Food & Nightlife
One of the great things about the dining and nightlife at
Rusutsu is its laid-back atmosphere. For those who may have only stayed at
Niseko, Rusutsu offers an opportunity to get greater exposure to the true Japanese culture. The people are very friendly and are always keen to try and communicate, even if the only word you have in common is "kanpai" – cheers!
Rusutsu Restaurants
There are a variety of restaurants at the hotels and in a small village. These include traditional Japanese restaurants, a smorgasbord restaurant, and Western and Chinese cuisine.
The main resort hotel has lots of restaurants and the Tower hotel has a further six dining options, so there are plenty of up-market options to choose from. If you’re staying in resort accommodation, dinner can be included in the accommodation package or you can pay as you go.
Near the main resort hotel (a 2 minute walk) are a few traditional Japanese restaurants all in one strip. The food at these restaurants is cheap, the food is authentic and healthy, and there are usually a few Japanese folk to mingle with.
Another great experience is a visit to the Crab Shack. It is, to say the least, very basic and the crabs and seafood are kept in plastic ponds as you walk in. You will experience some very interesting delicacies here (like whale sperm!) should you be game!
If you are feeling super hungry, there is an all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ grill in a little log cabin only a couple of minutes walk from the main resort. This is brilliant for the meat-eater; eat as much lamb as you want. For an additional fee you can also have as much Sapporo beer, wine and spirits as you can drink.
Rusutsu Nightlife & Bars
In complete contrast to
Niseko nightlife, Rusutsu is not a big party place. You might need to create your own night time fun in your room and rely on your duty free alcohol. Or thankfully alcohol from the convenience store is really cheap – go the Chu-His!
The “strip” has a couple of izakayas (the Japanese version of a bar that sells appetizers) that can become festive, Japanese style. Alternatively the resort has the upscale Bar Obrist where you can perch for a sophisticated cocktail.
The main bar is Pub Cricket in the main resort. This sports bar is a good place to congregate however it is a bit sterile and has the potential to be empty. The bar doesn’t get the concept of après drinks, as it has strange operating hours whereby it’s closed between 3pm and 5:30pm.