Guide to Ski Resorts in Hakuba Japan

I recently wrote about the best ski resorts in Japan and talked about some of the best resorts all over the country. But I wanted to talk about our favorite area for our family to ski, Hakuba Valley. So naturally, I put together a guide to ski resorts in Hakuba

Located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture at the base of the 3,000-m tall Northern Japan Alps, Hakuba Valley boasts 10 ski resorts blessed with abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow. Host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba Valley welcomes guests from around the world to enjoy winter sports at world-class facilities.

From gentle groomed runs to 8-km-long cruising courses, Hakuba Valley has something for everyone.

This is my family’s favorite ski destination in the winters here in Japan. It’s an easy drive from where we live outside of Tokyo, has plenty of accommodation options, from cozy cabins, low and high-end hotels, and plenty of hostels. There’s plenty for us to do in the Hakuba mountains both on the slopes, and off, with our young kids.

If you spend any time in Hakuba you’ll notice the large majority of foreign, specifically Australian, residents. This makes it extremely easy for those of us who don’t speak Japanese to get help, deal with everyday issues at your accommodation, or ask for recommendations.

And for more ideas of how to spend your time in Japan off the slopes see our list.

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO

Ski Resorts in Hakuba

Jigatake

Most of the ski slopes are gentle with the main slope offering a wide and uncrowded area with good visibility. Jigatake Snow Resort is good for families to challenge skiing and snowboarding as well as for beginners. At the top of the mountain there are tree runs to explore, it is calm and quiet. On a sunny day you can enjoy the views over Azumino. Toroika is a ski lift for small children to ride safely and enjoy sleds.

Kashimayari

Kashimayari Snow Resort is closest to the Matsumoto and Azumino area with 15 different courses to challenge not to mention the great view of the North Alps. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a 5,000m downhill course with great view of Aoki Lake. Central Plaza 1130 is centrally located with restaurants, shops, accommodation and a stunning view to enjoy from the outdoor onsen after ski.i.

Hakuba Sansosaka

SANSOSAKA IS CLOSED FOR THE 21-22 SEASON

Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and a picturesque scene of the nearby Aoki Lake. 80% of the ski slopes are for beginners and intermediates level skiers and riders. This resort is most popular amongst families and leisure skiers. In Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort the mogul course has been well repaired for skiers and riders of all abilities.

Hakuba Goryu

Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort has 3 areas of alpine skiing to enjoy. Alps-daira, Tohmi and Iimori. There are 15 courses in Goryu. Alps-daira ski slope’s attractiveness is the long-term seasonality which is open until the end of Golden Week. The resort’s snow quality and panoramic views of the North Alps are both incredible features to enjoy. Tohmi and Iimori slope is ideal for beginners, kids, and families. It also has the largest night skiing area.

See also our Packing List for Winter in Japan.

Hakuba47

In HAKUBA VALLEY, the outstanding popular snow park is in HAKUBA47 Winter Sports Park. It provides a half-pipe for professionals and a kicker for jumping as well as a variety of items in the park to play and enjoy. Ski or ride or just sit back and watch the other skiers and riders moving around the park. Good atmosphere and a great place to make park friends. From the top of the mountain one can also access Hakuba Goryu, and both resorts can be enjoyed on the popular dual mountain pass.

Happo One

Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort is a magnificent skiing venue in Japan, widely recognized for the Nagano winter Olympic games held in 1998. The vertical of Happo is some of the steepest piste in the entire Valley at 1,071m. A place to carve and shred some epic powder snow conditions not to mention the longest runs allowing you to cruise an 8000m course. From beginners to advanced level enjoy the big scale slopes, but you need more than one day. Happo’s big scale also offers an interesting mix of restaurants, cafes and food stops on the slopes and around the base. One can truly indulge in delicious cuisine from local Nagano and around the world.

Hakuba Iwatake

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field exposes you to a 360℃ panoramic view of the Hakuba mountain range. A gondola lift will take you on a non-stop journey to the top of the mountain. Here the slopes are wide and gentle as well as challenging providing a variety of courses for all levels of skiers and riders. The Hakuba Iwatake Mountain resort is also well known here for the snow park and cross-country ski trails which are constantly maintained all year round.

