Niseko buzz is Japan countryside goes cosmopolitan. Japanese food is of course famous for the best fresh produce, attention to detail and presentation, and a unique range of flavours. What is less well known are the great variety of affordable mini meals – noodle and rice based dishes and more hearty but still very affordable set menu offerings which do a wonderful job balancing budget and diet without compromising the all important ‘taste’. Memorise the word ‘oishii’ (Oh-ee-shee) – ‘delicious’ before you travel to Niseko and remember that amongst other foods Hokkaido is famous for fresh seafood and ramen noodles. Niseko also offers international cuisine catering to the Japanese palate. International dishes are often small portions by western standards, and price is affected by the cost of ingredients but there is definitely something different and worth trying in everything from Japanese Italian to Japanese Nepalese. For die-hards, meat pies are available at Fatty’s. The village of Hirafu is packed with eateries and Izakaya (Japanese pubs). Most restaurants have English menus and English speaking staff, and are within walking distance of your accommodation and the lifts.

VERY FRESH SUSHI	ONSEN (Hot Spring Spa)

The Niseko Ground Services (NGS) client introductory pack includes a wine-and-dine directory and introductory discount coupons to some of the bars and restaurants. These offerings are subject to change for the 2006/07 season, and you will get the latest and greatest when you arrive. Please note that cash is king in Japan and still the only form of payment accepted at many establishments.  Thanks to International demand the number of properties in Niseko accepting credit cards is increasing.

Internet Niseko ADSL and wireless infrastructure has greatly improved internet connectivity in the past 18 months. Wireless can be accessed at many properties and some provide PC’s for internet access. If there is no Internet at your accommodation then Fatty’s, Kumagoro, PowPow, JoJo’s, and B’s café all operate Internet café terminals. The Alpen coffee shop and Fatty’s have wireless internet, if you need to use your laptop.

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A more detailed PDF of the village is available for download – this is an A3 size scan. Hard copies of the pdf are available in Niseko