Hakuba – Japan’s Premier Winter Getaway

Hakuba is Japan’s Premier Ski Resorts
Hakuba is Japan's premier ski resort area right in the heart of the Japanese Alps in Nagano. Set against the backdrop of rugged peaks, the scenery of Hakuba is not all that is truly amazing. There are over 10 resorts in Hakuba & neighboring valleys covering a huge expanse of ski-able terrain. Hakuba is at the top of "Japan's Best Ski Resorts" list in many ways. It has the most resorts, offering the most ski runs and variety of slopes (including the most advanced slopes), and offers the highest vertical of any ski resort in Japan.

How it All Began
Over 75 years ago, the farming village of Hakuba was chosen by the Hosono ski club of Japan for its abundant snow and pristine ski conditions. That's how it all began. Today, the area has mushroomed into a world class ski destination of unparalleled alpine opportunities. Its no surprise either as Hakuba gets over 10 meters of exceptional powder snow every year and offers something for everybody - a variety of alpine skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, Telmark & Nordic skiing, snow rafting & tubing, snow mobiling and heli-skiing.

Skiing & Snowboarding
For novice to the expert skier, Hakuba provides some of the best skiing in all of Japan - gentle slopes, steeps, moguls, long groomers and of course plenty of fresh powder. The variety of terrain is more than enough for snow boarders of any level - half-pipes, terrain parks, gullies, hits, dry & deep powder bowls, ungroomed trails and steeps. Hakuba 47 and Happo are two of the favorites for boarders offering challenging and diverse terrain, a terrain park, and a half pipe.

Hakuba Hosts the 1998 Winter Olympics
Having some of the most demanding ski/board terrain in all of Japan, and first class international resorts has really helped put Hakuba on the map. Hakuba Happo-One was the chosen site for 1998 Winter Olympic Games and continues to host FIS World Cup events for the downhill, slalom, ski jumping, cross country, and biathlon.

Real Estate Investment
Over the last few years, interest in the Hakuba area has sky rocketed. The prospect of excellent powder snow and world class resorts is bringing tourists from all over the world. It is especially true for Koreans and Australians, who have started choosing Japan for their ski holidays and make up about half of all foreign visitors in Hakuba. For Australians, Japanese ski resorts offer great powder conditions, cheaper lift tickets, and the chance to enjoy alpine sports during their summer season. The overall number of foreign tourists who visit Hakuba each year has gone up 400% since 2004, and the number of foreign investors is following close behind. With the success of other resort areas in Japan (such as Nisseko) developers, investors, and business owners are aligning themselves for what could be the next real estate boom. Warburg Pincus bought the Hakuba 47 ski resort in November of 2007. Their capital has already increased from 20 to 235 million ¥. Warburg Pincus is planning to develop the area - they will invest several billion ¥ into condominiums and infrastructure such as lifts and gondolas.

The Ski Resorts of Hakuba
The town of Hakuba, at the foot of the Japanese Alps, is surrounded by top notch ski resorts. There are some 10 resorts in and around Hakuba - Sun Alpina's 3 areas at the southern end of the valley, the twin resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi the Olympic ski resort of Happo-One, and Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina resorts to the northern end of the valley. Each ski area offers a unique alpine experience with a variety of challenging slopes which rate highly amongst skiers and boarders at all levels.

Goryu & Hakuba 47 Ski Resorts
Goryu and Hakuba 47 are two modern connected resorts popular with skiers and boarders of all levels – having a variety of terrain with north-facing slopes boasting lots of great powder snow conditions. The runs are connected at two spots at the top of the mountain and lift tickets are valid for both areas.

Goryu
Goryu is a one of the larger resorts and is made up of three main slopes - Alps-daira, Toomi and Iimori. It offers some longer scenic courses and fantastic views of the alps and valley below from the top of Zizou Peak. The area is very well serviced in terms of hotels, bars and restaurants with lots to choose from on the slope, around Escal Plaza Base Center, and in the town below.
• highest elevation 1,620m, vertical 800m
• 1 gondola, 12 lifts, 16 runs, longest run 6.5km

Hakuba 47
Hakuba 47 is the newest of all the ski resorts in the area and boasts 7 runs across one mountain with deep valleys and challenging terrain, a half-pipe, and a snow park. The R-4 Big Snow Park is one of the largest snow parks in Japan with a variety of jumps and rails making it very popular with snowboarders and freestyle skiers! The "Wipein" course (as its name suggests) is full of twists and turns making it a wild and challenging run.
• highest elevation 1,614m, vertical 794m
• 1 gondola, 4 lifts, 7 runs, longest run 6.4km

Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort
Hakuba Happo-one is Hakuba's oldest and most famous resort – having the highest elevation, longest runs, and best variety of world-class runs for both skiers and boarders. 31 lifts and 13 major well-groomed runs stretch along Mt. Karamatsu with a vertical of over 1,000 metres. So, it is no surprise Happo-one was chosen as the main site for the 1998 Winter Olympics slalom and ski jump. The Happo area is also the hub of activity – being second-to-none for hotels, bars and restaurants in the Hakuba resort area.
• highest elevation 1,831m, vertical 1071m
• 1 gondola, 31 lifts, 13 runs, longest run 8km

