Taste Japanese Flavours At Snow Castle
Experience the flavours of Japan and ignite the senses with seasonal Hokkaido produce served up at the luxurious Snow Castle restaurant.
A warm, comfortable and elegant setting inside at Snow Castle.
Heading to Niseko this winter and want to experience the exotic flavours of Japanese cuisine in a luxurious setting close to the mountain? Well head on up, or down if après-ski, to Snow Castle restaurant in Hirafu. Situated within the Chalet Ivy hotel, only a short walk from Grand Hirafu's .Base, Snow Castle offers a modern Japanese dining experience in an elegant, intimate setting with a fine dining service.
We were lucky enough to get the chance to taste the Omakase (Chef’s selection) set menu that's being served this winter and we were blown away with the intricacy of the flavours, the care in which the meat and sashimi was prepared, and the unique combination of ingredients in each dish. Foie gras in a dessert? Who would've thought!
Delectably smooth clam cream soup to start.
The menu featured a varied mix of inspired dishes including smooth, velvety clam cream soup pre-appetizer, a chrysanthemum tofu dish, assorted sushi fusion with wagyu beef and yellow tail belly and a main meat dish of juicy grilled local pork served on a stunning warm platter with local seasonal vegetables. The dessert of foie gras ice cream with sweet potato compote was a real highlight and talking point at our table, and with our waiters! Such a memorable flavour and delight to eat with a savoury aftertaste from what initally appears and tastes as a standard vanilla ice cream.
The pretty boiled chrysanthemum, or "mum" as described by our waiters, and tofu dish.
We accompanied our meals with Japanese sake as carefully selected by the restaurants sommelier. For even more local flavours, dine in on their sake nights from December 24th, 2016 until January 1st, 2017, where you can pair your dinner with sommelier selected, Hokkaido-produced sake.
Not a fan of sake? There's also a wide selection of fine international wine too!
Assorted sushi platter including flounder, salmon and sea urchin.
Foie gras ice cream with sweet potato compote to finish off.
And while the winter menu was delicious, keep in mind it is subject to change dependant of availability of ingredients. That being said, and given the nature of the menu being based on fresh seasonal produce and spectacular flavour combinations, we have no doubt any change to the menu would be warmly welcomed!
Snow Castle is opened for dinner now until May 7th, 2017.
Opening Times: Thursday – Tuesday 6pm – 10.30pm
Location: Second floor at Chalet Ivy at 188-19 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta gun, Hokkaido
For more information, visit the website.
