Hirafu Restaurants

Restaurants in Hirafu are spread out from the top of the village to the bottom, many amongst residential housing. If you are staying in Hirafu you will most likely have several restaurants within a few minutes walk of your accommodation

Hirafu has a good choice of Japanese restaurants serving a variety of fare, some of which are reasonably inexpensive by western standards however there is something for every budget.

In addition to Japanese fare, Hirafu dining options include many Eurasian-style restaurants and all of the international favourites including Indian, Thai, French, Italian, Mexican, Korean BBQ, pizza and pub fare.

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Niseko Village Restaurants (Higashiyama)

There are several restaurants to choose from in the Niseko Village area. Most of these are located at the Hilton Hotel, The Village (where you can get a good dose of Hokkaido seafood at the Crab Shack) and there is also a restaurant at the Green Leaf Hotel.

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Niseko Annupuri Restaurants

Annupuri is relatively low-key when it comes to restaurants & bars however there are a few stand-alone outfits and some of the lodges have outstanding little restaurants & bars like Lodge 401.

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Hanazono Restaurants

There are several Hanazono restaurants located in the Park Hyatt Niseko Hotel, including Chinese, Italian, teppan and robata-style dining. The hotel offers evening shuttle buses from Hirafu and Kutchan, which are also handy for those staying in Hanazono who want to dine at Hirafu restaurants. 

Niseko Moiwa Restaurants

Moiwa has a couple of restaurant options in the village or the other alternative is to check out the hotels such as One Niseko or Kanronomori.

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Other Niseko Restaurants

There’s a large variety of restaurants in the towns of Kutchan and Niseko which are not far from the Niseko ski villages. Meals tend to be cheaper and you’ll have a higher likelihood of finding a little of the “real” Japan.

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Niseko Apres

Niseko après ski (ie late afternoon or early evening drinks) is really good by Japanese standards, but pretty quiet compared to Austria or Whistler. There’s the Après Bar next to the King No. 1 chairlift specifically catering to early drinkers, but our favourite is the A-frame building on the slopes, Boyo-So which we affectionately named "the stinky bar" because the unplumbed toilets used to stink. This restaurant bar has become a little less rustic in recent years, but it’s still pretty low key and a great spot to sit around the fire whilst sinking Sapporo biero or rocket-fuel sake.

Niseko Hirafu Bars and Nightlife

Niseko gets the Powderhounds awards for the best nightlife in Japan for good reason. The Niseko nightlife is famous, and Hirafu in particular is very colourful and has a large range of bars to choose from. From wine bars and authentic Japanese izakayas for a quiet beer, to bars that absolutely rock, there’s something for everyone. Thankfully the majority of the pensions and other lodges have lifted their evening curfews so you can party on as long you like. Of course take care when rolling home and don’t do it alone. If you’re really likely to over do it with the revelling, perhaps consider wearing your avalanche beacon out?!

Many of our favourite old rustic bars have been bulldozed to make way for progress, but plenty of new funky Niseko bars have popped up in their place.

Mick’s is a low key wine bar (and shop) near the main Hirafu intersection that has wines, craft beers, ciders and Japanese whiskey. It is an oasis of wine appreciation, which can be hard to find in Japan.

Wild Bill’s is a well known Niseko pub that frequently goes off and has a reputation for happy endings (and great meals too!). At the opposite end of the spectrum, head to The Barn for a sophisticated drink at the mezzanine bar. The owner Brett is an institution of Niseko, partly from his old Wild Bill’s days, and he apparently still has a heavy hand when pouring the drinks.

Another good bar is the popular Jam Café Bar. This bar has a funky vibe and good music.

Blo Blo is a cute little bar. It has wallpaper that is entertaining to say the least and the cartoons may make your mother blush. The bar even has a pole in case you’re in the mood for some pole dancing!

Another favourite Niseko bar is the Fridge Door bar (Gyu) in the lower village (Yotei-Zaka St) where you literally enter the bar through a tiny coke labelled fridge door. This little bar always seems to be happening.

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Other Niseko Nightlife

In Niseko Village (Higashiyama) there are a few upscale bars at the Hilton, whilst the Black Diamond Lodge Restaurant Bar has a pumped up atmosphere where powder hounds can trade their powder stories of the day. Lots of bevies, music, ski and snowboard movies, pool, and hot Japanese chicks behind the bar - all the necessary ingredients required for a good time! Freeride lodge has a Mexican restaurant & bar and is a great place have apres.

There’s not much nightlife in An’nupuri or Hanazono, so stay there if you’re looking for peace and quiet.