sightseeing
Sightseeing in the area
Set against the majestic backdrop of the Northern Alps, Hakuba offers year-round outdoor activities and ever-changing seasonal beauty.
The surrounding areas boast rich natural landscapes, including Azumino, Karuizawa, and the Kurobe-Tateyama region of Toyama Prefecture.
Scattered among these are historical and cultural attractions that bring Japan’s heritage to life.
Use Hakuba as your base and embark on a journey to experience the natural splendor and timeless charm of Japan.
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Hakuba Area
Experience the magnificent Northern Alps with breathtaking views in every season in Hakuba.
Enjoy a variety of seasonal activities such as hiking and skiing amidst the rich natural environment.
Happo Pond
Located at an altitude of about 2,060 meters, this “natural pond” is formed by melted snow and rainwater. Situated on the slopes of Hakuba Happo Ridge, it’s famous as a scenic spot where the Hakuba Sanzan (Three Peaks) are beautifully reflected on the water surface on clear days. The hiking trail is well-maintained, allowing even beginners to easily enjoy the alpine nature.
About 5 minutes by bus from Hakuba Station to Hakuba Happo
Then take the gondola from Happo Station to Happo Pond Mountain Hut
Oide Park and Oide Suspension Bridge
This is a representative scenic spot in Hakuba Village. The Oide Suspension Bridge over the Hime River and the thatched-roof houses create a landscape that embodies traditional Japanese aesthetics. From Oide Park, you can also view the Hakuba Sanzan, making it one of the most famous viewpoints in Hakuba Village.
About 15 minutes on foot from Hakuba Station
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort
This is a mountain resort where you can enjoy various activities all year round while taking in the seasonal views of the Northern Alps. The panoramic view of the Northern Alps from the mountaintop terrace “HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR” is particularly impressive.
About 15 minutes by shuttle bus from Hakuba Station
*If using the Iwatake shuttle bus, please check the operation status and timetable.
Hakuba Happo-one Usagidaira
Located at an altitude of 1,400 meters, Hakuba Happo-one Usagidaira offers an open terrace with distant views of Mount Yatsugatake and Mount Asama, and a panorama of Hakuba Village below. It also features spots like “Hakuba Mountain Beach”, which resembles a beach lounge, providing a unique experience away from everyday life.
About 7 minutes by bus from Hakuba Station to Happo-one (Happo Gondola)
About 8 minutes ride on the Happo-one Gondola Lift “Adam”, get off at Usagidaira Station (summit station)
*Access to Usagidaira is only by gondola lift. Please note that vehicle access is not possible.
Aoni Village
This mountain village features a historic landscape with thatched-roof houses and earthen storehouses. The Aoni rice terraces, located at an altitude of 760 meters, offer a panoramic view of the Northern Alps and beautiful seasonal scenery from the observation area on the hillside. These beautiful landscapes have been recognized as one of “Japan’s 100 Best Rice Terraces”.
About 15-20 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium
This is the actual ski jump used in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. By taking the lift between the normal hill and large hill, you can experience the view and height that athletes see when starting. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakuba’s majestic mountains.
About 10 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Hakuba Green Sports Forest
Hakuba Green Sports Forest is a recreational area where everyone from small children to adults can easily enjoy themselves. In the vast natural setting, there are activities like tennis and mallet golf, as well as outdoor facilities including a campsite, BBQ area, and fishing pond.
About 3 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
echoland
Echoland, Hakuba’s entertainment district, spreads around the hotel. Located between Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort and Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park, Echoland is an ideal base for Hakuba tourism with cafes, restaurants, bars, izakayas, and souvenir shops lining the main street.
*For store introductions, please click here
About 5 minutes on foot from our hotel
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Matsumoto and Azumino Area (Including Kamikochi)
The Azumino-Matsumoto area features the original landscape of Azumino with clear streams and lush rural scenery, as well as the cultural atmosphere of Matsumoto with its beautiful castle and scattered art museums.
It’s a place where you can enjoy the rich charm of nature and history while touring art museums and relaxing in cafes.
Matsumoto Castle
This famous castle is designated as a National Treasure of Japan, with its main keep believed to have been built between 1593 and 1594. It is the oldest existing five-story, six-layer castle tower in Japan. Not only is its historical value significant, but the view from the castle tower is also breathtaking. It shows different expressions in each season, particularly captivating visitors with its beautiful scenery of striking black and white contrast.
