This is The Only Way to Eat Your Way Through Hakuba, Japan

Yes, the Japanese Alps deliver face shots for days, but the real surprise is what’s waiting for you at the local dining establishments after you unbuckle your boots. Hakuba’s dining scene is basically a powder day for your taste buds. From steaming bowls of ramen to elaborate multi-course meals, here are five delicious reasons why you’ll enjoy the Japanese culinary scene.

Ramen That’ll Ruin You for Life

Every skier in Hakuba ends up at Takahashike Ramen eventually. One slurp of their porky, umami-loaded broth and you’ll wonder why you ever wasted time on a bowl of chili at your home resort. Grab a stool, watch the snow fall outside, and let the warmth from the bowl melt the day’s chill right out of your bones. Bonus points for ordering a Sapporo to wash it down.

Fine Dining That Doesn’t Feel Stuffy

When your legs are shot from a blower day at Happo One and you’re ready to relive it over a slow-paced meal, Mimi’s Restaurant & Bar is the move. The Italian-Japanese fusion menu is way better than the average “ski town fancy” kind of place you’d find in Vail or Stowe, while the wood beams and candlelight add the perfect ambiance. Start with wagyu beef carpaccio that melts on your tongue, then move to fresh uni pasta that balances creamy richness with ocean brine. The seasonal vegetable risotto tastes impossibly good and thanks to its buttery and savory taste, the fresh black cod miso outshines U.S. restaurants. It’s the kind of meal that’ll make you forget you’re still in ski socks. 

The Après You’ll Remember Forever

For a slightly fancier option, in Hakuba's wooded Wadano Village, Tori Co. offers skewers grilled over charcoal for smoky, melt-in-your-mouth chicken. From salt-seasoned classics to thick glazed sauces to seasonal vegetables, every bite is a treat. Their family-style vibe creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere, perfectly balanced with quality food and drinks for an après to remember.

Global Comfort Food

There comes a time on every ski trip when you just want something familiar. Hakuba’s got you. Blizzard’s wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes deliver a homey Italian feel. Their complete cocktail and beer list includes favorites like Aperol Spritz and Peroni beer. It’s the kind of place you’ll never want to leave. Sounds Like Café scratches the post-pow burger itch (fries included) with its juicy patties and fun toppings—like pineapple, teriyaki sauce and fried eggs. For a slightly fancier option, Tori Co. offers skewers grilled over charcoal for smoky, melt-in-your-mouth chicken. From salt-seasoned classics to thick glazed sauces to seasonal vegetables, every bite is a treat.

Late-Night Fuel

No.898 provides the perfect nightcap to take the edge off after a long day of ripping through Japan's famous powder. It's elegance shines with an exquisite selection of wiskeys and champagnes. The exclusivity is what really sets this place a part with a daily-changing entry code, exclusively available for reserved patrons. The perfect place to feel relaxed and elegant at the same time.

If you’re going to Japan for the snow, you’re certainly on the right track, but you are missing half the story. Hakuba isn’t just a ski destination, it’s a dining wonderland too, so take advantage of the restaurant scene to satiate your appetite. The powder’s deep, but the flavor might just run a little deeper. Come for the pow, stay for the chow.