Niseko Confidential reopens for its first summer season with seasonal dishes, signature cocktails, and alpine vibes, a fresh twist on the après experience.
Following a successful ski-season debut, Niseko Confidential reopened its doors on July 2nd in Hirafu for its first-ever summer season. Beloved by locals and travelers alike, Niseko’s “green season” offers a stark contrast to the snowy winters with perfectly mild weather and clear blue skies setting the stage for hiking, zip-lining, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.
The snow may have melted for the season, but the promise remains the same at Niseko Confidential – great energy, exceptional food, and world-class cocktails. Switching up the offerings from the winter menu, which focuses on prix fixe dining menus and après ski cocktails, this summer sees an expanded à la carte offering with fresh seasonal dishes alongside Signature 4- and 6-course dining menus. Light bites include the Summer Vegetable Gazpacho, Spicy Scallop Crispy Rice featuring scallop tartare over crispy rice with a zing of horseradish mayo, and Wagyu Beef Tacos with premium Hokkaido wagyu beef with yuzu pepper teriyaki. Mains range from the light Pan-Fried Salmon with charred corn salsa and couscous salad to the more indulgent Wagyu Beef Curry and Hokkaido Wagyu Filet.
New summer-inspired additions to the drink’s menu include refreshing sips for the season, such as the Spring Garden with gin, basil, verde amaro, sake, lychee and soda, and the Blueberry Smash with shochu, blueberry, elderflower, mint and citrus. Favourites from the ski season remain, including the Gingerbread Old Fashioned with bourbon, gingerbread syrup and bitters, and the Tokyo Banana Colada with rum, banana, pineapple, salted milk syrup and umami. The menu includes a curated selection of beer and wine, as well as Tokyo Confidential’s two signature sakes in collaboration with Katō Kahachirō Shuzō brewery, Yamagata – the mineral and umami Funky Town and the smooth and creamy Butter Up.
Niseko Confidential is located at 1-3-20, Niseko Hirafu 2-jo, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 044-0089, and opens from 2 July through 31 August for the summer season from 5 – 11PM, Wednesdays through Sundays. Guests can look forward to some exciting new updates in Niseko this winter season, including a new agave-focused bar along with other new offerings at Niseko Confidential.
Photo credited to Glen Claydon