Where to Eat in Niseko -- Best Niseko Restaurants

About Niseko, Hokkaido -- Japan's Powder Snow Paradise

Playfully referred to as "Japow," Niseko's powder snow (which regularly reaches 15 meters annually) makes it a world renowned winter sports destination. Skiers, snowboarders, and more athletes visit between December and April every year. While Niseko as a tourist destination exploded in the 90s and early 2000s, its winter sports history dates back as far as 1912.

Niseko is subdivided into other resort areas, such as Hanazono, Mt. Annupuri and more. Among them, Niseko Village (Higashiyama) is the largest self-contained area, but Kutchan is a more proper city and popular for its infrastructure, accommodations, and dining options. Hirafu is a good balance of convenient access to the slopes and amenities, packed with hotels and resorts. Hirafu is considered to be the heart of the action in Niseko.

Tips for Dining in Niseko

As Niseko has an on season and an off season, it's best to verify the opening hours and status of anywhere you want to visit in the off season. On the other hand, if you'll be visiting during winter, when most guests come to Niseko, make sure to book your seats significantly in advance. Since there are only a limited number of restaurants and not too many options for shopping or cooking yourself, you'll be competing with thousands of travelers at a time for the best seats. It's also worth noting that even more casual restaurants in Niseko are notoriously expensive. Isolated from normal civilization, the snowy paradise is an island of its own and restaurateurs can charge what they want to the captive audience. That said, there are many fantastic restaurants where you'll certainly feel you are getting your money's worth.

Recommended Sushi in Niseko

1. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa Niseko Branch

Sushi Shin is directed by the Miyakawa group, whose main branch in Sapporo was awarded 3 MICHELIN stars in 2017. Sushi Shin Niseko is located within the Sansui resort, and features a smaller wooden L-shaped counter and a large main counter.

The chefs, Hironori Satake and Kazuo Ogura follow their master's expertise to serve a course similar to the one diners enjoy at Sushi Miyakawa. In the same way, the sushi rice is seasoned only with a small amount of red vinegar and fish is sourced from Hokkaido and Tokyo's Toyosu market. To preserve the quality of the experience, the restaurant doesn't serve any sweet beverages (which would compete with the delicate sushi) and asks guests to wait no longer than 30 seconds between serving a piece and eating it.

Sushi Shin is well accustomed to hosting international guests, so there's no need to be nervous, even if this is your first fine sushi.

2. Kounryusui NISEKO

Kounryusui NISEKO is located in the Kutchan area. This intimate restaurant specializes in sushi and shellfish-driven courses that foreground the uncompromising freshness of Hokkaido seafood. Tanks of live crab and shellfish are on display, and the chef builds seasonal multi-course menus around what’s best that day: from King and snow crab to exquisitely balanced nigiri and grilled freshwater eel.

Chef Takashi Anezaki of Sapporo's Ryoriya-so and international offshoots in New York operates Kounryusui NISEKO during the winter season only. The interior seats six at the counter and offers a small table for four. The moody ambiance compliments dark winter nights, inviting guests to tuck in after an intense ski session. In addition to the sushi course, diners can also enjoy a crab-focused menu, which includes king and snow crab when available.

3. Sushiya no Saito Niseko

Rooted in the esteemed Sushiya no Saito brand, originally established in Susukino, Sapporo in 2000. The Niseko outpost opened in late 2024 to offer "Ezo-mae" sushi crafted with the freshest local seafood available, including bluefin tuna, fresh sea urchin, snow crab, and kinki fish. The most opulent course, called "Konayuki" after Niseko's famous powder snow, featured 8 pieces of nigiri, otsumami, king crab and 10g of caviar -- a truly opulent feast.

Not just a place to eat, but also a place to experience their original style of sushi (Ezo-mae is a pun on Edo-mae sushi, the classic Tokyo style known world-wide) through private catering and even sushi-making experiences. While the ingredients and prices are high-end, the dining room is approachable and emphasises fun as well as flavour. The Niseko location opened in 2024, and offers the same quality and warm accommodation as the Sapporo branch. Do note, the Sushiya no Saito brand is unrelated to MICHELIN starred Suhi Saito in Tokyo.

