By Simon | October 2, 2009
It took a while but I have finally excepted that autumn is here and winter is just around the corner. So without any further a do I would like to introduce Autumn Flavours the new section of this blog devoted to autumn food.
So what’s in the pot and on the table this time of year? If you have time to get out into the of nature of Niseko or Hokkaido then you’ll find that mushrooms are everywhere this time of year. One very tasty mushroom I have found is rakuyo kinoko. It is a little different from a normal mushroom as it has a spongy underneath and would have stared well clear of it if it wasn’t for Hiromi showing me what it looked like!
Once you have found enough rakuyo kinoko go home and try Hiromi’s homemade soup. Happy hunting!
Hiromi’s Wild Mushroom Miso Soup
- 3 tea spoon dashi [Japanese fish stock powder]
- 2 table spoon miso paste
- 500 ml water
- 5 medium sized rakuyo mushroom
- 1 small nasubi
- 1 cup grated daikon
Cut mushrooms, nasubi into small cubes. Boil the water and put in dashi, mashrooms and nasubi. Put miso paste before the water boils and turn off. Put daikon just before you serve.
Hiromi mentioned to me that you could add almost anything to this jiryu[soup] but reckons the nasubi is needed. ENJOY!
By Simon | September 14, 2009
It has been a whole action packed summer since part 3, Sounkyo though has not moved and is still only 4 hours from Niseko, 3 hours if you’re fast. This canyon village that Kurodake towers over is a great spot to visit even in the summer months. Mountain trail are everywhere and in contrast to winter when nobody can be seen on the mountain(hint hint nudge nudge) or even in the streets, Sounkyo is the hussle and bussel of any summer mountain destination.
From Sounkyo village you can ride the rope way, the pair chairlift and then hike to the peak just like in winter. The only difference is like in the village of Sounkyo you will have to deal with lots of people. Don’t be put off though as the quick 1 hour hike to the peak of Kurodake is rewarding and once at the top you can easily wonder off into the roof of Hokkaido.
The day before I arrived, Kurodake had received Hatsuyuki [first snow] (in Japan) and some fresh snow was still present on the trails and on the close by Ryoun Dake [Mt. Ryoun] which stands about 150M taller at 2125M. Even if it hadn’t snowed I would have still been pleasantly surprised to have seen permanent snow on the peaks and valleys in this “Artic Daisetsuzan” where permafrost is distributed at elevations over 2000M. Check out the photo below of Ryoundake or for more images check out Black Mountain Lodge’s photos. Also don’t forget to check out the other artilces on Sounkyo.
By Simon | September 1, 2009
If your coming to the Niseko area in Summer you will have a myriad of festivals to go to from the Kutchan Hanazono Music Festival and the Jaga Matsuri to the more traditional Shrine Festivals held in all towns at different times during summer.
This year also saw the first Niseko River Festival organized by nisade a local development company and with great support from many other local businesses. The festival was enjoyed by locals from all over the Kutchan and Niseko area under the Saint Moritz Bridge.
By Simon | August 20, 2009
Sunset over Annupuri with low clouds in the valley. Photos from a few weeks back. Enjoy!
A view of Annupuri from Makari
Nature being painted by nature
Makari Youtei Niskeo Annupuri