Introduction
Hakuba Valley boasts 10 Resorts accessing over 200 runs, with an incredible variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike. The southern end of the valley Sun Alpina incorporates 3 ski areas to the linked resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi and the Olympic Ski Resort of Happo-One situated in the heart of Hakuba. At the northern end of the valley, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina, Hakuba offers an amazing combination of world class skiing, state of the art lifts and gondolas and excellent grooming facilities.
This area is also famous for the “Onsen” experience, the hot springs perfect after a day of skiing or boarding, not to be missed.
Where is Hukuba?
Hakuba Valley is situated in the heart of the Japan Alps, approximately 277km from Tokyo.
From Narita Airport – Train/train/bus
This includes a train from Narita to Tokyo (or Ueno), then a bullet train (Shinkansen) to Nagano, and then a bus to Hakuba. This is the fastest route. From the Tokyo international airport the total trip takes about 3.5 to 4 hours depending upon connection timing. The other advantage of taking the trains is that it’s a great insight into a part of the Japanese culture.
Tokyo to Nagano
From Tokyo Station, passengers board the Hokuriku Bullet Train (Asama/ Hakutaka / Kagayaki Shinkansen). Travelling time is 1.5 – 2 hours, some trains make more scheduled stops than others. The Bullet Trains run regularly throughout the day to Nagano Station.
After getting off the Bullet Train, take the escalators or service lifts up to the atrium level and here you will then need to pass through the ticket gates. Either show your rail pass or insert your rail tickets into the ticket machines to exit the station.
Nagano to Hakuba
From Nagano Station there are buses leaving from bus stand #26 every couple of hours, which are bound for Hakuba. For those taking buses through to Hakuba – after exiting the ticket gates, turn left to the East exit and take the two flights of escalators or the service lift down to street level and proceed to bus stop #26. The buses from Nagano to Hakuba run from 8:25am every morning, with the last bus departing for Hakuba at 22:00. This bus on will make stops at Goryu, the Hakuba Train Station and finally at the Happo Bus Terminal. Please make sure you get off at the right bus stop.
Direct transfer
This involves getting a shuttle bus or shared taxi transfer directly from Narita Airport to Hakuba, which tends to cost a little more than the train/train/bus combo. The trip takes longer, about 5-6 hours, but it provides the advantage of not having to lug your bags around the train stations and on and off trains and buses. This is also the transport of choice if you arrive at the Narita airport in the evening (so you can avoid having to overnight in a Narita hotel or Nagano hotel). You can book this transfer with Nagano Snow Shuttle which departs Narita at 8pm (NB you can’t book the trip a long way in advance.
Accommodation Options
Hakuba accommodation is situated in various villages near the ski areas, some of which is ski-in ski-out or only a very short walk to the slopes. Happo and Wadano are the two most popular villages to stay in.
Hukaba for Skiers
From the complete novice to the expert skier, Hakuba provides some of the best skiing in all of Japan. It offers everything from gentle beginner slopes to steeps, bumps and long groomers and of course plenty of fresh powder. The Happo-One resort, boasting some of the highest snowfalls and longest vertical pitches in all of Japan is Hakuba’s premier skiers mountain. Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi challenges everyone from first timers to experts. Tsugaike and Iwatake are well suited to the beginner to intermediate, with long cruising trails providing an opportunity for non-stop uninterrupted skiing. Hakuba’s reputation as a serious skiers destination is well balanced across all levels and offers something for everyone.
Hakuba for Snowboarders
Endless half-pipes, terrain parks, gullies, hits, powder bowls and steeps are awaiting you this season in Hakuba. From Sun Alpina to Hakuba Cortina the variety of terrain on offer is guaranteed to satisfy all levels. For the beginner, learn to snowboard with great views, helpful instructors and gentle slopes at all of the resorts. For the experts, fantastic powder conditions, berms, jumps, half-pipes, terrain parks and plenty of freestyle action is waiting to be had. Take your pick, as every resort has plenty on offer for snowboarders this winter in Hakuba. Favourites among the resorts are Hakuba 47 and Happo with their challenging and diverse terrain, Tsugiake’s board park and Cortina with its light, dry, deep powder and ungroomed trails.
Nightlife
The town has a wide choice of Japanese and western restaurants and bars that cater to just about all tastes. Hakuba, by Japanese standards, has some of the best apres-ski entertainment around. Most hotels have lounge/ bar areas where customers can enjoy a drink after skiing. Restaurants and bars outside of the customers’ hotel open from around 6pm. Popular at night with the Japanese are Isakaya’s. These traditional style restaurants/bars offer a wide range of Japanese dishes and drinks which are always satisfying and unique. The Isakaya’s offer a very welcoming atmosphere to all those who visit. Hakuba also has quite a few bars which provide those who want to party till late the opportunity to do so. Alcohol prices average around 500yen per drink. Several nightclubs can be found in Hakuba, with the biggest situated at Omoshiro Hasshinchi resort hotel
Cash
Japan is still very much a cash economy, so it is highly recommended to purchase cash – Japanese Yen before arriving in Japan. Foreign currency is not accepted within the ski resorts and traveller’s cheques are generally not accepted unless you exchange at a bank. International Airports have currency exchange windows and international ATMs, so if you do not pick up Japanese Yen before you leave your home country, we suggest you arrange at least some at the airport. In Hakuba ATM access is now quite widely available at the following locations: Both the Seven Eleven convenience stores in Misorano and Iwatake, All three of the Lawson’s in Happo, Hakuba and Otari, The Hakuba Post Office, The Big Supermarket, The Delicia Supermarket. If customers are aware of what the pin number is for their card, then there should not be any issue. Please note withdrawal limits vary depending on the ATM machine and obviously the type of customer’s card.
Hot Springs (Onsens)
Hakuba has an abundance of rich natural spring water and there is no better way to relax and rejuvenate after great days skiing than to soothe and relax your body in one of the many natural hot springs. To get the most out of your onsen experience there are a few rules which need to be followed.
-Showering & washing is necessary before entering the spring water.
-The spring water in the bathtub is never used for washing, only soaking.
-Hot Springs are baths to be enjoyed naked and swim suits are not to be worn.
-After soaking you can wash yourself again and then re-enter the bath.
-After finishing soaking, no need to rinse a last time, let the minerals soak into your skin. -Remove as much water from your body before returning into the change room.
-With tattoos, best to consult with service staff as some facilities frown upon body art.
Booking Conditions
- 20% Deposit of the total package cost
- Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
Payment Options
- Direct Debit (Details will be shown on your invoice).
- Credit Card (Surcharges apply).
- Cheques can be made payable to PlaySeeGo Travel Group Pty Ltd and mailed to PO Box 34, Kew East, Victoria, 3102.
Additional Terms
- Amendments made to a confirmed booking may attract a fee of $55 plus any additional hotel and airline charges. Any amendments made after documentation has been issued may attract a fee of $110.
- Bookings made within 14 days of departure may attract a further $165.
- Mates’ Escapes cannot be held responsible for snow conditions, and holidays cannot be cancelled or amended on the basis of weather conditions.
- We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to mitigate any financial loss should you be unable to travel when required.
- Bookings are subject currency fluctuations either up or down until your booking is paid for in full. Variations are calculated on the exchange rate at the time the deposit is paid until such time the final balance is paid. We recommend paying your final instalment as soon as possible to lock in your package’s cost.
Please see our General Terms & Conditions that are used in conjunction with the specific event terms.