Japan’s a haven for those of us who love winter sports, and Niseko, a huge mega-resort composed of four smaller ones that’s located about an hour and a half by train from Sapporo, is widely considered one of the best spots in the country for powder hounds. Though for all of its powder stashes and pristine groomers, Niseko has a lot to offer off of the slopes, especially when it comes to food. Whether you’re craving something Japanese or otherwise, sweet or savory, cheap or a bit more expensive, Niseko has plenty of options that’ll silence your growling stomach in no time. Here are seven spots that’ll make your winter holiday memorable for more than just the time spent on the slopes. Rakuichi There’s soba… and there’s Rakuichi soba. Soba master Rai, and his wife Midori, run this tiny twelve-seat restaurant, and the buckwheat noodles, painstakingly made in front of your eyes, are bound to be some of the best you’ll ever have in Japan. Reservations are required (often months in advance) for a seven-course kaiseki dinner. However lunch is a first-come, first-serve affair, though be prepared to wait. The freshness of the food and care with which it’s made makes it all worth it, though.
The Niseko Supply Company Quality cheese is something a lot of us are guilty of missing while living in Japan, but the fondue at Niseko Supply Company is amazing enough to fill that void. There is no way that you’ll leave this place still hungry. Their cheese fondue weighs in at more than 200 grams of cheese allotted per person (!) and odds are that you’ll be wiping down the pot with chunks of bread to get every last drop of it. Just make sure to save room for dessert; Niseko Supply Company is just as famous for its crepes as it is its melted cheese. Reservations: 0136-55-8861 〒044-0081北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田 190-13
Lava Lounge If your cheese craving runs more towards the pizza end of the spectrum, Lava Lounge is where it’s at. With none of the “ketchup on toast” disappointments that Japan is sometimes guilty of serving, Lava Lounge’s pizza is the real deal. You can stick to the standard toppings like pepperoni, Hawaiian, and margherita, but the more unique offerings—like shrimp and snow crab with coriander or chicken, Camembert, and sundried tomatoes—are what make Lava Lounge worth a visit. Reservations: 0136-55-8797 〒044-0081北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田 191-29
Reservations: 0136-58-3170
Abucha 2
北海道 虻田郡ニセコ町 字ニセコ 431
A good portion of Abucha 2’s menu is standard izakaya fare: zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken), skewers of pork and chicken, and plenty of gyoza. Those are delicious, to be sure, but if you come to Abucha 2 and don’t indulge in some shabu-shabu, you’ll be sorely missing out. Abucha 2’s menu boasts lots of shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and nabe options. Carnivores will love the high-quality Hokkaido beef, while seafood lovers can go for the snow crab option. And if spicy food is your jam, than the kimchinabe will be calling your name.
lazy? we link to maps!
Reservations: 0136-22-5620 〒044-0081 北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田191-29水墨1階
FEBRUARY 2016
LIFESTYLE
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