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.
Snow Monkey Onsen & Zenkoji Temple Tour
The world famous Jigokudani wild monkey park is home to about 200 wild monkeys who spend their days soaking in the natural hot springs, keeping warm from the harsh winter. The park was opened in 1964 and is considered to be the only place in the world to see snow monkeys bathing in the wild. The hike to the hot-springs takes approx. 30 minutes each way. Departing from the monkey park we then make our way to the historic town of Obuse, home to the famous Japanese artist Hokusai and Masuichi Sake Brewery. Lunch is a delicious set course traditional Japanese meal with a choice of main courses including dessert and glass of Sake. The next stop is Nagano City, home to Zenkoji Temple, designated a national treasure and has a history of over 1400 years. It is one of Japan’s most revered temples and houses the first image of Buddha brought to Japan in the 7th century. The streets surrounding the temple are lined with lantern lit shops and tiered roofed stalls, souvenir shops and galleries.
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
This transfer service is included in our Hukuba Packages!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top things to do in Hakuba in Winter
A trip to Hakuba would not be complete without meeting the famous Snow Monkeys! These monkeys are the furthest north dwelling monkeys in the world, and as such adapted their behaviour and keep warm in the natural mineral hot springs. Monkeys can be seen throughout the local snow-covered forests in Nagano, but the best experience is to see the colony of over 150 monkeys soaking in the Jigokodani Onsen. The Snow Monkey tour is extremely popular, and most visitors will do this at some point during their Hakuba snow holiday. It is a full day experience, including a 30min walk through the forest to Jigokudani snow monkey park, a Japanese lunch at Masuichi Sake Brewery, and a visit Zenkoji Temple. This is a great all-round cultural experience and a must do while in Hakuba!
Bathe in your hotel’s onsen or venture out to a public onsen in town. Bijin no yu is in central Happo, and has exclusive use of that specific spring, which has the highest alkaline water in the region, the name translates to beautiful person, meaning you will become more beautiful after bathing there! Disclaimer: We can’t guarantee you will become more beautiful, that’s entirely out of our jurisdiction.
Right in Happo Village is a Shinto shrine dedicated to rain for the autumn harvest called Hosono Suwa Shrine. Standing next to the shrine, is a tree over 1,000 years old, and is listed as a national treasure, which measures 40m tall and 10m diameter!
If you happen to be in Hakuba in the middle of January, the Nozawa Fire Festival is not to be missed! Although not exactly in Hakuba, it is a great add-on to your holiday. On the 15th January every year, locals engage in a fire setting battle, thought to bring a good harvest, health and fortune, and of course a good ski season!! A special coach service is put on so guests can get to/from Nozawa for the spectacular event. Note that the huge fire does get VERY hot, so don’t be that tourist that stands too close and melts their ski jacket. Take note from the locals and stand a little further back.
Best places to eat & drink in Hakuba
Best Après in Hakuba
There are tonnes of great bars in Hakuba, make it your mission to try them all, or tackle après the Japanese way, and head for a soak in the onsen!
The Pub is a favourite, owned and operated by the Mominoki Hotel, it’s great for après, dinner and well into the night. Hakuba Tap Room at the Panorama Hotel has the best selection of local craft beers, dedicate some time and sample them all!
Unjaune is ideally located right opposite the base of the Adam Gondola at Happo-One and has beers and burgers that will satisfy after a huge day on the slopes! The location also offers a great view of the slopes, and a yard sale if you’re lucky. Head back here late at night if you are continuing the party into the wee hours.
Refuel offers happy hour from 4-6pm, and these guys serve food all night including a delicious spicy ramen. After a few shots of sake in Hakuba you might find a curious rabbit hole.. or specifically find yourself at The Rabbit Hole, another popular après spot in Hakuba that has a great selection of drinks, food and a relaxed downstairs area with pool tables.
Best Restaurants in Hakuba
In Japan, each region has specific food and produce that the area is it renowned for. In Nagano prefecture, local delicacies include apples, soba and wasabi! You’ll find that apples feature in a lot of desserts, pastries and snacks in Nagano, while wasabi and soba are a strong feature on local menus.
For dinner, Haukba has some lovely fine dining options at the upmarket hotels like Mimi’s at Phoenix, or Chamonix at the Tokyu. For more traditional dining, Happo Bijin is a Ramen bar is right outside the Happo onsen, and serves ramen cooked in mineral water! There are also plenty of izakaya’s hidden throughout the village, which are like a Japanese style tapas bar, a great place to explore local cuisine and sample the local brews! Another option is heading to Echoland which has tonnes of restaurants and bars along the vibrant main street, definitely worth the short trip!
Rabbit Hole is a restaurant and bar hidden in Wadano forest near the Sakka base, which serves up breakfast (and good coffee for those addicts among us), lunch and dinner, as well as being a popular après spot for skiers and snowboarders. Another special mention for coffee lovers is Rhythm Japan, this rental shop does excellent coffee and we highly recommend grabbing one when you hire your snow gear.
Hakuba also has a fun food truck scene, trucks set up in various locations offering a selection of different cuisines, try American burgers, crepes, Mexican or Indian food at a great price. If you are struggling to decide, our team recommends a crepe with cheese, pepperoni and jalapenos for the perfect combo – just saying!
Booking Conditions
- 30% Deposit.
- In some circumstances, certain hotels may require different deposit amounts (we will advise you accordingly if this is applicable).
- Balance 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.