yuko There’s nothing more soothing to the soul on a cold winter’s day than a delicious warm cup of joe. Not to mention, it’s also the perfect pick-me-up before you go skiing down the slopes of Niseko. In this article, we’re going to let you in on our favourite coffee and breakfast spots in Niseko where you can fuel up before starting your day of fun and adventure. Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to warm up and read a book, a place to hang out and people watch, or somewhere to get your quick caffeine fix, you really can’t go wrong with any of these excellent cafes. And without further ado, here are the best cafes in Niseko that you absolutely must visit during your trip!
Green Farm Café
This popular café in Hirafu runs by their motto of “food from farm to fork,” as they grow their own fresh produce to use in all of their dishes. The menu features a variety of Western cuisine, healthy salads, soups, sandwiches, smoothies, and of course, coffee. For brunch, we suggest trying their avocado toast loaded with ricotta cheese or their Mexican pulled pork. The spacious café is filled with natural light, with exposed ceilings, concrete flooring, sturdy wooden tables and gleaming display cases showing a wide selection of deli items. Prices at Green Farm Cafe range from ¥700 to ¥2,000.
Graubunden
Revered for its delicious fare, superb coffee and warm hospitality, Graubunden is a charming, cosy German-style café featuring wooden floors and furnishings, lush potted plants and a wood-burning fireplace. The cafe is located just a short drive from the centre of Hirafu, Niseko’s largest village. For a filling lunch, we recommend trying one of their signature sandwiches (the Makkari bacon and egg baguette is superb), with a generous slice of moist strawberry cake served with fresh cream for dessert. Don’t forget to order a robust cafe latté to round the meal off nicely. Estimated spending is between ¥1,200-2,000 per head here.
Takahashi Dairy Farm Milk Kobo
A visit to Niseko would not be complete without spending an afternoon at the Milk Kobo café and dairy farm, which has earned quite a following. Their light-as-air choux pastries are filled with silky smooth vanilla-flavoured custard, made fresh daily from the milk and cream of Hokkaido cows. By the way, did you know Hokkaido is known for producing the best milk in Japan? The café has a clean, comfortable interior and is housed in a log building near Niseko Village, with large clear windows overlooking the picturesque countryside surroundings. Guests pop in to sample the yoghurt, ice cream, cheese soufflé cakes and milkuchen, which can also be taken home as gifts (most items cost under ¥600).
Sprout
Located near Kutchan train station, you’ll find Sprout, a popular café buzzing with customers all day. The cosy and inviting coffee roastery and café serve a fine selection of single-origin coffees and three house blends (¥450 for a cappuccino), which they also supply to other establishments in the Niseko area. Patrons can choose from sandwiches, cream puffs, or select one of the cakes on display. They also offer a wide selection of vegan desserts which are so good, you’ll completely forget it’s dairy-free! The café has also become a meeting spot for cyclists, hikers and runners in the region where they grab a cup of joe before or after their venture.
Koko Bakery and Coffee
In the sleek Odin Place shopping mall located in Kutchan, Koko bakes fresh pain au chocolat, croissants and Danish pastries daily, alongside full-bodied coffees brewed from a blend of Hokkaido and South American beans. If you’re not a big fan of coffee, don’t worry, because they also serve premium Belgian chocolate drinks. Koko doesn’t have much room inside where you can sit and linger around for hours. It’s more of a grab-and-go café, so you can enjoy your coffee while browsing the stylish boutiques in Odin Place. Pastries begin at ¥400 and coffee starts from ¥450.
If Café
If Café is a charming and cosy establishment run by a Japanese couple, located just off the main Hirafu intersection. Set back from the busy streets in a brick building, it provides a calm and relaxing space to escape the noise of the crowds. The couple makes everything in the café from scratch using the best locally sourced produce. Their whipped cream topped with fresh berries is one of the signature dishes here, along with a decadent mascarpone cheesecake. If you’re looking for a bigger bite, their delicious pasta dishes such as the vongole and carbonara are highly recommended, as are the wood-fired pizzas. Prices range from ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per dish, offering excellent value for money given the high quality of ingredients and fresh preparation.
White Birch Café
White Birch Café takes its name from Hokkaido’s famous silver birch forests. This little café is tucked away from the main tourist spots in Niseko and is hugely popular with locals. The interior has a rustic feel with earthy tones that create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Delicious coffees, sweet and savoury pastries, sandwiches and burgers are served until 4 pm. In the evenings, White Birch opens for dinner from 6 pm with a menu built around their signature baked curry featuring succulent Makkari pork – best paired with their wonderful selection of wines.
Hana1
Over in Hanazono, Hana1 Café is a tiny shack that has amassed a huge following. You’ll find this humble café by the Hanazono Edge ski-in ski-out eatery. They serve some of the finest barista-pulled espresso-based coffee you’ll find near the slopes. Their homemade six-spice chai, muffins, toasties and other light nibbles are also worth trying out. The daily queue of skiers and snowboarders obtaining their morning coffee stands as a testament to the reputation and quality that owner Mikey Flanagan has established here, and come evening, folks show up for après-ski beverages and beers. In springtime, they also grill sausages every weekend.
Fresh Café
Fresh Café is a great spot to grab a bite on the go. They serve a very nice espresso and excellent hot chocolate that will warm you up on the inside. They also have a good selection of hot snacks available for lunch or breakfast. When the sun is out, it’s nice to sit outside at the picnic table and enjoy your food before heading up to the slopes on the Ace Family Quad lift. The prices are more affordable than many of the other cafes and restaurants around the area; however, they currently only accept cash payments.
JoJo’s Cafe
Jojo’s Cafe and Bar provides a fun and spacious American dining experience in Niseko. In addition to coffees, milkshakes, burgers and pastas, the space also houses an 11-metre high (36-feet-high) rock climbing wall and an indoor children’s playground, making it an appealing choice for families with little ones. The owner, Ross Findlay, takes pride in supporting local producers. Their coffee beans are sourced from Sprout in Kutchan, while their meat, vegetables, and dairy are primarily grown or harvested within Hokkaido. Meals here start at around ¥1350 per person for breakfast or afternoon tea, while lunches and dinners are approximately ¥4000.
