Hakuba

Combining an incredible 10 separate ski resorts in one amazing location, when it comes to sheer size and scale, there's nowhere in Japan that can compete with Hakuba.

Famous for the best part of a century among Japanese people, Hakuba was thrust into the international spotlight in 1998 as the host of the alpine, ski jump and cross-country in the Nagano Winter Olympic Games. 

Nowadays, Hakuba's popularity and growth continues to thrive, with more and more domestic and foreign tourists visiting each year for proper big mountain alpine skiing, international standard accommodations, a buzzing restaurant scene, many wonderful traditional onsen and some of the best mountain scenery in the country.
 

Cortina, Norikura, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Happo-One (pronounced oh-nay), Hakuba 47, Goryu, Sanosaka, Kashimayari and Jigatake are the ten separate resorts surrounding Hakuba village. Whilst these resorts aren't all connected via chairlifts, it is possible to buy an all-mountain lift pass that gives you access everywhere and shuttle buses regularly connect each resort.

With the sheer quantity of terrain available across such a wide network, there is something on offer for every level of skier or snowboarder. For beginners, there are wide open groomed trails perfect for learning under the guidance of an instructor from one of the many English-language ski schools. Long and steep pistes abound for those who like going fast on trail. And for powderhounds, a deep day in Hakuba is hard to beat, with plenty of big mountain, off-piste terrain accessible in resort and almost endless options for those heading into the backcountry with a guide.

The stay options in Hakuba are varied and ever improving with the recent addition of international luxury hotels now accompanying the many ryokans and pensions. Homestays, airBnB's and hostels are also available, meaning that almost every budget is met with a worthy accommodation option for those visiting Hakuba. 

From a restaurant point of view, visitors to Hakuba are spoilt for choice with countless Japanese restaurants and plenty of great international cuisine available too. Two of our favourites are Mimi's, at the Phoenix Hotel which serves up high quality international dishes with a Japanese twist and Ohyokurri, a cracking Japanese restaurant serving great fresh sushi and a plethora of other hearty Japanese faves.

And, outside of COVID times, Hakuba offers a buzzing nightlife made up mainly of small bars and izakayas. Happo Village, at the base of Happo One resort is probably the most lively, with sports bars, craft beer halls, basement bars and late night ramen bars with live music making up the options. When big events such as Snow Machine or the Freeride World Tour are in town, the night time vibes dial up a level.

Here at Uchi we are getting more and more listings in Hakuba, with more and more agents focusing on this amazing resort and posting some fantastic Hakuba properties.

The Hakuba market is about to really move and the savviest investors are looking seriously at getting in now. With ski-in ski-out properties and successful lodges available at a fraction of the price of some of the Hokkaido resorts, real estate in Hakuba is primed for lift off now borders have re-opened and tourists are back.