With the Japanese Alps as the backdrop, paragliding in Hakuba is something really special..
Paragliding
Posted in Hakuba, Sightseeing
Tagged Hakuba Hotels, Nagano, Paragliding in Japan, sightseeing, skijapan, What to do in Hakuba
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Rice fields
The rice fields create a beautiful foreground to the Alps
The rice fields are at their golden best here in Hakuba during September. The farmers are all busily preparing for harvest which will take place over the next month. It is a beautiful time to visit the Valley with the pleasant temperatures and stunning panoramas in every direction.
Posted in Hakuba, Sightseeing
Tagged Hakuba, Japan scenery, Japanese food, Mountains in Autumn, Rice fields in Japan, snowjapan
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Cherry Pub
Summer or winter, it's a great place for a cold beer and some tasty hot food.
The Cherry Pub in Echoland has been a favourite spot of mine to relax and have a couple of quiet beers and a great wood fired pizza. It has a nice decking to sit outside on these warm summer nights. In the winter they have to carve the path out of the snow to get into the place. It is a favourite for families with a kid friendly environment early on in the night and then a great pub atmosphere later on. There is a good range of pizza’s that start at 1300 yen. The buffalo wings (1000 yen) are also on my list of choices here along with the BBQ pork back ribs (2500yen). I can certainly recommend the Cherry Pub on your next visit to Hakuba.
Ski Mt Fuji
Ski Fuji in May. Come and join us at the White Horse for the experience
Mt Fuji is a Japanese icon and an amazing visual experience for everybody who has the chance to view it. Mount Fuji is a distinctive feature of the geography of Japan. It stands 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft) high and is located near the Pacific coast of central Honshu, just west of Tokyo. It sits on the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and has the perfect volcano shape with flatlands at it’s base. Three small cities surround it – Gotemba to the south, Fujiyoshida to the north, and Fujinomiya to the southwest. Fuji san has such an appeal to the Japanese that many consider it as a pilgrimage of life to climb it. There are a few opportunities to view Fuji on your way to Hakuba.
On the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano. You should keep an eye out for it on the left side of the carriage 20 minutes out of Tokyo Station.
If you are catching a bus then check out the back window around 2 hours into your journey.
The other option as above is when you are flying into Narita airport.
I was amazed and honored to see it on my first journey here from the Shinkansen and I was enthralled at it’s power to draw’s people to it. Next season we will be heading over there in May to ski and snowboard it so please email the White Horse if you would like to join us on this special occasion.
Posted in Backcountry, Japan
Tagged Hakuba, Mt Fuji, Mt Fuji Guides, ski japan, Skiing Mt Fuji, When to ski Fuji
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Holiday House in Hakuba
A holiday house in the Hakuba Valley. 1 month here every winter would be the dream
This year we have seen once again a lot of construction going on in the valley. Currently there are a number of holiday homes being built by Japanese who live in the big cities and want an escape to a the pure clean air and natural surroundings that Hakuba has to offer. There is also a number of foreigners developing numerous projects including apartments, houses, restaurants along with renovating hotels. This is the period when everyone is working frantically to get things finished before the winter sets in. A lot of homes are prefabricated off site and brought in once the foundations have set. It is amazing to watch a site go from a concrete base to externally finished in a week. Land is cheap here and the prospect of owning a place in a world class resort area just 2.5 hours out of the biggest metropolis in the world is attainable for many people. The average price for a 300 sq mt block is 3.5 – 4 million yen. The winters here are magnificent if you love snow and the summers are a brilliant bonus. You could buy a house here along with a nice 4wd to park in the garage and fly business class for the next 10 years for cheaper than buying just an apartment in any other popular resort area in the world. Check it out on your next holiday here. You can contact the White Horse for more information.
Onsen baths in Japan
Even the monkeys love to onsen in Japan.
Today I went for an onsen and as I walked out of the place I wondered what is it that makes it so good. I must say that I am quite addicted to them however not to the level of most Japanese woman. They will study up on the best ones in an area when they go on a holiday. The main point is the water and the level of minerals along with the heat being an important factor also. Too hot and you don’t really get to relax, too cool and you are not getting the benefits. The perfect temperature is 40-41 degrees celsius.
Onsen technique for best results.