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Recommended Niseko Ramen

4. Niseko Ramen Kazahana

Located in Makkari-mura, this ramen shop has become synonymous with one of the region’s most distinctive bowls: Potato Ramen—a miso-based broth topped with a light, creamy layer of mashed potato foam that you won't find in an average ramen shop. The concept celebrates Hokkaido’s local produce, specifically the region’s renowned potatoes, turning them into a silky, warming topping that pairs beautifully with robust miso, another Hokkaido specialty. The miso butter corn ramen is also worth a try, if fluffy potato soup doesn't hit the spot.

Beyond its famous bowl, Kazahana’s location near local attractions like Makkari Onsen makes it a strategic stop in your Niseko itinerary. Head in for a bowl apres ski, or before a long soak. The interior is modest and functional—a contrast to the high-end ski resorts nearby. Its unpretentious charm and unique take on Hokkaido ramen make it a must-try when you're in the area.

5. Afuri

Afuri in Niseko brings one of Japan’s most celebrated ramen concepts to the slopes. Originally founded in Tokyo in 2001 and known globally for its refined approach to ramen, Afuri has expanded internationally and now offers its signature yuzu-accented bowls in the heart of Hirafu village at Setsu Niseko. Afuri balances its casual ramen roots with serious craft: handmade noodles, a broth layered from locally sourced chicken, dried fish, seaweed, and vegetables, and an aromatic citrus brightness drawn from yuzu.

The broth is made using water from near Mt. Yotei, a nod to Mt. Afuri in Kanagawa which lends the brand its name and signature broth quality. The Afuri brand's close connection to the mountains makes it a perfect choice for a warming bowl of noodles while visiting Niseko. Afuri already has 12 stores internationally, making it a well-respected connector between traditional Japanese food culture and the global visitors. At the same time, the use of local Hokkaido products grounds the Niseko location.

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6. Otsukisama and Bar Moon

Downstairs, Bar Moon. Upstairs, Otsukisama. With its black wood panel facade and retro blue lighted sign, the venue isn't much to look at. However, these walls hide a favorite venue of Niseko diners and late-night revelers. Upstairs at Otsukisama, you can get the regular izakaya fare -- karaage, small plates, some draft nama beer to start with. But the main attraction is the "Devil Ramen" a bowl of ramen that ranges from 1-20 on the spicy scale. Anyone who beats level 7 gets their picture put on the wall as a mark of triumph.

If your face isn't on fire after a bowl of ramen upstairs, head down to the lively Bar Moon on the first floor to enjoy drinks and dj sets. While not a night club by any means, Bar Moon is well known to operate well into the evening with a large selection made to order classic cocktails and lively tunes. There's also actually a Hirafu location and a Niseko location, according to Bar Moon's official homepage. The Niseko store focuses on ramen noodles specifically, offering curly squiggles soaked in rich broth for a quick bite, instead of all night.

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Recommended Niseko Fine Dining

7. 天ぷらあら木 (ニセコ) Tempura Araki Niseko

Tempura Araki Niseko brings one of Japan’s most respected tempura lineages to the Niseko resort area, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Edo-style tempura at an international fine-dining level while on vacation far from Tokyo. Operated as a seasonal winter restaurant in Hirafu, the Niseko location is an extension of Sapporo's 2017 MICHELIN two-star, Tempura Araki. Due to the chef's renown and the limited seating capacity during the busy ski season, advance booking is strictly necessary for those hoping to secure a spot at this prestigious table.

Seafood is sourced primarily from Hokkaido waters, including squid and seasonal white fish, while vegetables highlight regional produce such as wild and root vegetables. The batter is deliberately light, oil temperature tightly controlled, and seasoning minimized to emphasize texture and natural sweetness rather than richness. This classical approach, plus the incredible brushed-on batter, makes the meal feel surprisingly light, despite being mostly fried dishes.

8. Moliere montagne

Molière Montagne is a winter-only restaurant in Niseko operated by the team behind Restaurant Molière in Sapporo, which was awarded 3 MICHELIN stars in the special 2017 edition of the Hokkaido MICHELIN Guide. The Niseko location offers set-course French dining overseen by Chef Hiroshi Nakamichi, a pivotal figure in Hokkaido's culinary scene known for his dedication to locally sourced ingredients. In true fine dining style, diners enjoy table service in a 36 seat dining room, just cozy enough to keep out the snow.

