Hakuba Valley is an area at the foot of the Northern Alps in Nagano prefecture, consisting of ten ski areas, including Hakuba, Otari, and Ōmachi. After hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, it became a popular mountain resort famous worldwide for its offering of winter sports.

Standing at 3000 meters high, the Northern Alps is a wonder of nature, with its vast mountain ranges and abundance of powder snow. From ski slopes designed for beginners to 8000m long slopes meant for extended cruising, ten different ski areas are available for people of all levels of competency, allowing anyone and everyone to enjoy skiing.

Ōmachi City is the main sightseeing area at the mountain foot of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Hakuba Valley itself contains two ski areas, Jiigatake and Kashimayari. From beautiful natural environments for you to enjoy outdoor sports, to delicious cuisine in Ōmachi, it’s a charming and attractive place through and through. With a lake nearby famous for its selection of lake sports, this is one place that is bustling with visitors regardless of the time of the year.

Hakuba Village is at the heart of the Hakuba Valley area. It contains one of the largest concentrations of ski resorts in Japan, including Hakuba47, Hakuba Iwatake, and Hakuba Sanosaka, with a total of five skiing areas. Its large scale has also gained worldwide acclaim and it is a place frequented by foreign visitors. During the green season, it also serves as the starting base for climbing the Alps.

Otari village sprang up along the “Shio-no-Michi,” or salt trail, which follows the Himekawa river that runs from Kotaniyama mountain to the Sea of Japan. Having preserved their way of living in the mountains from times long gone, this knowledge has been protected and handed down to this day, birthing important tangible and intangible cultural assets. With three ski resorts in the area, including Tsugaike Kōgen Ski, Hakuba Norikura Onsen, and Hakuba Cortina, it boasts some of the highest amounts of snowfall in Japan as well.

To access Hakuba Valley, you can either use the Shinkansen bullet train and bus, or take the highway bus.

If you’re using the shinkansen and bus, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo and transfer to an express bus, and it can take as little as two hours and forty minutes. After taking the shinkansen from Tokyo station to Nagano station, change onto a highway bus, which will take you to Hakuba Valley in an hour,

Besides that, you can also take the highway bus, the “Hakuba Snow Magic,” which departs from Shinjuku station, Haneda Airport, and Narita Airport directly for Hakuba. For example, if you were to board from Shinjuku, it would cost between 2,700 yen and 6,600 yen one-way towards Azumino, Ōmachi, and Hakuba.

The ski areas in Hakuba Valley also run their own shuttle bus services, allowing you to visit other locations with just one as your starting point. If you use the shuttle services in Hakuba Valley well, you can even plan an itinerary, such as doing a beginner’s course today or an Olympic course tomorrow.

Hakuba is coldest from January to March, and at its coldest, it dips below freezing. For those in Hakuba for winter sports, wrapping up warmly and protecting against the cold are of top priority, so it’s essential to bring thick coats and other cold wear.

From April to May, it gets a little warmer as spring marches in, though it’s not uncommon for snow to continue falling until April, so it’s advised to bring at least a light coat or warm sweater. The summer from June to August can see temperatures climb past 30 degrees Celsius for days, though temperatures are more bearable up in the mountains. In late summer, temperatures drop considerably after sundown, resulting in significantly cooler evenings, so it’ll be good to bring a light jacket or cardigan.

In September and October, the highest temperature is between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature drops sharply between sunset and sunrise, so it’s essential to bring cold wear. From November to December, the average temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, the average winter temperature there. Coats, mufflers, gloves, and other winter wear are necessary.

For more weather information, you can check out the official website for Hakuba Valley for real-time weather updates.

When visiting Hakuba Valley, there are several rules and regulations that you must respect and follow, called the “Hakuba Rules.” These official rules ensure the safety of all the people in Hakuba Valley so that everyone may enjoy winter sports there.

By following the six rules above, you can have a safe and enjoyable winter sports holiday!

Hakuba Valley is a winter wonderland where you can enjoy everything from winter sports to mountain climbing during the green season, and is popular amongst visitors all year round for its sprawling greenery and beautiful natural landscapes. Do be sure to make a trip down for an unforgettable holiday!

Want footage of your time? Book a professional ski and snowboard photographer in Hakuba!
You will be accompanied by a local professional photographer/videographer who's thoroughly familiar with the slopes. They will take quality 4K footage of you and your group enjoying Hakuba's powder snow.
・Pro videographer will meet you on the slope
・Shoot 4K video of your runs
・Quality service on a budget (30 minutes from 3,000 yen)
・Quick delivery of footage data (online or DVD)
・Taken at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort (Others can be consulted)
・Bonus: Slope guide service in English is included

* This Hakuba ski photography/videography service is operated by HAKUBA-Labo. For details, inquiries, and reservations, tap the link below.

▼Early-bird lift tickets are recommended for winter skiing in Japan▼