Where is Hakuba

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Japan google earth

The body of water between Siberia and Japan combined with a 3000 meter high mountain range is why we get so much snow here in Hakuba

Hakuba is located in the Nagano prefecture on the main island of Honshu, Japan.  Latitude: 36°41.9’N, Longitude: 137°51.7’E

200 kms from Tokyo

30 kms from Nagano

300 kms from Osaka

40 Kms from the Japan Sea

Google Maps

 

 

 

 

 

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Autumn in Japan

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Japanese maple

The seasons are very distinct here in Hakuba and all 4 are beautiful.

Summer has now passed and we wander into another distinct season here in Japan. Over the next few months we will see the wave of colour flow down the mountains as the leaves begin to flare with the cooling temperatures. The tambo (rice fields) turn golden before harvest and the stunning maple tree’s stand out around every bend with their array of vibrant colours.  Autumn is spectacular in Hakuba but I am unsure if my emotion is for the seasonal beauty or the fact that winter is just around the corner.

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Kyoto

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Kyoto

The To-ji Pagoda is a must see when travelling through Kyoto.

Kyoto is a beautiful city with many old temples and shrines. Most of our guests who fly into KIX airport in Osaka will spend a day or 2 in Kyoto to experience the history that surrounds the former capital. If you are lucky enough to be there on the 21st day of each month then I can recommend the Toji Temple Antique Market. You will find lots of interesting things to see and buy and the grounds are absolutely magnificent along with the architecture of the buildings. It is listed as one of the historical monuments of ancient Kyoto with world heritage status.

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Jonny Mosely

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Hakuba Blog

 When the Warren Miller team were out here a couple of years ago I had the pleasure to be able to head out on the mountain with them for the filming of one of their annual movies. It was the first time I had been out on a high profile ski movie set and it was fascinating to watch 2 of the best skiers alive, Jonny Mosely and Takehiro Sakamoto pushing it in the Hakuba backcountry. The conditions were perfect for them with a good dump when they arrived then clearing up with blue skies. The footage above is Johnny blasting through the trees. When the director was giving the instructions on where to go I imagined he was going to land on the pillows but he went bigger and cleared them and stomped it. Both the guys fought it out at the 98 Nagano Winter Olympics with the American taking Gold and taking the sport to new levels.

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Kids Club

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Kids Club

Fun for kids of all ages on Iimori.

All of the resorts in Hakuba have kids club areas to take the toddlers for a toboggan and a bit of snow play. Some of them even have magic carpets to make it easy for the parents.  We find that families often come in groups and will take it in turns to look after the kids while the others are on the mountain. The White Horse Hotel will also organise babysitters so that they can all go out together. They also have lots of toys and kids movies to watch. For fun in the snow they have toboggans and snowball makers and building a snowman is always a treat. To save young families from loading their luggage the White Horse is offering free nappies to use as a new service this year. Just let them know when you book that you would like to take them up on that offer.  Kids love it in Hakuba and we make sure the parents are well looked after too.

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Summer grooming

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Cows on Happo

These cows have the best views in town.

The pure mountain air and the fresh green grass means that these cows will be enjoying their time in Hakuba. Each year once the snow starts melting the lower ski runs of Happo are kept trim by a herd of cows. It is unusual to see livestock in Japan and the Japanese are thrilled to see them along with the goats at Iimori. 

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Vending Machines

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
vending machine

"Hot chips. Get your hot chips here."

Japan is the land of the vending machine. One of my hobbies is to take photos of all of the different types while I travel around Japan. You will notice them everywhere and there are many different offerings. Most people would be familiar with the standard cold drinks but here, there is also hot drinks in cans and bottles available from, in many cases, the same machine. Just remember when buying a can of coffee that the red sticker is for warm and the blue is cold. You’re on your own whether it comes with sugar or milk. I like to just call it a lucky dip. After a few attempts you will find the one you like the most.  Beer vends are common and you may even see one that sells large bottles of whisky, gin and red wine. I have seen them selling vegetables, apples, eggs, fishing tackle and live bait, hot chips and fried food, cup noodles, cans of oden, onsen water, ice cream, pyjamas, medicines, sex toys, fresh flowers, live gold fish and the list goes on. The best coffee is from the machine that has the video footage of the drink being made in the machine and plays a catchy tune. Most machines will take 1000 yen notes Another odd thing is that they can be located in the most bizarre spots. You will see them on a quiet roadside, down laneways that look forever deserted and even on the top of some of the ski resorts. Please take a photo and send it on to me if you see any strange one’s on your travels.

wine vending machine

Never say never however it is very unlikely I will ever buy red wine from a vending machine unless they start putting Grange in it.

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Meeting spot

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Happo One

Ski in for a bowl of ramen

Before you hit the slopes with your friends and family in the morning make sure you decide on an exact meeting spot on the mountain in case you split up. My favourite way to arrange it is to meet at a certain spot on the hour. If the person is not there within 5 minutes then meet on the next hour. This ensures that someone isn’t just waiting around for the whole time especially when there is powder everywhere. At the top of the Gondola  on Happo One there is a large day lodge called Usagidaira to keep you warm and well fed. There is a big cafeteria inside serving basic Japanese food like ramen, curry and cutlets, along with a bakery and a kabab shop. There is a handy store selling all the bits and pieces that get lost, break or left in your room back at the hotel. If your meeting spot is here, make sure you say exactly where otherwise you could be walking around for a 1/2 hour looking for each other. Ask us at the White Horse when you are booking your trip to arrange some rental walkie talkies for your stay so you can be in touch with your crew when you’re on the mountain. Remember overseas 2 way radios are illegal in Japan. 

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Got a lazy million

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba hotel for sale

The Grand Hotel entrance.

There is a great buy available at the moment in Hakuba.  The Grand Hotel has come onto the market and is certainly a bargain in my opinion. Located in Wadano just 300 meters from the lifts of Happo One this hotel should be snatched up soon. With 49 guest rooms it makes it an attractive buy for a hotel group who is interested in diversifying into the growing Hakuba foreign tourism market. The building also lends itself to being developed into fully self contained apartments and could easily be renovated in stages. If you are considering looking to invest in the area then this would be worth a viewing. Get 49 friends together with 3 million yen ($37,000 usd) and you could have a room each:) The hardest decision would be who gets the penthouse.

The property includes 48 guest rooms with ensuites. 1 large penthouse. 5 large tatami guest rooms. Commercial kitchen with large dining room. A bar and lounge area with an open fireplace. Reception and gift shop. Ski hire and guests locker/drying room. The separate staff building includes 10 single bedroom self contained apartments and a 3 bedroom managers quarters. The total land size is 5735 mts2.

For further information contact Tony at info@whitehorse-hakuba.com

Hotel for sale

The reception area is large and has a gift shop area also

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Sanno Restaurant in Hakuba

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Hakuba Blog
Sanno Restaurant

Sanno restaurant in Echoland

Sanno Restaurant opened last winter in Echoland and was enjoyed by many of our guests. They have a western menu with steaks being their main offering. I went their recently and enjoyed the sizzling pork on roasted lentils. The salad was crisp and the bread delicious. They have an extensive wine list with a number of high end selections from around the globe. The service was good and an english menu was available. Dinner would average about 3000 yen. Beer is 550 yen a glass and there are some good wines for under 3000 yen a bottle. I had a good time and can recommend this restaurant.

Eating out in Hakuba

Very tasty local Shinshu Pork.

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