Niseko Dining Scene 2025/26 — What’s New, What’s Changed

The vibe in Niseko’s dining scene has shifted dramatically since the pandemic, and in 2025/26 it continues to evolve.

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From “Food Trucks Rule” to the New “Micro” Paradigm

The post-pandemic boom in food trucks has given way to a new trend: Micro venues — limited-seating restaurants clustered in Hirafu’s “ghost buildings.” 

Veteran hospitality impresario Dennis van den Brink has led the charge. Last season he revived Australia House as APRES VILLAGE, populating the venue with his NISEKO GELATO brand, casual ICHI SUSHI and other micros; and this season he has transformed J-SEKKA into aptly named PHOENIX, bringing a wine bar and intimate eateries to the designer archaeology of the original space.

Another example is THE SELECT on Yotei Zaka Street — a collection of micros including SUSHI ISONO and BAR HAKU — which opened last season. It quickly became a magnet for Miss Niseko models for the quality and variety of its offerings, and sleek architecture. 

The micro venues suit Hirafu perfectly. A great night in Niseko has always involved wandering through the snow from place to place, settling into a warm corner, and soaking up the après buzz and Japanese hospitality.

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New Restaurant Landscape

The family-friendly mainstream dining scene of the 2010s has largely been replaced by modern luxury restaurants inside new hotels such as Sansui, Setsu, and Intuition.

Many of the latest openings lean toward Omakase or tasting-menu formats, ranging from ¥20,000 to ¥45,000 per person — premium Hokkaido ingredients, moody lighting, and flawless wa-modern service.

But for families not ready to empty their wallets, two excellent options stand out:

• YAKINIKU SOAN NISEKO (Momiji Zaka) — now adding yakitori and Japanese curry, and lunch service this season. The ¥500 Yakitori (grilled chicken) sticks are amazing.

• AFURI Ramen (Sansui Condominiums) — my personal favourite Niseko restaurant, serving clean, savoury SHIO and YUZU ramen, open all day.

The team from TOKYO/NISEKO CONFIDENTIAL have expanded their Niseko restaurant footprint in one year to three restaurants including the new restaurant ᐱŌRᐱ (Aora), which promises an "Elevated dining; Elevated Experience" in the space formerly occupied by Kamimura, in Chatrium Niseko. TEPACHE, another Niseko Confidential project, offers a Mexican option in Niseko --  “Tacos on the Slopes” -- and opens December 12 behind the flagship NISEKO CONFIDENTIAL restaurant in Middle Village.

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Reservations: Plan Ahead

Getting into restaurants — new or established — can be challenging. If you’re here for a week, I recommend booking two or three anchor nights before arrival, then fill the rest of your dining schedule based on what you discover in the village. And since dining out at restaurants every night is exhausting, consider quality takeout options for at least one night (see recommendations below).

If you’re taking your chances on walk-ins, MOMIJI ZAKA Street has the highest concentration of venues and is essentially Niseko’s Eat Street. And of course the new centrally-located Apres Village, Phoenix and The Select.

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RESTAURANT Recommendations

Based on 15 years of industry experience and customer insights:

Izakaya: AFURI RAMEN (Setsu), KOUGETSU (Momiji St)
Modern: THE BARN (Momiji St), TEMPORADA (Chatrium), LUKE'S ALPINE CLUB (Setsu); "THE ALPINIST (Odin Place)
Sushi: SUSHI KATO INORI (Setsu)
Fine Dining / Omakase: MAME (Momiji St)
Yakiniku: KOBE-TEI (Momiji St)
Takeout: EZO SEAFOODS FRESH (Seafood & Sushi Platters)
Hotpot: RYUNABE (Upper Village)

Hamburgers: SIDE PIECE (Momiji zaka)Sweets: NISEKO GELATO (Apres Village), LAYER NISEKO (Delivery) Big Groups: KUMO (Skye Niseko)

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TAKEOUT & FOOD SUPPLIES

Takeout in Niseko is limited and there is no general supermarket in Hirafu. Useful options include:

• Ezo Seafoods Fresh — takeaway sushi & sashimi platters (pre-order online, or walk-in for seafood boxes, wine & premium sake)

• Pizza Delivery — Yummy’s

• Convenience Stores — Lawson & Seicomart (hot foods, snacks, alcohol)

• Supermarkets — Lucky & MaxValue (Kutchan, 20 minutes drive)

• Sapporo Drug Store — OTC medications, snacks, premium alcohol

• Green Farm Café (Chatrium) — salads, sandwiches, pasta bowls, great breakfast

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Wrap-Up

For the most comprehensive listing of Niseko restaurants, see the Wine & Dine Guide by the Niseko Promotion Board.

Have an incredible winter in Niseko — and if you’re planning an evening at home with friends or family, we’d love to welcome you at EZO SEAFOODS FRESH.

James Gallagher & Ezo Seafoods Fresh Team