Photo of Hakuba

About Hakuba

Set in Japan's north-western Nagano Prefecture, the mountain town of Hakuba is a world-famous ski resort. The venue for the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba has become an increasingly popular destination for outdoorsy adventurers from within Japan and further afield, who can enjoy an array of adrenaline-pumping sports in both winter and summer. A wide range of accommodation options reflect the area’s long-lasting appeal. The best places to stay in Hakuba include family-owned lodges as well as swish resorts and romantic glamping hideaways.

Winter visitors will find the surrounding snow-clad mountains criss-crossed with trails for skiing and snowboarding. The Hakuba Valley’s largest ski resort, Happo-One, sits above the iconic Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium, with pistes for beginners as well as experienced skiers. Travel during the summer months to hike, mountain bike and fish. The Himegawa Headwaters Natural Garden is a lovely spot for a stroll, whilst the Hakuba Art Museum is great for a cultural afternoon out. Take culture-focused day trips to Matsumoto, or spend some time unwinding in Hakuba’s hot springs.

As with many popular destinations, the accommodation options here are busy both in the peak winter and summer months. So if you want to guarantee your room in one of the best places to stay in Hakuba, get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Hakuba

For Families or Groups

  • Hakuba Yamano Hotel is a charming, family-run lodge with multi-bed Japanese and Western options for families or groups. A simple, well-priced choice promising hearty cuisine and warm hospitality.
  • The Ridge Hotel & Apartments offers a collection of modern rooms and self-catering apartments with up to four bedrooms. Expect spacious sitting rooms and well-equipped kitchens, as well as access to an onsite restaurant. Chic and contemporary — also brilliant for longer stays.

For Glamping

  • Snow Peak Field Suite is made up of eight generous tents, perfect for the ultimate glamping experience. Whilst families and groups are welcome, this can also be a wonderfully romantic escape. Slightly out of town, the property offers cosy beds, minimalist interiors and gorgeous views of starlit skies. Gather by the fire pit or feast on Italian cuisine. For outdoorsy types.

For a Luxury Resort

  • Hakuba Tokyu Hotel fuses elements of a laid-back mountain lodge with the indulgences of an upscale modern hotel. Play tennis, go hiking and skiing, or kick back in the fire-lit lounge before enjoying sensational dinners. A classic resort for couples or families.
  • Sierra Resort Hakuba is a swish property with contemporary rooms yielding forest views and beds topped with crisp white linens. Unwind in spoiling onsens or a refreshing outdoor pool after enjoying easy access to the slopes. Set on 25 acres of grounds, this is a luxurious choice for guests of all ages.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY LODGE

  • If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

  • Fly to Tokyo's Haneda International Airport or to Narita International Airport and travel to Hakuba by train via Shinjuku Station. The journey should take under four hours by rail.
  • The Nagano region is wonderful to explore by road! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
  • Summers are warm, with temperatures hovering between 20 and 27°C, and great for hiking and mountain biking. If you're looking to hit the slopes, travel between November and early March, when you can expect the best snow. For a quieter trip and great hotel deals, we'd recommend visiting in early autumn.

Still Not Sure?

Weather

Monthly Weather in Hakuba

Best Hotels in Hakuba

  • Raw Hakuba (Kitaazumi District, Nagano) from CA$88

    Restaurant  -  Discover the essence of Japanese cuisine at the adjacent Takahashiya ramen shop, a taste of local tradition on a wooden deck
    Skiing  -  Glide down world-class slopes by day and soak in a rooftop open-air bath by night, a perfect blend of thrill and tranquility
    Eco break  -  Awake to the Alps' splendour, this retreat merges rustic charm with eco-conscious living for a serene nature escape
    Active Holiday  -  An adventurer's haven: doorstep skiing, alpine hikes, and rooftop relaxation after an active day in Hakuba
    Air conditioningRestaurantViewsParkingNo pets

    Tucked away in Hakuba's majestic mountains, this unique container hotel redefines rustic luxury. With its minimalist design, it offers a raw, unfiltered connection to nature. Boasting private spaces, a ramen shop deck, and eco-friendly practices, it's a special haven for the modern adventurer. See More