Tsugaike Kogen

With a backdrop of 3,000m mountains known as the North Alps, this splendid mountain scenery has plenty of snowfall, heavy snow accumulates often, and is the main attractiveness for visitors. With a width of 1,200m it is well suited to families and beginners. The gondola is a distance of 4,000m you can ride it all the way to the top non-stop. Approximately 5km’s long, the ride itself is a sightseeing activity. The powder zone here is known as “Tsuga-Pow DBD” it also has an area for kids and beginners with a long course and onsen.

Hakuba Norikura

A superb viewpoint spreads before your eyes in the northernmost part of the North Alps. A romantic location resembles something similar to a private resort, a natural attractiveness of this region. The wide ski slopes are beginner-friendly and offer families a chance to ski together in tranquility. The steep course at 38℃ is enjoyed by advanced skiers and riders. A mogul course is also maintained offering a variety of abilities a chance to try it all. The ski slopes are both groomed and ungroomed, powder snow conditions are the best to enjoy. Snow scoot, telemark ski, and snowshoe are also popular on these slopes.

Hakuba Cortina

Heavy snow accumulates often in Cortina, the highest annual records are in this snow resort. This fact as well as amazing tree skiing in powder conditions makes it a very popular place to visit. The attractiveness is not only in the ski resort but also the ski in and ski out Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba with 257 rooms that is the largest in this area including onsen facilities, a variety of Japanese and Italian meals and well as fast food and a café with excellent coffee and sweet menu total 5 restaurants. Cortina is a wonderful snow resort venue and location.

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How to Get to Hakuba

Like I said above, my family usually drives from where we live outside of Tokyo. We like the freedom of having our own car and it’s easier than taking the train into, and then back out of the city, and then catching other trains and busses.   Plus, once in Hakuba, it’s much easier to get around with a car. So a car is my recommendation but that’s not feasible for everyone.  

By Car

From Tokyo it will take just under 4 hours on the toll roads.  The tolls are pretty steep so make sure you have cash (sometimes you can use a card) or your rental car is ECT enabled (kind of like a toll tag).

By Train

The train is definitely the fastest way to get to Hakuba but it might not be the easiest.  You will take the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Nagano, then a bus or train to Hakuba.  If you’re leaving right from the airport, you’ll obviously have to find your way into Tokyo. So as you can see, there are many trains/busses.  But that’s not to say it’s not doable.  If you’re using the JR Pass this can be the most cost-effective way of getting around.

From Narita Airport

From Tokyo international airport, take the train (Narita Express) to Tokyo (Shinjuku) station which will take about 1 hour. These trains depart the airport rail terminal frequently. If you don’t plan to purchase the Japan Rail Pass because you’re only going to Hakuba, one option is to pay as you go and catch the Keiser Skyliner train that goes from Narita to Ueno (a station on the Nagano side of Tokyo) in a very speedy time of about 35 minutes!

From Tokyo Station (or Ueno) to Nagano

The Tokyo train station is a tourist destination in itself, with the fascinating rush of people bustling about, the many food options to choose from, and the endless souvenir shops. Trains from Narita Airport arrive at underground platforms #1-4 so there’s quite an eye-opening hike up to the Shinkansen Bullet trains which leave from platforms #20-23. The Nagano bullet train (Asama Shinkansen) departs Tokyo Station regularly throughout the day (you can check train timetables here), and the super speedy trip (at over 200kph) takes only 90 minutes.

Or if you come into Ueno you have to swap from the local train station to the Shinkansen train station, a walk of about 150 meters. This station isn’t quite as chaotic as Tokyo and offers the advantage of a faster trip time.

From Nagano Station to Hakuba

There are various options to get from Nagano to Hakuba which all take about one hour:

• Nagano Snow Shuttle operate scheduled bus services from late December to end Feb with several daily departures.
• Alpico buses from Nagano to Hakuba run every hour from 8:20am to 7:40pm (Friday night 9.00pm). Buses depart from the East (Higashi) exit of Nagano Station from bus stop 6. Most people use this option. The buses terminate at the Happo Information Centre, and many of the accommodation providers offer transport or there are lots of taxis. 
• You could get a taxi directly to your hotel for about ¥25,000, although you and the taxi driver might need to be creative in accommodating your ski/board bag. 
• You can catch a local train to the Hakuba train station. Many Hakuba accommodations provide transport from the train station.

