Rakuichi Soba
そば処 楽一
A renowned 100% buckwheat soba shop at the foot of Mount Annupuri, where the owner hand-cuts soba at the counter; soba kaiseki requires advance booking.
Rakuichi is a family-run shop near Annupuri International Ski Resort in Niseko, with only about 12 counter seats. The owner hand-makes 100% buckwheat soba in front of guests, while the proprietress greets diners in a kimono. The late food-show host Anthony Bourdain once called it the best soba he had ever eaten, and it has been recommended by the Michelin Guide. Today it mainly serves a roughly two-hour soba kaiseki course, including freshly made soba, seasonal vegetable tempura, sashimi and Iberico pork shabu-shabu. Lunch and dinner feature the same menu. It does not accept walk-ins; reservations must be made in advance online, through platforms such as TableCheck. The price is about 20,000 yen per person. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays (also closed Tuesdays in summer), subject to the shop's posted schedule.
Opening hours
Lunch from 11:30; dinner by reservation only; closed Wednesdays and Thursdays in winter, and Tuesday to Thursday from April to October (check the official site)
Nearby sights
- Niseko Goshiki Onsen
- Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm
- Mount Niseko Annupuri
- Oyunuma Pond & Yukichichibu Onsen
- Shiribetsu River Rafting
- Niseko United
- Hirafu Village
- Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza