Food
The Hakuba Valley has a huge selection of fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars spread throughout the valley. You’ll find a huge range to cater for all tastes and budgets and a wide variety of cuisine styles, from traditional Japanese to international favourites. You can also choose to eat in a gourmet restaurant or go for takeout/delivery and everything in between.
Of course, most of the eateries are close to the various accommodation centres throughout the valley. These include the ‘restaurant district’ in Hakuba Echoland as well as Wadano and Happo Village.
There’s a good selection of Italian options but you’ll also find American (burgers), Cuban (sandwiches), German (sausages) and Tex-Mex-themed restaurants to name but a few.
Local favourites include fresh sashimi, sukiyaki, sanzokuyaki and yakitori (grilled chicken skewer). Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to look out for include Hakuba pork as well as salmon from Nagano and local soba noodles.
Fear not if you have particular dietary requirements, most needs are well catered for at Hakuba’s eateries including vegetarian and vegan diets (there are several vege-only cafes and restaurants). Some of the best establishments get booked up well in advance though, so it can be worth getting your table reserved even before you travel to Japan! Many restaurants also serve locally produced sake.
Accommodation
The Hakuba Valley is home to many different accommodation properties. You can choose from all levels of comfort and all styles of accommodation with the shuttle bus network running through the valley meaning wherever you’re based it’s easy to get to anywhere and everywhere else, free of charge if you hold the Hakuba Valley area lift pass or a day pass on the day it’s valid.
Types of accommodation include hotels from family-friendly up to full-on five-star luxury; chalets – again with some extremely swish full-service options with all the bells and whistles and concierge services; apartments – again ranging from basic skier-friendly to some very luxurious options; as well as some very affordable lodges and backpacker-friendly properties offering hostel-type accommodation.
Some locations have a greater concentration of accommodation as well as lots of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops within walking distance. They include Hakuba Village itself and the base around the Happo-one ski area. Another base area development, Tsugaike Village, has been growing in recent years but remains a quieter traditional Japanese option with onsen, restaurants and hotels but it’s not a place for those looking for a lively nightlife.