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Where to Stay When Hakuba, Nozawa & Myoko Are FULL: Base Camp Strategy
When popular ski resorts are fully booked, smart travelers use the "Base Camp Strategy" - stay in nearby cities with better availability and day-trip to the slopes. Discover the best base camp locations and how to make the most of your ski trip even when accommodation is limited.
Last Updated: November 28, 2025
Base Camp Strategy
Better Availability
Easy Day Trips
Base Camp Locations: Your Smart Alternative
When Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko are fully booked during peak season, don't give up on your ski trip. The Base Camp Strategy is a proven approach used by experienced travelers: stay in nearby cities with better hotel availability and make day trips to your preferred ski resorts.
This strategy offers several advantages:
- Better accommodation options at lower prices
- More flexibility to visit multiple resorts
- Access to city amenities (restaurants, shopping, nightlife)
- Easier transportation with JR Pass and rental cars
Below, we compare Base Camp locations with staying directly at the resorts, and provide a practical 3-day itinerary to help you plan your trip.
#1
Day Trip
Why #1 for Skiing
Nagano City serves as the perfect base camp for accessing multiple world-class ski resorts. Located on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen line, Nagano offers excellent connectivity to Hakuba Valley, Nozawa Onsen, and Shiga Kogen. The city itself has plenty of accommodation options, from business hotels to traditional ryokans, and is home to Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples.
Getting There
JR Shinkansen + Local Trains/Buses
Travel time: 80-90 min to Hakuba, 60-70 min to Nozawa, 50-60 min to Shiga Kogen
Last return: Varies by resort, typically 17:00-18:00
💡 Smart Tip: Buy JR East Pass on Klook to save money & skip lines.
Recommended Hotels in Nagano
PremiumHotel Metropolitan Nagano
OnsenDormy Inn Nagano
BudgetSotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano
Key Features
JR Shinkansen AccessMultiple Resort OptionsCity Amenities
#2
Day Trip
Why #2 for Skiing
Iiyama Station is the closest train station to Nozawa Onsen, making it an ideal base camp if you're primarily interested in skiing at Nozawa. The station is on the JR Iiyama Line, and from there, it's just a 20-30 minute bus ride to Nozawa Onsen. While Iiyama is a smaller town with fewer accommodation options than Nagano, it offers a more authentic local experience and is perfect for travelers who want to focus on Nozawa Onsen without the hustle and bustle of a larger city.
Getting There
JR Iiyama Line + Bus
Travel time: 20-30 minutes by bus to Nozawa Onsen from Iiyama Station
Last return: 17:00-18:00
💡 Smart Tip: Buy JR East Pass on Klook to save money & skip lines.
Key Features
Nozawa Onsen AccessSmall Town BaseDirect Bus Connection
#3
Day Trip
Why #3 for Skiing
Matsumoto is an excellent alternative base camp, especially if you're primarily interested in Hakuba Valley. The city is smaller and more relaxed than Nagano, but still offers good accommodation options. Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's most beautiful original castles, is a must-visit.
Getting There
JR Oito Line + Bus
Travel time: 60-90 minutes to Hakuba Valley resorts
Last return: 17:00-18:00
💡 Smart Tip: Buy JR East Pass on Klook to save money & skip lines.
Recommended Hotels in Matsumoto
PremiumHotel Buena Vista
OnsenDormy Inn Matsumoto
Key Features
Historic CityHakuba AccessCultural Sites
#4
Day Trip
Why #4 for Skiing
Echigo-Yuzawa is the perfect Shinkansen hub for accessing multiple world-class ski resorts in the Yuzawa area. Located on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen line, Echigo-Yuzawa Station is just 70-80 minutes from Tokyo and serves as the gateway to GALA Yuzawa, Kagura, Maiko, and many other resorts. The town has massive hotel capacity, making it an ideal base camp when resort hotels are fully booked. The area is also famous for its hot springs, adding to the authentic Japanese ski experience.
Getting There
JR Joetsu Shinkansen
Travel time: 70-80 minutes from Tokyo. Direct hub for GALA, Kagura, and Maiko.
Last return: Varies by resort, typically 18:00-19:00
💡 Smart Tip: Buy JR East Pass on Klook to save money & skip lines.
