A Guide to Hakuba Ski Resort

With world-class skiing, a buzzy apres ski scene, restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisine that's as fresh as it is delicious, and more powder-dusted runs than you can poke a ski at, Hakuba is a winter destination that you'll want to visit time and time again. Nestled in the snowy regions of Nagano, a prefecture in central Japan, Hakuba is a one-stop-snow-hotspot everyone should visit at least once. Here's everything you need to know.

There's no question why Hakuba has gained a reputation for being one of Japan's, if not the world's key ski destinations. Hakuba is home to 10 individual resorts, each with its own appeal for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. While it's clearly very loved by international visitors, Hakuba is located in central Japan, making it a popular weekend destination for locals too.

The region was home to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games and boasts an incredibly long ski season, running from early to mid-December and running until the first week of May. Many resorts in the region try to stay open until the end of the Golden Week Holiday in Japan (a holiday that runs from late April until early May). The area gets an average of 11-13 meters (433 to 512 inches) of powder per season.

Hakuba is one of the easier ski destinations to access from Tokyo for a few reasons. Location-wise, it's not too far; both Tokyo and Hakuba are on Honshu, Japan's main island. Also, Matsumoto, one of Japan's most popular castle cities (also in Nagano prefecture), is a direct train ride from Shinjuku. If you want to experience a little more of Japan while visiting to ski, it's well worth putting aside a day or two to explore Matsumoto. 

Tokyo to Matsumoto: If you decide to visit via Matsumoto, the best option is to take the JR Azusa Limited Express train from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station. You can switch to a local train from there or take the JR Oito Line to Hakuba. Occasionally, Azusa trains run to Hakuba, but it's best to check ahead of time. The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) covers all of these routes. Want to know more about the JR Pass? Read our guide.

Direct to Hakuba via train and bus: You have a few other options for those traveling directly from Tokyo to Hakuba. You can take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station and switch to an express bus from Nagano, which will take you to Hakuba in about an hour to an hour and a half. If you have a JR Pass, the bullet train portion of the trip is covered, but not the bus.

Direct to Hakuba via bus: Highway bus is a slightly longer but cheaper option for those who don't have a JR Pass. Companies like Alpico operate several daily buses between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Hakuba.

Getting around Hakuba: Once you're in Hakuba, getting around the area is accessible by foot or local shuttle bus. The ski shuttles pass through resorts in the Hakuba Valley, including Tsugaike, Iwatake, Happo One, Hakuba 47, and Goryu. A Hakuba Valley shuttle bus service can take you to the resorts nestled in Hakuba Valley, including Cortina, Norikura, Sanosaka, Kashimayari, and Jigatake ski resort. If you have a Hakuba Valley lift pass, these buses are free, and if not, it's just about 510 JPY each way.

The Hakuba region's ski options are essentially endless. In total, Hakuba Valley has 10 ski resorts, all with something a little different. If you're planning to stay in the area for a little while, get a Hakuba Valley Pass, which will give you access to all 10 resorts: Jigatake, Kashimayari, White Resort HAKUBA SANOSAKA, ABLE Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Happo-One, Hakuba Iwatake, Tsugaike, Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina. The passes come in one to 10-day options. To get a better idea of what to expect at each resort, here's a little rundown of what to expect.

Jigatake Snow Resort is a great resort for families, beginners, or those revisiting the slopes after a long hiatus. The ratio of course levels in this area is 70% beginner and 30% intermediate. There are seven courses in total on the resort and four chairlifts. Some highlights of Jigatake Snow Resort are the quiet tree runs at the top of the mountain and Toroika, a ski lift for small children where people can sled.

Kashimayari Snow Resort Family Park, like Jigatake, is a very family-friendly option. The resort is designed for families, and the ratio of courses is 44% beginner and 56% intermediate. There are nine courses and four chairlifts. This resort also has theme park-inspired attractions, like the "Pokemon Snow Adventure" area, equipped with a snow tubing park and a snow escalator that's great for kids.

White Resort HAKUBA SANOSAKA is a scenic resort surrounded by forests and lakes, making it great for those who appreciate the views as much as the snow, which is excellent powder quality. The ratio of courses is 40% beginner and 60% intermediate. It's a little more compact, with just two courses and two chairlifts.

ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort is for adventure seekers. You won't run out of areas to explore here, with 17 courses and 11 chairlifts to get you across the mountain. This resort is so expansive it's separated into three areas: Alps-daira, Tohmi, and Iimori. Its long snow seasons make it a popular destination, and the course levels ratio is 35% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 25% advanced. 

Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park is one of the biggest resorts for snow sports. The resort boasts a half-pipe for professionals to show off their skills, jumps, and incredible views. It's one of the buzzier parts of Hakuba. The course ratio is 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced. There are eight courses here with five chairlifts to get you around.

Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort is probably the most well-known resort in the area, as it was home to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games. With its magnificent views and diverse ski terrain, you can see why it was selected as the game's home. There are 21 chairlifts to get you around the resort's 16 courses. It's also home to some of the steepest pistes in the entire Valley at 1,071 meters and some of the longest courses, with one running eight kilometers. The course ratio is 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 20% advanced.

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field is worth visiting for the 360℃ panoramic view of the Hakuba mountain range alone. It's loved for its diverse range of slopes, from wide, cruisy courses to more high-level runs. There's also a snow park and cross-country ski trails dotted across the resort's map. The ratio of the 13 courses is 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 20% advanced, and there are eight chairlifts to get you around.

Tsugaike Mountain Resort is backdropped by the North Alps, which, towering at 3,000 meters, are nothing short of magnificent. This resort is wide and spacious, making it great for groups and families. There are 14 courses in total, with the ratio split being 50% beginner, 30% intermediate, and 20% advanced, and there are 13 chairlifts to get you where you need to be.

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort is positioned in a way that makes it feel like a private resort. It boasts wonderful views of the North Alps for those who want to take it easy and soak up the views. But for those who want a little adrenaline, there's also a mogul course and plenty of groomed and ungroomed slopes. The course ratio is 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced, and there are nine chairlifts to get you around the 16 courses.

Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort is a heavily snow-dumped resort that typically receives the highest annual records in the area for snowfall. To make the most of this incredible powder snow, there are 16 courses and six chairlifts to service them. The course ratio is 40% beginner, 30% intermediate, and 30% advanced.

In recent years, Hakuba has become an incredibly popular ski destination with international travelers, especially Australians who flock to the region during the country's school holidays. As a result of these influences, Hakuba feels like a very diverse destination. Many businesses here are English-friendly, and many establishments, like cafes, accommodations, and restaurants, are foreign-owned.

There are still pockets of local Japanese charm, however, but the international draw makes it a popular place for more diverse festivals and events. In winter, the area hosts "Gay Ski Week" hosted by the Hakuba Rainbow Festival; this coming season it'll run from March 8th – 17th, 2024. From February 26th - March 2nd 2024, the region is also home to "Snow Machine Festival", a contemporary music festival event featuring musicians of all genres, from hip hop to dance and indie rock.

Hakuba Auberge Restaurant & Hotel Traumerei is a cozy Western-style mansion in the woods and a great option for those who want to experience relaxing home-style accommodations. The facility has an on-site restaurant serving French cuisine and wine, with breakfast and board options. If you want to unwind after a day on the slopes, there's also an open-air onsen filled with Himekawa Headwater Spring and water from the Oide Spring.

Meteor Garden Villa is a great choice if you want something a little more secluded. This luxurious rental villa is perfect for traveling groups and families as it can be rented room by room or as a single-group facility. There are spacious rooms, cozy living spaces, and wonderful mountain views.

Looking to be in the heart of the action? Then, Hakuba Marchen House is the place to be. This accommodation is positioned right by Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort. Western and Japanese-style rooms are available, and an on-site restaurant serves a diverse range of cuisines and hot spring baths to soak those weary muscles (you can choose one hot spring from the nearby affiliated facilities).

Hakuba Seiyokan Ogiya is the perfect place for the onsen-obsessed. This hotel features excellent hot spring baths, sourcing its natural waters from Hakuba Happo Onsen. In terms of rooms, Western and Japanese style options are available, and they're all very spacious, making them great options for families. For those who don’t want to take the hassle of booking a place to eat, Hakuba Seiyokan Ogiya offers breakfast and dinner meal plan accommodation bundle options, too.