Hakuba
Hakuba Valley – Japan’s Most Versatile Alpine Playground Cradled by the towering peaks of the Northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba Valley stitches ten independent ski resorts into one seamless winter destination. Together they deliver 135 lifts, more than 200 runs, 14 terrain parks and roughly 960 hectares of skiable terrain—plenty of room to find your own perfect line.
Why Hakuba Stands Out
| At-a-Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| 10 resorts, 1 ticket | The Hakuba Valley Day Pass lets you ride almost every lift gate-to-gate—no extra queuing required. |
| Olympic pedigree | Hakuba hosted several alpine events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and you can still carve the same steep Olympian faces on Happo-one today. |
| Reliable “Japow” | Storms sweeping across the Sea of Japan bury the valley in an average **11–13 m of light, dry powder** each season. |
| Fast-track access | Bullet-train to Nagano, then a 60-min coach brings you from downtown Tokyo to Hakuba in about **three hours door-to-door**. |
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park is one of 10 resorts in Hakuba Valley, located at the Northern Japan Alps base in Nagano. It connects to ABLE Hakuba Goryu resort via lifts.
Hakuba Valley, a 1998 Winter Olympics venue, is famous for abundant "Japow" (Japan powder) snow.
Hakuba 47 features Nagano's premier terrain park with professional half-pipes, kickers, jumps, and rails. Its north-facing, wind-protected slopes maintain excellent powder conditions, making it ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, located at the foot of the majestic Northern Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, is renowned for its abundant snowfall each year and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Here, visitors can enjoy top-quality powder snow across a variety of slopes that cater to all skill levels—from gentle runs perfect for beginners to steep courses that thrill advanced riders.
One of the resort’s highlights is its convenient gondola, allowing quick and easy access to higher elevations. From the observation deck, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the Northern Alps, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your trip.
In addition, the surrounding area offers a wealth of hot springs and local culinary delights, ensuring there are plenty of ways to relax and savor the culture beyond skiing and snowboarding. For international visitors seeking the perfect blend of traditional Japanese charm and pristine winter landscapes, Tsugaike Kogen is truly an ideal destination.
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field is a ski resort located in Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Hakuba Valley is an expansive ski area at the foot of the 3,000-m tall Northern Japan Alps, comprising ten different snow resorts.
- It is considered a mid-sized ski area and is less than a 10-minute drive from Hakuba Village.
- The resort is equipped with eight chairlifts and a gondola. A newly unveiled gondola lift was renovated for the first time in 38 years, featuring spacious cabins with strengthened resin glass panels that offer uninterrupted 360° panoramic views. The highlight of the ride is between pylons 7 and 10, where riders get an unparalleled aerial perspective of the majestic alpine scenery.
- Hakuba Iwatake offers slopes for all abilities, including wide, gentle runs. It also features a terrain park and cross-country ski trails.
- As part of the Hakuba Valley, the resort is blessed with abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow, earning the nickname "Japow" for its dry, light, and fluffy powder.
Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort sits at the northernmost part of Hakuba Valley in northwestern Nagano Prefecture at the base of the Northern Japan Alps. The valley was a 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics venue and is famous for its light, dry "Japow" snow.
Cortina is renowned for having the highest snowfall in Hakuba Valley and being the area's premier destination for natural powder. It connects to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, offers challenging terrain with excellent tree skiing, and features the ski-in/ski-out Hotel Green Plaza (253 rooms).
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort is a ski resort located in the northernmost part of the Northern Japan Alps in Nagano Prefecture
- This resort is one of the ten ski resorts that make up the vast Hakuba Valley ski area. Notably, it is connected to Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort.
- The courses offer wide, peaceful, and gentle slopes suitable for beginners and families, but also include a mogul run, freeride terrain, and a steep course for expert skiers with a 38-degree pitch, catering to a wide range of skill levels.
- As part of the Hakuba Valley, it receives abundant snowfall annually and is particularly known for some of the world's highest quality powder snow, referred to as "JAPOW," which is light and dry. Hakuba Valley receives an average of around 10 meters (30 feet) of snowfall each season.
- In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort also offers activities such as telemark skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoe excursions.
- Hakuba Valley is exceptionally convenient to access, being under three hours from central Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train) and bus.
Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort is one of the 10 ski resorts in Hakuba Valley, located at the Northern Japan Alps base in northwestern Nagano Prefecture. It was a host venue for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
As one of Japan's largest and most famous resorts, Happo-one features 1,071 meters of vertical descent with steepest pistes in Japan. Known for abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow, it attracts international visitors with its very English-friendly environment.