The Skier’s Guide to Snacks in Japan
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Skiing in Japan gets a lot of hype, and very rightfully so. In fact, I’m lucky enough to have just returned from a quick mission to Hakuba. The snow was great, the lines we got to ski were even better, but the best part was obviously the snacks. Japan is the land of deep powder skiing, onsens, and the place where I’ve undoubtedly eaten some of the weirdest (and best) things ever. Of all the places I’ve traveled, I’ll say Japan has been the easiest to find something to eat and drink - food is literally EVERYWHERE and deeply ingrained into the culture. Whether it’s a roadside vending machine, an izakaya, a fancy sushi spot, or your favorite convenience store, here’s a guide to my 10 favorite ski and apres snacks in Japan - and a few to maybe avoid.
Onigiri
What is it?
Onigiri might be the perfect portable ski snack. It’s a fist-sized rice triangle filled with something delicious and usually wrapped in Nori (seaweed). The rice is seasoned sticky sushi rice, and some of my favorite fillings are the uber-classic Tuna Mayonnaise, the Beef Kalbi (BBQ beef), or the Spicy Salmon. There are many other options that I will warn you to try at your own risk. They’re cheap, about 200 calories each, weigh next to nothing, and are super portable in their convenience store wrappers.
Where Can I Find It?
Literally anywhere: 7-11, Lawson, Family Mart, most grocery stores, even street vendors. It’s a staple.
Kinoko Mo Yama きのこの山 (Chocorooms)
What is it?
No, these are not the kind of mushroom chocolates your college roommate sold you. You can actually find these in the US, but the Japanese ones are much better (obviously). Kinoko Mo Yama are small mushroom-shaped biscuits dipped into milk chocolate with the perfect sweetness to eat an entire box in one sitting. Keep a box in your ski pack at all times - they won’t melt in the cold, and you’ll be stoked to share them on the chairlift.
Where Can I Find It?
I found these in most Lawson and 7-11 convenience stores, but it wasn’t a sure bet. If they’re out of stock, try again the next day.
Tonkotsu Ramen
What is it?
It’s ramen, obviously, but not the kind you’ll make at home. Tonkotsu Ramen centers around a really creamy pork broth that takes many hours to make, so you better have someone else make it for you while you go ski bottomless pow. The broth is soul-warming and unbelievably tasty, but the highlight is the marinated pork belly (Chashu) that’s typically served with the noodles and a boiled egg. Enjoy a bowl of this for lunch or apres.
Where Can I Find It?
Dedicated ramen shops and most on-mountain lodge cafeterias. Hakuba’s Happo One summit lodge has a ramen shop inside that had some of the best I’ve ever eaten.
Canned Miso Broth
What is it?
The coolest thing about Japanese vending machines is they have hot and cold items for sale. Next to the hot cans of coffee or tea, you’ll often find a can of miso broth. For long days riding in the backcountry, there’s nothing better than a dose of miso broth - it’s filled with electrolytes, tastes amazing, and will keep you hydrated and warm all day. Don’t bother carrying a thermos, just stop at an on-mountain vending machine to get your fix.
Where Can I Find It?
Vending machines or the hot section of convenience stores. Look for the small yellow cans with a picture of miso soup on them.
Pizza Buns
What is it?
A Japanese hot pocket. Think of a Chinese-style steamed pork bun, but filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella instead. These aren’t the most portable, so I recommend grabbing one for a quick stop or apres snack and eating it immediately.
Where Can I Find It?
Next to the register and Lawson and 7-11 convenience stores.
Mochi Balls
What is it?
In the States we’re pretty familiar with mochi ice cream, but in Japan, mochi is everywhere. Mochi is made of rice paste and formed into sticky balls that are filled with everything under the sun. They can be eaten cold or are sometimes freshly deep-fried in tempura. On the streets of Tokyo, I found a streetfood vendor that served the fried variety with fillings ranging from sweet (fruit and cream) to savory (curry and black sesame). The fried ones were amazing, but for a ski snack, I’d recommend a pack of the cold ones with red bean paste - they transport better and are much more satisfying to eat on the mountain.
Where Can I Find It?
Streetfood vendors for the fresh kind, and the sweets aisle of 7-11 and Lawson convenience stores for the packaged kind.
Okonomiyaki
What is it?
Okonomiyaki is a fried pancake typically topped with cabbage and either meat or seafood. It’s kind of like a Japanese pizza. The pancake batter is made of tempura scraps, sweet potato and egg, and my favorite topping was pork belly and cabbage. It’s highly adaptable (the name literally translates to “grilled as you like it”) so try some different toppings while you’re at it.
Where Can I Find It?
Streetfood vendors. These are typically made to order.
Katsu and Curry
What is it?
Japan isn’t really internationally known for its curry dishes, but you can find this everywhere. Japanese curry is a little different from the Indian or Thai variety, almost resembling gravy in its thickness and color. It’s typically served over a bowl of sticky rice and served with steamed vegetables and Pork or Chicken Katsu (Japanese-style schnitzel). It’s quite filling and definitely requires sitting down to eat and enjoy so it’s best saved for a longer indoor lunch break.
Where Can I Find It?
On-mountain cafeterias.
Cream Puffs
What is it?
I’m not sure if this qualifies as traditional Japanese cuisine, but the French-style cream puffs are an unreal snack if you have a sweet tooth and a fantastic calorie to weight ratio if you care about that kind of thing. My favorites were either the vanilla custard or the chocolate.
Where Can I Find It?
The sweets aisle of Lawson or 7-11 convenience stores - I’ll go ahead and say the 7-11 ones are better.
Strong Zero
What is it?
I’ll reserve this one for apres: it’s a sugar-free 9% alcohol malt liquor beverage that comes in all kinds of dangerous flavors. Technically, it’s considered a Shochu Highball (Chuhai). It’s kind of like Japanese Four Loko, if you’re into that kind of thing. The grapefruit flavor was pretty good.
Where Can I Find It?
The beverage coolers of convenience stores and strangely enough, roadside vending machines.
Takoyaki
What is it?
Fried battered octopus balls covered in bonito flakes. It looks absolutely delicious, but if you’re not ready for it, I find them absolutely disgusting. They’re typically served on a skewer and deep-fried to order, then covered in a kewpie mayo sauce and sprinkled with bonito (dried fish) flakes. AVOID!
Where Can I Find It?
Streetfood vendors and cafeteria halls.
塩焼きそはパン (Salted Fried Soba Bread)
What is it?
Salted Fried Soba Bread is basically a baguette filled with Yakisoba fried noodles. I had to try one, and was sorely disappointed. The noodles are cold and prepared with a vinegary sauce. Try at your own risk.
Where Can I Find It?
The prepared food aisle of the convenience store.
