Where to stay to hit the hay after a long day riding the Hakuba slopes.
Comprising of 11 resorts, Hakuba Valley is one of the largest ski areas in Japan. Located on the main island of Honshu, it’s easily reached from Tokyo Narita Airport.
Of these 11 resorts, Happo-One is the most popular as it offers well-groomed intermediate runs, large open fields and easy shuttle access to nearby Iwatake, Hakuba 47 and Goryu ski resorts.
With so many ski fields waiting for you to carve up, you’ll want to make this snow trip go the distance by spending at least a few nights in the area.
To help you complete your skip trip, we’ve ploughed the powder to find the best ski stays in Hakuba. Now all you need to do is decide which slopes to ride.
Best Hakuba accommodation options
1. Hakuba Gondola Hotel
Located directly across from the main Happo-One gondola this hotel is an idyllic ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
That’s not the only perk of Hakuba Gondola Hotel. Being the area’s main gondola, Happo-One opens one hour before most other ski lifts - so if you’ve got your gear and are ready to go you can hit the fresh morning powder before the rest of the snow bunnies
- Star rating: 3.5 stars
- Room types: Double, twin and family rooms
- Snow facilities: Ski-in/ski-out, on-site rental shop, hotel and lodge accommodation, breakfast available daily
Go to Hakuba Gondola Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Gondola Hotel
2. Hakuba Springs Hotel
This boutique hotel features a mix of traditional and modern rooms and is less than a 10-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Winter Resort.
Hakuba Springs Hotel is a true cultural experience. It houses traditional Tatami rooms, which you can book for the evening, HaSpa onsen and an Izakaya restaurant with share plates.
- Star rating: 3 stars
- Room types: Junior suites, twin and triple rooms, king room and traditional Tatami room
- Snow facilities: Shuttle access to all resorts in the area
Go to Hakuba Springs Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Springs Hotel
3. Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
Open all year round, Hakuba Tokyu Hotel is a high-end lodge in the heart of Hakuba village.
Heralded for its pristine views and warm service, this hotel is within walking distance of Happo-One Winter Resort and Hakuba Happo Onsen.
- Star rating: 4 stars
- Room types: Twin rooms and suites
- Snow facilities: Free shuttle service to nearby ski resort areas, snow hike and snowshoe tours
Go to Hakuba Tokyu Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
4. Hakuba Alps Hotel
Set in the North Japanese Alps of the Otari countryside, this lavish hotel features a mix of Japanese and Western-style rooms, services and cuisines.
You’ll never be bored at The Alps hotel with the range of facilities it has on offer. This includes an on-site tennis court, Jacuzzi, sauna, Japanese and French restaurant, spa, hot springs, outdoor pool and karaoke rooms.
- Star rating: 3 stars
- Room types: Western style suites, rooms and twin rooms and a Japanese style twin room
- Snow facilities: Ski locker rooms
Go to Hakuba Alps Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Alps Hotel
5. Mominoki Hotel
Spread across five buildings within the parklands of Hakuba, Mominoki Hotel is a unique year-round stay that enjoys forest views.
This premium hotel’s many features include indoor and outdoor hot springs and sauna, beauty and spa services, European and Japanese restaurants and a fireside lounge and bar area.
- Star rating: 4 stars
- Room types: Standard rooms, Japanese rooms, family rooms, combination Japanese-Western rooms and mountain suites
- Snow facilities: Shuttle bus to various ski resorts, dry room, ski and snowboard rentals, laundry room
Go to Mominoki Hotel website View coupon code for Mominoki Hotel
6. High Mount Hotel
High Mount Hotel offers comfortable and affordable Western-style rooms within the Hakuba parklands.
Located at the foot of the Japanese Alps, the High Mount Hotel is open year-around and features free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception and luggage storage.
- Star rating: 2 stars
- Room types: Twin, triple and family rooms
- Snow facilities: Dry room, ski and snowboard hire, free shuttle service to nearby resorts
Go to High Mount Hotel website View coupon code for High Mount Hotel
7. Hakuba Luna Hotel
Just metres away from the Sakka quad chairlifts, this family-friendly hotel enjoys one of the best locations in the resort.
Its facilities are top quality, too. They include a tour desk, luggage storage, meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant with home cooked meals and a babysitting service.
- Star rating: 3 stars
- Room types: Twin, triple and family rooms
- Snow facilities: Equipment hire, ski lift pass purchase assistance
Go to Hakuba Luna Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Luna Hotel
8. Hakuba Grand Apartments
Located within walking distance of Happo-One Winter Resort, this modest property offers 11 apartment-style rooms that can accommodate up to six guests.
All apartments are well-presented and come with fully equipped kitchens, flat screen TVs and sofa beds. Welcome packs with basic grocery needs are provided upon check in.
- Star rating: 3 stars
- Room types: One-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments
- Snow facilities: Ski lockers, communal washing machines and dryers, transfers to ski lifts, daily shuttles to restaurants and supermarkets, ski and snowboard hire, lift pass purchase assistance
Go to Hakuba Grand Apartments website View coupon code for Hakuba Grand Apartments
9. Hakuba Highland Hotel
Located on a hill in a more traditional area of town, while Hakuba Highland Hotel might not have ski-in ski-out access, it does have stellar mountain views.
