Sweet cherries freshly picked from local farms, crisp and tender asparagus, oysters so fresh they taste like the sea—this is just a glimpse into Niseko’s seasonal culinary wonders.

I used to think the beautifully photographed food in media features about Hokkaido must be exaggerated or styled only for show.
But this year, from May through August, as we sampled produce across Niseko—crisp, juicy green asparagus; fragrant, ripe strawberries; dazzling ruby-red tomatoes; plump, soft pink Hokkaido cherries; golden corn; and velvety orange-fleshed melons—we couldn’t help but bow in gratitude to this land and its generous harvest, even without having a green thumb.

We originally felt a bit regretful about the lack of crab in spring and summer, but this trip changed everything—sweet, briny oysters without a trace of fishiness, golden sea urchin, massive scallops, and rich, succulent hairy crab. All it took was a pinch of salt or a dash of soy sauce to bring out their perfection. It was a flawless feast of flavor, experienced in the refreshing comfort of Niseko’s summer.

At the local supermarket, for prices that make you smile to yourself, you can bring home an armful of fish, shrimp, crab, clams, Matsusaka pork, Japanese beef, and all kinds of produce. Lay it all out on the large wooden table outside the cottage, light a grill, and enjoy an outdoor barbecue while the children laugh and play in the surrounding fields and woods. The adults sip on beer, wine, or sake, spending a slow and pleasant afternoon that stretches into a starlit night. The sky here, glittering with countless stars, is so captivating you won’t want to go back indoors.

One of our family’s favorite pastimes in Niseko is horseback riding across lush green fields, occasionally winding through forest paths. Horses, like dolphins, have an incredible ability to soothe the human spirit. Watching our kids—each in their own way—interact with the horses brought us a sense of unexpected happiness and contentment.

Other summer activities include rafting, canoeing, cycling, golf, hot air ballooning, hiking the misty, dreamlike trails of Shinsen-numa Marsh, or challenging yourself with a climb up the majestic Mt. Yotei. There are numerous hot spring baths for relaxation, and a variety of restaurants and cafés offering exquisite cuisine. Niseko’s spring, summer, and autumn are just as enchanting as the wintertime, when the powdery snow creates a skier’s paradise.

Unlike the winter, when short-term tourists dominate, spring through autumn in Niseko sees a wave of travelers seeking mid-to-long-term stays from across Japan and around the world. Many hotels, lodges, and cottages that serve ski tourists in winter offer extended stay discounts during the green season.

Nearby tourist attractions such as the hot springs at Lake Tōya are only a 50-minute drive from Niseko in the summer. After enjoying the scenic views and healing waters, you can return to Niseko on the same day at a leisurely pace. (Photo: Lake Tōya in March.) A drive to the charming port town of Otaru takes about 2 hours, and the largest nearby city, Sapporo, is also just 2 hours away.

An irresistible taste of freshness

A nearby weekend farmer, who deeply cherishes the land, always invites us to join him in harvesting vegetables from his garden.

We never realized how many varieties of strawberries existed—naturally grown with no pesticides, each bite picked straight from the vine was pure bliss.

Fresh oysters served with a squeeze of lemon—utterly sweet and fragrant, without even a hint of fishiness—simply sublime.