When in Hirafu Village Niseko, make sure to stop by this stand ( its right beside Bang Bang ) We came right in time for a fresh batch that just came out of the oven! That is the only way you should eat these tarts to get the best flavour!! Its still good after but maybe you have to heat it OMG!!! YUM YUM!! Japanese have a way of making things yummy but not leaving you with a heavy feeling. You will notice that in their pastries – cheesecake or cheese tart New! Chocolate tarts! Also yum!
Heart2Heart is a Cheese lover and Heart2Heart’s hubby is a Chocolate lover so both win 🙂
Niseko shoefie! 🙂 Your feet are the first you should protect in the cold! Make sure you have the proper boots! Waterproof with rubber soles and lined inside.
Moon boots of Marco and Jackie, Hogan of James, Salomon of Chut Northface of Kim, Kenneth Cole of Steve, Coach of Cherina, Pucci of Tina, Northface of Jancis Prada of Kai Hunter of Tina, Rica and Ana – Make sure there is a lining or else it will only be waterproof but not cold proof! I was freezing even with 4 to 5 layers of feet/leg protection UGG is leather but it was very okay so I used this most of the time. It’s like you are floating on air 🙂 LOVE!! Thanks to my Mom I borrowed this from her Cherina bought another pair You can use the spikes so you do not slip or slide while walking. It was not so slippery when we were in Niseko but there were areas that were slippery. So just be conscious and very aware of where you walk and while you are walking in the snow Sorell! New ones! 🙂 These two handsome guys are “feeling gwapo” because they both have new snow boots They only realized 4 days after that they needed it
Because we were in Shiki, we were near Hirafu East Village. Just turn left from the hotel and walk down. Actually Hirafu Village is so small everything is walking distance. That is what I like about it 🙂This is where Tsubara Tsubara is 🙂 Soup Curry 🙂 The sign outside just says Soup Curry – that’s the one. Our friend Sheba recommended this place! Looks interesting Soup curry hotpot 🙂 I would think that the best seats in the house are those facing the window so you can see a view when eating But I prefer to see the view of my date! haha!! I asked her if we should share one and she said “No, one each!” haha!! It’s our first time to eat soup curry – It’s a specialty in the city so when in Hokkaido – soup curry as much as you want!!! 🙂 Steps to followTsumire ( Japanese meatball ) with side order of Bacon! Kai chose the coconut milk soup which we both preferred over the original. It’s creamier and thats why we like it 🙂 And that bacon!!!! YUM! Spiciness 4 but Kai said she could have went up higherI got the chicken with original and side of cheese and garlic. 0 spiciness! 🙂 I should have just ordered the thick slice bacon curry and gone straight to the point! 🙂 Self service water, tea and coffee with a jar to pay for coffee – honesty system 🙂
Though all I did in Niseko was eat 🙂 people really go there to ski! Niseko is known for its powdery snow! A lot of Australians go here to ski and we noticed a lot of them work here tooThis is the ski slopes in Niseko. We stayed in Grand Hirafu Area – there are several slopes in this area and you can take a lift from any of them and transfer slopes when you get to the top
We used Vale as our base and that is where some rented their ski equipment A few steps outside Vale and this is the lift and the slope Vale is really convenient for skiers
I was so worried! I told these guys to remember that they went skiing together 25 years ago! 25 years after means bones are not the same! But they all did a great job!!! I was so relieved that there were no major injuries!!!Aching bones yes! haha
I could not possibly take photos of them because I did not ski and go up with them so most of the photos are from everyone who took shots. For video shots, you need to have an external battery charger with you and keep your phone connected so it won’t die due to the cold. Of course I only learned that after I left Niseko!
The advanced skiers! Naks! James @james_de_jesus Jose @jlm72471 Raj @7tri7 Raffy @dondurian Chut @chutster ( the most advanced in a snowboard) Marco @iamarcoantonio Tina @tinatimeofficial Raj @7tri7 Steve @stvsy888 With the birthday boy Raffy @dondurian Cherina @cheriris and Andre @sean.andre.sy Cherina 🙂Raj and Steve Tina, James, Jose and Marco high up there!! James and Tina Marco Jose, Raj, Tina and MarcoBrother skiers. Jose @jlm72471 and Raj @7tri7 These two are so fit! They are not only triathletes but hardcore skiers as well! You don’t have to know how to ski to go to Niseko because there are instructors to give you lessons. Our group @tincmoreno @jaxcantonio and @aangara liked Justin @justinowers who was very patient and nice. Just book him thru Niseko Black +81 (0) 136-55-5852 (office #)
You can book Justin (and other instructors!) by emailing too! Just send a message to snowsports@nisekoblack.com CarminaRaffyAndre and Pat This beautiful skier, Lindy @lindycas is always alone because she has private lessons! I must check out her instructor hahaThe lovers 🙂 peacefully skiing in the Annupurri slopes – Kim and Chut The only snowboarder in the group – Chut What a beautiful capture of Marco! What moves! 🙂 Après ski cocktails – Hot chocolate!:-)
We did not stay here but Steve and Lindy did. It was our hang out many times because this was our base for skiing For now this is the best in Niseko but there are many new ones coming up beside Vale Cozy lobby 🙂 I sat here many times and I used the wifi haha 🙂This is one feature which I think is very important! ONSEN! For guests of the hotel HallwayAs you enter the unit of Steve and Lindy – dining room and living room A new condo/hotel will be here by Dec 2016 called Aya. So soon there will be no view from the Vale units on this side A three bedroom condo for sale at Vale with a living room with a view of the Slopes. The hotel/residences in Niseko are time shared. So you can buy a place and use it when you are there and put it in the pool to be rented out when you are not using it. The developer will maintain and manage it for you.
Vale is a ski in ski out hotel so it is very convenient for those who stay here and ski From the living room, there is a window where you can see the private onsen To access the onsen, go outside the sliding door and step up to the onsen Master bedroom. You can put see from the bathroom 🙂 But you can pull down the shades Beautiful view Click below to go to their website
Our first dinner was at Bang Bang. I have been hearing a lot about Bang Bang which is recommended by all Pinoys 🙂 though I heard from another friend that it is overrated. To each his own really so it really depends on what you order and the circumstances of your visit. We had our own experience ourself! haha!!
This is our story 🙂 I don’t usually like to say anything negative about anything or anyone, but I will narrate what happened just so it won’t happen to you. I am sure the owner/restaurant did not mean any harm. There was just a miscommunication. It could have happened in another place too.
There are 2 Bang Bang’s – the first one you will see on the road is Bang Bang 2 which is totally the same – it is just another location You have to enter and turn left to get to the other location and this is where we ate The Yakitori griller as you enter. The smiling gentleman is the owner. I am a bit upset with him because we made our reservations way in advance and when we arrived there, he told us that we had to take the Omakaze for US $ 100.00 each since we were a big group. First I think that he should have mentioned that when we made the reservation so we know in advance.
It’s a good thing Tina was with us and could communicate in Japanese with him and she was able to tell him that we did not want omakaze. We had to accept the sashimi and a fish which was already allocated for us. He charged us 30,000 Yen for each plate of Sashimi ( 2 plates ) and one Kinki fish for 20,000 yen. It’s a lot but it seems we could not do anything anymore about it, So we just divided it among everyone. If the owner was worried it would be disorganised, it was not since we divided ourselves by tables. If he was worried we would not order enough, he was mistaken because we still ordered a good amount of food. So I think it was not necessary for him to impose.
