Enjoy lush green nature and outdoor adventures in Hakuba during summer

You’ll be spoiled for choice during the green season in Hakuba. Whether you’re into outdoorsy activities or just chilling out and relaxing, there’s something for everyone. Some of the season’s most popular activities include hiking, golfing and cycling. Hakuba Valley is also home to three gorgeous lakes: Lake Kizaki, Lake Nakatsuna and Lake Aoki. The largest, Lake Aoki, is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, fishing or swimming. 

Another fun spot is the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium, which was one of the competition sites for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. You can see the towering ski jumps sans-snow and even take the lift to the stadium building to explore past Olympic memorabilia.

If camping is more your calling, stop by Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba, which is inside a gorgeous building designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The building doubles as a Starbucks and camping store, where you can also pitch a tent out back for a night under the stars.

Hakuba village is roughly a 30-minute drive from the starting point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the most famous sites in the Japanese Alps. While the towering snow walls seem like a winter-only activity, the best time to visit the attraction is actually between mid-April to mid-June. Even if you miss the timing, the route is still a pleasant place to explore throughout summer and into autumn for its breathtaking views and gorgeous foliage.

Getting to the snow wall is quite the journey, but it’s worth it to explore the verdant landscape. From the base, you’ll need to take four modes of transport to get to the top – two buses, a cable car and a ropeway. On your journey, you’ll also pass by the Kurobe Dam, Japan's tallest dam at an impressive 186 metres in height.

If you choose to stay with the Hakuba Hotel Group, you'll get complimentary round-trip transfers (available to all guests staying two nights or more). More details here.

After an active day exploring Hakuba, you’ll be in need of a comfortable place to stay. One of the best options is the Hakuba Hotel Group, which has over 50 luxury chalets and apartments, ten hotels and six restaurants around the village. Whether you’re planning on visiting Hakuba with a small or large group, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit your needs and budget. 

The Happo hotel is Hakuba's most modern accommodation thanks to a recent remodel in 2021. Aside from the comfortable and stylish rooms, you’ll find an onsite onsen where you can relax and unwind. If you need more space, consider Phoenix Chalets, which has room for up to four people over two storeys, complete with a full kitchen, living and dining area. 

For the ultimate luxury experience, you could treat yourself to a stay at One Happo, which was listed by Forbes as one of the most luxurious ski chalets in Asia. This gorgeous chalet fits up to ten people and comes with two primary bedrooms looking out onto the Happo One ski hill. There’s also a kitchen, bar, a fully-equipped gym and an outdoor dining area with an Argentinian grill and pizza oven.

One of the best parts about travelling is trying delicious local cuisine. Around Hakuba Valley, you’ll find restaurants cooking up amazing dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. 

Mimi’s is one of Hakuba’s most popular restaurants with its unique take on Italian cuisine, courtesy of executive chef Kazu and chef Yuki – the husband and wife duo behind the restaurant’s incredible dishes. For something more casual, head to The Grill at The Happo hotel, which serves barbecue dishes made with local ingredients, all cooked on a wood-fire grill. Some of the highlights include marinated Hakuba-raised Shinshu salmon, homemade potato gnocchi served with a Shinshu bolognese and Hakuba strawberry blancmange with vanilla gelato.

Getting to Hakuba has never been easier. The village can be accessed in under three hours from central Tokyo via shinkansen and bus, or you can ride the once-a-day Azusa Express train from Shinjuku, which takes you directly to Hakuba Station. A budget-friendly option is the bus, getting you to Hakuba in approximately five hours from central Tokyo.

Wondering how you can get around Hakuba? If you don’t plan on renting a car, Hakuba Hotel Group offers a stylish shuttle service thanks to its partnership with Land Rover. Those arriving at Nagano Station can arrange for a pick-up service that will take you directly to your accommodation in a luxe Land Rover Defender. Additionally, a shuttle service can be arranged to transport you around Hakuba Valley and surrounding attractions during your stay.