Freedom Inn Staff Dining Selections
The Niseko gourmet scene is not to be missed and our staff has explored them all. Tune in for updates as new restaurants are opening all the time.
Japanese Food
| Name | Location | Description |
| Torimatsu | Kutchan Town | Some of the best yaktori and kushiyaki anywhere. Visited and filmed by Anthony Bourdain in February 2011 for his No Reservations television show. ¥¥ |
| Usagiya | Kutchan Town | Close runner up for some of the best soba and tempura you will find anywhere, and the best in class serviced by Freedom Inn's complimentary dinner shuttle during winter. Great standards: cold soba noodles with shrimp and vegetable tempura; Adventurous delicacies: mountain vegetable tempura (spring and summer only). ¥ |
| Sato Sushi | Kutchan Town | The best sushi on the Kutchan side of the mountain in a delightfully classic sushi shop setting. All items are from the local seas and shockingly fresh, changing with each season. ¥¥ |
| Yoteimaru | Kutchan Town | Also great sushi with a little more fun in Niseko's only conveyor-belt style sushi shop. Freshly prepared sushi dishes pass before your eyes and let you choose at your own pace and desires. The salmon is always phenomenal. ¥ |
| Mount Ramen | Kutchan Town | Warm, rich and inexpensive, Mount Ramen delivers Japan's mania for Chinese-style noodles and dumplings with the friendliest flair. ¥ |
| Bang Bang Cafe | Hirafu | One of the most popular restaurants at the resort for years now, Bang Bang's izakaya menu has required reservations often months in advance during peak seasons. Yakitori and cooked dishes are all spectacular. ¥¥ |
| Abucha 2 | Hirafu | Classic Hokkaido dishes meet modern architecture in this restaurant located on the first floor of the Suiboku condominium block. In winter, the "hokke" (Northern Mackeral) is a must. ¥¥ |
| Rakuichi | Annupuri | Perhaps the best soba in Japan and, thus, the world. Annupuri's famous spring water combines with locally grown soba flour and the chef Rai-san's famous handiwork (performed in front of your eyes) to deliver the freshest and perfectly textured noodles. The evening kaiseki course changes weekly and uses the freshest ingredients. Dinner is probably the best quality for value you will find in Japan and always memorable. ¥¥¥ * |
| Hanayoshi | Niseko | Simply mind-blowing sushi and sashimi. ¥¥ * |
| Karabina | Annupuri | Hand-built izakaya run by the son of Rakuichi's soba master. Great food in a very relaxed atmosphere and a large selection of sake. Perhaps the best stewed pork belly you will find anywhere. ¥¥ * |
Western Food
| Name | Location | Description |
| Kamimura | Hirafu | The eponymous Chef Kamimura trained with Sydney's world famous Tetsuya and delivers French-style course menus using local and seasonal ingredients. We do not think the rating in one publication as the best ski resort restaurant on the planet is an exaggeration, nor did the Michelin star granters when they bestowed a coveted star on this excellent eatery in 2012. Well-worth the price. ¥¥¥¥¥ |
| Rosso Rosso | Hirafu | If you are in the mood for a great steak, this is the place to go. Excellent cuts both from Australia and Japan with a healthy selection of matched wines. ¥¥¥¥ |
| Kame | Hirafu | Expertly prepared Italian cuisine using local ingredients in an attractive country house far off the main drag. Great atmosphere and excellent taste. ¥¥¥ |
| Lupicia | Hirafu | Well known tea purveyor opened its Niseko shop in 2010 and picked a location that provides a movie-screen view of Mt. Yotei in a crisp wood-and-glass structure. Expertly prepared dishes are matched with the finest Asian and European teas. The restaurant also carries a distinguished list of wines. ¥¥¥¥ |
| Del Sole | Annupuri | Hand thrown wood-fired brick oven pizza which is arguably one of the best in Japan. The pizza master lived in Napoli for close to 2 years to perfect his craft, which uses fresh local ingredients to achieve his premium flavor. ¥¥ * |
| JoJos Cafe | Hirafu | Pub food basics. Eminently satisfying burgers, salads, soups and pilafs and very fresh herb bread are favorites. Watch or try the climbing wall which runs from the gear shop downstairs and to the restaurant ceiling. ¥ |
* Not serviced by the Freedom Inn dinner shuttle.