It also has an incredible onsen. Spread across an indoor/outdoor area and boasting views of the alps, it’s an experience every guest needs to have.
- Star rating: 3 stars
- Room types: Twin rooms with North Alps and mountain rooms
- Snow facilities: Free shuttle service to ski resorts in the area, tour desk, ski lift pass purchase assistance
Go to Hakuba Highland Hotel website View coupon code for Hakuba Highland Hotel
Everything you need to know about the Hakuba snow season
Fast facts about Hakuba:
Ski season: Late November to early May
Distance from Tokyo: 274 km
Lift pass costs: Combined adult tickets from ¥5,700 (access to 10 resorts). Lift pass costs vary depending on how many days or nights you’d like to ski and which ski field you’d like to concentrate on.
Hakuba Valley lift pass information
Pricing for combined Hakuba Valley lift passes, gaining you access to multiple resorts in the area is as follows.
- 1 day ticket - ¥5,700 (adult), ¥3,200 (child)
- 2 day ticket - ¥10,000 (adult), ¥5,600 (child)
- 3 day ticket - ¥14,900 (adult), ¥8,300 (child)
Child and senior passes are also available at a discount. A ¥500 refundable lift pass deposit will be charged during purchase. Hakuba Valley season passes for access to all resorts are available for ¥130,000 . These can be purchased online here.
All prices quoted are current as at September 2016 and may be subject to change for the 2016-2017 season.
See individual resort prices for adult lift passes
| Resort | Half day | One day | Two day | Nights only | Season pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happo One | ¥3,800 | ¥5,000 | ¥8,800 | ¥2,000 | ¥60,000 |
| Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu | ¥3,980 | ¥5,000 | ¥9,000 | - | ¥63,000 |
| Goryu | ¥3,980 | ¥5,000 | ¥9,000 | ¥19,000 | ¥63,000 |
| Iwatake | ¥2,900 | ¥4,200 | ¥7,400 | - | ¥47,000 |
| Cortina | ¥2,800 | ¥3,600 | - | ¥1,000 | ¥40,000 |
| Sanosaka | ¥3,300 | ¥4,000 | ¥6,000 | - | ¥38,000 |
| Jiigatake | ¥2,800 | ¥3,700 | - | - | ¥32,000 |
| Kashimayari | ¥3,300 | ¥4,100 | ¥7,300 | ¥2,200 | ¥47,000 |
| Tsugaike Kogen | ¥3,900 | ¥4,900 | ¥8,400 | ¥2,000 | ¥50,000 |
| Yanaba Snow Park | - | ¥3,500 | - | ¥2,500 | - |
| Norikura | ¥2,300 | ¥3,800 | ¥5,500 | - | ¥35,000 |
Hakuba resorts by the numbers
Hakuba is home to 11 ski resorts. Each have different terrains, lift numbers and opening hours, which you can see here.
| Resort | Terrain(beginners / intermediate / advanced) | Trails | Lifts / gondolas | Opening hours (day / night ski) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happo One | 30% / 50% / 20% | 13 | 23 | 8am-5pm / 5pm-9pm |
| Hakuba 47 | 30% / 40% / 30% | 8 | 6 | 8am-4:30pm / - |
| Goryu | 35% / 40% 25% | 16 | 13 | 8am-4:50pm / 6pm-9:30pm |
| Iwatake | 30% / 50% / 20% | 15 | 16 | 8am-5pm |
| Cortina | 40% / 30% / 30% | 16 | 7 | 8:30am-5pm / 5pm-8pm |
| Sanosaka | 40% / 40% / 20% | 15 | 5 | 8:30am-4:30pm |
| Jiigatake | 70% / 30% / 0% | 7 | 4 | 8:30am-4:50pm |
| Kashimayari | 40% / 45% / 15% | 22 | 9 | 8:30am-4:30pm / 4:30pm-9:30pm |
| Tsugaike Kogen | 50% / 30% / 20% | 11 | 21 | 8am-5pm / night skiing on weekends and public holidays |
| Yanaba Snow Park | 70% / 30% / 20% | 5 | 2 | 8:30am-4:30pm / 5:30pm-9:30pm |
| Norikura | 30% / 50% 20% | 14 | 9 | 8:30am-4:30pm |
Hakuba trail map
Map: Hakuba Valley
Hakuba shuttle bus
All resorts within the Hakuba area are serviced by a free shuttle bus. Four routes operate to take you to different resorts. All routes can be accessed from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, which is at the Happo Information Centre.
If you're planning on night skiing, you'll need to take the Genki Go Night Shuttle Bus, which costs ¥300.
How do I get to Hakuba?
Hakuba is easily accessed from Tokyo Narita Airport. From there you have a number of options:
- Take a Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano and transfer to a bus to Hakuba. This trip can take up to 4 hours.
- Take a shuttle, which can be organised by your accommodation, from the airport direct to Hakuba. This trip can take up to 6 hours.
- Take a local train to Shinjuku station and transfer to a shuttle bus to Hakuba. This trip can take up to 6 hours.
Hakuba ski deals
Feature image: Hakuba Mominoki Hotel
