsu Niseko, 044-0080 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan
Tempura Araki is an authentic Omakase dining experience. Your dinner will be prepared right before your eyes as the Chef creates beautifully delicate pieces of tempura. The menu will be picked by your Chef, changing each night based on what market fresh local ingredients are on hand. Araki’s sister restaurant is located in Sapporo and is a two-Michelin star.
Diners will be amazed by unique flavours and textures. You will learn the meticulous process of creating tradition tempura accompanied by world renowned Japanese dishes. Prepare for an expertly crafted series of decadent courses.
Molière Montagne
Fine dining
Park Hyatt Hanazono, 328-47 Iwaobetsu, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0082, Japan
Traditional French techniques merged with Hokkaido local ingredients, Molière Montagne, offers one of the most unique and luxurious fine dining experiences. Located in the Park Hyatt Hanazono, it is a perfect option for mountainside dining . 3 starred Michelin Chef Hiroshi Nakamichi, in behind the unforgettable dishes including only the finest meat and seafood. Nakamichi’s most famous dishes include a carpaccio of turbot fish with seasonal vegetables, and roast duck with a salsify confit, just to name a few.
Teppan Grill
Immersive dining
Park Hyatt Hanazono, 328-47 Iwaobetsu, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0082, Japan
Located in Park Hyatt Hanazono, Teppen offers an immersive experience as Chefs create everything from appetizers to desserts right before your eyes. Specialising in Japanese teppanyaki, the restaurant only provides the freshest ingredients. Inspired by French cuisine, the menu is unlike any other teppanyaki experience. With local wine and sake paired to compliment your meal, Teppan offers an intimate dining experience like no other.
Authentic Japanese Restaurants
Somoza
Cafe and gallery
78-5 Hanazono, Kutchan Cho, Abuta Gun, Hokkaido 044-0084, Japan
Soak up the tranquillity of nature and experience some of the essential elements that make Japan so unique — tradition, craftsmanship, art, food and spectacular scenery. The cafe and gallery operate inside a re-purposed 150-year-old traditional Japanese home and has culinary offerings that include a Chef’s Lunch Course, Tea Ceremony with Bento Box and a Chef’s Table Dinner. The Somoza dinner is a truly unique immersion into Japanese culture that is not to be missed.
Note that the Chef’s Table is only available by reservation for groups of 5 or more.
Rakuichi Soba
Authentic Japanese cuisine
431 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1511, Japan
Led by Soba Master Tatsuru Rai, this 12-seater restaurant is about as authentic as they come. Hidden behind snow walls on the other side of a narrow wooden footbridge you’ll find a little restaurant in a patchwork wooden building where you’ll be greeted by Tatsuru, his wife and their two sons.
Once seated you will witness the rhythmical process performed by Tatsuru to make soba noodles — which is well worth the visit on its own. The menu is set and the food is served Kaiseki style; small, unique dishes using local and fresh ingredients focused around the best 100% pure buckwheat soba noodles you’ve ever tasted.
AFURI
Ramen with a contemporary twist
Setsu Niseko, 044-0080 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan
AFURI offers a truly unique dining experience. With gorgeous decor and fresh healthy ingredients, AFURI is the perfect spot for your apres-ski meal. The yuzu ramen house makes their noodles right onsite, creating fresh and flavourful dishes – sure to impress!
The restaurant not only offers delicious ramen, but a wide selection of housemade cocktails. With a stunning view of Mt.Yotei and a ‘chilled out’ interior, AFURI is the ideal place to relax after a long day on the slopes.
Casual Dining in Niseko
Bang Bang 2
Casual traditional
188-24 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan
One of Hirafu’s most popular restaurants and famous for their ‘yakitori’ — grilled meat and vegetable skewers cooked over hot charcoal and seasoned with traditional sauces.
With a cosy atmosphere this is a great place to get a taste of a more local experience and sample some good old-fashioned izakaya-style food. Watch out for their char-grilled Hokkaido beef loin steak, salmon sashimi and Akkeshi oysters — oh, and don’t forget the green onions (seriously).
