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| Onsen (natural hot spring bath) in Niseko |
As you might expect, I have countless photos, countless stories to retell, and even more recommendations for you to try. However, I'm still catching my breath back here in Singapore, so in the meantime, here's a quick photo tour of my one week in Tokyo and Niseko (with a glimpse of places in between like Otaru).
Special thanks to Paul and Damien - gaijin as they may be, they were as amazing as a guide as any local could be. Thank you Kanae and Mai, who are not so gaijin, for showing me around Ebisu.
P.S. For those who have noticed that my hair looks more 'Japanese' these days, that's because I got my hair cut and colored in Omotesando at ACQUA. My stylist is Kosuke Takezawa. http://www.acqua.co.jp/
Tel: 03-3400-8585
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| Mille feuille in Midtown Roppongi |
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| Omotesando Hills - I did zero shopping for myself, sadly. |
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| Roppongi night life |
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| UKON to start and end a Friday night, the ultimate hangover prevention. |
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| Cold soba with fresh herbs and shaved daikon |
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| La Tour D'Argent Tokyo, French classics with the fine use of both French and Japanese produce, differentiating itself from its Parisian mother back in France. (see interview with owner Andre Terrail here) |
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| The famous tuna, post-auction |
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| Tokyo's Tsukiji Market - 7am in the morning |
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| Otaru, quick stop on the way back to Sapporo from Niseko |
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| The finest uni and ikura I've ever had the pleasure of having in my life. |
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| Local yakitori spot in Hokkaido. He takes pride in his craft. |
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| Train ride from Sapporo to Niseko |
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| Nightfall view from my cabin window |
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| Whoops. Back to Tokyo for a moment - this is Harajuku in a nutshell. |
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| Mt. Yotei, the view we get from Niseko |
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| Hello there! |
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| Snowboarders and skiiers. Jump away. |
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| After a full day of snowboarding, this pretty Bernese Mountain dog is here to greet us |
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| kampai! (Funnily enough, they don't serve Sapporo beer at Hanazono ski lodge, but Kirin. Sad!) |
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| You won't find tourists (except us) at this ultra local Niseko ramen spot. |
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| Back in Tokyo. Roppongi Crossing. |
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| Food everywhere, including on our walk to Meiji Shrine |
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| Sukiyaki, anyone? |
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| My last meal in Tokyo: Pizza at Savoy in Roppongi |
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| My last drink in Tokyo - how cocktails should be done. Also where I had the best bloody mary I've had in my life. |
鳥松 やきとり
Torimatsu Izakaya
北3条西1, 虻田郡倶知安町, Hokkaidō, 044-0053, Japan
English: 1 Kita 3-jo Nishi | 北3条西1丁目, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0053, Japan
Niseko Ramen Kazahana (http://www7.plala.or.jp/nisekoramenmount/menu-e.html)
倶知安町字山田170-50, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 044-0081
English: 170-50 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0081 , Japan
* Order the "Niseko Ramen" (potato froth base) and mini charsyu don.
Isezushi
Save Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan +81 134-23-1425
* Amazing fresh sashimi and sushi.
Kimamaya
170-248 Aza-Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Phone: +81 (0) 136 23 2603
Abucha 2
191-29 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: +81 136-22-5620
Bang Bang
Hirafu Zaka Street | Hirafu, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: +81 136-22-4292
Pirka
Higashiyama-onsen, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: +81 136 44 1111
Hotel Niseko Alpen Restaurant Syokusai Hirafu
204 Yamada Kutchan-cho Abuta-gun Hokkaido
Phone: 0136-22-1105
Rakuichi Soba
Address: 431 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0136583170
Torimatsu
15 minutes from Hirafu, in Kutchan
Phone: 0136 23 2893
Gyu Bar
Phone: 0136-21-1432
Niseko Supply Company
190-13 Aza-Yamada, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: +81 136-55-8861