About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
This art museum, characterized by its red polka-dot exterior, displays artworks by artists associated with Matsumoto City. In front of the museum, the work “Visionary Flowers” by world-renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who is from Matsumoto City, is particularly eye-catching.
About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Azumino Art Line
The “Azumino Art Line” is an area of about 50 km from Azumino City to Hakuba Village, where 18 art museums are scattered. You can enjoy a wide range of art genres, from photographic works capturing the majestic landscapes of the Northern Alps to museums themed around picture books.
About 40 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is a mountainous scenic area at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, a natural treasure trove with majestic mountains and beautiful valleys. It is designated as a national cultural property as part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. While enjoying the scenery of the four seasons, you can also enjoy hiking, mountain climbing, and hot springs.
About 2 and a half hours by car from Hakuba Station
Daio Wasabi Farm
This is Japan’s largest wasabi farm, created using the rich spring water from the Northern Alps. The vast expanse of wasabi fields is a spectacular sight, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of Azumino’s nature and spring water. There are three restaurants on the premises, offering dishes and products using wasabi that can only be enjoyed here.
About 1 hour by car from Hakuba Station
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Toyama and Niigata Area (Including Kurobe Tateyama, Itoigawa, etc.)
The Kurobe Tateyama area is known for its magnificent scenery of grand mountains and valleys.
On the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which spans about 37 km in total, you can enjoy spectacular views in each season,
and the power of Kurobe Dam, one of Japan’s largest, overwhelms visitors.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
This is a world-class mountain sightseeing route that connects Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, crossing the Northern Alps with mountains over 3,000 meters high. You can enjoy the magnificent nature while changing various modes of transportation from “Tateyama Station” in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture to “Ogizawa Station” in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture.
About 45 minutes by car from Hakuba Station to Ogizawa Station
(From Ogizawa Station, use cable car and bus)
Kurobe Dam
“Kurobe Dam” boasts the highest dam wall in Japan, with its impressive water discharge being a major attraction. You can enjoy views from various angles including the observation deck, outdoor staircase, and the new observation plaza, facing the Kurobe Lake and its enormous water volume. On clear days, you can see beautiful rainbows in the discharged water.
About 45 minutes by car from Hakuba Station to Ogizawa Station
(From Ogizawa Station, use cable car and bus)
Itoigawa Geopark
The entire area of Itoigawa City is a nature-rich area recognized as Japan’s first “UNESCO Global Geopark”. Itoigawa is also known as the “birthplace of the world’s oldest jade culture”, allowing visitors to enjoy nature while experiencing culture and history.
About 1 hour by car from Hakuba Station
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Karuizawa and Nagano Area
The Karuizawa and Nagano area is known for its beautiful nature and historical buildings.
In Karuizawa, you can enjoy art museum tours while feeling the highland breeze, while towards Nagano,
you can experience magnificent nature and history, including Zenkoji Temple and Togakushi Shrine, with scenery that attracts visitors in every season.
Zenkoji Temple
Surrounded by mountains and filled with natural energy, Zenkoji Temple features a main hall designated as a National Treasure. It enshrines the “Ikko-Sanzon Amida Nyorai”, said to be the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan, as its principal object of worship. As a non-sectarian temple known for its many blessings, it attracts over 7 million visitors annually, making it a major tourist attraction.
About 1 hour by car from Hakuba Station
Togakushi Shrine
Togakushi Shrine, located at the foot of Mount Togakushi, is a venerable shrine with about 2,000 years of history. It has long been worshipped as a deity of martial arts and performing arts, and remains a popular tourist destination attracting many visitors. This nature-rich area features an avenue of cedar trees, known for its beauty, where over 200 giant cedars line up for about 500 meters, enchanting visitors.
About 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
Mirror Pond
Located in Togakushi, Nagano City, this pond is called “Mirror Pond” because, as the name suggests, the surrounding nature and mountains are reflected on the water surface like a mirror. Especially during the autumn foliage season and the fresh green season, the majestic figure of Mount Togakushi reflected in the pond is breathtaking. You can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons while walking around the lake or spending time at a cafe.
About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Hakuba Station
