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kutchan

Five of the Kutchan Dining Experiences

Five of the Kutchan Dining Experiences

JUST a 10 minute bus or taxi ride out of the ski resorts is Kutchan, and authentic little Japanese rural town with an amazing range of dining experiences. 

Taj Mahal fills and shakes bellies

FULL BELLIES...Taj Mahal opens with all-you-can-eat buffet and belly dancing.

YET another new Niseko restaurant – the Taj Mahal – swung open its doors recently, with an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet and...belly dancing!

Located in Izumikyo 1's Tancho Centre, Taj Mahal is one of seven in Hokkaido owned by Daniel Mansukhani, and is still holding a season opening buffet for lunch (¥1500) and

Five of the Best Sushi Joints

Five of the Best Sushi Joints

YOU'RE in Japan, you have to try sushi. Fortunately there are plenty of great sushi options in Niseko. Here are five of the best to get you started...

Hidamari Café, Kutchan

Hidamari Café, Kutchan

Even on the snowiest days, the sun is always shining at Café Hidamari. Hidamari means sunny spot, and is run by big-hearted Kenichiro Takahashi.

In Focus with Yukihiro 'The Hero' Takahashi

niseko's yukihiro 'the hero' takahashi

WHETHER it's for his ski guiding, management of hotels, restaurants and festivals, or promoting and marketing Niseko to the world, everyone seems to know family man, businessman and downright nice guy, Yukihiro-san.

Hanko Hiroba, Kutchan

Hiroshi Yamada Hanko Hiroba Kutchan

LIKE many people in Niseko, Hiroshi Yamada moved to Niseko for the snow. He and his wife moved here 13 years ago and he still goes skiing every week with his son, an upcoming alpine skier.

Lawson, Hirafu

Lawson Hirafu manager Hiroyuki Ichien

LAWSON is the second biggest convenience store (konbini) chain in Japan, but Hirafu’s Lawson is run by local small businessman, Seiji Ichien, and managed by his son Hiroyuki (pictured).

Clouds part for Kutchan's potato party

Clouds part for Kutchan's potato party

AFTER weeks of unseasonal rain, the Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (Kutchan Potato Festival) was graced with perfect weather on Saturday.

It seemed the whole of Kutchan took advantage of the picture-perfect bluebird weather to celebrate their



Kutchan history: a look at K-Town's past

Kutchan Jagata-kun

WHEN Hanpai Abe and about 16 other explorers happened upon Kutchan in the year 1892, it was the dense, lush forest wilds of the area that possessed promise for settlement.

As it turns out, these settlers from Tokushima prefecture, on Shikoku island – who had only recently settled in the nearby Yoichi – were right. Thanks