If there’s anything that Niseko locals take greater pride in apart from the world-famous powder snow, it’s their locally-made gourmet products. Not only are these food and drinks ideal for keeping Niseko’s visitors satisfied while staying in hotels and luxury chalets, they’re also great to buy as souvenirs.
Niseko’s souvenir shops carry a wide array of food products for gifting, but the best gifts come from the manufacturers that produce their products on-site in Niseko. Some of these products are made with high-quality local ingredients, from fresh spring water and locally-grown herbs to livestock and dairy from nearby farms.
In line with the Japanese tradition of omiyage, or gifts to loved ones from faraway travels, we present you with the food products that are best for bringing home to your loved ones. These local products, made not too far from Niseko’s winter resorts, make great gifts for the discerning foodie in search of tantalizing experiences.
Food Products
Niseko food products such as chocolates and sausages are more than just ideal apres-ski snacks while staying in the town’s ski resorts and luxury chalets. Some of these products are processed and packaged in a way that would make them ideal for gift giving. They’re also a delight for the taste buds, with unique flavor combinations and quality ingredients.
Eff Eff Sausage
The Eff Eff workshop at the foot of Mount Niseko-Annapuri specializes in capturing the flavors of Germany. They make a variety of meat products without preservatives, allowing the true flavor of meats and spices to come through. Hard sausages are the preferred treat for omiyage, but Eff Eff also produces bacon, ham, and other delicatessen meats that are worth the try.
Cacao Crown Chocolate
Cacao Crown takes fresh milk from Niseko’s own Takahashi ranch and combines it with world-class cacao beans to produce high-quality bean-to-bar chocolate goodness. Their chocolate bars are a hit, and the store also sells cookies and spreads, but the real treat is their “rare” collection of chocolates. Try their cheese-flavored white chocolate for a one-of-a-kind taste sensation.
Liquor and Spirits
While many distilleries and breweries abound on the slopes of Mount Yotei, only a few stand apart with spirits that win awards. These liquors and spirits are also great for warming up bodies after a day’s worth of your favorite Niseko vacation activities, though they can also be enjoyed all year as cocktail mixers or sipped straight and neat.
Niseko Distillery
Originally intended for whisky (which is still in the maturing stage), Niseko Distillery now distills award-winning Ohoro gin in regular, peppermint, and lavender flavors. The gin is made with locally-sourced botanicals and soft water from Mount Annapuri, resulting in a flavorful yet smooth gin that’s perfect for cocktails. The distillery offers tours by reservation, but the shop and bar are always open to the public.
Niseko Shuzo
Niseko Shuzo brews sake with premium-quality rice and spring water from the Niseko mountains, in an environment with heavy snowfall for optimum low-temperature fermentation. The distillery produces four types of sake, including Honshu made with pure spring water, Junmai made with pure rice, the light but fragrant Ginjo, and ordinary sake for casual drinking.
Indulge in Niseko’s Finest Local Products
Buying local products does more than support Niseko businesses and industries. They’re a gateway to unique gastronomic experiences for visitors who want to try something unique during their vacation. Trying a locally-made ham, chocolate bar, or gin from Niseko can open up the culinary possibilities of different flavor combinations and preparation techniques.
If you are interested in taking home any of these products, you may coordinate a visit to the production sites with the concierge services at your luxury private chalet. Not only can they schedule a visit, but they can make recommendations on the best products to bring with you on your travels.
Whatever you decide to take with you as a gift, you can be sure that a Niseko-made product will be meaningful to whoever may receive it. Food, after all, makes for unforgettable gifts, and gifting an out-of-the-ordinary food product to your loved one can serve as an introduction to the best that Niseko has to offer.
Related Article: Mastering Niseko: A Quick Guide to Japan’s Premier Ski Retreat
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Featured Image by Wine & Dine Niseko