Just make sure this does not happen you! And I would sill say this is a good place to go to 🙂
We were 21 – the whole gang complete for dinner. It was a long table so we decided to group ourselves for billing purposes. My group was Raj, Kai, Cherina and Andre. The most practical group haha!! Tina, Marco, Anna and Jackie were another group. Each group ordered their own from the menu Beware of sitting with this group where Chut, Lindy and Carmina are included! They order the best and the most expensive in the menu!! haha!!! But you can be in the table beside them ( and we were ) and it will be the best location because they will share their expensive dishes with you!!! haha!! There as a menu on the wall so make sure to look at it since these are specials. PLEASE ASK PRICE it says! 🙂 I could not miss the word raclette so I ordered this for myself. It was okay. Just always make sure to season your food here because i noticed they do not put salt and pepper. For raclette anyway always make sure to put pepper 🙂 Now I am wondering how the baked cheesecake and cheese pudding was! The ala carte menu was so varied! Many choices which looked so good!! I am only appreciating it now because I did not order – Andre did!! haha!! Ala Carte Special 🙂 That Camembert would have been something I would have ordered! Anything cheese 🙂 Spareribs BIG! 🙂 Grilled Cod roe!! I would go for anything grilled here!! Buffalo wings with mentaiko from the other table Ikura Shoyuzuke Grilled squid Have as many yakitori as you want!! This is the place to be 🙂 and it won’t have to be expensive 🙂 We tried mostly pork and chicken and vegetables. Again do not forget to season to your taste 🙂 Chicken Pork Chicken skin Beef tongue Sausage Tukune ( Tsukune ) grilled chicken Pork cheek – special mention – Yum! 🙂 Wow! I wish I tried these yakitori skewers that were makis! Cheese! haha! But they look interesting! Grilled vegetables – the healthiest 🙂 YUM! Onigiri Yum! Tofu salad20,000 Yen for this 🙂 I heard it was good 🙂 Lindy asked Tina to tell them to fry the fat – they could not understand and they did not want to cook it too much – maybe because the fat makes the grill spark and smoky – but funny because they put it on a stick like yakitori haha!! 🙂 CUTE! 🙂 King Crab and Hairy Crab
Niseko is a place in the city of Hokkaido. It’s very near yet so far 🙂 because there is no direct flight yet to Chitose. And yet from Chitose you need to take a 2 hour bus ride. We flew to Tokyo for around 3 1/2 hours then had to transfer to Chitose for another hour and a half then bus. We are hoping that Pat can talk to Lance Gokongwei or maybe PAL will have a direct flight to Chitose. We love Chitose so we don’t mind landing and departing from there!! 🙂 I LOVE Niseko and I do not even ski! I wish I had more time to explore!
In Niseko there are 4 resorts
Annupurri, Moiwa, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Grand Hirafu. I was only able to go to 3 areas – Annupurri, Hanazono where we snowmobiled and Grand Hirafu.
We stayed in Grand Hirafu which is the main or the downtown of Niseko 🙂 This map looks big but actually it is a very very small village. I love it because it is small and everything is so near each other. It’s so cozy!! I love walking the small side streets going to the bars and restaurants. People who stay in Grand Hirafu want to be where the action is 🙂 and where all the restaurants and shopping is. No need to take a car or taxi to eat in a restaurant because everything is walking distance This is another main street which is going uphill and here you will see restaurants and shops too I love these bees! They were giving out yellow beanies! of course they were promoting their online grocery. In Japan there are many people doing this – I like the ones giving out tissue paper haha!! very useful 🙂 though I do not understand the japanese on them I have never stayed in a resort that had snow – falling snow!!! I loved being here because wherever you go, snow was falling!! Light and powdery snow that was so pleasant!!! I love seeing these trees which you normally only see on a shop window or in a store and artificial at that! These were the real thing and they were so beautiful. They were not dirty or messy. They were Christmas trees 🙂 that were cover with snow – just so pure and angelic The only thing blocking the view sometimes are the wires 🙁 These are scenes from just walking around. I made sure I was clothed well because I wanted to walk outdoors and appreciate this. I usually don’t like to walk ( lazy haha ) but here I walked and walked and walked On our first day we rode a taxi to go to Annupurri. It is also beautiful to drive outside the village because the scenery is beautiful!!
Mt. Yotei
Mount Y?tei is an inactive stratovolcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaid?, Japan. It is also called Yezo Fuji or Ezo Fuji, “Ezo” being an old name for the island of Hokkaido, because it resembles the more famous Mount Fuji. Wikipedia
Elevation: 1,898 m
Last eruption: 3550 BC
Prominence: 1,878 m Icicles on roofs of homes!
The roofs in these places have to be very sturdy or else they will fall down if there is a lot of snow on top! It can get heavyWe walked in Annupuri and it was a peaceful place. People who stay here want to be away from the “action!” haha!! This resort has mostly chalets. A chalet is also a nice experience for a family or group! The slope here is also less “action” therefore not crowded. You have to drive to Hirafu for the main restos and shopping so you need a car to get around from where you are here. Though there are a few restaurants here too like Rakuichi, Lucky Fingers and Pizza del Sole A sign taken by Kim 🙂
Click below to go to the official website of Niseko for more informationFrequently referred to as a “winter wonderland”, Niseko’s unique location makes it a ” must-see, must-ski” hotspot for winter sports enthusiasts.
we walked up a few minutes to burn the calories from the soba 🙂 so we could go to Pizza del Sole as recommended to us by Chut. We love pizza especially the hubby 🙂 It said Winter season take out only but we were able to go inside and order our pizza As you enter, immediately is the counter where you place your ordersThere is a bar counter to the left and it was fullBehind the counter is the brick oven and the guy making the pizza and this coffee machine! 🙂 We ordered a quick pizza to try 🙂 YUM!
Our first official meal was for lunch and we drove around 10 to 15 minutes away to try Rakuichi. Steve tipped us that the drive was worth it so we went 🙂
It is in Annupuri Village.
Before entering the restaurant there is this wooden arch A nice photo op 🙂 First come first serve. There are no reservations for lunch. Go early ( around 11 am maybe though we arrived at around 1145 and we were 2nd seating ) so you can be first in the line 🙂 Beautiful!! Make sure to take photos around the restaurant because it is so beautifulBefore you enter you have to leave your boots so as not to wet and destroy the wooden floors Then a curtain before enteringGet a pair of slippers to wear 🙂There is a waiting area where you can drink some rice tea drinkPeeping to check if we are next 🙂Heater and drinks areaTowards the bathroomWe are greeted by a beautiful Japanese lady who is apparently Midori, the owner and wife of the Soba maker, Rai Articles posted on the wallTatsuru Rai himself was there! Of course!! because without him there would be no soba! Photo on the wall! Anthony Bourdain with the couple. Rakuichi became even more popular because of BourdainLove the stone placematsA simple menu means they serve ono what they do best!
We placed our orders and inside the bar where we were seated, everyone watched Rai as he made our soba noodles from scratch with his bare hands! We ordered two kinds of Soba so we could try – The Hot Duck Soba. We are not soba experts but we wanted to try it. Heart2Heart loves anything handmade, anything made with passion and made with LOVE!
The green onion tempura was so good with or without the soba I ordered a side order of fresh vegetables tempura which was so good with or without the soba. Of course freshly made as well. I highly recommend you order this and eat it together with the soba all the way! We ordered the Cold DUCK Soba which is basically cold noodles which you dip in the hot soup. I liked that the Green onion tempura was not in the soup so it was still crispy and fresh when you dunked it in the soup with the noodles when you are about to eat it. Maybe you can also request that they separate it when you order the Hot soba 🙂 Self service water and tea 🙂 Restroom We saw these signs as we exited the door!! They are booked for dinner till March. Good thing we went to lunch and they only served three seatings
We came right in time for a fresh batch that just came out of the oven! That is the only way you should eat these tarts to get the best flavour!! Its still good after but maybe you have to heat it
OMG!!! YUM YUM!! Japanese have a way of making things yummy but not leaving you with a heavy feeling. You will notice that in their pastries – cheesecake or cheese tart 
New! Chocolate tarts! Also yum!
Tsumire ( Japanese meatball ) with side order of Bacon! Kai chose the coconut milk soup which we both preferred over the original. It’s creamier and thats why we like it 🙂 And that bacon!!!! YUM! Spiciness 4 but Kai said she could have went up higher
with a jar to pay for coffee – honesty system 🙂
Snowmobiling
As you enter, immediately is the counter where you place your orders
We are greeted by a beautiful Japanese lady who is apparently Midori, the owner and wife of the Soba maker, Rai
Articles posted on the wall
Tatsuru Rai himself was there! Of course!! because without him there would be no soba!
Photo on the wall! Anthony Bourdain with the couple. Rakuichi became even more popular because of Bourdain
Love the stone placemats
A simple menu means they serve ono what they do best!
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