You can enjoy delicious Japanese food in Hirafu.

A friend from Niseko recommended Ebisutei to me, but I hadn't been able to go during the summer season. Finally, I was able to visit! The restaurant is smaller than I expected, but it was filled with locals and families on vacation. The staff were busy but still provided good service, and we had a pleasant dining experience.

In the pension district of Niseko Hirafu area, there is a log house izakaya located quite far down from the main street, even beyond the 7th stop of the ski shuttle bus route. I was surprised to see that it's always crowded, thanks to the power of Aussie reviews. As the season was coming to an end, I finally had the chance to visit. The interior had a few two-seater benches, L-shaped counters, and tables. The menu offered typical izakaya dishes like seafood, oden, and more. I ordered an Ebisu beer and looked through the menu. I started with the shirako (cod milt) which was incredibly fresh and delicious. Next, I had two pieces of fresh oysters, which were also excellent. I switched to sake halfway through the meal. The sake selection was not extensive, but that's not a big deal. I also tried the oden, which was a staff-recommended combination of daikon, ganmo (tofu fritter), and hanpen (fish cake), and it was delicious. The staff was friendly, and it seems like they have a rotation of local workers towards the end of the season. Since it's close to my accommodation, I will definitely go back again.

This restaurant is located in a quite remote area in Hirafu, so it's a bit far to get to... which can make the journey back tiring. It has a cozy atmosphere with a small log house vibe and a bar counter where you can chat with the staff. The food and drinks are decent, nothing special. If you're not a fan of crowded restaurants in Hirafu and prefer a lively yet relaxed place to have a good conversation, this might be the perfect spot for you!

The restaurant recommended by my favorite professional snowboarder team that I was looking forward to visiting in Niseko. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was great. Although the ikura donburi I was looking forward to was not on the menu this time, I tried the prawn tempura salad, which was delicious. The grilled hokke (Okhotsk Atka mackerel) was amazing, cooked perfectly with juicy flesh. The oden was recommended and the sashimi was excellent too. There were several types of umeshu (plum wine) to enjoy. It's a small restaurant, but it's lively with many foreign visitors, making it a fun place to be. It's popular, so making a reservation is often necessary. They also have slightly larger private rooms for those who want to enjoy with their family. I will definitely visit again next time I go to Niseko!