Hakuba is arguably the best ski resort near Tokyo, not least thanks to its easy accessibility from the city. While ski season has wrapped up, the mountains are still calling – especially during Golden Week (April 26–May 6). Here’s what’s happening in Hakuba as the area transitions into the green season.
Slope Clean Act
The recent ski season in Hakuba was a long and fruitful one, thanks to abundant snowfall that kept the slopes open for about five months. Now that the snow has melted, it’s time to give back and help preserve Hakuba’s natural beauty.
To kick off Golden Week, five ski resorts in Hakuba will host a volunteer clean-up event called Slope Clean Act on Saturday April 26. The goal is to clear litter from the foothills and help the region get ready for the green season. Each clean-up session will last around two hours. Be sure to bring your own gear, including gloves and garbage tongs.
As a token of appreciation, all participants will receive an exclusive Clean Act T-shirt featuring an original Hakuba design. Here are the details for each participating ski resort:
- Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort: meet by 9am in front of the Sakka Kitaone Quad lift station; limited to 150 participants.
- Able Hakuba Goryu: registration opens at 9am at Escal Plaza’s central space on the second floor; limited to 200 participants.
- White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka: meet by 10am at the Sanosaka Ski Resort No. 1 parking lot; limited to 50 participants.
- Hakuba 47: meet by 1pm in front of the Hakuba 47 gondola lift line 8; limited to 100 participants.
- Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort: meet by 1pm in front of the ticket centre; limited to 50 participants.
Salt Road Festival
Taking place on Saturday May 4, the 46th Salt Road Festival is a relaxed 10km walk along a section of the historical Salt Road. This Edo-period (1603–1868) trade route was once used to transport salt from Itoigawa on the Sea of Japan to landlocked Matsumoto and Shiojiri via Azumino (all in today’s Nagano prefecture).
The journey begins at the Hakuba Cross Country Racing Stadium (Snow Harp) and ends at Hakuba Green Sports Forest. You’ll enjoy scenic views of the mountains and the last patches of lingering snow along the way.
Participation is free, but you’ll have to register at Snow Harp between 7.30am and 8.30am. If you’re arriving by train, a free shuttle service runs from JR Hakuba Station to the starting point (7.20am–8.20am) and again from the finish line back to the station (1pm–2pm).
Hakuba Wine Marche
Taking over the lawn area of Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba on the weekend of May 10-11, the Hakuba Wine Marche kicks off the green season with a vibrant celebration of life’s finer pleasures. Expect a joyful mix of good food and wine, live music and a bit of shopping in the mountains.
The event will showcase some of Nagano prefecture’s top wineries and cider producers, including Son of the Smith, Le Milieu and Northern Alps Vineyards. With jazz gigs, DJ sets, live paintings and fun workshops, the market promises a perfect, laid-back day under the sun.
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