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  • Hakuba Yamano Hotel Hakuba (Nagano) 5 rooms from CA$192

    Active Holiday  -  The surrounding mountains are a veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts eager to hike, ski, ride and kayak
    Skiing  -  Walking distance from the Happo One slope in the Nakiyama Area, this is a top spot for keen skiers
    Trekking  -  Summer visitors will find miles of scenic hiking trails in the surrounding hills and mountains
    Groups  -  Cosy rooms with multiple beds are brilliant for families or gropus travelling together
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantViewsParkingNo pets

    A characterful family run property just a few minutes walk from the slopes. The rooms offer both Western and Japanese beds, paper shutters, tatami mats and plenty of light wood. Hearty dishes are served in the restaurant and the hosts' knowledge of the region is second to none. Charming. See More

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  • The Ridge Hotel and Apartments Hakuba (Nagano Perfecture) 17 rooms from CA$271

    Skiing  -  The Hakuba Valley offers some of Japan's most varied pistes, suitable for beginners as well as advanced skiers
    Families  -  Multi-bedroom apartments and a fun games room make this a great base for families or groups
    Active Holiday  -  A mountain hotel geared towards skiers but within easy reach of multiple outdoor pursuits
    Fishing  -  Catch and cook your fish in a striking setting in the Hakuba Green Sports Forest
    RestaurantViewsParking

    A contemporary hotel offering rooms and self catered apartments with easy access to the slopes. Chic design includes plenty of glass, modern art, sink-into beds and polished wooden floors. A chic restaurant and cosy lounge provide the ideal spot to unwind post a day on the slopes. Superb. See More

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  • Snow Peak Field Suite Hakuba (Kitaazumi District) 8 rooms from CA$420

    Skiing  -  Whether you are experienced or a newbie, there is good skiing for all plus some great off-piste options
    Short break  -  The train journey from Tokyo is around 3 hours making this a great option for a quick city getaway
    Great walks  -  From lesiurely strolls to more challenging hikes, there's miles of scenic trekking trails
    Active Holiday  -  As a base for skiers and hikers, this is an outdoor enthusiast's dream destination
    RestaurantGardenParking

    A boutique tented camp set in the Japanese Alps. Tents are cosy and rustic with feather-down duvets, simple minimalist furniture, and large private deck spaces. Gourmet cuisine is Italian with well-chosen wines. A rejuvenating outdoorsy stay with fire pits, stargazing, and wonderful mountain views. See More

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  • Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba Hakuba (Nagano) 74 rooms from CA$568

    Active Holiday  -  Set within 25 acres of forest and with easy access to ski slopes there's plenty to keep outdoor enthusiasts entertained
    Families  -  Larger rooms are great for families, and kids will love the outdoor pool, garden & access to outdoorsy activities
    Skiing  -  A bus links the hotel directly to the ski lifts & to four resorts, including Tsugaike and Iwatake
    Mountain biking  -  Hire a bike and set out on scenic rides through the mountains during the warmer months
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyViewsParking

    A luxury resort set amidst a picturesque forest and boasting access to no less than four ski resorts. Rooms are chic and contemporary with large windows allowing the outside in, crisp white linen and indulgent bathrooms. A number of onsens and expansive outdoor pool aid utter relaxation. Fabulous. See More

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  • Hakuba Tokyu Hotel Hakuba (Hakuba-mura, Kita-azumi-gun) 102 rooms from CA$686

    Groups  -  A big, family or group-friendly lodge with rooms offering two double beds, mountain views and easy access to all the activities
    Active Holiday  -  On site ski rental makes this a great choice for an active winter holiday - there are also tennis courts at the hotel
    Rafting  -  Experience adrenaline-packed white water rafting adventures during the summer months
    Tennis  -  Challenge the whole family to a game of tennis on one of the hotel's five courts
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantGardenViewsParkingNo pets

    A hotel that achieves both the feel of a cosy mountain lodge and a chic contemporary hotel. Rooms mix elegant Western styles with classic Japanese design. An atmospheric fire lit lounge offers the perfect spot to unwind after a day on the slopes. A chic property ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. See More

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