Hakuba

Cathy’s Guide to Hakuba Ski Holidays

If you're considering a ski holiday in Japan, Hakuba Valley is one of the destinations I particularly recommend looking at.

Located in the Japanese Alps on the island of Honshu, Hakuba offers a very different experience from skiing in Australia or North America. You get fantastic mountain scenery, Japanese culture, great food and access to multiple ski areas rather than being limited to just one mountain.

I've skied in Hakuba myself, and that first-hand experience helps me guide clients through one of the trickier parts of planning a Hakuba holiday,  choosing where to stay and which ski areas will suit you best.

Why Ski Hakuba?

One of Hakuba's biggest attractions is variety.

Hakuba Valley is made up of multiple ski resorts, including well-known areas such as 

Happo-One, Hakuba 47, Goryu, Iwatake, Tsugaike Cortina.

That gives you plenty of terrain to explore during a longer stay, with options for beginners through to experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Hakuba is also a great choice if you want your ski holiday to feel distinctly Japanese while still having plenty of restaurants, bars and services catering to international visitors.

Who Does Hakuba Suit?

Hakuba could be a great choice if you're looking for:

• A Japanese ski holiday with plenty of terrain

• Multiple ski areas to explore

• Skiing for different ability levels

• Great powder conditions

• Impressive Japanese Alps scenery

• A mix of Japanese and international dining

• A destination suitable for families, couples and groups

• Easy opportunities to add Tokyo or other parts of Japan to your holiday

Where Should I Stay in Hakuba?

This is where getting some advice can really help.

Hakuba isn't one compact ski-in/ski-out village. There are several different areas to stay, and each gives you a slightly different holiday.

Happo is convenient for Happo-One and gives you good access to restaurants and village facilities.

Echoland is popular with international visitors and has a lively selection of restaurants and bars.

Other areas can offer quieter accommodation or easier access to particular ski resorts.

Where I'd recommend staying depends on which mountains you want to ski, whether you're travelling with children, how important nightlife is and how much moving around you want to do each day.

Is Hakuba Good for Families?

Yes, provided you choose the right accommodation and ski area.

There are ski schools, beginner terrain and family-friendly accommodation available throughout the valley.

Because Hakuba is spread out, however, planning your location is particularly important when travelling with children. Staying somewhere convenient for your preferred ski area can make the holiday considerably easier.

More Than Just Skiing

One of the great things about skiing in Japan is that the holiday isn't only about the snow.

In Hakuba you can experience onsen hot springs, Japanese food and local culture, and it's easy to combine your ski stay with time elsewhere in Japan.

Tokyo makes an excellent addition either before or after your ski holiday, and depending on your itinerary we can look at other Japanese destinations too.

How to Get to Hakuba from Australia

For Australian travellers, you'll generally fly into Tokyo, arriving at either Narita or Haneda Airport.

From Tokyo, there are several ways to reach Hakuba.

One popular option is travelling by bullet train to Nagano, followed by a bus or transfer into Hakuba.

Direct airport transfers and coach services may also be available depending on your arrival time and travel dates.

Which option is best depends on your flights, group size, luggage and whether you're spending time in Tokyo before or after skiing.

I can arrange your flights and transfers as part of your Hakuba ski holiday so we can make the journey from Australia to the mountains as straightforward as possible.

When Is the Best Time to Ski Hakuba?

The main ski season generally runs from December into spring, although conditions vary each year and between the different ski areas.

January and February are particularly popular with Australian skiers looking for winter snow and powder conditions.

Christmas, New Year and Australian school-holiday periods can be busy, so if you have fixed travel dates it's worth planning well ahead.

Planning Your Hakuba Ski Holiday

At Let’s Travel Jindabyne, I can help put together your complete Hakuba ski holiday, including flights, accommodation, lift passes, transfers and travel insurance.

Having skied Hakuba myself, I can also help you work through the different accommodation areas and ski resorts rather than simply choosing a package based on price.

Whether you're planning your first Japan ski holiday, travelling with the family or heading back to Japan for another powder fix, get in touch and let's start planning.

Cathy Burns
Let’s Travel Jindabyne