Western-Style Restaurants
The Alpinist
French alpine cuisine
3F Odin Place, 190-13 Yamada, Kutchan Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan
When it’s time to make a departure from local fare for something more familiar and comforting, head to The Alpinist for cheese fondue, Swiss raclette and French alpine cuisine that will make you melt in your seat. With an open fireplace and dramatic views of Annupuri mountain, you can feast on foie gras, double rib-eye steak, confit duck leg and
Mediterranean style charcuterie boards. But the fondue and raclette are what you should save your appetite for. Served in the traditional manner you will not leave disappointed, rather, you’ll be looking forward to your next trip to the Alps or reminiscing about your last.
The Barn
Bistro style
170-323 Yamada, Kutchan, +81 (0)136 23 0888
Set in a beautiful building inspired by traditional Hokkaido farm architecture, The Barn offers a unique dining experience with Bistro style cuisine and warm “OMOTENASHI” hospitality. Here you can enjoy a locally inspired menu rooted in French classical cooking, where the chefs combine the best techniques of France with Hokkaido’s extraordinary vegetables, meats and seafood.
For Meat Lovers
Robata Grill
Kappo-style
Park Hyatt Hanazono, 328-47 Iwaobetsu, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0082, Japan
As one of several restaurants located in the Park Hyatt Hanazono, Robata offers a unique Kappo-style cuisine. T-bone steaks of Hokkaido wagyu beef are grilled professionally by skilled chefs. Guests can visit the display presenting the market fresh products of the day.
Robata also offers shabushabu hot pot for a perfect apres-ski meal. Enjoy warm sake or a cold beer with your authentically created meal cooked on an open charcoal grill. Or try one of the sommelier’s selection of Robata’s international and local wine collections.
Steak Rosso Rosso
Casual steak house
167-61 Yamada, Kutchan, +81 (0) 136 21 7100
Steak Rosso Rosso offers a casual and friendly ambiance serving contemporary flavours and textures alongside their carefully selected meat. Try traditionally made Wagyu and Kobe beef paired with a bottle of red from their stunning selection of imported wines. With steak, seafood and vegetarian options, there is somthing for everyone at Steak Rosso Rosso.
Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House
Western style Oyster Bar and Chop House
Setsu Niseko, 044-0080 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan
Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House is a brilliant example of a high-end Western style chop house driven by local Hokkaido ingredients. With a range from perfectly selected oysters to expertly cooked steaks, Luke’s offers something for everyone. For over 10 years, Luke’s Oyster Bar’s original location in Singapore has pleased visitors and locals alike.
Pair your perfectly prepared steak with an impressive selection of artisan wines. Chablis, Sancerre and Muscadet are on hand to compliment your seafood. While Burgundy, Rhone and Bordeaux will perfectly match your succulent steak.
The Best Seafood in Town
Ezo Seafoods Oyster Bar
“Chef’s Selection” style order
170-165 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan
The minute you step inside Ezo Seafoods you’ll realise you’re in for something special. You won’t find any paper menus, instead the staff will walk you through what’s in the live tanks and help you make an “Omakase” or “Chef’s Selection” style order.
Whether you choose your seafood, or leave it to the team, there is a recommended flow; start with cold seafood like oysters, crab and sashimi, then share some cooked dishes like fried scallops or whitebait, then choose a fish or two to share on your table. A trip to Hokkaido is simply not complete without a seafood experience, you might as well go for the best.
Niseko Naniwatei
Authentic Japanese cuisine
Intuition, 38-6 Kabayama, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0078, Japan
Niseko Naniwateri is located in Intuition in Hirafu. The gorgeous restaurant offers traditional Japanese dishes. The menu is curated from only local Hokkaido ingredients. World renowned Chef Murai-san finds the freshest meat and vegetables on the market. Niseko Naniwateu promises guests a truly authentic Japanese dining experience.
Please note that reservations in Niseko are highly recommended, and many restaurants are open for bookings up to 3 months in advance. Bear in mind that most require a credit card to make a booking, and last-minute cancellations are considered very rude in Japanese culture.
