Sweet Views & Sweeter Melons: Limited-Time Afternoon Tea in Niseko (Sep 1–21)
Afternoon tea gets a distinctly Hokkaido twist in Niseko this September. Set on the 2nd floor of the Grand Hirafu Mountain Center at Sanshoku, this limited run pairs panoramic Mt. Yotei views with a melon-themed menu and LUPICIA teas.
Quick Facts (So You Can Book Fast)
- Dates: September 1–21, 2025 (daily).
- Duration: about 2 hours.
- Location: Sanshoku, Grand Hirafu Mountain Center (2F).
- Plans & from-prices:One-Drink Plan from USD 17.34 or Free-Flow (unlimited drinks) from USD 24.28 (limited-time discount; check live rates on the booking page).
What You’ll Taste
A refined three-tier stand of melon-forward desserts (think melon cake, jelly, tart, and fresh Niseko melon) balances savory bites (e.g., quiche, caprese with melon & prosciutto, smoked-salmon sandwich). There’s a Niseko melon parfait to finish, and drinks feature LUPICIA selections alongside coffee and soft drinks.
Why These Melons Matter
The melons are sourced from Takahashi Farm in Niseko—producers of the award-winning “Niseko Melon.” In Sept 2024, the farm earned a Gold Award at the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association’s “Vegetable Sommelier Summit” (blind-tasted).
About the Venue (and That View)
Sanshoku is a glass-walled café/restaurant where the concept is literally “food with mountain views.” From its vantage inside the Mountain Center, you get sweeping outlooks of Mt. Yotei—the iconic “Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido.”
Bonus: the Mountain Center was recently renewed for summer, adding polish to pre-/post-tea browsing.
How the Seating Works
Seatings begin roughly every 30 minutes from 11:00 to 14:00. You’ll have an approximate time. 2-hour window (the schedule lists “90 min (2 hr seat)” at check-in). Availability is limited across this 3-week run, so earlier bookings are smart.
Good to Know
- Daily operation during the period; no hotel pick-up.
- Inclusions: the afternoon tea set (drinks per your chosen plan).
- Dietary requests: note them when you book; the set is fixed and subject to change.
Make a Day of It (Niseko in September)
Before or after tea, ride the Grand Hirafu Summer Gondola for more Mt. Yotei panoramas, or stretch your legs on gentle green-season hikes. (Gondola timing varies by operator and season; check current hours locally.)
Why You’ll Love This Experience
- Short window, big payoff: It’s only on for three weeks—a sweet spot between summer’s greens and the first hints of autumn.
- Place matters: A view-first dining room that frames Mt. Yotei while you sip Niseko-based LUPICIA teas—a nice local touch.
- True “award-winning” produce:Takahashi Farm’s recent Gold Award backs up the “prize-winning melon” claim.
Sippin’ Pretty in Hirafu
This is your sign to go full melon-core: from Sep 1–21 only, claim a front-row Mt. Yotei view, sip LUPICIA teas, and demolish that melon parfait at Sanshoku. Seats are limited and slots move fast—pick One-Drink or Free-Flow, set your 2-hour window, and lock it in now.