By Bus

The Nagano Snow Shuttle is the easiest transport from Narita or Haneda airports. The bus is usually much cheaper than trains but takes a little longer (about 5-6 hours) than the bullet train.  But, the bus is direct, meaning you don’t have to lug your bags around, hopping from train to train, and navigating the stations and timetables.  If you arrive at Narita in the evening, you can take the overnight bus to possibly save on a night in a hotel (if you can handle a night on a bus right after a long plane ride).

The bus will drop you off at the Hakuba Base Camp where you’ll have to walk, get a taxi, or arrange transportation with your accommodation, or they will drop you at your Hakuba accommodation for an additional fee. 

Accommodation in Hakuba

There are so many options for places to stay in Hakuba Valley, but I just wanted to give you a taste of some of the best options depending on your budget and needs. We have stayed in a hotel, family-friendly hostel, and self contained home so we have tested a few of the options. For quick getaways where we are really going to be sleeping after a long day on the slopes or out in the snow, we go like the Hakuba Gondola hotel. But if we’re staying for a few days, we like our own space, so we go with something self contained like the Brownie Cottages. Check out our list below to see what would be best for you.

READ ALSO: Packing List for Winter in Japan

Price Key:

• $– $100-$150 USD
• $$– $151-$200 USD
• $$$– $201-$300 USD
• $$$$– $301+

Hostels

Hakuba Snowdrift Lodge

Mt. Hakuba Backpackers

Hakuba Gondola Hotel

Hotels

Hakuba Tokyu Hotel

Mominoki Hotel Hakuba

Courtyard by Marriott

Sierra Resort

Hakuba Panorama Hotel

Self-Contained Homes

The Hakuba Villas

Zen Chalets

Koharu Resort Hotel

Brownies Cottages

Hakuba Gondola Apartments

Ski-in/Ski Out

Green Plaza Hotel

Marillen Hotel

Yamano Hotel

Restaurants in Hakuba

Gravity Worx

When you step food in this homely hut of an Italian restaurant, the first thing that you notice might be the smell of garlic and basil cooking.

The pizza’s rye dough is homemade, vegetables is home grown and herbs are locally harvest right here in Hakuba.

If you are here for the coffee, their triple-layered latte is a must-try signature. For hearty, authentic Italian fare in Hakuba, it doesn’t get better than this. It is the perfect place to relax after a hard day of skiing in the freezing cold!

• Location: 6305 Hokujo Hakuba Kitaazumi-gun Nagano
• Open: 11:30-20:00 Daily
• Reservation: +81-261-72-5434

Roots Café

Conveniently located on the slopes of Happo One, Roots is a mostly vegan cafe (they do have dairy milk with their coffee) that serves quality comfort food for the health-conscious.

They serve up generous portions to satisfy hungry powder hounds, and have the best vegan baked foods in the region (don’t miss the brownies). It is probably the healthiest place you will find in the ski resort. The smoothies and cookies are a big hit with the kids.

• Location: Happo, In Kokusai Lodge, 399-9301 Hakuba, Japan
• Open: Daily 8:30-16:00
• Reservation: 0261-85-0034

Hakuba Pizza

The family-owned, 20-seater Hakuba Pizza is another trusted place you can go to fill up on comfort food favourites (or save the trek to the log house, and order in for delivery when going out is just too much after a long day on the slopes). Their pizzas are loved for that thin and crispy base, plus toppings freshly prepared every day.

• Location: 1707-4 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Daily 5PM-9:30PM. CLOSED Wednesdays
• Reservation: +81 261 85 2114

B.O.S. Okonomiyaki

B.O.S. is a cozy hangout in Echoland that specializes in okonomiyaki, the classic Japanese savory pancake, cooked on a hot place in front of you the way you like it. Perfect for when you just want a quick place to sit, some cool company, hot drinks, and a local snack done right.