What you need to bring – Large towel for drying, small towel for scrubbing, your favourite soap, shampoo and conditioner (there will be product supplied at each shower station), razor and any other personal grooming items.
1) Strip off in the change room and don’t worry that you and everyone else are naked. If you are a bit shy then use the smaller towel to cover your parts. Some woman may use a bigger towel to wrap around themselves. This is usually the case in mixed onsens. (Note- there are no mixed onsens in Hakuba)
2) Walk into the bath area and find a seat at one of the shower stations. Give the area a bit of a hose down. They are usually very clean and it is more out of habit than for washing the area.
3) Take a seat and give your body a good rinse over.
4) Head over to the bath. I usually choose places with outdoor baths as I enjoy the fresh air and some scenery to truly relax. Try to clear the mind of all your worries and stress and soak your body. If you get too hot just sit on the side of the bath until you cool down again and then repeat. In winter time when the snow is falling you may like to do a roll around in it between soaking. This is not advised for people with heart complaints.
5) When you are totally relaxed it’s time for a scrub down. Go back and sit down at the shower station. Fill up your bowl which is also supplied. There will be some figuring out of the taps and you will either get a slight scold or a burst of freezing water while you adjust it to your perfect temperature.
6) Shampoo and conditioner is first and take your time to massage your scalp with both.
7) Soak and overload your small towel with body soap and start scrubbing away at your body, exfoliating your skin to a sheen. Scrub your feet and in between your toes. Rinse your body off using lots of water. There is an endless supply that comes off the mountain during the winter in Hakuba so you don’t have to be thinking about water conservation and droughts.
8) Time for a shave for the men. Usually the body soap supplied is good to shave with otherwise you can bring your own shaving cream. A word of warning is never, I repeat never use the razors supplied. They are new but they are from another era and will scrape your skin like a scaling knife. You will walk out of there looking like you were bathing with Jaws. Lots of soap once again and a nice sharp razor and take your time. The whole experience should be at a leisurely pace. This will be the closest shave of your life.
9) Total rinse off.
10) Back into the bath to relax for a few more minutes.
11) That’s it. Back to the changing room as a new person. Ready to take on the nights activities or rejuvinate you for your next day on the mountain.
If you are concerned about being in a bath with naked people then you can find a private one to enjoy the experience however you really should learn to control yourself and not stare:) Go on, liberate yourself from your own personal body image issue and just do it. I have seen so many of our guests in total fear of the prospect of being naked in front of a bunch of strangers but once they have tried it they are asking which one they should try next. Some of my favourites are Mimuzuku, Karashita, Highlands, Garden no yu and Juro. Bathing in Japan is all about relaxing. This is your time, so take your time. Western culture has turned the experience into a rush and a chore. Change your way of thinking this holiday and enjoy this time honored experience.
The Phoenix Wing Chalets do an excellent private onsen package including a romantic dinner.
Posted in Hakuba, Japan, onsen
Tagged How to get the closest shave, Japanese onsen baths, mixed onsens, Monkey onsen, nude onsen, shaving
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Hakuba Snow Guides
Head out with Bill on one of his BC tours and learn the art of choosing the right lines. Thanks to Shaun Williams for the pic
If you are looking to do some back country skiing and boarding in Hakuba then Bill Glude is the man you want to head out with. His extensive knowledge of everything snow makes it more than just a great day of fresh tracks but a first hand education on snow pack, avi risks and choosing the right line. Hakuba backcountry can be a dangerous place. My advice if you wish to head out into it is to spend your first day here with Bill so you can get a better understanding of the conditions, geography and of the type of snow we have here. Every place has it’s dangers but with a little local knowledge the Hakuba BC will open up a world of adventure.
Bills profile from the Alaskan Avalanche School
Bill Glude is the owner of and lead forecaster/instructor for Alaska Avalanche Specialists, LLC. in Juneau, and was the founder and director for 12 years of the nonprofit Southeast Alaska Avalanche Center. Bill is a Professional Member, boardmember, and recognized instructor with the American Avalanche Association. His 30+ years of professional avalanche experience and 35+ years of serious snow study include backcountry ski and heliski and snowboard guiding, and teaching over six thousand students in avalanche courses ranging from basic awareness to Level 3, crew, professional, and guide training. Bill is actively involved with snow and avalanche research and has published a number of papers, reports, and articles on his studies and on applied snow science techniques. Bill’s consulting work includes avalanche forecasting for the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), the Alaska Division of Emergency Services, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety. It includes studies, mapping, and avalanche program development for the proposed Lynn Canal road and other Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) projects, avalanche plan development for the CBJ, site studies for the US Forest Service and several tourism operators, and avalanche rescue work for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. It includes forecasting, comprehensive avalanche plan and structural and operational mitigation program development and operation with helicopter and other explosive work for the A-J and Kensington Mines, the Alaska DOT&PF, and several powerplants and transmission systems.
