Request from Niseko Restaurants
Welcome to Niseko! With over 130 bars, restaurants and in-house catering options, Niseko is evolving into a true gourmet destination. Reservations for many popular establishments are recommended, especially during the peak season. Recently, an increase in last-minute cancellations and “no-shows” has caused problems for restaurants and guests.
On behalf of the restaurants, we request that you…
- Notify the restaurant well in advance if you wish to change any details of your reservation.
- Be aware that some restaurants request same-day confirmation of reservations or charge a fee for cancellations or no-shows, in line with their cancellation polices.
- Please understand that some restaurants charge for hot and cold water.
- Please note that most Japanese pubs serve a small mandatory starter that is added to the bill in lieu of a seating charge.
We hope you find this guide informative. Enjoy your wining and dining experience in Niseko!
Road closure notice during winter
Please note that the following roads will be closed from the end of October and through winter as indicated:
Route 66 (Panorama Line) between Oikomi, Kyowa town and Yunosato, Rankoshi town
Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10am, 25 April 2014
Route 268 between Iwanai town and Rankoshi town
Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10am, 30 May 2014.
Contact: Otaru Development and construction Dep. Kyowa-town Branch. Tel: 0135-62-1818 (Only in Japanese).
Route 58 (Echo Line) between Hanazono, Kutchan town and Niseko Goshiki Onsen
Closed from 10am, 25 October 2013 to 10 am, 30 May 2014
*The above dates are subject to change due to snowfalls.
Contact: Otaru Development and construction Dep. Rankoshi-town Branch: Tel: 0136-57-5121(Only in Japanese)
Ainu Language
Some place names in Hokkaido are derived from the Ainu language, the Ainu people were indigenous people of Hokkaido. The Ainu language has no traditional written form and is in danger of extinction.
With the selection of words below it is possible to figure out the meaning of some of the place names in Hokkaido, let’s explore some of the placenames.
mountain – nupuri
river – pet -nay
water – wakka
lake, bog – to
road – ru
big – poro
Below is a selection of place names that have had their meanings literally deciphered.
Sapporo – sat poro pet (dry, large river)
Rusutsu – ru sut (road end)
Noboribetsu – nupur pet (muddy river)
Lake Toya (Toya-ko) – to ya
Below is a selection of place names that have been translated into a slightly more understandable level of English. Using some of these examples and the websites below, give translating some Ainu place names a go!
You may notice that the some of the place names below are longer or shorter than how we are used to seeing them, this is mainly due to the fact that the Japanese people were not able to pronounce some of the Ainu words correctly.
Niseko – nisey ko an pet (cliff jutting over a river)
Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsu-ko) – shi kot (large valley)
Shiraoi – shirau o i (place with many horseflies)
Muroran – mo rueran (small slope)
By the way, Ainu means “human beings”. We are all “Ainu”.
The ladies playing traditional instruments “Mukkuri”.
The Ainu Association of Hokkaido
http://www.ainu-assn.or.jp/english/eabout01.html
The Ainu Musium Porto Kotan in Shiraoi
