Finding the best places to eat in Japan can be a headache. Tabelog's ratings seem low, yet the google reviews for the same restaurant are all glowing - but what are you supposed to believe? Whether you're staying in Suginosawa or Akakura Onsen/Kanko, finding good places to eat in Myoko need not be a stressful exercise. We've made a quick selection of our favourite eats and drinks in Myoko, so you can eat well on your next ski trip.

So here's our list of the best places to eat in Myoko: 

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Western Style

Two Pines

Address: 2436-3 Suginosawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2113, Japan

Hours: 17:00 - 20:30

Overview: Our Suginosawa neighbours serve up stone baked pizza with well loved classics like the Chizu, or novel toppings like the Kabocha on the menu; as well as a range carefully selected wines. There are dairy free and vegan friendly options if you're that way inclined. The team there also offer takeaway, so don't worry if it seems busy there.

We recommend: Get the Kabocha -pumpkin and spinach on a red base, dressed with a miso glaze. Fusion done right! keep an eye on the specials board for something different, and ask about the Chotto balls! Cinnamon sugar dough balls with chocolate sauce, can't go wrong.

The Den

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Address: 1922 Suginosawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2113, Japan

Hours: 12:00 - 21:00

Overview: Another one of our neighbours! you can actually see SLEEEP out of the dining room's window. The Den is an unpretentious dive into my favourite kind of après-ski sustenance; cold fizzy beers, and a variety of delicious fried food. Whether you tuck into a toastie, or one of the many burgers, you'll always leave here satisfied.

We recommend: Get the Olden Days burger (a classic cheeseburger), some loaded fries and a Saporro for good measure. Hearty, satisfying and delicious.

No Name Myoko

Address: 585-85 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 11:30 - 21:00

Overview: No Name Myoko is a taproom with 7 taps rotating daily, and a fridge filled with 30 different varieties of beer - on top of this they serve diner style food, including A5 wagyu burgers. What's not to like?

We recommend: Even though the burgers are highly touted, we think you should get the Cajun Fried Chicken. Savoury, well seasoned and crispy. The perfect pairing for one of their many yeasty beverages.

Ginza Pizza

Address: 585-83 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 17:00 - 21:00

Overview: Wood-fired pizza in Akakura from the team behind the fine dining concept A.I.R, creative cocktails, Australian and Japanese wines, and very very special desserts. Ginza pizza is what happens when a fine dining crew get a hold of a pizza oven; and my goodness is it great. Ginza is open 7 nights a week for dinner service, so if it's full on one night, come back tomorrow.

We recommend: The menu at Ginza is ever evolving, with pizzas, sides and desserts changing regularly. Fan favourites include the clam pizza, that comes on a white base and is topped with lemon slices and a miso sauce. Yum.

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Japanese

Chōchin-za

Address: Japan, 〒949-2111 Niigata, Myoko, Akakura, 585-83 B1

Hours: 17:00 - 22:00 (closed Friday)

Overview: Chōchin-za is a concept that focuses on organic, local, seasonal produce, cooked in a unique, creative, and delicious way. Small plates, cooked and plated in front of you made up of venison stew, wild boar ragu and vegemite brulée alongside bread baked in house. Every dish is thoughtfully put together, and it's evident in the presentation and flavour of the food.

We recommend: The whole menu. This is very much 'an experience', and every dish is special in its own way.

Yamagishi

Address: 665-11 Sekigawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2112, Japan

Hours: 17:00 - 23:00

Overview: Yamagishi is a classic late night izakaya. The service is warm, and the food is hearty. Come here with a few friends to enjoy classic japanese izakaya food, sake steamed clams, yakitori, sashimi and oden. Their speciality is however the okonomiyaki. Yamagishi provides their guests with the ingredients, and you take on making the okonomiyaki yourself on a hotplate at your table.

We recommend: The okonomiyaki of course. Choose your favourite filling and get to cooking. Top with heaps of kastsuoboshi, aonori, okonomi sauce and kewpie.

Arakin Ramen

Address: 2417-15 Sekigawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2112, Japan

Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 21:00

Overview: A quintessential family run ramen shop making ramen with the same recipes as their grandmother who started the restaurant 60 years ago. Arakin offer a range of ramen bases, so it's a case of choosing your favourite kind, a couple of sides, and enjoying a warm bowl of brothy noodles. arakin is particularly popular so book ahead!

We recommend: The shoyu moyashi ramen with an added soy egg. Japanese comfort food at its finest, there's a reason the recipe hasn't changed in 60 years.

カムラナ食堂 (Kamurana)

Address: Japan, 〒949-2111 Niigata, Myoko, Akakura, 585-83 Ｂ１

Hours: 17:00 - 00:00 (closed Wednesday) 

Overview: Kamurana is a rare find anywhere, let alone a ski resort. This community hub serves both Japanese AND Thai food. Kamurana is also well known for its live music - ranging from vinyl only DJ sets, to singers and bands performing in house. The mixture of good food, good music, and friendly service have created a community of regulars at Kamurana, alongside savvy tourists looking for a good time.

We recommend: Keep an eye on the daily specials, but we're a fan of the Khao Man Gai -the Thai take of Hainanese chicken rice.

