IZAKAYA Sakae may be one of the newer restaurants in Hirafu, but its owners are some of the longest serving business people in the village. 73-year-old chef Masayuki Sakae and his wife Sada opened one of Hirafu’s first pensions, Ryokan Sakae, in the 1960s. The old lodge sadly had to be demolished recently as it was getting too old, and the

ONE of Niseko’s most under-rated restaurants is Maru in Izumikyo (East Hirafu). It was started eight years ago by three chefs from the old Nikko Hotel in Annupuri. Hiramatsu Joutaro came to Niseko from Saitama, near Tokyo, 18 years ago to work as a chef at Nikko. He wanted to start a restaurant that wasn’t as expensive as a lot of the

THE long-vacant Country Resort sub-division, created by Izumikyo Real Estate, is now being populated by Hong Kong-based developer Niseko Resorts Group.

Country Resort’s clearing, sub-division and roadworks were originally completed by Izumikyo Real Estate more than six years ago, creating flat, developable blocks that ranged

A well known ‘secret’ among people who have been coming here for a few years is the Half Note Jazz bar. Complete with pool table, table tennis table and stage, you could well find an impromptu jam session break out. Brothers Toh-san (Dad) and Toshio-san also run the Full Note and Woody Note pensions. Famous for their big hearts they’re