• Location: 3020-1100 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open:  Daily 12PM-12AM
• Reservation: +81 261 85 2723

Mon Pigeon

Dog friendly (with their own friendly dogs, no less)? Fresh baked goods? Cozy atmosphere with a wafting scent of coffee? Checked, checked and checked. Mon Pigeon is a lovely patisserie hidden in the woods, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sun.

The owners make all the baked treats in the house, from savory bread-like cheese rolls to pretty cakes. They also serve up wood-fired pizza for lunch and dinner, accompanied by fresh brewed coffee!

• Location: 828-333 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Daily 10:30AM- 9PM
• Reservation: +81 261 72 3535

Hakuba Taproom

Hakuba Taproom is a chic bar newly opened in the Panorama Hotel, serving a wide range of domestic craft beers with a great view of the mountain, good music and a hipster vibe.

Sports play on the big screen and bar favorites such as fish and chips and homemade pasta are served. It is a fun neighborhood bar worth coming at lease once.

• Location: 3322-1 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Sun 9AM-12AM, Mon.-Sat. 4PM-12AM
• Reservation: +81 261 75 0075

Antlers Restaurant

Antlers restaurant located at The Ridge offers a ‘West meets East’ fusion menu – aka a beautiful choice of Aussie dishes with a lovely selection of traditional puddings. The pub menu features delicious burgers, while for formal dinner items, there are such options as lamb rack and grilled angel shrimp with creole. Fresh local produce and organic ingredients are used wherever possible, wine selection is extensive.

• Location: 4608 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Daily 6-8PM
• Reservation: +81 261 85 4301

Hakuba Hifumi

As Japanese fine dining goes, Hakuba Hifumi is one of the top picks in the area especially ideal for more formal get-togethers and date nights. The place is part of a modern hotel serving up authentic Japanese fare, with premium items as Wagyu Shinshu beef, and more sophisticated options of sashimi platters. Guarantees a satisfying experience after a elaborate kaiseki meal!

• Location: 4998 Hokujo happo hakuba vill. NAGANO pref. JAPAN, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Serves Breakfast and Dinner
• Reservation: +81 261 8411

Kiko-ya

Kikyo-ya along R 148 has grown to be a favorite sushi joint among locals and in-the-know frequent tourists alike. Location is right in Hakuba town within the 47 resort. There is a great selection of sushi items from seasonal local catch, while for non-sushi lover there are also lots of options. Kids would especially enjoy the tempura set.

Prices are reasonable and the traditional Japanese ambiance makes it even more worth coming back to. DO take your time going over the autograph walls, and have fun spotting the one signed by T-Swizzle.

• Location: 1909-4 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Daily, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Reservation: +81 (0) 261-72-3633

Izakaya Hie Hakuba

If you happen to be staying at Echoland and craving some quality Japanese tapas over fine sake, go for Hie just on the main street. The place is dimly lit and feels nicely intimate for couples. Great and comfortable atmosphere accompanied with a hearty selection of small dishes, all the way from skewers to stew through soba noodles to soak up the shots.

This lovely little izakaya (bar-restaurant) in Echoland is so popular that you’ll need to make a booking; get your accommodation owner to set you up at least a day ahead. Expect all the usual izakaya fare here on a useful English menu, but you’ll also find house specials such as seared tuna and avocado. Cosy atmosphere next to Mockingbird Bar.

• Location: 3020-868 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, closed on Thursdays
• Reservations: +81 (0) 261-72-8035

Zen

Another great informal dining hidden loved for authentic soba dishes, Zen is hands down our first choice for family outings. The homemade tofu and egg cake are big hits. They also offer a great choice of sashimi and sushi.

• Location: 3020-49 Hokujō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Daily, 11 AM – 2 PM for lunch and 5:30 PM – until the soba is gone.
• Reservations: +81 (0) 261-72-3637.

Traumerei

Tucked in a decadent hotel near the Echoland main street, this French diner place is voted the No.1 French restaurant in “Jaran” East Japan. In fact, some guests stay in the hotel just for the good old-fashioned French “auberge” experience here. Date nights, special occasions or milestones in Hakuba? Seriously, this place needs to go on your bucket list.

