Hakuba

Hakuba (白馬), located in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's most popular ski areas, offering good snow and several large ski resorts to choose from.

During the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba gained world wide recognition as it hosted several Olympic competitions, including alpine (downhill, super g, and combination) and nordic (ski jump and cross country) events. Today some of the Olympic facilities remain in use, such as the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium. There is also the Hakuba Olympic Village Memorial Hall, a small but interesting museum, located within walking distance of the ski jump.

Hakuba can be reached relatively easily not only from Tokyo, but also from the Nagoya and Kansai regions. While it is possible to do a day trip from Tokyo, Hakuba is best enjoyed in an overnight or multi-night visit. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there are hot springs (onsen) available around town.

Ten of the major resorts (including all of those listed on this page) have teamed up to offer the "Hakuba Valley Ticket" to be used at any of the participating resorts. A one-day ticket costs 8500 yen. Longer validities and other combination tickets are also available, while some locals hotels offer further discounts to staying guests.

Happoone is the the largest and most famous resort in Hakuba. In 1998 it hosted the downhill, super g, and combination ski events of the Nagano Winter Olympics. It is also the resort located closest to the village center and Hakuba Station. Lift tickets cost less if purchased online.

Season*

Early December to early May
(December 1, 2023 to May 6, 2024)

Lifts

22 lifts

Tickets

Full day 7200 yen

Half day 6000 yen

Nighter n/a

Access

Bus/Train 6 minutes by bus from Hakuba Station.

Car 2.5 kilometers west of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 group

A ticket bought at either Hakuba Goryu or Hakuba 47 can be used at both resorts.

Hakuba Goryu is located relatively close to central Hakuba village and is located on the same mountain as and connected to Hakuba 47. Lift tickets cost less if purchased online.

Season*

Late November to early May
(December 4, 2023 to May 6, 2024)

Lifts

12 lifts

Tickets

Full day 7500 yen

Half day 6300 yen

Nighter 4500 yen

Access

Bus/Train 5 minutes by shuttle bus from Kamishiro Station.

Car 4.5 kilometers southwest of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Together with its larger brother Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47 makes up the second most popular resorts in the area. Lift tickets cost less if purchased online.

Season*

Late November to early May
(December 1, 2023 to May 6, 2024)

Lifts

5 lifts

Tickets

Full day 7500 yen

Half day 6300 yen

Access

Bus/Train 10 minutes by shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.

Car 4.5 kilometers southwest of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina Group

Located just outside of the Hakuba village limits. Tickets cover both resorts.

Hakuba Norikura is located just outside of the Hakuba village limits next to Tsugaike Koen.

Season*

Mid December to late March

Lifts

10 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5200 yen

Half day 4200 yen

Nighter N/A

Access

Bus/Train 20 minutes by bus from Minami-Otari Station.

Car 10 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Cortina is the furthest major resort from central Hakuba. It is just next to and partnered with Hakuba Norikura.

Season*

Mid December to early April
(December 16, 2023 to March 31, 2024)

Lifts

6 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5200 yen

Half day 4200 yen

Nighter 2000 yen

Access

Bus/Train 20 minutes by bus from Minami-Otari Station.

Car 12 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Other Resorts

Hakuba Iwatake is located close to central Hakuba, and is one of Hakuba's largest single resorts.

Season*

Mid December to late March
(December 15, 2023 to March 24, 2024)

Lifts

9 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5200 yen

Half day 4500 yen

Access

Bus/Train 15-20 minutes by bus or shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.
Served by express buses from/to Nagano.

Car 3 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Tsugaike Kogen is the second largest resort in the area. It is located next to Hakuba Iwatake, just outside the Hakuba village limits. Lift tickets cost less in the shoulder seasons and if purchased online.

Season*

Late November to early May
(November 30, 2023 to May 6, 2024)

Lifts

16 lifts

Tickets

Full day 6400 yen

Half day 5100 yen

Nighter no nighter in 2023/2024

Access

Bus/Train 30 minutes by bus or shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.
Served by express buses from/to Nagano.

Car 7 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

From Tokyo

By shinkansen and bus via Nagano

Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (100 minutes, 8000 yen) and then an express bus from Nagano to Hakuba (60-90 minutes, 2200-2400 yen), where the bus stops at Hakuba Station and directly at the base of several ski resorts. The Japan Rail Pass covers the shinkansen trip but not the bus journey.

