Famous for its high-quality powder snow, Japanese ski resorts, are less renowned for their bar and club scene. Niseko is fast-proving itself to be an outlier to this reputation.
Given the development of the area, including the appearance of a Ritz-Carleton and Park Hyatt Hotel alongside countless smaller private projects, to the background of the resorts’ Australian influence in the 1980s, Niseko’s bar scene has exploded in recent years.
Bar Gyu + exudes an ambience one will not forget
Being in Japan, visitors should not expect a replica of the Three Valleys aprés, for which the French resort is famous. Thus, instead of the loud, obnoxious drunken party scenes, now so familiar with Alpine ski holidays, Japan’s bar and restaurant scene is sophisticated, subtle and classy. Increasingly meeting the appetites of Western visitors, some of its bars have been rated as presenting the best ‘après’ in the world. Instead, Japanese apres-ski sports rare Japanese whiskeys, which have outclassed their more-established European counterparts, experimental cocktails and of course, stunning Japanese cuisine which puts its European competition to shame.
Certainly, if you are looking for it, Hokkaido is home to live music and American-inspired bar food, however, for the most part, the best bits of Niseko’s apres twinkles with a Japanese edge. Steamy hot springs, rare whisky, hard-to-find craft beers and raucous pubs and bars characterise a uniquely Japanese apres-ski experience.
The unconventional and the unique
Bar Gyu + (aka The Fridge Door Bar)
What: a quirky bar, featured on Bloomberg’s list of “Best apres ski bars on earth”
Known as The Fridge Door Bar, Bar Gyu + is notorious for its mysterious, quirky exterior. It offers an unforgettable place to unwind at the base of Hidden behind the door of an old fridge, once inside, a wide variety of whiskeys and sakes are available. The only problem is finding it…
Niseko Taproom
What: a low-key pub offering a variety of local craft ales
Located in Odin Place, close to the slopes, it is the perfect place for a weary skier to enjoy a few pints, the Taproom presents a wide array of local craft beers, difficult to find elsewhere, in a cosy, yet sophisticated environment. The bar bites are said to be exquisite.
The Barn by Odin
What: a stunning, upmarket bistro in a memorably special location
Perhaps the most up-market eatery on our list, The Barn is set in a stunning building, inspired by traditional Hokkaido farm architecture, this bistro and restaurant is unique both through its ambiance and stunning design. It hosts wines from around the world and an exciting list of cocktails.
Ground Pub Niseko
What: a mysterious bar offering over 250 different types of alcohol
Offering over 250 types of alcohol and an array of exciting cocktails in an unpretentious, yet vibrant setting. This bar is reportedly particularly nice place to watch the powdery winterness go by outside through its darkened windows.
Only in Japan
Blo*Blo
What: an unpretentious, hip joint presenting a uniquely Japanese experience
Described online as a ‘little bit stripper pole in a bar’, designed by famed Brisbane club designer Nic Brunner, Blo*Blo is unpretentious, busy and sports a purposefully intimate, quirky atmosphere. Offering cheap booze with talented bartenders, Blo*Blo is the perfect destination for those seeking an experience only found in Japan.
Musu
What: a cosy, yet stylish bar offering tapas and cocktails alike
A stylish bar and all-day bistro. The joint serves late-night tapas to cater for apres-skiiers. Its high-end design by an internationally-renowned European architects is nicely contrasted with its cosy fireplace and moose-embroidered cushions.
Tamashii
What: a chilled-out, wood-laden cosy and inviting bar
The hangout hotspot for instructors and hipster snowgoers, Tamashii is a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere to reflect upon a day’s skiing. Offering live music a few times a week in season and an ever-loyal customer base, Tamashii is a real Niseko gem.
For the party-goers
Powder Room
What: classy nightclub in the mountains: dress to impress
Having fully opened its doors in early 2015, Powder room looks to fill the (luxurious) clubbing vacuum in Niseko. As the only dedicated nightclub in town, it is upmarket, offering champagne by the bucketload. Must try: caviar shots. See the region’s well-connected and wealthy alike. Pack your hippest, slickest outfit for a night at the Powder room.