The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival is a must see if you find yourself in the vicinity mid-January. It`s one of the three most famous fire festivals in Japan & certainly one of the crazier spectacles you`ll ever witness! It`s held on January 15th every year to pray for a plentiful harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year. The festival dates back to 1863 and involves a very colorful combination of snow, fire & sake. We run a bus tour from Hakuba to the Nozawa Fire Festival every year so send us a mail anytime if interested!! During this festival the twenty-five and forty-two year old men from the village play a very important role. An old belief in Japan dictates that, for men, these years are unlucky. So all of Nozawa`s twenty-five and forty-two year old men, in their inauspicious ages, are made to construct a huge wooden shrine known as “the Shaden” that reaches 18 meters high. It takes roughly 100 villagers to build the shrine. The trees are cut down in October and brought down from the mountain, through the village, on January 13th. After the Shaden has been constructed, the priest from Kosuge shrine performs a ceremony endowing it with a God. Along with the Shaden there are an average of five Tôrô (dedicatory lantern poles) erected every year. These poles are made by families in the village to celebrate the birth of their first son. The Tôrô are offered to the Gods in a prayer for health and good fortune. The festivities begin with the lighting of the fire by the twenty-five and forty-two year old men. A small group of men carry a torch, which is lit by striking two stones together, from the Kôno residence to the festival grounds. The torch is used to start […]

Matsumoto castle is the oldest surviving castle from the age of the feudal warring states in Japan dating back to 1592. The view from the surrounding moat to the North Alps beyond is breathtaking. The inside of the castle includes many items from japans feudal past.

Jigokudani “The snow monkey onsen” World famous since the movie “Baraka” brought it to the attention of people worldwide, the monkey onsen is a popular trip from Hakuba. A troupe of the most northerly monkeys in the world hangs out in a natural hot spring for most of the year. There are about 200 monkeys at the spring and you can walk around surrounded by monkeys going about the daily routine that monkeys do! Bickering, playing, posturing, running around in the snow or just chilling out in the onsen. Great trip! Jigokokudani Monkey Onsen and Zenkoji Temple Ski Japan Holiday Tours WHEN: Dec 20-March 30.  Every MON WED FRI SAT.  8:00AM -5:00 PM COST: 10,000 with lunch kids 3-11 years old 8,000 PROS: No hassle. Comes with an English speaking guide, great lunch in Obuse village and a visit to Zenkoji. On Your Own WHEN:  Any Day.  Travel time: 1hr 50 minutes one way (not including transfer time.) COST:  Adults:  6,100 Children: 3,050 (transport and park entrance ticket.) PROS: Go at your own pace any day of the week.  No Big Groups.  Save money! 1.)Take the bus from Hakuba Happo bus terminal to Nagano Station East Exit. (70 minutes. Price: 1,500 one-way.  Children 750) 2.) Take a second bus from Nagano Station East Exit Bus Stop #3 or #4 to “Kanbayashi Onsen Guchi.” (40 minutes. Price: 1,300 one way.  Children 650) From Happo Bus Station to Nagano Station From Nagano Station to Kanbayashi Onsen Guchi 6:20-7:35 8:15-8:56 8:20- 9:35 9:10-9:51 9:25-10:40 10:10-10:51 11:15-12:30 11:15-11:56 12:45-14:00 12:20-13:01 13:40-14:55 14:00-14:41 (RETURN) From Kanbayashi Onsen Guchi to Nagano Station (40 min) (RETURN) From Nagano Station to Happo Bus Station (70 min) 12:25-13:20 13:35-14:45 13:15-14:10 15:10- 16:20 14:15-15:10 16:10-17:20 15:10-16:05 17:1018:20 16:05-17:00 18:20-19:30 17:10-18:10 20:30-21:40 18:05-19:10 The bus, taxi, or tour will drop you […]

One of the best things about a visit to Japan is the numerous onsens scattered along its length. And soaking in one after a big day on the hill……there’s nothing better! Fortunately Hakuba and the area around Morino Lodge are loaded with `em! Our closest one is about 100 meters away and there are over a half dozen more within 5 minutes walk. This guide is intended to give you information about our favorite onsens in Hakuba as well as to introduce you to some of the etiquette that goes along with them. RULES AND ETIQUETTE The rules of conduct at an onsen can basically be summed up in four points; 1 – Clean yourself off before entering the bath. Most onsens these days have a showering area to clean up before entering the bath. In more traditional ones, use a washbowl to rinse off. 2 – Go naked. You could wear a bathing suit in many onsens in Hakuba but the truth is you’d probably get a lot more funny looks wearing one. It is common however to bring a “modesty towel” – a small towel to cover up with. If you’re still not ready to take a bath with naked strangers, there are two onsens near bye you can book out privately. 3 – Don’t put anything other than your body in the bath. So if you have a small towel, don’t let it enter the water. Keep it on the side or if you want to be like a local, on your head while you bathe. 4 – Don’t be too noisy. The Japanese come to onsens to relax. Talking is no problem but high-fives and cannonballs……not! *An extra point of interest, you can drink a beer while bathing, just be careful not to spill it and remember……no cannonballs! RECOMMENDED ONSENS […]