• Location: 860-13 Oaza Hokujo Misorano, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun Nagano Prefecture
• Open: Daily 5:30-8:45 PM
• Reservation: +81 261 72 5120

Marillen Hotel

For a Swiss Alp-like experience, Marillen offers Bavarian-style cuisine in front of a roaring open fire. The restaurant provides favorites like cheese fondue, steak, house-made sausages, and schnitzels. Pair this heart-warming comfort food with one of the many German beers in stock, and you’re bound to have a really good night.

• Location: 4050 Happo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Daily, 3PM-10PM with weekend lunch specials from 11AM-3PM
• Reservations: Book Online

Hummingbird

For a warm and welcoming environment that’s perfect for an evening with friends and family, try out Hummingbird. The restaurant serves Japanese and Western home-style cuisine with fresh seasonal ingredients. The menu features vegetarian options and a wide selection of sake, shochu and cocktails.

• Location: 4715-1 Wadano, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Open for lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays.
• Reservations: +81 (0) 261-72-7788

Luce

For the meat-lovers, Luce is the place to treat yourself. Dig into the A5-grade wagyu beef and enjoy a drink from the vast wine selection. The restaurant is directly across from the Kokusai chairlift, making it very accessible after a long day on the slopes.

• Location: 4313-1 Hokujyo Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Daily during winter, 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM.
• Reservations: +81 261-85-5008

Pilar Café and Restaurant

Sitting atop Happo-One and with majestic panoramic mountain views, Pilar is a ski-in-ski-out dining experience. Indulge your taste buds with the full-service a-la-carte Italian meal. The restaurant is only open for lunch.

• Location: 4487-12 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun
• Open: Daily, 9AM-4PM
• Reservation: +81 (0) 261-72-8438

Hakuba Valley Lift Passes

Ski and ride all the resorts of the valley on just 1 pass!

Valid at Hakuba Sanosaka, ABLE Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba47, Hakuba Happo-one, Hakuba Iwatake, Tsugaike, Hakuba Norikura, Hakuba Cortina, Kashimayari, and Jigatake.

**Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort is closed for the 2021-22 season.

Type of Ticket	Adult Price	Child Price	Valid for:
1 Day pass	6,600 yen	3,800 yen	Only day of use
2 Day pass	12,500 yen	7,100 yen	For 4 days from the first day of use
3 Day pass	18,700 yen	10,500 yen	For 6 days from the first day of use
4 Day pass	24,900 yen	13,900 yen	For 8 days from the first day of use
5 Day pass	31,000 yen	17,400 yen	For 10 days from the first day of use
6 Day pass	37,200 yen	20,800 yen	For 11 days from the first day of use
7 Day pass	43,400 yen	24,300 yen	For 12 days from the first day of use
8 Day pass	49,000 yen	27,400 yen	For 13 days from the first day of use
9 Day pass	54,700 yen	30,400 yen	For 14 days from the first day of use
10 Day pass	60,300 yen	33,500 yen	For 16 days from the first day of use
Season Pass	142,800 yen	77,000 yen	Entire season

Buy Lift Passes Online

The HAKUBAVALLEY Web Shop offers the HAKUBAVALLEY Day Pass,
valid for skiing and riding at all HAKUBAVALLEY snow resorts,
as well as lift tickets for the following snow resorts: ABLE Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park (※1), 
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort, and Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort.
**：Joint lift ticket for use at both Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba47.
Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort has a separate web shop. Visit here.
Tsugaike Mountain Resort has a separate web shop. Visit here.
Kashimayari Snow Resort has a separate web shop. Visit here.

Klook.com

Other Ski Activities

Backcountry Tours

The Hakuba backcountry is a highlight of the area for those willing to earn their turns. The pinnacle is the Happo backcountry, which has some easy bowls as well as lines of gnar. There are quite a few Hakuba backcountry tour operators but choose wisely if you want longevity on earth. We’ve seen a couple of tour groups who’ve seemed a little too eager to get out onto the Happo Faces straight after a massive a snow storm.

