The jaw dropping Japan powder draws snow enthusiasts to the Hakuba slopes every year, but it’s Japan’s amazing cultural experiences that separates these resorts from other mountains around the world.
Ancient Culture
Japan boasts festivals, temples, shrines, and castles that predate the founding of countries like Australia and the United States and offer glimpses into a culture and worldview formed through thousands of years of continuity and near isolation.
Every January 15th Nozawa Onsen hosts the Fire Festival which always culminates in the burning of a massive wooden structure. Nozawa Onsen is 1.5 hours from Hakuba.
Delicious Cuisine
And don’t get me started on the food. Japan reigns supreme when it comes to mouthwatering meals. Think sushi, ramen, izakaya skewers, okonomiyaki and so much more! Resorts like Hakuba offer these options in addition to western bars and restaurants.
Enjoy a sushi dinner after a big day on the slopes.
Onsen
My favorite part of Japanese culture, however, and the one I think pairs best with long days of riding the Japanese powder, is onsen culture. Onsen are Japanese public baths heated by volcanic energy and central to Japanese culture.
Where to Enjoy Onsen
Onsen is the single best way to relax once those legs are exhausted from long days of skiing. Here are 5 Hotels in Hakuba offering in-house onsen making it cheap and convenient for you to start and end your days in Japan with a calming onsen soak.
evo Hotel Hakuba
evo Hotel Hakuba is centrally located in Happo Village, surrounded by dozens of restaurants and directly next to the Hakuba Valley Resort Shuttles. Freshly renovated in 2024 evo, is Hakuba’s newest and most modern hotel featuring a cafe serving food throughout the day which turns into a bar in the evening. Rooms vary from singles to family suites and are provided daily continental breakfast.
evo Onsen
Located on evo Hotel’s top floor, their onsen provides stunning mountain views of Happo-One and nearby Iwatake. Only guests of evo are granted access, so make sure to book ahead to see these incredible sights for yourself!
The Phoenix Hotel sits in the beautiful Wadano Woods village in Hakuba, approximately 500 meters from the Happo-One lifts and is flanked by great restaurants, cafes, and bars. The Phoenix boasts the highest TripAdvisor rated restaurant in the Hakuba Valley, Mimi’s, which serves a Japanese-European fine dining fusion. The hotel has Japanese and western rooms with twin rooms starting at ¥20,000 per night.
Phoenix Onsen
The Phoenix onsen provides warm cozy vibes while you soak and relax in the steaming onsen water. Phoenix also has a mist room where guests can unwind privately or in small groups. Unlike Mimi’s restaurant, both facilities are available only to Phoenix guests so make sure to reserve a room if you’d like to take advantage of these options.
In the heart of Happo village, The Happo is one of Hakuba’s premier hotels. The Happo features 32 beautiful designed rooms, including 4th floor suites for the more discerning travelers among us. Since the hotel l sits 300 meters away from the Nakiyama Chair Lifts and only minutes away from the Happo-One gondola. The hotel has an excellent Japanese restaurant on the first floor and is walking distance to dozens of more restaurants.
The Happo Onsen
The onsen facilities includes a dozen showers, a cold bath, a large warm bath, and a sauna adorned with Norwegian wood. Guest are provided with all the essential items including towels, toiletries, hair dryers and storage space for their belongings.
This iconic Hakuba hotel sits perched on a hill in the valley opposite from the ski fields. As a result, hotel guests are privy to spectacular views of Happo-One and Hakuba 47/Goryu. The hotel runs shuttles to the Happo lifts which are located about 4k away. Twin rooms start at ¥18,000.
Highland Onsen
The Highland Onsen may be the best onsen experience in the entire Hakuba Valley, as it offers indoor/outdoor facilities combined with stunning panoramic mountain views. The onsen is open to the public with admission costing ¥600 per visit.
Rosenheim Hotel provides great vibes combining Northern European style aesthetics with Japanese charm, hospitality, and culture. In true Japanese style, guests leave their shoes at the door and are treated to the full Japanese experience at this family run hotel. Single rooms start at ¥12,999.
Rosenheim Onsen
The open-air onsen has epic views of Happo-One and is the perfect place to kick back and nurse those sore legs and achy bodies.