Hakuba Iwatake Ski Resort(Japanese site)
Hakuba Iwatake ski resort, located in front of the Hakuba's highest peak, is perhaps one of Hakuba's top spots for beautiful scenery and panoramic views. Sunny Valley, Iwatake's main run, is 3.8 km long and is great for skiers at beginner or intermediate levels. This resort is also very popular with snow boarders having 2 half pipes and a terrain park.
• highest elevation 1,289m, vertical 559m
• gondola, 16 lifts, 15 runs, longest run 3.8km

Hakuba Minekata Ski Resort (Japanese site)
Hakuba Minekata is located a short drive from Hakuba town on the south side of the valley. The runs are compact, usually not crowded and great for beginners and intermediates. For the cross-country skier there is also a long cross-country course. • highest elevation 1,050m vertical 210m
• 2 lifts, 6 runs, longest run 1.4km

Hakuba Highland Snow Park(Japanese site)
Hakuba Highland Snow Park, on the south side of the valley, has its own charm and is great for families who would like to ski together on a variety of runs. Panorama, the main course, is 1.5km long and offers the biggest challenge and best views, but all the runs can be enjoyed by both beginner and intermediate skiers.
• highest elevation 951m, vertical 247m
• 2 lifts, 4 runs, longest run 1.5km

Tsugaike(Japanese site)
The Tsugaike ski resort is located to the north of the valley, above the town of Tsugaike, amongst a beautiful national park. Tsugaike offers a wide variety slopes across a vast ski-able terrain with some long uninterrupted trails - great for beginners and intermediates. As well, the town of Tsugaike is very accessible from the slopes and offers plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.
• highest elevation 1,680m, vertical 880m
• 1 gondola, 22 lifts, 11 runs. longest run 6km

Norikura & Cortina
Just outside the Hakuba town, at the northern end of the valley, are the resorts of Cortina and Norikura. The two resorts are smaller than some of the other resorts, but are interconnected and use a common ski pass. Together, these two resorts offer a good variety of well-groomed runs for both skiers and boarders. The location offers more challenging terrain and excellent snow conditions.

Norikura(Japanese site)
• highest elevation 1,300m, vertical 500m
• 10 lifts, 15 runs, longest run 2.5km

Cortina boasts the highest snowfall in the entire valley
• highest elevation 1,402m, vertical 532m
• 8 lifts, 17 runs, longest run 5km

Lift Tickets
All of the ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley use an electronic lift pass system. The pass is a re-programmable computer chip in a plastic card, which allows access through the electronic gates at each lift, (refundable ¥1,000 deposit required).

Getting Around Hakuba
Most hotels and ski resorts offer complimentary shuttle services to the slopes of Hakuba 47, Goryu Toomi & Happo-one, and many others are actually within walking distance. There is also a reliable public bus service that runs along the valley, providing access to all of the ski resorts and other desired locations in town. (about ¥500 return). As well, there are several taxi companies in Hakuba (fares start at about ¥680 and go up after 2 kilometers).

Hakuba Nightlife & Entertainment
Hakuba town has a very wide choice of Japanese and western restaurants for just about everyone. In fact, Hakuba has some of the best apres-ski entertainment in Japan. There are numerous Izakayas (Japanese style restaurant/ bar) offering a wide range of Japanese dishes, drinks with a slice of local culture. Hakuba also has quite a few bars which provide those who want to party till late the opportunity to do so. Several nightclubs can be found in Hakuba, with the biggest situated at Omoshiro Hasshinchi resort hotel.

Hakuba Onsens (Hot Spring Baths/ Spas)
The onsen, or hot spring spa, is one of those Japanese experiences that simply cannot be missed. So, when in a mountainous region such as Nagano, with plenty of onsens to choose from, do what the locals do. Especially after a hard day on the slopes, spend some time to replenish yourself in healing hot water.

Hakuba Access – Getting There
BY CAR
From Tokyo
There are two options from Tokyo to get to Hakuba by car
1. Take the Chuo Expressway to the Okaya J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Nagano Expressway. Exit at the Toyoshina Interchange and follow Rte 147 &148 through Omachi to Hakuba.
Approx. 4hrs
2. Take the Kanetsu Expressway to the Fujioka J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Exit at the Nagano Interchange and follow the Hakuba Nagano Olympic Road to Hakuba.
Approx. 4hrs

BY TRAIN (and bus)
From Tokyo Station to Nagano Station
Take the Nagano Bullet Train (Asama Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Nagano Station. Bullet trains run regularly throughout the day. 
Travelling time approx. 80 minutes
By Bus from Nagano to Hakuba
Take the Nagano-Hakuba Line bus from Nagano to Hakuba. Buses run regularly from Nagano station to Hakuba village every 1-2 hours from 9am – 9pm (there are no trains from Nagano to Hakuba)
Travelling time approx. 50 minutes
From Shinjuku Station to Hakuba Station
Take the Chuo Limited Express (Super Azusa) from Shinjuku Station directly to Hakuba. Travelling time approx. 3.5hrs