Key Features
Shinkansen HubHuge Hotel CapacityAccess to 10+ Resorts
Base Camp vs Popular Resorts
Compare the Base Camp Strategy with staying directly at popular ski resorts
| Feature | Base Camp Strategy | Hakuba | Nozawa Onsen | Myoko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Availability | High (many options) | Limited in peak season | Very limited | Very limited |
| Price Range | Wide (budget to luxury) | Higher during peak | Higher during peak | Higher during peak |
| Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) |
| Transportation | Requires daily travel | Ski-in/ski-out available | Walkable village | Some ski-in options |
| City Amenities | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) | ⭐⭐ (Limited) |
| Best For | Multi-resort trips, budget travelers | Resort-focused trips | Traditional experience | Powder-focused trips |
Accommodation Availability
Base Camp
High (many options)
Hakuba
Limited in peak season
Nozawa
Very limited
Myoko
Very limited
Price Range
Base Camp
Wide (budget to luxury)
Hakuba
Higher during peak
Nozawa
Higher during peak
Myoko
Higher during peak
Flexibility
Base Camp
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)
Hakuba
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Nozawa
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Myoko
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Transportation
Base Camp
Requires daily travel
Hakuba
Ski-in/ski-out available
Nozawa
Walkable village
Myoko
Some ski-in options
City Amenities
Base Camp
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)
Hakuba
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Nozawa
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Myoko
⭐⭐ (Limited)
Best For
Base Camp
Multi-resort trips, budget travelers
Hakuba
Resort-focused trips
Nozawa
Traditional experience
Myoko
Powder-focused trips
3-Day Itinerary: Base Camp Strategy
A practical 3-day itinerary using the Base Camp Strategy
1
Arrival & Hakuba Valley
Nagano → Hakuba Valley
Full day
- 1Morning (8:00-9:00): Take JR Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (80 minutes)
- 2Morning (9:30-10:30): Check into hotel in Nagano, store luggage
- 3Morning (10:30-11:30): Take express bus or train to Hakuba Valley (60 minutes)
- 4Afternoon (12:00-16:00): Ski at Hakuba 47 or Happo-One
- 5Evening (17:00-18:00): Return to Nagano, explore Zenkoji Temple area
- 6Evening (18:30+): Dinner in Nagano (try soba noodles, a local specialty)
2
Nozawa Onsen Experience
Nagano → Nozawa Onsen
Full day
- 1Morning (8:00-9:00): Take train from Nagano to Iiyama, then bus to Nozawa Onsen (60-70 minutes total)
- 2Morning (9:30-16:00): Ski at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
- 3Afternoon (16:00-17:00): Explore Nozawa Onsen village, try public hot springs
- 4Evening (17:30-18:30): Return to Nagano
- 5Evening (19:00+): Dinner and relax in Nagano
3
Shiga Kogen or Return to Tokyo
Nagano → Shiga Kogen (or Tokyo)
Full day or half day
- 1Option A - Continue Skiing:
- 2• Morning (8:00-9:00): Take bus from Nagano to Shiga Kogen (50-60 minutes)
- 3• Morning (9:30-15:00): Ski at Shiga Kogen (Japan's largest ski area)
- 4• Afternoon (15:30-16:30): Return to Nagano
- 5• Evening (17:00+): Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo or stay another night
- 6Option B - Cultural Day:
- 7• Morning: Visit Zenkoji Temple (Nagano's most famous temple)
- 8• Afternoon: Explore Nagano city, try local foods
- 9• Evening: Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo
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Base Camp Strategy Guide
Booking Tips
Accommodation
- ✓Book early for Base Camp cities too, especially during peak season (January-February)
- ✓Consider business hotels in Nagano/Matsumoto for budget-friendly options
- ✓Look for hotels near JR stations for easier access to ski resorts
Transportation
- ✓JR Tokyo Wide Pass (3 days) is excellent value if staying in Tokyo
- ✓JR East Pass (Nagano/Niigata area) if using Nagano as base camp
- ✓Rental cars offer maximum flexibility but require international license
Ski Resort Access
- ✓Check bus schedules in advance - they can be limited
- ✓Consider ski resort shuttle services from major train stations
- ✓Plan return times - last buses/trains can be early (17:00-18:00)
FAQ
Q: Is the Base Camp Strategy worth the extra travel time?
A: Yes, especially during peak season when resort accommodation is limited or overpriced. The travel time is manageable (45-90 minutes each way) and you gain flexibility.
Q: Can I use this strategy with a JR Pass?
A: Absolutely! The JR Pass makes the Base Camp Strategy even more attractive, as you can visit different resorts each day without worrying about individual ticket costs.
Q: What if I want ski-in/ski-out convenience?
A: If ski-in/ski-out is essential, book resort accommodation well in advance (6+ months) or consider shoulder season (early December, late March).
Q: Which base camp is best for first-time visitors?
A: Nagano offers the best balance of accessibility, amenities, and resort options. It's also the most tourist-friendly with English signage and services.
About Tak
I'm a Tokyo-based snowboarder with more than 20 years on the slopes. As a father of two, I enjoy riding natural terrain and side hits, and I'm passionate about helping international visitors discover the best of Japan's ski resorts. Off the slopes, I love family time, dogs, and soaking in Japanese onsen.