If you would like to book a Back Country Tour with Bill or one of his Avalanche Courses please talk to the White Horse Hotels or Evergreen Outdoor Center.
Posted in Backcountry, Hakuba, Information
Tagged Avalanche course, back country tours, Backcountry, Hakuba Accommodation, Hakuba Snow Guides, Japan, snow Japan
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Ski and snowboard lessons in Hakuba
Learn the finer points that will make you ski better and look good on the slopes.
I always recommend that the first day of skiing or snowboarding for your trip should include a lesson to either shake off the cobwebs or to add some focus to what you want to achieve in the sport. Whether it’s piste, off piste, moguls, trees, park or powder there is always room for improvement with your style or technique. When you book your hotel with the White Horse Group we can assist you with all of your requirements at every level. Remember that the better you become the easier it is on your body and more of the mountain opens up to you.
Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Group Lessons Lessons Times and Prices : Lessons for children can be booked for full days, this programme includes two lessons and lunch. Supervision is provided during the lunch break. The price is ¥12000 per child for the day. Morning Lesson : 10:30am – 12:30am, ¥7000 yen per person for both adults and children. Afternoon Lesson : 1:30pm – 3:30pm, ¥7000 yen per person for both adults and children. Please be ready to meet 15 minutes prior to lesson start time. Lessons will leave on time!
Private Lessons 2 Hour Lessons : 8:00am – 10:00am, 8:30am – 10:30am, 10:30 – 12:30 or 1:30pm – 3:30pm ¥20000 per 2 hour lesson. Half Day Lessons (3 Hours) : 9:00am – 12:00pm, 1:00pm – 4:00pm ¥30000 per half day. Full Day Lessons (6 Hours) : 9:00am – 4:00pm, usually a 1 hour lunch break. ¥55000 per full day.
What level are you? Ski Lesson Levels and Descriptions: Please Note: When you categorise yourself for lessons please be realistic. Don’t grade yourself on what you want to do, think about what you can do. The lesson descriptions are guides and on the lesson day your instructors will take a good look at your level and re-grade you if required. You are better to start lower and be upgraded than vice versa.
Level 1: It is your first time skiing, you have never ever skied before. Description of Lesson: Learn about the equipment and safety, moving around on your skis, how to slide and balance and stop. Use a basic wedge (snow plough, pizza, arrow) as base for control. Learn how to change direction.
Level 2: You have skied before and can stop and change direction on beginners or very gentle slopes. Description of Lesson: Learning how to turn and how to effectively control your speed using turns and the slope they are on. Learn how to increase your speed without loss of control and confidence. Decrease your dependence on the wedge (snow plough, pizza, arrow) for control.
Level 3: You can turn using a wedge (snow plough, pizza, arrow) and can navigate your way on all beginners slopes with total confidence. You are ready for intermediate slopes. Description of lesson: Develop your turn technique with the goal to eliminate the wedge (snow plough, pizza, arrow). Bring the skis into a parallel or natural position where using the slope for speed control is the emphasis.
Level 4: You are skiing on intermediate slopes, you ski with your skis almost parallel using turns and the mountain to control your speed. Steeper slopes still faze you; you find it hard to stay in control on the more difficult runs. Description of lesson: Look to refine the parallel turn and progress to steeper terrain. Improve your steering skills so you can make shorter or smaller radius turns which will enable you to tackle more varied terrain.
Level 5: You can ski on all intermediate slopes and ski them with style and confidence. Speed control on groomed runs is not an issue. You want to tackle the steepest groomed runs and venture off piste(off the groomed runs). Description of lesson: Develop your short turn, learn to go fast with confidence, look at the tactics involved with skiing off piste and on the black (most difficult) slopes.
