Four must-visit cafes near Niseko that you'll want to stop by on your drive. Hokkaido Lab ~A Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture all in one place~

Four must-visit cafes near Niseko that are perfect for a drive.

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: Last updated: September 11, 2018

Table of contents

1. It's not just omurice! Be amazed by the special chocolate parfait! "Suzuya"

2. Why don't you come and experience some healing too? "Healing Salon Kura café"

3. Limited quantities available! "The Hotcake Shop"

4. When it comes to gelato, it's "Luhiel"!

Afterword

Niseko | Mt. Yotei
Are you aware of a popular destination that has become a frequent destination for foreign tourists in recent years?

That place is Niseko, nestled at the foot of Mount Yotei. In winter, many skiers come from all over Japan and even from overseas to enjoy skiing.

Rather than being a rural area, it's a place rich in nature, making it a recommended spot to soothe a mind weary from the hustle and bustle of city life.

This time, we'll introduce four wonderful cafes in the Niseko area that are currently experiencing a surge in popularity and are perfect for a casual visit.

Since we're focusing on parfaits, pancakes, gelato, and more, you should be able to enjoy yourself wherever you go! So, let's get started!

～Table of Contents～
1. It's not just omurice! Be amazed by the special chocolate parfait! "Suzuya"
2. Why don't you come and experience some healing too? "Healing Salon Kura café"
3. Limited quantities available! "The Hotcake Shop"
4. When it comes to gelato, it's "Luhiel"!
Afterword

1. It's not just omurice! Be amazed by the special chocolate parfait! "Suzuya"

Niseko Suzuya
This is a popular cafe and restaurant that opened in 1973 in Iwanai Town, near Niseko.

This hidden gem of a restaurant is particularly known for its delicious omurice (omelet rice) and is often featured in the media, including on TV.

In addition to sweets like parfaits and cream zenzai, this restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, including ramen and pork chops, making it a great choice when you're unsure what you want to eat.

Niseko Suzuya Parfait

And here is the "Chocolate Special Parfait".

The generous amount of fruit piled on top makes it practically a fruit parfait, and since the fruits change with the seasons, you can enjoy a different "Chocolate Special Parfait" each season.

This parfait is incredibly voluminous, with plenty of soft-serve ice cream on top, and vanilla ice cream, cornflakes, and even sponge cake inside, so it's sure to leave you feeling full.

Of course, they also have regular-sized parfaits, which I also recommend.

Iwanai Akindo Market

In addition, in Iwanai Town, a merchants' market called "Akindo Market" is held every month on the third Friday and Saturday.

It might be a menu item only available at that time, or it might be cheaper than usual...

There are various patterns, so I can't say for sure, but the noren (shop curtain) shown in the image below is displayed during the week the "Akindo Market" is held, so it can be used as a marker for participating shops.

Of course, "Suzuya" often participates in these events. Why not stop by "Suzuya" while you're out for a drive?

[Suzuya Store Information]
Address: 29-15 Bandai, Iwanai-cho
Phone number: 0135-62-0649
Business hours: 11: 00-22: 00
Closed: Wednesday

2. Why don't you come and experience some healing too? "Healing Salon Kura café"

Niseko Kura café
Also located in Iwanai Town, Kura Café offers a "Parfait of the Week," a weekly special that can only be enjoyed at certain times of the year.

We offer two sizes: mini and jug size. One is a relatively easy-to-eat size, and the other is a more substantial size, so you can choose according to how hungry you are at the time.

Kura café Mini Parfait

This is a mini-sized parfait. The "Parfait of the Week" when I visited was a "Matcha and Black Sesame Ice Cream Parfait."

Kura Café Jumbo Parfait

And here's a parfait served in a jug-sized container.

Traditional parfaits often have cornflakes between layers of ice cream or soft serve, but this shop mainly uses pie.

In addition to parfaits, the menu also includes drinks made with carefully selected ingredients, so you can enjoy more than just parfaits.

What's amazing about this cafe is that they hold monthly events, such as inviting a fortune teller specializing in Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theory, or a nail artist to do gel nails.

Niseko Kura café

It offers a different kind of enjoyment compared to a typical cafe where you can have a meal while drinking coffee.

The fact that they serve lemon water while you wait is another unique detail of this restaurant.

It's also great that they offer products made with body-friendly materials!

Many customers who visit the shop come to share their dreams and goals, so the atmosphere inside is filled with positive energy and cheerfulness. It's also recommended for those who love handmade items.

Why don't you come to "Kura café" and talk about your ideal future?

[Kura Café Healing Salon Store Information]
Address: 3-9 Bandai, Iwanai-cho, Iwanai-gun
Phone number: 090-6875-9611
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 18:00 PM (may vary depending on the day)
Closed on: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and occasionally Saturdays.

3. Limited quantities available! "The Hotcake Shop"

The Hotcake Shop
This is a restaurant in Kutchan Town where you can eat pancakes.

Since they are baked to order, only about 40 pancakes are made per day, making them a very rare treat to enjoy.

This is a very popular restaurant, so it may take a little while for your order to arrive, but it's definitely a place I recommend visiting even if you don't like waiting.

It's located on the main street in front of the station, so it's easily accessible by public transport!

The Hotcake Shop 2

Each pancake is larger than a typical pancake, so you'll feel quite full.

However, the owner is very particular about his pancakes, and he refuses to let three people share one plate because they can't finish it all.

First, try it without adding anything, and the subtly elegant sweetness of the dough will fill your mouth.

It's delicious as is, but of course, adding honey or homemade syrup to your liking will bring out the flavor of the dough even more, so we recommend it.

[The Hotcake Shop Store Information]
Address: 1-3-1 Minami 1-jo Nishi, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun
Phone number: 0136-22-1295
Opening hours: 10:30 AM - 18:30 PM (Last order 18:00 PM)
Closed: Tuesday

4. When it comes to gelato, it's "Luhiel"!

Do you know of any gelato shops in Niseko?

Here, in addition to regular flavors like vanilla and chocolate, you can also enjoy seasonal limited-edition gelato flavors.

Niseko Gelato

The image shows cream cheese and matcha gelato.

You can choose two flavors from a wide variety of ice cream options, allowing you to enjoy different combinations.

This shop's gelato is made with a focus on bringing out the natural goodness of the fruit itself.

This gelato, made without any additives or freezing processes, is something you probably won't find at many other shops.

In the summer, they offer dishes featuring watermelon and melon, and in the winter, they have menu items that can only be enjoyed during that season, so you can enjoy flavors that you won't get tired of no matter how many times you visit.

Luhiel

Wouldn't enjoying gelato while gazing at Mount Yotei be a truly special experience?

Many customers visit during their motorcycle tours, and it seems that its good reputation is spreading to travelers as well.

When you think of Niseko, you think of Mount Yotei. When you think of gelato, you think of Ruhiel.

[Ruhiel Store Information]
Address: 34-62 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun
Phone number: 0136-21-2355
Business hours: 9: 00-18: 00
Closed holiday: irregular holiday