A guide to the charm, famous restaurants, and souvenirs of Kutchan's Kutchan, "Gosetsu Udon," featuring chewy textures and translucent noodles!

2026.07.23

Let us introduce you to the charm of "Gosetsu Udon," a specialty of Kutchan Town , Hokkaido ! Made with starch from locally produced Baron potatoes and Yusui from Mount Yotei , the noodles are characterized by their snow-like transparency and incredibly chewy, springy texture. This is the definitive local gourmet dish that you must taste while you're there.

Kutchan Town is located in the heart of the Niseko area of ​​Hokkaido . Known as one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall regions, this town boasts unique and delicious local cuisine born from the wisdom and specialties of a snow country.

That's "Gousetsu Udon," a noodle dish with a texture you'll never forget once you've tried it.

At first glance, the noodles appear beautifully translucent, but when you put them in your mouth, you'll experience a completely new texture—smooth and chewy—unlike anything you've ever tasted before.

This time, we'll introduce you to all the charms of Gosetsu Udon, from its historical background to the famous restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite udon in the area, and even dried noodles that make great souvenirs to take home as a memento of your trip!

• Table of Contents
• Why "heavy snowfall"? The surprising history of its origins: it was born from "potatoes" and not wheat.
• Enjoy the authentic taste! Restaurants where you can eat Gosetsu Udon
• Bring your travel memories home with you! Dried noodles make the perfect souvenir.
• In summary: When you visit Kutchan, be sure to try the heartwarming "Heavy Snow Udon."

Why "heavy snowfall"? The surprising history of its origins: it was born from "potatoes" and not wheat.

Despite its powerful name, "Heavy Snow Udon," there's actually a big secret behind the ingredients of the noodles.

Normally, udon noodles are made from wheat flour, but the main ingredient of Gosetsu Udon is starch extracted from potatoes (Danshaku variety), a specialty of Kutchan.

A miraculous noodle born from the wisdom of a snow country

Kutchan Town is a major potato-producing area famous throughout Japan. It is also a heavy snowfall region where several meters of snow accumulate in winter.

After much trial and error, and with the question, "Can we create a new specialty dish using potatoes, a local specialty?", this udon was born, thanks to the efforts of chefs at a local hotel.

The noodles, made with potato starch, have a subtle sweetness reminiscent of the skin of a Baron potato, and a beautiful, translucent white appearance like freshly fallen snow. Their appearance, combined with the town's local character, led to the name "Heavy Snow Udon."

The smooth texture and unique chewy elasticity , which cannot be achieved with wheat flour alone, are the result of the passion of farmers and chefs in snowy regions, creating a truly one-of-a-kind flavor.

Enjoy the authentic taste! Restaurants where you can eat Gosetsu Udon

If you visit Kutchan, the first thing you should do is try freshly made "Gosetsu Udon" at a local restaurant.

The restaurant located inside the Hotel Daiichi Kaikan, within walking distance of JR Kutchan Station, is known as the birthplace of Gosetsu Udon.

Hotel Daiichi Kaikan "Yukitei" (Kutchan Town)

Recommended menu item: Heavy Snow Udon (hot or cold)

Appeal: The traditional recipe from when it was first developed is still preserved, and the refined flavor of the broth enhances the deliciousness of the clear noodles. Hot udon warms you from the inside out, while cold udon highlights the elasticity and smooth texture of the noodles even more. Sets that include tempura of maitake mushrooms and seasonal vegetables are also very popular.

Bring your travel memories home with you! Dried noodles make the perfect souvenir.

For those who want to share this chewy texture with family and friends, or who want to enjoy it at home even after their trip, we offer Gosetsu Udon (dried noodles) as a souvenir.

Because it keeps well, it's easy to take home, and you can buy it at specialty shops and roadside stations in Kutchan town.

Where to buy:

Roadside Station Niseko View Plaza

Souvenir shops and community centers around JR Kutchan Station

Hotel Daiichi Kaikan gift shop

Tips for enjoying this dish: After boiling the dried noodles in plenty of water, the key is to quickly rinse them in cold water. Doing so will restore the unique elasticity and translucency that you'll find in the region.

In summary: When you visit Kutchan, be sure to try the heartwarming "Heavy Snow Udon."

The harsh winters unique to this heavy snowfall region, combined with the potatoes nurtured by the fertile land, create "Gosetsu Udon," a supreme bowl of noodles that truly embodies the history and warm feelings of Kutchan.

After enjoying the spectacular scenery and activities, be sure to stop by the town of Kutchan and experience the unique flavors that can only be found in this region.