#3: Hakuba (Nagano-ken) [E] Author: sanji
Location : Hakuba (白馬)
Prefecture : Nagano (長野県)
Attractions : Host of the ski downhills events of Olympic Games of Nagano in 1998, one of the most famous ski resort in Japan
When : from early December to early May (for the ski season)
Access :
by train : from Matsumoto to Hakuba via JR Oito Line, 90-110 minutes, 1110 yen;
Matsumoto can be easily reached from Shinjuku by JR Ltd. Exp. Super Azusa, 150-170 minutes; On some days (week-ends ?), There is one direct train per day from Shinjuku to Hakuba, the Super Azusa 11, leaving Shinjuku at 10:00 and arriving at 13:44 (8070 yen)
Matsumoto can also be reached from Nagoya by JR Ltd. Exp. Shinano, 120 minutes.
by bus from Nagano : there is a bus running every hour for Hakuba, operated by Alpico bus (1400 yen); departure from East exit of Nagano Station, from bus bus stop 6. If you overnight in Hakuba, you can take a direct shared taxi between Nagano Station and any hotel in Hakuba; this costs 3000 yen, but you will be dropped at your hotel, and the timetable is arranged to suit your shinkansen schedule.
by highway bus : especially in winter, there are plenty of connexions, especially from Tokyo and Nagoya; night buses are also available; just check at any travel agency or train station for the corresponding pamphlets.
by car : (snow tires / chains a must in winter !)
from Tokyo, you can either use the Chuo or the Kanetsu highways; Take the Chuo Expressway to Okaya JCT and head towards Nagano (Nagano Expressway), exit at Toyoshina IC and follow Routes 147 & 148 through Omachi to Hakuba; Or take the Kanetsu Expressway to Fujioka JCT and head towards Nagano (Joshinetsu Expressway); exit at Nagano IC and follow the Hakuba Nagano Olympic Road to Hakuba; both options take about 4 hours;
from Nagoya, take the Chuo Expressway to Okaya JCT and head towards Nagano on the Nagano Expressway, exit at Toyoshina IC and follow Routes 147 & 148 through Omachi to Hakuba; this takes about 3.5 hours.
Going around
There are 3 bus lines that bring visitors around hotels, bars and restaurants in the late afternoon and evening (from 17:30 to 22:15). But there is a maximum of 5 buses per day, so check the schedule very carefully.
If you don't plan on drinking, a car is still very convenient...
Internet : www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/~us/
Visit Hakuba
Hakuba's history as a mountain resort began around 1900; the town is mentioned by Rev. Walter Weston, who is considered by many as the father of mountaineering in Japan. After skiing was introduced, Hakuba began to be quite popular and, by the middle of the 20th century, 11 ski resorts were found in the valleys around Hakuba. Of course, the real fame of that place came during the Olympic Games of Nagano in 1998, Hakuba hosting the ski downhills events.
Hakuba's history goes back much more in the past, as the town is on the "Salt Road" (shio no michi) linking Matsumoto to the Japan Sea. Still now, temples, shrines and statues can be found along that road.
Hakuba is quite different from the usual Japanese ski resort village. First, there is an unusual number of foreigners not only visiting and skiing there, but also living and working in Hakuba! I have seen foreigners working in hotels, ski rental agencies, at the ski field, in restaurants on the slopes... This is really not common in Japan, and it creates a comfortable feeling for foreigners.
Hakuba has some hot springs, but they are clearly not as great as many found in Nagano-ken. As a result, there are less Japanese families traveling to Hakuba, and more skiers and snowboarders. This is also an obvious result of the Olympic Games as ski runs are really long, and some can clearly difficult - again not usual in Japan.
Many facilities were built for the Olympic Games, including the ski jump facility that can be visited. Close to it is located the Olympic Museum (of very little interest) and the Visitor Center, which has many pamphlets and good information.
Ski
Lets assume you go to Hakuba in winter, for skiing - although I heard there are some great hikes around in summer...
source : http://www.hakubatourism.com
From one end of the valley to the other, there are 10 resorts offering a total of 200 runs. The most popular and larger ski resorts are Hakuba 47 and Happo-One :
Where to stay
There are two main areas for accommodation in Hakuba : At the bottom of Happo-One ski field and in Echo Land, located between Hakuba 47 and Happo-One ski fields.
At the bottom of Happo-One ski field are many large, expensive hotels, which are just a couple of minutes by foot from the lifts. There are some bars, but restaurants are located in the hotels. On the other hand, if you stay in Echo Land, you will need a transportation to reach the ski fields (can be provided by the accommodations), but you will find lots of bars and restaurants around. Finally, the "village" itself has many accommodations, too, but mostly traditional ryokan and small hotels.
Hakuba Mominoki Hotel
A beautiful hotel - and an expensive one - with great rooms, a large onsen, 5 restaurants and bars (including the wine bar mentioned below). The inside of the hotel is really nice, and even if you do not stay there, it is worth to cross the lobby at least once.
internet : www.mominokihotel.com
Hotel La Neige Higashikan
Probably the best hotel of the town. Hotel La Neige is a very expensive, boutique accommodation, with a famous a la carte restaurant.
internet : www.laneige-higashikan.com
Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
A large hotel with comfortable rooms. This place caters to groups - banquet facilities and karaoke rooms are available - so you might find some good package with this hotel. Indoor onsen available
internet : www.hakuba-tokyu.co.jp
White Horse Hotel
The White Horse Hotel is a boutique style hotel situated in Echoland. Japanese rooms with western comforts. Free shuttles to any of the ten resorts in the valley.
internet : www.whitehorse-hakuba.com
Terry Hotel
A cheaper option, but an excellent deal! Two sizes of rooms are proposed, the larger one (called Maisonnette Room) being a small duplex; they start at 14500 yen for 2 persons. Very reasonable French restaurant with cheap wines. The plus of the hotel is a nice small outdoor onsen with a wooden bath.
internet : www.hakubaterry.com
Blue Dragon
Located in the Echoland area, Blue Dragon is a contemporary lodge managed by an Australian couple, with rooms from 9000 yen per person. A contemporary Japanese design with western service and facilities, in an excellent location.
internet : www.bluedragonhakuba.com
Restaurants & Bars
Vendimia Wine and Tapas
Located just next the Mominoki Pub, in the Hakuba Mominoki Hotel complex, this fantastic wine bar specialized in Spanish wines is the place to spend some time after dinner! With very high ceilings made of wood taken from an old shrine, and a chimney, this is a cosy place that has a good selection of wines. The owner, C. Lawrence Rials, is knowledgeable and friendly. Tapas (including iberiko ham) are available. Highly recommended.
Open: 17:30 - late
Phone: 090-9357-8511
Last edited by sanji on Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:00 pm; edited 1 time in total
-->
|