The kitchen executes a menu that highlights the region's agricultural richness, from sweet seasonal vegetables to fresh seafood and dairy, all based in Hokkaido terroire. The interior is designed to maximize views of the surrounding woodlands, creating an atmosphere where the changing seasons are as much a part of the meal as the food itself. Dishes are often presented with elements of nature, reinforcing the restaurant's theme of "Landscapes of Cuisine." The experience is all located within the Park Hyatt Niseko, offering convenient access from both the slopes and guest rooms.

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9. AóRA

AóRA Restaurant just opened in December 2025 at Chatrium Niseko in Hirafu, operated by the same company that also recently opened Niseko Confidential. The head chef is Luiz Low, whose career spans destinations like Shanghai and London, and the beverage program was developed in collaboration with renowned bartender Shingo Gokan. Ingredients such as Hokkaido uni and crab are complemented by local agricultural products to the tune of Hokkaido dairy, potatoes and onions.

The menu infuses a range of Western cuisines -- French, Italian, etc. -- with the supremacy of Hokkaido seafood for a high-end dining experience. Children 13 and older are welcome to dine with the rest of their party, and menu sizes range from petite to signature to premium. Stunning, contemporary plating in a brand-new venue make this unique concept an up and comer in the Niseko food scene worth trying before it blows up in popularity.

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Recommended Après Ski at Niseko Bars

10. BAR GYU

AóRA Restaurant just opened in December 2025 at Chatrium Niseko in Hirafu, operated by the same company that also recently opened Niseko Confidential. The head chef is Luiz Low, whose career spans destinations like Shanghai and London, and the beverage program was developed in collaboration with renowned bartender Shingo Gokan. Ingredients such as Hokkaido uni and crab are complimented by local agricultural products to the tune of Hokkaido dairy, potatoes and onions.

The menu infuses a range of Western cuisines -- French, Italian, etc. -- with the supremacy of Hokkaido seafood for a high-end dining experience. Children 13 and older are welcome to dine with the rest of their party, and menu sizes range from petite to signature to premium. Stunning, contemporary plating in a brand-new venue make this unique concept an up and comer in the Niseko food scene worth trying before it blows up in popularity.

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11. TOSHIRO’S BAR NISEKO

Toshiro’s Bar Niseko is a long-running bar from Hirafu, offering cocktails, whisky, wine, and spirits. Now located within the elegant Sansui Niseko, the bar is a cornerstone of the local cocktail scene, led by the husband-and-wife duo Toshiro and Yoko. Toshiro's nostalgic dandy-style and his wife's traditional kimono attire cut a style figure against a backdrop of seemingly endless bottles.

The interior is defined by a beautiful wooden counter and back-lit shelves housing an extensive collection of rare Japanese whiskies and Scotch. A certified whiskey professional, Toshiro not only has exclusive access to the best makers, but provides expert guidance for guests looking to explore deep-vintage bottles. The menu also highlights Hokkaido’s agriculture through seasonal fruit cocktails. This luxurious, relaxing apres ski spot is the perfect place to sink into one of the couple's signature drinks, like a Smoked Penicillin.

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12. Musu

Musu functions as a versatile social hub for the Niseko community. The venue transitions seamlessly from a relaxed breakfast and lunch spot into a vibrant apres-ski lounge and cocktail bar as the sun sets over Mount Yotei. The interior aesthetic reflects a sophisticated alpine lodge, featuring furniture from the Basque brand Alki and a large open fireplace that serves as the room's focal point. This warm atmosphere is complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that provide diners with panoramic views of the bustling village and the surrounding mountain landscape.

The menu focuses on bistro-style comfort food, ranging from morning shakshuka and healthy bowls to substantial evening fare and shared tapas plates. Behind the bar, the program is led by a professional team of mixologists who specialize in creative cocktails and an extensive selection of craft gins. Known for its lively ambiance and upbeat music, Musu is a popular choice for large groups and international visitors looking for a cosmopolitan dining experience.

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