Level 6: You are a very competent skier; you can ski on almost any slope with confidence. You want to learn situational skiing, how to ski powder, moguls (bumps), very steep slopes. Speed is your friend. Description of Lesson: Develop your fine balancing skills so you can ski anywhere on the mountain. A large emphasis on tactical skiing, using the terrain and mountain to your advantage, discussing the different challenges associated with differing terrain. You will soon be skiing and thinking like an expert.
Snowboard Lesson Levels and Descriptions: Please Note: When you categorise yourself for lessons please be realistic. Don’t grade yourself on what you want to do, think about what you can do. The lesson descriptions are guides and on the lesson day your instructors will take a good look at your level and re-grade you if required. You are better to start lower and be upgraded than vice versa.
Level 1: It is your first time snowboarding, you have never ever snowboarded before. Description of Lesson: Learn about equipment and safety, moving around on the board, how to slide, balance and stop. Learn to control your speed by side slipping and how to traverse. Get an introduction to turning.
Level 2: You have snowboarded before and are able to side slip (sliding down the hill with the board oriented across the slope) and are able to traverse on a gentle slope (go in a straight line across the slope). You have probably tried turning but cannot do it both ways successfully Description of Lesson: Learn how to turn and how to control your speed on easy slopes.
Level 3: You can turn in both directions on gentle slopes and are looking to progress to intermediate slopes. Description of lesson: Develop your turning technique, refine your side slipping skills and stance. You will move to new slopes with new challenges.
Level 4: You are snowboarding on intermediate slopes; you can control your speed with your turns and are ready to go faster. Description of lesson: Improve your board’s performance on the snow, learn edge control skills so you can handle different snow conditions and terrain.
Level 5: You can snowboard on all intermediate slopes with confidence and speed control on these runs is not an issue. You want to tackle the steepest groomed runs and want to venture off piste(off the groomed runs). Description of lesson: Improve your short turn, learn to go fast with confidence, look at the tactics involved with snowboarding off piste and on the black (most difficult) slopes.
Level 6: You are a very competent snowboarder; you can board on almost any slope with confidence. You want to learn situational boarding, how to ride powder, moguls (bumps), very steep slopes. Speed is your friend. Description of Lesson: Develop your fine balancing skills so you can board anywhere on the mountain. A large emphasis on tactical riding, using the terrain and mountain to your advantage, discussing the different challenges associated with differing terrain. You will soon be snowboarding and thinking like an expert. Hakuba Snow Sports Brochure High Res
Camera stores in Japan
It is difficult to stop to take photos when the powder is so good. Thanks Davo.
Everybody wants to get that great shot on a bluebird powder day. If you are in Tokyo before you come out to Hakuba then drop into Akihabara and pick up the latest model cameras available on the market. Commonly known as Electric Town, this is the place where electronics companies from around the world release their newest ideas to research if the item will sell. It has everything you could imagine from $50,000 speakers to robot parts and every component can be bought separately. There are lots of bargains to be found on the discounted earlier models too. Some of which are just being released in other countries. It is a fun area to explore. If you are seriously in the market then a guide could help you save hundreds of dollars. Contact us for further info.
Posted in Japan
Tagged akihabara, Electric city, Electric town, Hakuba, snowboard japan, where to buy cameras in Japan
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Why does Japan get so much snow
Why does Japan get so much snow? It is a combination of the cold weather coming down from Siberia and the “lake effect”, which is the moisture being picked up from the Japan Sea. Once a system reaches the coastline it suddenly hits the Japanese Alps with mountains of 3000 meters and the result is huge amounts of snowfall. Hakuba is positioned perfectly to take advantage of this phenomenon. It is always an argument in waiting to talk about average snowfalls at ski resorts around the world as the measuring sites may not be a true indication of whats happening on the top of the mountain but you can safely say a bad year in Hakuba will be about 8 meters and a good year will be 14. Somewhere in between would be the average which is more than most other resorts in the world.
I had a stand at the Skimetro show in London a few years ago and the most common response when talking to people about skiing in Japan was, “is there snow there”. Japan has been a hidden gem for so many years but with film, internet and social media ect. the word is finally getting out.
Posted in Hakuba, Japan
Tagged average snowfalls, biggest snow storms, Hakuba, most snow, ski japan, snowjapan, where does it snow the most
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Hakuba Blog 