There are various backcountry and off-piste tour operators. They can cater for varying abilities and the distance hiked or skinned, and they can rent you backcountry gear if you don’t have your own. Tours typically go from the top of Cortina or Tsugaike on stormy days, or Happo-One when the snowpack is adequately settled.

            You can try: 

            Good Guides Hakuba

            Check out the incredible side or backcountry at one of Hakuba’s resorts or at one of the 20 other nearby resorts such as Myoko Kogen. Join a group or get your own group together (max 5 per group).

            Evergreen BC Guides

            Take advantage of the huge lift infrastructure in the Hakuba Valley to access some of Japan’s best side-country whilst staying safe with a qualified guide with local knowledge.

Heli Skiing

Alternatively, the Tsugaike Kogen resort offers spring heli-skiing. This isn’t typical heli-skiing as the terrain is all national park and there are various restrictions on where helicopters can land, so they repeatedly land at the same place. The “backcountry” is very mellow and sign-posted in places (!) so it’s more like tracked-out piste than the virgin snow you’d expect from heli-skiing (unless you are lucky to be amongst the first few riders after a fresh dump). It’s still worth it though, just for the thrill of the helicopter ride and the scenery.

What to do with Kids in Hakuba Valley

Ski and Snowboard Lessons

            The Hakuba Snow Sport School also offers ski & snowboarding lessons, both for private & group lessons. Only ski lessons are currently available in English. If you want English snowboarding lessons, Hakuba Ski Concierge offers private lessons at all Hakuba ski areas.  For the little kids, they have a kids program (Frank Club) which offers full-day lessons, equipment rental & lunch for kids 4 – 12. Pre-schoolers 5 and under get a free lift ticket.

Evergreen Outdoor Center offers English-speaking instructors for ski or snowboard lessons at Happo for children (aged 3+) and adults in either a half-day or full-day format. Evergreen also provides powder clinics and on-mountain guiding. Evergreen also provides lessons at Iwatake and Tsugaike.

Childcare

In addition to the ski lessons provided for children, Evergreen also offers child care for the morning or full-day (18 months to 6 years) with English-speaking staff. The child care facility is located at the Kokusai base of Happo-One and they provide transport between your hotel and the center. Evergreen also provides child care at Iwatake and Tsugaike for ages 18 months to 6 years. 

There is also childcare at Cortina inside the Green Plaza Hotel, although there’s no guarantee that the staff speaks English. 

There are also a couple of Hakuba babysitting and nanny services.

Kid’s Snow Parks

Nakiyama Snow Land

New for the 2020/21 season, Nakiyama Snow Land has a covered magic carpet.

Happo Usagi Kids Park

Usagi Kids Park, located at the top of the Happo One Gondola, is open in the off-peak season & the beginning of spring ski (March-end until the season end) to help ensure that there is always a kids park with enough snow to operate.

Sakka Kids Park

Sakka Kids Park located in Wadano, it is the main kid’s park that opens up once there is enough snow. Probably one of the more popular kid’s snow parks in the valley. There is a cafeteria at the base of the park for the parents to watch from and enjoy a refreshment. This is where the “Snow Chao” event is held.

Hakuba 47 Kids Park

Hakuba 47 has a small kids park with a separate sled and ski slopes serviced by a magic carpet. If your children do not want what to use the magic carpet, they can play with the sleds/toboggans for free.

Goryu Kids Wonderland

Goryu, like the Sakka kids park, has a large indoor cafeteria, where the parents can sit and watch their children through the large glass windows. There is also a large indoor kids play area in the Escal Plaza building “Wood land”, where the children can escape the elements and try their skills on the jungle gym

Cortina Wonder Village

The Cortina Winder Village consists of 2 areas “Kids park” & “Snow play park”.

Kids park area is located right in front of the hotel with usual kids play area with rental items for children to play with (Tubes, Sleds etc.)

Snow park area, located about 5 min walk from the hotel and is open for children to adults making snow house, sled play, snow soccer, snowmobile adventure ride, night sled, marshmallow cooking etc.

