For a good winter sports holiday, visit Hakuba.
Hakuba is a ski resort in the northern Japan Alps, in Nagano Prefecture just 2.5 hours from Tokyo. It is a small village with an estimated population of about 9,200 people. Hakuba, also called the skiing Mecca of Japan has an annual snowfall of over 11 meters (36 feet), it is the central hub for 10 ski resorts with more than 200 runs. Hakuba became popular world wide as it hosted several Olympic competitions of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, including Alpine (downhill, super g, and combination) and Nordic (ski jump and cross country) events. Today some of the Olympic facilities remain in use, such as the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium.
Seven of the resorts (Happoone, Goryu, Hakuba 47, Iwatake, Hakuba Highland, Minekata and Sanosaka) have teamed up to offer the “Hakuba Happy 7” package, which gives you a 1-day lift tickets to be used at any of the participating resorts.
Main Ski Resorts:
Hakuba Happo-one
Hakuba Happo-one offers 32 lifts. This ski resort was a stage for the 1998 Winter Olympics with the downhill race. Cafés and restaurants double the pleasure of this ski resort. The Rissen Slalom run is more than 3 km long and is the most popular run in Happo-one. All courses are continually groomed to maintain the highest performance.
Hakuba Goryu
Hakuba Goryu is located relatively close to central Hakuba village and is located on the same mountain as and connected to Hakuba 47. There are 2 gondolas of 8 seats, 17 lifts and 23 courses altogether in Hakuba Goryu. These latest facilities and varied slopes with excellent snow conditions attract many skiers and snowboarders.
Hakuba 47
Hakuba 47 is the second most popular resort in the area. The name means that visitors can enjoy the 4 seasons, 7 days a week and was established in 1990.
Hakuba Norikura
Hakuba Norikura is located just outside of the Hakuba village limits next to Tsugaike Koen. The Hakuba Norikura offers 10 lifts.
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Our team of Japan experts have all lived in Japan for years and know its the hidden treasures. Our team is here to answer all your questions and to build your tour just the way you want it.
Jeff was born in a south suburb of Chicago named South Holland and lived in Japan for 14 years. He now lives in Commerce Township, Michigan with his wife Yoshimi, son Shota, and daughter Mina. He enjoys playing with his kids, volunteering with his daughter’s marching band, cycling and training and teaching Aikido.
Michiyo was born in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture though currently lives in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. Her main passions in life is traveling all around the world and enjoying their cultures.
Izumi has spent most of her life in the Kansai region, except for the 10 years that she enjoyed in the UK. Living abroad has made her appreciate her own culture and local beauty even more. She currently lives in Osaka with her family, including two cats and two dogs.
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