Hakuba

One of Japan’s best ski resorts
•••Recommended
★★★★★
3.7 (244)
#53 of 208 most visited in Japan

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.

On the slopes of Hakuba 47

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 9700 yen. Longer validities and other combination tickets are also available, while some locals hotels offer further discounts to staying guests.

Happoone
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, 2024 to May 6, 2025)
Lifts
20 lifts
Tickets
Full day 8000 yen
Half day 6600 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
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 6, 2024 to May 6, 2025)
Lifts
12 lifts
Tickets
Full day 8500 yen
Half day 7300 yen
Nighter 5500 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.
Hakuba 47
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 5, 2024 to May 6, 2025)
Lifts
5 lifts
Tickets
Full day 8500 yen
Half day 7300 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, which are located adjacent to and connected to each other.

Hakuba Norikura
Hakuba Norikura is located just outside of the Hakuba village limits next to Tsugaike Koen.
Season*
Mid December to late March
(December 14, 2024 to March 30, 2025)
Lifts
9 lifts
Tickets
Full day 5800 yen
Half day 5000 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
Hakuba Cortina is the furthest major resort from central Hakuba. It is just next to and partnered with Hakuba Norikura.
Season*
Mid December to late March
(December 14, 2024 to March 30, 2025)
Lifts
6 lifts
Tickets
Full day 5800 yen
Half day 5000 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
Hakuba Iwatake is located close to central Hakuba and not as high as the neighboring resorts.
Season*
Mid December to late March
(December 20, 2024 to March 30, 2025)
Lifts
9 lifts
Tickets
Full day 6500 yen
Half day 6000 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
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, 2024 to May 6, 2025)
Lifts
15 lifts
Tickets
Full day 7500 yen
Half day 6000 yen
Nighter no nighter in 2024/2025
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.

Getting there and around

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, 2500-2700 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 5000-8000 yen depending on the company and day of travel. Online reservations for some of the buses 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.

Links and Resources

English

Japanese

Hotels around Hakuba

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      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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      9.9Booking.com
    •
      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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      9.8Booking.com
    •
      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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    •
      Hotel Soyokaze
      Budget-friendly
      Hotel Soyokaze is a 5-minute ride from the Hakuba Valley and 2.6 km from JR Hakuba Station. A free 2-way shuttle to Hakuba Station is provided. The hotel offers a public bath, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi access. Guest rooms offer both air conditioning and heating facilities. Each room is equipped with a fridge, an electric kettle and a flat-screen TV. The en suite bathroom comes with toiletries and a bathtub. Guests can reserve the public bath for private use. Laundry services are available. Bicycle rental is provided for those who wish to explore the area. The on site restaurant serves a selection of French and Italian cuisine. Soyokaze Hotel is a 5-minute ride from Kurashitano-Yu Public Hot Spring. The Kurobe Dam is a 90-minute ride away.
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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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    •
      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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    •
      Il Bosco
      Mid-range
      Set in Hakuba, Il Bosco offers free WiFi, and guests can enjoy free bikes, a terrace and a restaurant. There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is available at the lodge. Il Bosco offers 3-star accommodation with a hot tub. After a day of hiking, skiing or cycling, guests can relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Tsugaike Kogen Ski Area is 13 km from the accommodation, while Nagano Station is 40 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 63 km from the property.
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    •
      Happokan
      Mid-range
      Happokan is only a 3-minute drive from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, and brings its guests cosy Western and Japanese-style rooms, a hot spring bath and free Wi-Fi at the lobby. Free tea/coffee is poured in the morning, and a launderette is on-site. Western rooms come with twin beds and a seating area, while Japanese-style rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding. All rooms are fitted with a TV, heating and an attached bathroom. Yukata robes and green tea are provided. Guests can relax at tables and chairs at the lobby, which features a TV, a piano and a fireplace. They can unwind in a spacious public hot spring bath, which is separate for men and women, and accessible 24 hours. Happo Kan has a souvenir shop and free parking. If needed, it refers its guests to ski gear or bicycle rental shops. The Happo Kan is a 5-minute drive from Hakuba Iwatake Ski Area, and a 10-minute drive from Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort. It’s a 5-minute drive from the La Foret Hakuba Art Museum, as well as from Hakuba Train Station. The Hakuba Happo Onsen hot springs are a 10-minute drive. A Japanese breakfast is served daily at the dining room. Drinks can be purchased throughout the day at vending machines.
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    •
      Hakuba Kaze no Ko
      Budget-friendly
      Situated 11 km from Tsugaike Kogen Ski Area, Hakuba Kaze no Ko offers 1-star accommodation in Hakuba and has a garden, a terrace and a shared lounge. This guest house features free private parking, free shuttle service and free WiFi. Staff on-site can arrange a shuttle service. The guest house offers some units with quiet street views, and each unit has a shared bathroom. Nagano Station is 42 km from the guest house, while Zenkoji Temple is 43 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 65 km away.
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    •
      Pension Belnina
      Mid-range
      Situated in Hakuba in the Nagano region, with Happo-One Ski Resort and Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal nearby, Pension Belnina features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking, as well as access to a hot tub. All units feature air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. There is a private bathroom with shower in some units, along with free toiletries, a hairdryer and slippers. The lodge offers a terrace. After a day of hiking, skiing or cycling, guests can relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Tsugaike Kogen Ski Area is 10 km from Pension Belnina, while Nagano Station is 43 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 66 km away.
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      9.4Booking.com
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