By train via Matsumoto

Take the JR Azusa limited express train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto and transfer to a local train on the JR Oito Line to Hakuba. Some Azusa limited express trains run all the way to Hakuba. The one way journey takes about 4 to 4.5 hours and costs around 8000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By highway bus from Tokyo

Several bus companies operate buses between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku or Tokyo Station) and Hakuba, where the buses stop in the village center and at the bases of selected ski resorts (in summer they stop at the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal). The one way journey takes around 5 hours and costs about 4500-8000 yen depending on the company and day of travel. Online reservations can be made on the Willer website.

From Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka

Take the JR Shinano limited express train from Nagoya to Matsumoto and transfer to a train along the Oito Line to Hakuba. From Nagoya, the one way journey takes about 3.5 hours and costs around 7000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

How to get from Kyoto to Nagoya
How to get from Osaka to Nagoya

Questions? Ask in our forum.

- Soba House Azumino: private, luxe Japanese accommodation
  Located in the forest at the foot of the Northern Alps. 60min by car or train from Hakuba. Our hotel offers a private hot spring and sauna, as well as soba-making classes.
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Budget:

- The Guest House Japan Hakuba
  Mid-range
  
  Boasting a garden, terrace, shared lounge and free WiFi, The Guest House Japan Hakuba is situated in Hakuba, 2.8 km from Hakuba Iwatake Ski Area and 16 km from Hakuba Cortina Ski Area. The property is around 700 metres from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and 1.2 km from Happo One Ski Resort. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Guests at the resort will be able to enjoy activities in and around Hakuba, like skiing. Hakuba Jump Arena is 2.2 km from The Guest House Japan Hakuba, while Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort is 8 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 70 km from the property, and the property offers a free shuttle service.
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- Eternal Flame
  Mid-range
  
  Eternal Flame features a restaurant, bar and free WiFi. Free parking is available on site. The main street of Hakuba Echoland is a 6-minute walk away, and features many restaurants/bars. Hakuba Happoone Winter Resort and Hakuba 47 & Goryu Winter Sports Park can be reached within 7 minutes by free shuttle bus. There is free shuttle service at the property. The shuttle provides access to all ski resorts in the area, and the shuttle is parked right outside the property. Rental skis, snowboards and lift passes are available, all of which are offered at a discounted price. The property also provides pick-up services at times of arrival and departure. A flat-screen TV , DVD player and Nintendo Wii, as well as a computer are featured in guestrooms. Some rooms do not have a bathroom, while shared bathrooms are available. Extras include slippers and free toiletries. Guests will also find 2 kashikiri (private use) baths at the property. In addition, dry cleaning and laundry services are provided free of charge. You can engage in various activities, such as skiing and hiking in the area. Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal is 1.2 km from Eternal Flame, while Hakuba Jump Arena is 1.2 km away. The breakfast menu changes everyday, and the property is open to special requests, such as allergies.
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- Hakuba Skala Inn
  Budget-friendly
  
  Just 10 minutes from JR Hakuba Train Station on the free shuttle(14:30-21:00), Hakuba Skala Inn features a cosy lounge with a library, a bar and a wood-burning stove. Hakuba Skala Inn has both Western rooms and Japanese rooms, which have traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. All rooms are heated. With a toiletries, a bathtub and LCD TV (excluding basement room). Free Wifi is available in the builing. Happo-One Ski Resort is 2 km away, and Hakuba Goryu & 47 Ski Resort is about 5 km away. Parking is free at Hakuba Skala Inn. In the lounge, guests can relax on the sofa. Massage chairs and a piano are available. Breakfast is served at the dining room. Beer and snacks are served at the bar.
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- Pension Ringo-no Ki
  Budget-friendly
  
  Pension Ringo-no Ki is a completely non-smoking property located in Hakuba. Free WiFi access is available in this lodge. There is a hairdryer, free toiletries and slippers on site. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge, ski storage and ski pass vendor. The property offers free parking and an open-air bath. Check out Hakuba Koruchina Ski Area located 16 km away. Hiking can be enjoyed in the surroundings during summer season. Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal is 1.2 km away from the property. JR Hakuba Station is 1.4 km away from the Pension.
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- Backcountry Lodge Hakuba
  Mid-range
  
