Hakuba

Hakuba is the place to go for affordable, but excellent snowboarding or ski slopes.  The place is full of cheap guesthouses and hostels, and English language support is superb.

Budget travel tips

• • Hostels and guesthouse often have cheaper rental gear/snowboards/skis.

• • Download the official map here, or get for free from the Happo (Hakuba) Information Center next to Hakuba-Happo bus station.

• Pick up a Nagano Snow Resort Pass if visiting other towns such as Yudanaka.

Things to do

Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu

These are two resorts, but because one ticket can be used at both (they are on the same mountain), this ticket is great value for money.

Open: 8:00-21:00

Price: Full-day 4800 yen, Half-day 3800 yen, Night time 1800 yen Official Site

Happo One Ski Resort

A little busier than Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu, Happo One Ski Resort also has a great selection of slopes.

Open: 8:00-21:30

Price: Full-day 4800 yen, Half-day 3700 yen, Night time 2000 yen Official Site

Wa No Yu – Foot Bath (FREE)

A modern and free foot bath next to a nice hot spring.

Hakuba Station Foot Bath (FREE)

Take a left from the east exit and enter this free foot bath!

Mimizu No Yu Hot Spring and Free Foot Bath

This is a great hot spring, but the foot bath is free.

Hosonosuwa Shrine (FREE)

A nice shrine, particularly beautiful in the snow.

Olympic Ski Jump 

Provides a great view over Hakuba.

Open: 8:30-16:30

Price:  Adults 500 yen, Children 300 yen

Eco Land

A nice area to go for dinner, a bit of shopping or something to do in the evening.

How to get there

From Tokyo, take the Keio Highway bus from Shinjuku to Hakuba (4700 yen, 12 hours).  Reservations here.  Get an overnight bus to save on a hotel room.

From Matsumoto, take the JR Oito Line from Matsumoto station to Shinanoomachi station, then change to another JR Oito Line train for Hakuba station (1100 yen, 90 mins).

From other places, first get to Matsumoto, then take the directions above.

Map

Recommended Hostels and Cheap Hotels

Lodge Tabi-Tabi

Super cheap ski/board/gear rental and a great atmosphere.  Walking distance from Hakuba Goryu.

More at  Booking.com