Hakuba doesn’t boast the nightlife of Tokyo, but there are a few choices for those who crave a big night out.  Look at the front desk for fliers to get the latest information on parties and events happening in Hakuba. Wadano and Happo Area The Pub UFO stadium Marzen Yohei Club Roots Café (Apres Ski and music events)   Echoland Area Q- Tips 902 bar Master Braster Cherry Pub

Booked Coach/Van from Narita or Haneda Airport Nagano Snow Shuttle (approx 5 hours, 10000 – 13200 yen) Large sized bus from either Narita or Haneda Airport to either Hakuba or Myoko (and back again). Perhaps most straightforward if their time suits your arrival time Will take you very near our front door where we will come pick you up to get you checked in https://naganosnowshuttle.com/ Chuo Taxi (approx 5 hours, 14500 yen) Large van from either Narita or Haneda Airport to Hakuba (no Myoko service unfortunately) , which depending on the size of your own group, you may share with others on the same flight or with very similar arrival times Best for any “awkwardly” timed arrivals. Will often deliver you directly to our front door, though we do need to coordinate this at time Can be booked by email at info@chuotaxi.co.jp Arrival Airport / Date / Flight Number / Scheduled Arrival Time Destination: Morino Lodge Hakuba / Chalet Name (if applicable) Full Name for each person Total Number of bags, with ski or boardbags specified Return Details in the same style (if applicable) Public Train and Bus Transit Shinkansen/Bullet Train Hakuba Bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano Station (approx 1h23min, 8340 yen) https://www.google.com/maps or https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ will give you a good idea of train times Bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal where we will pick you up (approx 1 hour, 2200 yen) https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/hakuba/r-nagano-hakuba/ Express Train Hakuba (3h, 41 min, 8050 yen) If you are staying in the Shinjuku area before coming up to Hakuba or on the way back, there is one (sometimes two depending on season) direct train per day coming straight to Hakuba. Current schedule is 8:00 AM departure from Shinjuku (double check for details). If this time suits you, this can be the best way. Other trains […]

There are dozens of restaurants and bars to choose from in Hakuba with the greatest concentration being in the Wadano/Happo Village area around Morino Lodge. Other popular areas for eating out and drinking include Echoland as well as the area near Hakuba station. The following list of restaurants and bars include our favorites as well as ones recommended by our customers. There are a number of establishments not included so if you find somewhere worth mentioning, let us know and we’ll add it to the list! Reservations are necessary at a lot of these places, especially for big groups, so ask one of the staff to help you out if you’d like to go! There are dozens of restaurants and bars to choose from in Hakuba with the greatest concentration being in the Wadano/Happo Village area around Morino Lodge.  Other popular areas for eating out and drinking include Echoland as well as the area near Hakuba station. The following list of restaurants and bars include our favorites as well as ones recommended by our customers. There are a number of establishments not included so if you find somewhere worth mentioning, let us know and we`ll add it to the list!   MORINO CAFÉ Sure, we might be a little prejudiced, but we believe some of the best food and drink in Hakuba comes out of our own kitchen!  From café delights to tailor-made meals, chances are our in-house chefs from Australia can provide you with all your food and beverage needs without you having to leave the comfort of the lounge. With our deluxe cappuccino machine, we may have the best coffee in Hakuba!  Cinnamon Lattes、frothy Cappuccinos, or steamed Hot Chocolates, to name just a few of the items available. We also have bottles of import wine, local wine and local Sake available for purchase. We can create cocktails for you from our bar as well. Check out the café […]

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Host of the  Nagano Olympics’ Cross-country events,  Hakuba has four  courses  to select from for the nordically inclined from early December through late March. The Olympic course is 200¥ and free at the other 3 courses.  Gear can be hired at all the resorts or at all the main Hakuba rental shops. The Nagano `98 Olympic Cross-country course (aka Kogijo Snow Harp) Courses – 5km (beginners), 3.3km (beginners), 6 km (intermediate/advanced) Hakuba Iwatake Cross-country course Courses – 1km (beginners), 3km (all levels), 5km (all levels) Tsugaike Kogen Cross-country course Courses – 3km (all levels) SNOWSHOEING A day of snowshoeing can be one of the highlights of your stay in Hakuba.  There are beautiful low-lying ares in close proximity to the lodge where you can hear only the sound of the snow crunching under foot while you make your way through the snow-covered forests and traditional Shinto shrines.  For the more adventurous,  head up one of Hakuba’s many spectacular ridges that  are seemingly custom made for snowshoeing while taking in the full scale beauty of the Northern Alps. Pack a lunch and have a winter picnic, catch a glimpse of  a kamoshika (wild Japanese serrows), or get a guide to take you to hidden hot springs. Snowshoe gear and guides can be hired at nearby Evergreen Outdoor Center. **Check out their evening Snowshoe and Chocolate Fondue tour!** www.evergreen-hakuba.com/wintertours/snowshoe.php