  Situated in Hakuba, 2.6 km from Tsugaike Kogen Ski Area and 49 km from Nagano Station, Backcountry Lodge Hakuba features accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, a shared lounge and a bar. There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. If you would like to discover the area, hiking and skiing are possible in the surroundings. Zenkoji Temple is 50 km from the lodge, while Happo-One Ski Resort is 6.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 72 km from Backcountry Lodge Hakuba.
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  9.5Booking.com
- Bergtour Marukita
  Mid-range
  
  Featuring an indoor and an open-air hot spring bath, Bergtour Marukita offers Japanese-style rooms, free wired internet and Japanese multi-course (kaiseki) dinners. It provides a free shuttle from Hakuba Station. Rooms have tatami-mat flooring, Japanese futon bedding and a seating area. They come with an LCD TV, a safe and an en suite bathroom. A fridge and a tea/coffee maker are provided. Guests can soak in a public hot spring, relax in the sauna, or unwind with a massage. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, and it offers luggage storage. Japanese meals are served in the dining room, upon advance request. Drinks are also available in vending machines. Marukita Bergtour is just a 6-minute drive from Hakuba Saegusa Museum, and a 12-minute walk from Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort. The Hakuba Botanical Garden is a 20-minute drive away.
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- Log Cottage Epoch
  Budget-friendly
  
  A 10-minute walk from Happo One Ski Resort, guests at Log Cottage Epoch can rent out an entire cottage. Each spacious cottage comes with free Wi-Fi and includes a kitchen and a living room. JR Hakuba Train Station is a 10-minute drive away. All cottages feature air conditioning/heating facilities, garden views and a living room with a sofa. Some cottages have Western beds with hardwood floors, while most feature bedrooms with tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each comes with an en suite bathroom and a kitchen with a fridge and microwave. Large towels are available for rental. Bicycle rentals are available for an extra cost, and guests can purchase ski passes on-site as well. A mini train track is offered for children to play at, and a tennis court is available on-site. Ski storage and photocopying services are offered at the front desk. A paid private bath is available for guests to relax in upon prior reservation. Japanese and Western dishes are served at the restaurant. Guests who wish to eat at the restaurant must make a reservation at least 1 week in advance. Barbecue facilities are available as well. Epoch Log Cottage is a 20-minute walk from Hakuba Olympic Village Memorial Hall and a 15-minute walk from Hakuba Jump Arena. JR Nagano Train Station is a 90-minute drive away.
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- Hakuba Ski-Kan
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated a 2-minute walk from the Happo Bus Terminal, the completely non-smoking Ski-Kan features a hot-spring bath and hotel-wide free WiFi. The compact Japanese rooms have futon bedding and an LCD TV. Each room at Hakuba Ski-Kan combines a tatami (woven-straw) floor with a “kotatsu” leg-warmer. Air conditioning and heating facilities are included. Some rooms have a private bathroom. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from JR Hakuba Train Station and 800 metres from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. The shuttle stop for free transfers to/from Happo One Ski Resort is only a 1-minute walk. On-site parking is free. The Ski-Kan provides a complimentary costume photo service for each guest, offering them to dress as a samurai or a Japanese princess. Guests can also make a Japanese calligraphy of their own name free of charge. The hotel provides ski storage and sells ski passes. A coin launderette is on site.
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- Hakuba Kaze no Ko
  Budget-friendly
  
  Boasting a garden and views of quiet street, Hakuba Kaze no Ko is a recently renovated guest house situated in Hakuba, 42 km from Nagano Station. The air-conditioned accommodation is 11 km from Tsugaike Kogen Ski Area, and guests can benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi. The accommodation features free shuttle service and bicycle parking for guests. At the guest house, each unit has a shared bathroom. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Zenkoji Temple is 43 km from the guest house, while Happo-One Ski Resort is 2.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 65 km from Hakuba Kaze no Ko.
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- Pension Tomato
  Budget-friendly
  
  A 10-minute drive from Hakuba Happo-One Winter Ski Resort, Pension Tomato offers spacious Western-style rooms with a loft area. Free WiFi is available at the entire property and guests can reserve a private open-air bath overlooking the forest. A free shuttle is available from JR Hakuba Train Station, which is a 5-minute drive away and must be reserved at time of booking. Forest views are available from the 2nd floor of the accommodation. Pension Tomato is located within the popular Hakuba Echoland, and several bars and restaurants are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors, a sofa and a TV. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Ski equipment and bicycle rentals are available on-site, while ski storage is offered as well. Western dishes are served for breakfast and dinner at the dining room. Tomato Pension is a 25-minute drive from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park and a 1-hour drive from JR Nagano Train Station.
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