Where to Rent Ski Gear in Hakuba

There are a very good number of Hakuba ski rental and snowboard hire shops located at the base of each of the ski resorts and in some of the Hakuba hotels and pensions, although in some cases with the latter, it looks like they’re renting gear from the pre-Olympics era!

A great pick for a Hakuba ski rental /snowboard shop is Central Snowsports which has three locations across Hakuba: in the heart of Happo near the Happo-One gondola; opposite the Sakka lifts (and great beginner area) in Upper Wadano; and Goryu opposite the Escal Plaza. They also offer a guest shuttle whereby they pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation. Central Snowsports have standard snowboard and ski rentals and clothing (pants, jackets, helmets) as well as high-performance equipment and fat skis. In addition, they have backcountry ski touring rentals, skins, collapsible poles, snowshoes, and packs with an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. You can pre-book your gear here.

Spicy Rentals has lots of Hakuba ski hire shops with prime locations: Echoland next to the BaseCamp shuttle bus stop; Upper Wadano; Happo; Iwatake at the gondola & Tsugaike just below the gondola. You can pre-book your gear here – standard or high-performance ski and snowboard equipment and clothing.

Woody Ski and Snowboard Hire have two Hakuba ski rental shops in Happo. One is located just a few minutes walk from the Happo Information Centre (the bus terminal with shuttles to all the ski resorts) and the other shop is just 1 minute from the Happo gondola. Woody hires out performance skis and snowboard equipment, après boots, gloves, goggles, helmets, and backcountry touring ski gear and avalanche safety equipment. You can pre-book your gear here.

Other Activities Around Hakuba

Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of the top activities you have to do in Hakuba with kids. It is an attraction widely known for its postcard-perfect snowy landscape. It draws visitors eager to catch a glimpse of snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs to keep warm during the winter. From the entrance, it takes about a 25-minute stroll through the woods to arrive at the hot spring, where you’ll catch sight of the snow monkeys.

Jigokudani Monkey Park – 6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401, Nagano, p. +81 269-33-4379. Opens 8.30am – 5pm daily.

Zenkoji Temple is another must-visit attraction while you are in Hakuba with kids. It boasts a longstanding history dating back over 1,400 years and is believed to house the first image of Buddha brought to Japan during the 7th century. Engaging an English-speaking guide offers a more immersive experience, as you’ll get explanations about the different statues and buildings within the temple. A culturally-rich visit for the little ones indeed!

After your visit, take a stroll along streets surrounding the temple. The lantern-lined streets are scenic, and offer plenty of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants to explore.

Zenkoji Temple – 491 Naganomotoyoshicho, Nagano, p. +81 26-234-3591. Open 6am – 4pm daily.

If you have never tried this before, this is going to be an interesting experience for the whole family. Natural hot springs, or onsen are widely popular in Japan. The country boasts a wide-ranging variety of hot springs, with different minerals dissolved in the water. Depending on the minerals, soaking in a hot spring can bring about different health benefits. It’s also incredibly relaxing, and a great way to soothe your muscles and unwind after a day out on the slopes.

• Hakuba Himekawa Onsen Tenjin no Yu – Take in vistas over the Alps when you soak in the sodium chloride-rich waters of the onsen. Indoor and outdoor baths available. Hakuba Highland Hotel, 21582 Hokujo, Hakuba, p. +81 261-72-3450.
• Hakuba Happo Onsen Obinata no Yu – A small onsen enveloped by lush surroundings. The open-air bath is available for use during the winter months, starting from mid-January. 9346-1 Hokujo, Hakuba, p. +81 261-72-3745. Open 9am – 5pm daily.
• Hakuba Ryujin Onsen – A great option for vacationers in Goryu. The onsen boasts a modern decor, and well-maintained facilities including a spacious outdoor bath, shallow pools and a steam room. 21396 Kamishiro, Hakuba, p. +81 261-85-2803. Open 11am – 9.30pm daily.

Klook.com

If you are still unsure if you want to go skiing in Japan, think no more. Skiing in Japan with kids is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is a must for snow lovers and for beginners alike. The snow and resort atmosphere in Japan doesn’t disappoint and will no doubt remain one of your favorite memories.

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