JP · Nagano Prefecture · 36.70°N 137.86°E

hakuba

Olympic slopes and deep powder in the Northern Alps, with a fun little ski village.

Best time
January and February for the best powder; the season runs roughly from December to early April. July to September is good for hiking and much cooler than the city.
How long
3–5 days to ski, 1–2 days in summer
Getting there
Fly to Tokyo (about 7 hours from KL), take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (about 1.5 hours), then a bus to Hakuba (about an hour). In ski season, direct buses also run from Tokyo and its airports.
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JP · Nagano Prefecturehakuba36.70°N 137.86°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Olympic slopes and deep powder in the Northern Alps, with a fun little ski village.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHakubaJP, Nagano Prefecture
KLhakuba
≈ 5,252 km from KL, as the crow flies
Hakuba Happoone Winter Resort in Hakuba, Nagano, Japan.

Photo: Ski Mania · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A mountain village in the Northern Alps that hosted skiing events at the 1998 Winter Olympics. In winter it's one of Japan's biggest ski areas, with around ten resorts along the valley; in summer it's hiking, gondolas and alpine ponds.

Makan

  1. Shinshu sobaNagano's buckwheat noodles, a warm bowl after skiing.Map ↗
  2. OyakiChewy Nagano dumplings filled with vegetables, good as a snack on the go.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Happo-oneThe big resort right above the village, home to the Olympic downhill runs.Map ↗
  2. Other Hakuba Valley resortsIwatake, Goryu, Tsugaike and others, linked by shuttle buses, each with its own feel.Map ↗
  3. Happo PondIn summer, take the gondola and lifts up, then hike about an hour to a pond that reflects the peaks.Map ↗
  4. Hakuba Ski Jumping StadiumThe Olympic jumps. You can ride up and look down the ramp.Map ↗
  5. OnsenSeveral hot spring baths in the village, perfect after a day on the slopes.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book rooms, ski school and gear rental early for January and February, the busiest weeks.
  • A Hakuba Valley lift pass lets you try several resorts, with shuttles in between.
  • Avalanches happen off-piste. Stay on marked runs unless you're with a qualified guide.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.