Harvest Season: Celebrating Niseko’s Famous Potatoes

Like many regions across Japan, Niseko - and especially Kutchan - has its own signature crop. Here, it’s all about the Kutchan potato, so iconic it even stars as the town’s mascot: Jagata-kun, a ski- and snowboard-loving spud. Autumn marks the height of harvest season, when this humble yet celebrated potato makes its way from local fields to dinner tables near and far.

The Niseko area offers ideal conditions for farming. At the foot of Mount Yotei, mineral-rich volcanic soil and Hokkaido’s mild climate help crops thrive. Fed by pure snowmelt in spring and early summer, and nurtured by the island’s long daylight hours, Kutchan’s potatoes develop a distinct sweetness with a larger, firmer texture.

While Kutchan may be the star, the same conditions extend across Hokkaido, which produces more than 75% of Japan’s potatoes. With vast stretches of farmland and relatively few people, the island has space for agriculture on a scale unseen elsewhere in the country. Here, farming is more than an occupation, it’s a heritage, shaping Hokkaido’s economy and identity as Japan’s northern breadbasket.

Boiled or baked potatoes may be the classics, but Kutchan’s local hero shines in far more inventive ways.

Kutchan 540 Chips, named for the impressive 540 days they can be stored, are a beloved local snack available in a variety of flavours, a true product of small-town innovation.

Fuji Sweets in Kutchan is famous for its buttery Potato Pies: flaky pastry wrapped around rich, creamy local potatoes. Beloved by both locals and travellers, these pies sell out fast, so be sure to grab one while you can.

Potatoes even find their way into noodles with Gousetsu Udon, a hearty dish that blends potato flour into the dough for extra bite and comfort. Enjoy it freshly made in local restaurants or pick up a pack in the supermarket to try at home.

Snack lovers will also recognise Calbee, one of Japan’s most popular snack brands, which sources around 80% of its potatoes from Hokkaido. At New Chitose Airport, the Calbee PLUS shop is a must-stop, serving freshly made chips, fries, Potarico sticks, and special limited-edition flavours you won’t find anywhere else.

From fields at the foot of Mount Yotei to kitchens across Japan, the Kutchan potato is more than a crop, it’s a taste of Niseko’s heart and heritage.