Where To Stay In Hakuba Japan

Up there with Niseko, Hakuba is one of the best-known ski destinations in Japan - and with good reason. Hakuba’s position in the heart of the Japanese Alps provides as close to an Alpine experience as you will find, along with some of the best infrastructure, terrain and accommodation options in Japan. Then of course there’s the relative proximity to Tokyo, the ease of access (no connecting flights required) and that famously amazing snow, all of which go very a long way to explain Hakuba’s enduring attraction.  

Hakuba’s appeal has increased significantly with the inclusion of the Hakuba Valley to Vail’s Epic pass, which means that if you have an Epic pass (and a lot of us do) then all Hakuba Valley’s ten resorts are covered by your pass for five consecutive days.  

The Snow Concierge was one of the first international visitors to realise Hakuba’s huge potential while working for a US television network during the Nagano Winter Olympic games, and it has been a fast favourite ever since. 

While it’s clear that deciding on Hakuba as the destination for your next snow trip is a no-brainer, deciding where to base your group can be a bit more challenging. This is due in no small part to the many great resorts on offer and the sheer number of accommodation options to choose from.  

What does help is that each area has its own character and feel which means that there is something for everyone. Whether you want a more ‘Western’ ski holiday with an active nightlife and diverse dining options or something a bit more sedate but ski in/ ski out and near empty chairs.  

Hakuba has an extensive shuttle bus system that runs throughout the day and into the evening, as well as an excellent taxi service. So regardless of where you base yourself, it’s very easy to get around.  

To help you in deciding where to stay, here is our ten cents on the different areas within Hakuba and why you might choose one over the other. 

Happo Village – right in the heart of everything 

Happo Village is generally considered the centre of Hakuba's activity.  Based at the foot of the Happo-One ski resort, it offers easy access to the premier resort in Hakuba.  

“Happo” as it is referred to by pretty much everyone is packed with all kinds of restaurants, many bars, excellent food trucks and a variety of shops, making it the ideal choice for those looking for a more familiar ski experience to that on offer in Australia. 

We think that Happo Village is a great option if you are travelling in a large group, or if there is a mix of age groups in your party. The extensive range of nightlife and accommodation options, as well as the location will ensure that pretty much everyone will be catered for.  

Wadano Area - conveniently upmarket 

Close to Happo Village, Wadano offers great upscale accommodation options, including hotels and self-catering chalets just a 10-minute walk from the nightlife of Happo. If you're looking for something a bit more upmarket and don’t want to be in the busy heart of everything, this area is an excellent choice. 

Many accommodations offer ski-in/ski-out, a huge plus in our books. Wadano is also home to Rhythm Hakuba, an excellent ski hire and shop in its own regard but also offers All Press Coffee at the Rhythm and Beans Café.  

We think that Wadano is a great option for younger families after self-catering options and easy access to chairlifts and ski schools. Of course, you don’t need to have a young family to stay here, it’s ideal for anyone looking for a bit of luxury, with a huge range of excellent accommodation options, ease of access to the mountain and excellent coffee.  

Echoland - dining and nightlife hub 

If your ideal Japan ski holiday involves snow, ramen, craft beer or whiskey and maybe a DJ set followed by shots, then Echoland should be top of your list. Echoland is home to an extensive range of restaurants and bars – including the ‘secret’ bar Holy Smokes which is only accessible through a cigarette vending machine.  

Echoland might not be at the base of an individual resort, but this is a good thing if you want to be able to visit more than one resort. By basing yourself in Echoland you can access any of the ten resorts across the Hakuba Valley through the extensive shuttle bus system that Echoland is the centre of.  

Echoland also offers a great range of accommodation options catering for everyone from hostels to spectacular self-catered chalets.   

Echoland is a good choice for groups that want to stay out late and have the flexibility to head over to whichever resort has the best conditions the next day.  

Goryu and Hakuba 47 Area – family-friendly 

Located in amazing Japanese forests and a short 20-minute drive from Happo Village, the Goryu- 47 area is a great option for families who are looking for a quieter holiday but access to great snow and skiing. Being a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Happo or Echoland, this area offers a more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere.  

But you won’t be sacrificing anything in terms of your overall snow experience. In fact, in some regards, these resorts offer a better option for parents wanting to get their kids into snow sports as they offer excellent facilities for beginners and intermediate skiers, along with dedicated snow play areas for children. In fact, this is where The Snow Concierge first learned to snowboard back in the day. 

Accommodation in this area tends to be more laid-back, providing a cozy retreat after a day on the slopes. There are some excellent mid-range options near the resort that won't break the bank.  

We think that Goryu is a great option for younger families who looking for a family-friendly environment with great access to excellent resorts at a lower price point than the more expensive areas like Wadano. Goryu is also a great option for those looking for easy access to a smaller more relaxed mountain away from the crowds of Happo.   

Tsugaike Kogen – traditional Japanese experience 

A definite favourite of ours, Tsugaike is a bit further off the radar as far as visitors go. In The Snow Concierge’s view, this resort is a hidden gem. Only 15 minutes from Happo, Tsugaike offers a traditional Japanese ski holiday experience for those wanting a quieter, less crowded atmosphere.  

The resort is great and offers beautiful wide slopes with stunning panoramic views, in the most tranquil setting. The resort is perfect for both beginners and experienced skiers/ snowboarders with huge beginner areas, excellent tree-riding and backcountry options for the more advanced as well as everything in between. 

Accommodation skews to more Japanese in style but there are excellent, newer Western/ Japanese options available as well. There are a few restaurants and bars in the village providing great dinner options but if your group is agitating for karaoke then Happo is only a 15-minute taxi ride away.     

We think that Tsugaike is an excellent choice for anyone (especially Epic pass holders) after a more Japanese experience with good ski in/ ski out options and is happy to have a more relaxed holiday. 

There is no doubt that Hakuba is so popular with international visitors given how much is on offer. We recommend thinking about what type of holiday your group wants before selecting your accommodation. When it comes to Hakuba, where your accommodation is situated can be just as important as the accommodation itself.   

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding Hakuba  and your accommodation needs. 

Wishing you peace, love and powder days.❄️