A travel editor’s guide to Furano, Japan's ski destination for food-loving introverts

This pizzeria—located at the front of the owner’s home—serves some of the best pizza in Japan.

Here, chef Minato, who holds the Vera Pizza Napoletana accreditation, makes delicious authentic pizza from his wood-fired oven. There are the classics, like margherita and diavolo, alongside seasonal specials like asparagus with sausage in the spring and juicy tomatoes in the summer.  

Tatler tip: The quattro formaggi pizza, served with a side of locally harvested honey to drizzle, is excellent. 

Furanoya, housed in a wood cabin, serves both Japanese curry and Hokkaido’s famous soup curry. Be sure to come hungry, as their hearty servings are generous and loaded with fresh, locally-grown vegetables to go with your chosen protein. 

Tatler tip: My sister-in-law had the excellent tip of choosing the prawn (ebi) flavoured soup for the soup curry, which gives it an extra umami hit. 

This yakiniku restaurant in Furano serves superb quality Japanese beef. We ate until we were absolutely full, plus had drinks and sake for the table, and the total came to just HK$300 per head. If we had the same quality and quantity in Hong Kong, it would have easily been over HK$1000 per head. 

Staple in Biei is tucked between two hills, just a half-hour scenic drive from Furano. With beautifully dsigned minimalist interiors and large windows that look out to the surrounding forest, it's the kind of restaurant one might expect to find in Copenhagen.  

It's a one-man show from open kitchen, where the chef takes diners on a journey with his Innovative take on local produce. Like sweet corn ice cream with moreish corn crackers atop a miso creme catalan.

Be sure to take the time to appreciate the gorgeous ceramics used by the chef. 

Furano is known for its exceptional wheat, which is reflected in their bakeries filled with gorgeous breads and pastries. Boulangerie Lafi was my personal favourite. Here, a long fermentation process is used to slowly bring out the sweetness from its homemade levain yeast. The result is delicious breads with a light and crunchy crust, while perfectly soft and chewy on the inside. As more of a savoury girl, I loved the bacon epi and the olive and cheese bread. 

Tatler tip: Don’t miss their cinnamon rolls, which have been made using the same recipe for over 10 years.

Gyoro Gyoro has all the makings of a great izakaya: Plates made to share, ranging from fresh sashimi to grilled dishes—their tsukune stuffed with cheese is a must—and a stellar sake menu with bottles to suit all palates. 

Be sure to ask for the seasonal specialties. 

Masajin serves Jingisukan—the Japanese transliteration of Mongol leader Genghis Khan—a Hokkaido speciality featuring cuts of lamb and mutton cooked over a charcoal burner. Best enjoyed with an ice cold beer or whisky highball—what could be better on a chilly Furano evening?

Sat atop a hill just outside of Furano city, Furano Delice makes desserts using locally-produced Furano milk and Hokkaido cheese. Including a "double fromage" two-layer cheesecake, and their famous  Furano milk Pudding, which is cooked and served in a miniature Furano Milk bottle. There's also a lovely terrace to enjoy panoramic views. 

Tatler tip: If the store is closed, or you have a hankering for late-night cheesecake, there's a vending machine outside Furano Delice showcasing their bestsellers. You can actually buy a whole cheesecake from a vending machine. I love Japan.

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