New Season Rhythm
December brings fresh powder falling almost daily, kitchens turning out soul-warming dishes, and a community ready to welcome travelers into the heart of winter.
Chef's Winter Menu Week: Must-Try Restaurants
Five restaurants across Niseko are showcasing what winter cooking means to them. Each has crafted a menu that tells a story—whether it's multi-course kaiseki that follows the season from sea to mountain, or a three-dish set centered around a single perfect ingredient.
Restaurant Keyspring
Secluded mountaintop Japanese fine dining. Top chefs craft beautiful dishes from Hokkaido’s finest ingredients, surrounded by Keith Haring art and serene views.
The Flats
Elegant French cuisine with Hokkaido’s best ingredients. Hidden at the back: an exclusive secret sushi counter reopens this season.
Niseko Bion
Authentic Italian firewood barbecue in Hirafu. Bold flavors, carefully curated wines, and impeccable service.
Prativo Takahashi Dairy Farm
Authentic Italian cuisine from Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm. Stunning floor-to-ceiling Mt. Yōtei views paired with seasonal Hokkaido ingredients.
When the lifts close, Niseko's izakayas come alive. Locals and visitors sit shoulder to shoulder, the counter is the best seat in the house, and the line between "just one more" and "last train" dissolves into laughter and shared plates.
The grilled skewers arrive in waves, the sake flows, and the chef knows half the room by name. You'll find them tucked along Hirafu's side streets, glowing warmly in Kutchan, or humming quietly in Annupuri.
Locals’ Tip: Don't plan too much. Just step inside, take a seat, and let the evening unfold.
Jam Niseko
Secluded mountain farm-to-table izakaya. Fresh oysters, sashimi, grilled fish, and heartfelt Japanese seafood soul food.
¥4,000–¥10,000
BangBang
Charcoal-grilled Hokkaido venison & Wagyu rib roast, kinki rockfish, 6-kind salmon sashimi, Akkeshi oysters, epic drinks lineup.
¥6,000–¥15,000
Izakaya Matsuri
Cozy Moiwa base izakaya. Wagyu steak or sukiyaki, fresh Hokkaido seafood, hotpots, top sake & whisky. Locals' favorite après hangout.
¥6,000–¥15,000
Ski Passes & Lift Access 101
Niseko United connects four resorts—Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village,
and Annupuri—across one mountain, all accessible with a single pass.
Niseko United All Mountain Ticket
Niseko United Season Pass
Where to Purchase
Lift and season passes can be purchased from the Lift Ticket Counters of four resorts of Niseko United or online. Moiwa Resort tickets are available at the resort center.
Locals’ Tip
Buy online before you arrive—it's faster and often discounted. All Mountain passes let you follow the snow and explore different terrain each day.
Dining Reservations: What You Need to Know
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How to Book
- 5-7 days ahead, especially for weekends
- Hotel concierges can help secure tables
- Some izakayas take walk-ins, but expect to wait
Locals’ Tip
- Lunch reservations are easier with the same quality
- Weeknight tables open up more readily than weekends
- Omakase and kaiseki require advance booking
Upcoming Events
Yukitopia Snow Festival 2026
A winter event in Kutchan Town featuring snow sculptures, play areas, and local food stalls. It offers a friendly, community-driven atmosphere and a lively way to enjoy the winter season.
Rhythm Rail Jam
Niseko’s largest winter snow festival brings together a high-energy jib competition and live music at Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu. With world-class course design developed in collaboration with the team behind Swatch Nines, it delivers a visually striking experience with a strong international edge.
