OUR JOURNEY
Australia to Niseko
Hidden Stand began with a simple dream shared by Kai and Meg during their years in Australia — to create a space of their own, where good coffee, homemade food, and people naturally come together.
That dream eventually found its home in Niseko, Japan.
Inspired by Australian café culture, influenced by Scandinavian design and lifestyle, and shaped by the spirit of Hokkaido, Hidden Stand is more than just a place for coffee. It’s a space built around connection, creativity, and the little things that make people want to come back.
Rooted in Niseko, connected to the world.
The name Hidden Stand comes from two things.
The first is pretty simple — the location.
We’re tucked away from the main road, in a little spot that’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. It feels a bit hidden, and that’s where the name first came from.
But “Hidden” also means something more to us.
We don’t think you can really know someone just by looking at them.
The way they dress, their tattoos, where they’re from, or whatever first impression you might get — that never tells the full story.
What matters more is who they are underneath it all.
Their character.
Their heart.
What they’re actually like as a person.
So for us, Hidden Stand is not only about being a little hidden away.
It’s also about looking past the surface, getting to know people properly, and creating a place where everyone can feel welcome.
That’s what the name means to us.
The founders
Kai
Founder & Owner @kaidsano
As the founder and owner of Hidden Stand, Kai leads the brand’s vision, creative direction and development. Having spent four years living and working in Australia, his perspective is shaped by a background in hospitality and design, as well as the people and cultures he’s encountered along the way. With a passion for coffee, design and culture, he draws inspiration from a global community of creatives, bringing fresh ideas and collaborations to life in Niseko and beyond.
Meg
Co-Founder @moglogmeg
As co-founder of Hidden Stand, Meg is the creative mind behind the café’s cakes and baked goods. Inspired by recipes passed down from her late Australian grandmother, she puts her own spin on family favourites, refining and reimagining them while keeping their original spirit alive. Every recipe is developed by Meg, with each bake made from scratch and a little piece of family history behind it.
Kobe
HEAD OF GOOD VIBES @KOBETHEBUDDY
Meet Kobe, our three-year-old Goldendoodle and arguably the most important member of the Hidden Stand team.
With absolutely no experience in coffee, baking or running a business, he’s somehow managed to secure a permanent position.
Kobe takes his role very seriously — mostly by playing with our customers outside the café, especially when there’s a ring to throw. Although, we’re starting to suspect he’s actually the one entertaining them, not the other way around.
Summer or winter, rain, snow or sunshine, he’d much rather be outside, making friends and convincing someone to throw his ring just one more time.
Coffee might be our thing, but keeping the good vibes going? That’s Kobe’s department.