Rakuichi Soba, Japan

Condé Nast TravelerNov 20, 2025

With hundreds of inches of snowfall, gorgeous mountain views, and delicious food, these winter wonderlands pack a punch.

tiny 12-seat soba house, hand-made noodles

30 things in this story

Hakuba ValleyTrailcollection of 10 distinct ski areas, Epic Pass partner
Niseko UnitedSightfour interconnected resorts, Ikon Pass partner
Happo-OneSightvalley’s crown jewel, former Olympic host
Hakuba 47 & GoryuSightpristine groomers and park riding
CortinaSightlegendary, deep tree-skiing
Rakuichi SobaRestauranttiny 12-seat soba house, hand-made noodles
Sushi Shin by MiyakawaRestaurant3-Michelin-star transplant, edomae sushi
The Barn by OdinRestaurantbistro fare and cocktails in glass building
Soba Kaiseki IchimuraRestaurantin Hirafu
Ramen NakamaRestaurantlocal favorite, ume-shio ramen
Gogyo by IppudoRestaurantTonkotsu ramen by day, izakaya by night
Bar Gyu+BarFridge Door Bar, curated Japanese whisky list
Toshiro's BarBarinventive, award-winning cocktails
The Green LeafHotelski-in, ski-out, onsen, spa
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve HigashiyamaHotelhigh-end option, onsen, Omakase restaurant
KasaraHotelthree-bedroom townhouses, private onsen
ZaborinHotelTwo-Key Michelin retreat, private villas, onsen
Park Hyatt Niseko HanazonoHotelski-in, ski-out, fine dining
The Niseko Landmark ViewHotelapartment-style rooms, views of Mount Yotei
Sansui NisekoHotelluxurious ski-in, ski-out, Michelin One-Key
AYA NisekoHotelupscale ski-in, ski-out property
Shiga KogenSight
Grand HirafuSight
HanazonoTrain station
Niseko VillageSight
AnnupuriSight
Hakkaisan Ski ResortSight
Muikamachi HakkaisanSight
YuzawaNeighborhood
Ikon PassPlace

Rakuichi Soba