Sushi Kato Hinzan Niseko

Niseko and skiing are essentially synonymous in Japan, with the mountainous resort boasting some of the best powder snow in the country, and according to a few experienced skiers, in the world. But even non-skiers and snowboarders descend on Niseko all year round, drawn mainly by the wealth of luxurious food options available in the area — and many of them make the journey from all over Japan just for a taste of Sushi Kato’s famed sushi. The brainchild of seafood entrepreneur Toshiaki Kato, Hokkaido’s “King of Crab”, Sushi Kato calls itself the world’s gateway to Hokkaido. For over 50 years, Kato Suisan has been spreading the gospel of Hokkaido crab throughout the country. Originally a seafood supplier based in eastern Hokkaido, its country-wide outreach effort began in earnest in 1998, when it started selling and distribution of Hokkaido crab through e-commerce channels. Sushi Kato is the natural extension of this outreach effort, letting guests enjoy Hokkaido’s freshest seafood in the form of expertly-crafted sushi. The finest ingredients in the world demand a chef no less skilled than Shogo Shikawatari, a Hokkaido-born chef who has trained at some of the finest ryotei (Japanese-style restaurants) in Harajuku, Shibuya and Nishiazabu. In spite of a string of awards under his belt, such as Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Japanese Cuisine in Asia at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards 2019, he is most renowned for his members-only restaurant Roppongi Kappo Ikkon. Sushi Kato owes its success in equal part to its famously fresh seasonal ingredients — sourced from all over Japan, including major crab-producing regions Fukui, Ishikawa and Hokkaido — and Chef Shikawatari’s expertise, the two of which come together to form an end result that is far more than the sum of its parts. Under Chef Shikawatari, the course menus at the restaurant change seasonally depending on what ingredients are freshest, ensuring that guests have an entirely different experience every visit. But whether it’s simmered hairy crab or deep-fried shark’s fin, guests are guaranteed the highest quality. After having their fill of sushi, guests can then make their way to the attached bar for a drink, where they can enjoy premium sake, shochu, or wines — the perfect way to bring the night to an end.