There is talk on the street that Japan is expensive, but there are always ways to eat well at affordable prices. With many amazing places to eat in the village where you can get a great meal for under ¥2000 and save some money for a backcountry adventure or snowmobiling through the birch trees!
This list is just the starting point for your food adventures, and it's important to note that what is considered Japanese food goes far beyond the international favourites such as sushi and teppanyaki.
So lets get started...
1. Sapporo Ramen Daishin niseko
In Niseko there are many restaurants serving hot ramen for lunch and dinner, but if you're out in Kutchan one of our favourites is Sapporo Ramen Daishin Niseko. You can get miso based ramen, shio (salt) based ramen, and also some speciality ramen dishes like the tantan pictured below which has a spicy flavour. They also have delicious gyoza (dumplings) and a few other sides that you can order to go with your meal.
Restaurant: Sapporo Ramen Daishin Niseko
Dietaries: Vegetarian and lactose free items are on the menu.
Price Range: 900-1400 (one bowl of ramen)
Address: 1 Chome-1-11 Minami 10 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0044, Japan
2. Tsubara Tsubara Soup Curry
If you haven't heard about soup curry then you have something to look forward to! This is a Hokkaido speciality that was originally created in Sapporo, and there is one in Hirafu Izumikyo area that is a short walk away from the Niseko Ski Lodge Hirafu.
If you've never heard of it before it's a soup based curry that is filled with vegetables and meat if you choose and you can choose your spice level from 1-15. The soup flavour can be customised to a coconut soup (but their original is a great place to start) and it's served with rice on the side. Some of the favourites dishes include thick sliced bacon or meatballs and the restaurant also offer a selection of side dishes including sashimi, edamame and gyoza.
They offer vegetarian options and each dish is full of local seasonal vegetables too!
Restaurant: Tsubara Tsubara
Dietaries: Vegetarian, gluten free and lactose free can be catered for.
Price Range: ¥1200-¥1600 (one bowl of soup curry with rice)
Public Transport: Take the Niseko United bus to 'Izumikyo' stop in winter.
Address: 132-14 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081
3. Prativo Lunch Buffet
Farm to table food is something Hokkaido does really well, and the Prativo restaurant is located on a local Niseko farm. With beautiful views of Mt Yotei out the large restaurant windows and delicious seasonal dishes, this is a very popular restaurant all year round.
The Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm runs 2 restaurants one of which is Prativo which serves a buffet of fresh vegetable dishes including potato gratin, fried sweet potato, steamed greens and mixed salads. When you eat at the buffet you also get to select a main which includes meat or fish and will be cooked fresh and served to your table.
Soft drinks, juices, drinking yoghurt, water, tea and coffee are all included in the meal price, and you can pay for wine or beer if you want something extra.
Located a short walk from our Niseko Higashiyama Ski Lodge this is a really popular lunch spot with stunning views of Mt Yotei.
Restaurant: Prativo (Part of the Milk Kobo farm)
Dietaries: Vegetarian, gluten free and lactose free can be catered for.
Price Range: ¥1650 (buffet lunch all you can eat, with one small meat main dish)
Public Transport: Take the Niseko United bus to 'Milk Kobo' stop in winter.
Address: 888-1 Soga, ニセコ町 Niseko, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1522
4. Gokoro Udon - 自家製うどん ごころ
Treat yourself to a delicious lunch of udon noodles. They offer both hot and cold broth which means you can adjust to suit for the season, but with cold broth your noodles and toppings will be warm (the perfect combination).
Noodles are handmade in the restaurant daily, and the toppings offer a selection of everything from zangi (deep fried) chicken to tempura vegetables. The menu is surprisingly large with many options for both small and large servings of udon with many different toppings. Some seasonal items like a curry udon dish that is delicious, as well as small sides to add to your meal.
Your dish will come out with the broth on the side with most menu items, allowing you to pour it over so your meal is as fresh as possible.
Restaurant: Gokoro Udon - 自家製うどん ごころ
Price Range: ¥800-¥1300 for each dish with small sides for ¥100-200
Public Transport: Take the Niseko United bus to 'Yamada Intersection' stop in winter.
Address: 72-8 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan
5. Boyoso - On Mountain
You'll find Boyoso at the top of the Holiday Pair #1 chairlift underneath the Gondola line and it's a cute little log cabin that was opened as a safety hut on the mountain many years ago. One of the owners has even climbed Mt Everest, you'll see some of the photos of the Himalayas on the walls inside.
The real draw is the great prices, delicious Japanese dishes and fun feel of the cabin. Park your skies up outside and pop in for a delicious lunch, we suggest getting in early because you're not the only person who has heard about it. We love their rice bowls, hot bowls of ramen, and katsu curry - but there are so many options!
Restaurant: Boyoso
Price Range: ¥1200-¥1600 for most dishes
Address: Grand Hirafu Ski Resort above the Holiday Pair #1 Chairlift (underneath gondola line).
