HAKUBA

The Hakuba Valley has a number of resorts offering an incredible variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike. Situated in the heart of the Japan Alps, the alpine scenery is truly spectacular with huge rugged peaks towering above the town below. Throughout the valley, there are nine ski resorts, offering a variety of alpine terrain to suit every level of skier. Due to this extensive variety of ski resorts, the slopes remain relatively empty during the week and there is no shortage of fresh tracks. You’ll never run out of new places to explore. From the southern end of the valley, Sun Alpina incorporates 3 ski areas to the linked resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi and the Olympic ski resort of Happo-One situated in the heart of Hakuba. To the valley’s northern end, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina resorts are impressive and rate highly amongst skiers and boarders alike.

There is plenty to do when you are not skiing. Guests can enjoy both traditional and international cuisine at Hakuba. There are a wide variety of restaurants in the area, such as Thai fusion, French fusion, Italian, and Japanese tapas restaurants. Okonomiyaki, Soba/Udon noodle restaurants, hot pots, and more are also available. Among the local specialties are Nozawana (a Japanese leaf vegetable), Oyaki (traditional dumpling buns filled with sweet and savoury fillings), and Shinshu apples. Activities include, but are certainly not limited to, snowmobiling, backcountry guiding, heli-skiing, Matsumoto Castle, Onsens, and snow monkey tours.