This is an inquisitive little fox we encountered on the Hanazono Golf Course in October
Whilst we still love our favourite restaurants in the Niseko area, we are always keen to try out new ones.
One that has just opened in Kutchan is Japanese Cuisine Sato. Tel: 0136 220263.
I ate here 2 weeks ago and it was delicious. Primarily a sushi restaurant but does also do other Japanese specialities such as Tempura.
This restaurant can be found in the street parallel to the main restaurant street in Kutchan, one back toward route 5 and on the corner on the left if you are walking down that street toward Kutchan’s main street leading down to the train station.
For all of you Sydney Golf “Tragics” who believe that only your own club has the best course in the world, get over to Japan, especially Niseko for some golf.
I played with my great friend Mary there a few weeks ago, just as the leaves on the trees were changing and it was absolutely stunning!
We did only play at Hanazono but there are a mass of courses in the area.
I am only a beginner, and found the course not only challenging, but the scenery absolutely breath taking, especially on the outer 9 holes.
If you are after a short day trip which includes lunch at the best and most well known Oyster/seafood restaurant in the area, you must drive over to Kaki-goya which is about a 10 minute drive south of Iwanai toward Suttsu.
The oysters were to die for. We had between 2 of us for about 3,000 JPY 3 very large oysters, 3 large scallops, 3 large prawns and a section of snow crab with 4 legs attached. This was all cooked in front of us on an iron BBQ plate. It was absolutely delicious and a must for visitors to Niseko both summer and winter.
Above is just a “taste” of Japanese Cuisine Sato!
Last Sunday 28th August we joined the owners of Fubuki 2, Billy and Eva Fung at the Porche Carrera Cup out at Sydney Motor Park.
Billy competes with his Porche all over Asia and Oceania through out the year.
There were races over both Saturday and Sunday and Billy placed very well amongst some very experienced drivers.
Next weekend they are off to Singapore where he will again be competing….Good Luck from your Fubuki friends.
The most stunning new Ryokan Hotel has opened recently over near Hanazono and the Weiss Hotel.
It is called Zaborin.
I was lucky enough to spend a night there during February 2016 and it has to be one of the most memorable Japanese experiences I have had to date.
Zaborin is a fine example of Contemporary Japanese architecture and has interiors that compliment the peace and harmony of the surrounding nature.
It has only 15 rooms all with their own private indoor and outdoor onsen-private bath. Each room is individually named and ours was called FUBUKI of all things.
In the room rate, breakfast and dinner is included. It does not come cheap however the food was exceptional and the interiors were stunning..
Famous Hokkaido Chef Yoshihiro Seno who has worked in New York and Tokyo has returned to his roots and is all about using the locally grown produce and getting the best out of it all. His style is a northern version of Kaiseki which is more tactile and natural than the Kyoto Kaiseki style.
Dinner was an assault of visual excellence and taste.
Breakfast was much the same
If you are after a special night either before or after a stay at Fubuki, make sure you book a night at Zaborin.
Well, what a season it has turned out to be.
With a slow start which had many Niseko veterans worried, the snow arrived and has not stopped.
David and I were lucky enough to be able to spend from mid December 2015-end February 2016 in Japan with the odd side trip to the UK for Christmas, the US (Jackson Hole) and Singapore but largely in Japan.
Our trip began with 6 days in Hakuba from 16th December. Sadly there was little snow there for our 6 days of skiing however we could imagine that when the snow did eventually fall, the skiing would be great. Very different scenery to Niseko, more like the Alps and quite spectacular. David managed to tag along with some mountain guides who did 2 training days up very high and the rest of the time we did a little touring. We visited Matsumoto Castle, or Crow Castle as it is locally known due to its black exterior, in Matsumoto City and Jenkoji Temple in Nagano City. If you do have the time to make it here make sure that you also walk around the surrounding streets which are filled with lovely traditional buildings and shops. A visit to that part of Japan would not have been complete without a drive to Jigokudani Monkey Park at Yamanouchi to see the famous Snow Monkeys bathing in their own hot spring up in the mountains. What a sight!
Last Thursday, 8th October 2015 Typhoon Choi-Wan caused havoc in Niseko.
New Chitose Airport was closed for the day with all flights cancelled, trees were uprooted, some houses lost their roofs and many roads were closed.
The Niseko Cow Parade closing Party was held at Ki last Saturday.
It was a great evening attended mostly by locals and sponsors with the food supplied by acclaimed and very talented chef Shinichi Maeda. You will see the Fubuki cow standing outside Fubuki 3 where she will live for now.
The Cow Parade, the world’s largest public art exhibition event, has come to Niseko and Fubuki Townhouses are proud sponsors of the festival.
Fubuki has bought a cow that is being painted by local children with Cerebral Palsy, and will purchase the cow at the end of the festival with all proceeds going toward Japanese children living with cancer.
The Fubuki cow is now happily standing outside Fubuki 3.