Izakaya Harumi (はるみ)

Address: 469-32 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 18:00 - 21:00

Overview: Harumi is a homely izakaya with the regular, reasonably priced izakaya food you expect to see in Japan, but they also offer sukiyaki and hotpot options that are very popular. Ignore the reviews complaining about being charged for a small, un-ordered dish - this is called otoshi, and acts as a cover charge in Japan. It's normal! 

We recommend: Get the hotpot. There are few things more enjoyable than sitting with your friends over a steaming pot of broth, dipping meats and vegetables into it whilst drinking a few beers.

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Cafés

Nagomi Café

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Address: Japan, 〒949-2112 Niigata, Myoko, Sekigawa, 2228-1 MYOKO BASE CAMP内

Hours: 11:00 - 16:30 (closed Thursday)

Overview: Nagomi Café is popular amongst the digital nomads of Myoko for its cozy, well lit interior, and tasty snacks. They offer a wide selection of sweet treats, including the douhua which is particularly popular. Savoury options include keema curry, rice balls and more. Nagomi is both vegan and gluten free friendly, using soy milk for their lengthy beverage list.

We recommend: Start with the keema curry, and finish with the douhua. It's rare you'll find a Taiwanese tofu pudding anywhere else in Myoko!

KRONE（クローネ）

Address: 426-5 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: In season hours 12:00 - 20:30, off season hours 11:30 - 16:00

Overview: Not technically a café, KRONE is known for its famous and unique Pretzel Dogs. Hot dogs, in pretzel style buns of differing varieties and plenty of flavour. The coffee is locally roasted and high quality, they offer locally brewed beers, and if you haven't had enough ice and snow, they also do kakigori, soft serve and mont blanc for dessert. Drop in for a quick, tasty post snow feed and drink.

We recommend: The cheesy jalapeño Pretzel Dog - it's exactly what it sounds like, and if you like cheese and spice then you're in luck.

Akakura Café

Address: 228 585 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 07:30 - 10:00, 18:00 - 20:00 (no evening hours Monday, Tuesday)

Overview: What you might expect from a western style café, Akakura Café provides Aussie coffee options, and classic breakfast items. We're talking smashed avocado on toast, eggs benedict, toasted croissants, the Full English, baked goods.... Plenty of things to be extremely happy about if you're a western traveller looking for something both familiar and high quality before hitting the slopes.

We recommend: *writing as an Englishman* I am slightly biased about this, but get the Full English breakfast. Missing the black pudding, but you can't have it all - and it's still very delicious.

Café Rokka

Address: 2436-3 Suginosawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 07:30 - 15:00

Overview: Two Pines goes caffeinated! Rokka is the café run out of the pizza and wine bar. They serve up Coffee of all kinds, freshly baked pastries and cakes from Nagano, and occasionally a lunchtime curry from Nakago Cumin. If you're staying in Suginosawa and fancy a curry keep an eye on their instagram @cafe.rokka to find out which days their curry pop up is running! 

We recommend: Dealers choice! whatever your regular coffee order is and a slice of cake. Our favourite is the honey ginger bread.

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Bars

Sugi Bar and Kitchen

Address: 2061 Suginosawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2113, Japan

Hours: 18:00 - Late

Overview: Spicy margaritas, Taco and trivia Thursdays, the occasional late night DJ event - Suginosawa isn't known for its vibrant nightlife, but Sugi Bar and kitchen are doing their absolute best to make up for it. Excellent Japanese-Mexican fusion food and creative cocktails are the star of the show here, and the staff are lovely too.

We recommend: Tuna ceviche tostadas, spicy margaritas and some good music. Enjoy your night.

Obake Bar and Kitchen

Address: 585-63 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 16:00 - 23:00

Overview: From the same team behind Sugi Bar, comes the older sibling Obake Bark and Kitchen in Akakura. Same menu (for now. Watch this space) as Sugi, even livelier vibes! 

We recommend: More margs, more dancing, more hungover. Enjoy with caution!

Superetto

Address: 472-2 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: 07:30 - 22:00

Overview: Just as Action Bronson once said at a wine bar in Paris, "This is the beginnings of the fabric of chilling and hanging out". Superetto self describes as 'a Japanese take on the French corner-store hangout - wine, coffee, pastries, good tunes, and a few bottles of sake". Once again the team behind A.I.R Myoko have curated an excellent space for hanging out, drinking, and eating.

We recommend: Get the Omakase, sit back, and enjoy the experience.

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BONUS

Kebab Shop 501

Address: 585-164 Akakura, Myoko, Niigata 949-2111, Japan

Hours: Lunch - Dinner (irregular hours because they sell out quickly!)

Overview: Kebab shop 501 has been a favourite of Myoko travellers for years now. Smokey chicken döner meat with topping options including BBQ, Habanero, caesar cream, egg, cheese and more, you quite literally can't go wrong. These usually sell out, so get there early!

SLEEEP Myoko Co-cooking nights

Address: 字雁田-1954-1 Suginosawa, Myoko, Niigata 949-2113, Japan

Hours: Friday and Sunday evenings - Reach out to our XOs to get involved

Overview: SLEEEP Myoko hosts regular co-cooking evenings for hotel guests, and outside guests alike! The menu rotates, so check in with our staff as to what’s on the cards. You can expect to chip in and help making things like hand rolls, hotpot, wonton, curry, and plenty more. Come down to meet the team, we’d love to have you.

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