While traveling to Japan and visiting Snow Peak locations like the Landstations at Kyoto Arashiyama or Hakuba, looking at the unique product is only a small portion of the experience. And while most people are aware of the ability to camp, lounge at a spa, or stay in a Jyobako tiny home, fewer people know about the dining options offered.
If you're reading this, and interested in travel to Japan or have been there before, you'll know that food is typically ranked pretty high on the list of reasons to go. And while Snow Peak locations aren't as prevalent as a corner ramen shop - if you happen to be at one it is certainly worth staying to enjoy the fare.
What Food Does Snow Peak Offer?
Dining options for Snow Peak are broken in to three named categories, these are,
- Snow Peak Restaurant Seppo
- Snow Peak Eat
- Snow Peak Cafe
While I had originally intended to cover all of these, there are so many details that instead we're only going to focus on the top location, Restaurant Seppo.
Even though this article will be location specific, concentrated to HQ1, there unfortunately isn't a clear guide as to what type of dining is offered at what type of Snow Peak location. For example, Landstation Hakuba offers a Snow Peak Eat, while Landstations at Kyoto and Tokyo are the smaller cafes. So, let's dive into the specifics.
Eating at Snow Peak's Restaurant Seppo in Japan
Snow Peak's Restaurant Seppo is the most elevated dining experience they offer in Japan. For those who have been to Snow Peak's HQ4 in Portland, Oregon and their Takibi Restaurant, expect a level of dining and service equivalent to that. This means multi-course meals, cocktail or wine pairings, small plates and full table-service.
Located at HQ1 in Niigata Japan, like many hotels and accommodations in the country, meals were included as part of the nightly rate. Restaurant Seppo at HQ1 provides the standard two-meal service, breakfast and lunch, which you schedule upon check-in.
Breakfast is plated and prepared traditionally, served with a side of rice and miso soup along with various smaller portions of vegetables, fish, salad, small meat and pickles. Unsurprisingly, it is perfectly cooked and prepared - with variety of flavors, textures and offerings. It also changes daily. So while the format was the same, we were able to enjoy a unique set of dishes the second morning, keeping the experience fresh and unique.
But the evening meal is where the experience shines. While similar dinners can be purchased separately, the photos below are of one of the prix fixe selections that are included with your stay. While staying in one of the Jr. Suites at HQ1, or the Villa Suite, you are automatically provided the elevated menu. If staying in a Jyubako, you can upgrade to this meal for about $30 more per person.
A typical dinner is served in multiple courses, I've added our dishes in italics below
- Appetizer, Fried potato, taro, and chili
- Warm Soup, Whelk and leek
- Appetizer, Spinach salad
- Grilled Dish, Mackerel fish
- Meat Dish, Kawatama shamo chicken skewer
- Rice, Clay pot rice with cutlass fish
- Dessert, Custard
- After-meal drinks Café, Tea or coffee option
It should go without saying, but each piece was a delight in texture, flavor and experience. Unique pairings of ingredients all beautifully presented with impeccable timing.
Just outside you'll find an XL Takibi firepit and Takibi Garden Table, where staff will light a fire each night for dinner guests. Venture outside and be greeted with marshmallows to roast and relax post dinner.
