Monk Fish Festival

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba tours

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

If you are in Hakuba tomorrow then this would certainly be a good way to check out a real local festival. These fish are ugly but very tasty so jump on a spectacular scenic train ride and go and enjoy a great day on the coast. I would definitely recommend it. The Nou and the Oyashirazu festivals on the following weeks are also easy to get to.

Hakuba festivals

Worth the train ride

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Discount lift tickets for Hakuba

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Hakuba Blog
Doctor Hakuba

Cheap tickets. They were cheap already.

Here are the discount vouchers for this season. I always wonder why people pre purchase tickets when the deals are so good. Pre purchased tickets have to be validated at the ticket box each day anyway so you may as well take advantage of these vouchers. There are a few more family deals HERE at SnowNavi

[How to use]
Print out the voucher (black and white is OK). Please fill your name, number of users, address, age and bring to the ticket office.

Happoone Ski Resort - Discount coupons pack a day pass - Snownavi

Happoone Ski Area - Discount coupons pack a day pass - Snownavi

Tsugaike kogen Ski Resort - Discount coupons pack a day pass - Snownavi

Tsugaike kogen Ski Area - Discount coupons pack a day pass - Snownavi

Tsugaike kogen Ski Area - Discount coupons pack a day pass - Snownavi

Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield - One day Lift Ticket Coupon with Lunch Ticket

Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield - Family Pack A Lift one day pack

Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield - Family Pack B Lift one day pack

 

 

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Narita Terminal 3

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Hakuba Blog

Narita

Tokyo Narita airport opened up it’s terminal 3 earlier this year for some of the low cost carriers like the Jetstar airline. If you are arriving into Terminal 3 then you may need to make your way to the bus stops or the train line at terminal 2. There is a bus transfer however you will probably find the walk is just as easy. Facilities at the terminal are quite good with plenty of restaurants and a Lawsons convenience store. There is also a 7/11 cash machine which you can use with your Visa or Mastercard to get some yen. (probably better to get some before you leave home though). It is a 520 meter covered walkway between terminals on a running track surface which is quite easy going. It is covered but will be really cold in the winter so have a jacket handy and some gloves.

Narita 2

Step out of customs and straight onto the race track

Narita 3

Up the escalator and you are in starting position

Narita

plenty of food options if you are peckish after your flight

Narita airport

and a lawson’s conveni for bits and pieces. (Fried chicken is yum)

Narita cash machine

Get some Yen out with your Visa or Mastercard here.

Narita

Down another escalator and off you go.

Narita terminal 2

In through the doors here to Terminal 2. Trains. baggage delivery service and information counter

 

 

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Hakuba First day of the season competition

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

The first day of the season last year was deeeeep

Here we go again. Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are

  • The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
  • One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
  • The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
  • If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.

The prizes are

So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or email me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now.

The list so far.

Tereza – 12th December

Daniel Bacon – 10th December

Nick Kowal – 10th December

Bussell Ruxton – 9th December

Steph H – 8th December

William – 7th December

Prasit Mankad – 7th December

Stephen Bryant – 6th December

Dee Mathiesen – 6th December

Jeff House – 5th December

Daniel Mee – 5th December

Nadine Robb – 5th December

Stacey – 5th December

Cryssiejade – 5th December

Jake Atkinson – 4th December

Mark Redhill – 3rd December

Bundy – 3rd December

James Millane – 2nd December

Richard Copland – 1st December

Scott M – 1st December

Ruthryan – 1st December

Michael Mc – 30th November

Hakubahouse99 – 30th November

Sarah Seah – 30th November

Daniel M – 29th November

Jesse Kourmouzis – 29th November

Matt Dunn – 29th November

Steve Williams – 28th November

James C – 28th November

Charlotte Nadine – 28th November

Tony A – 27th November

Toru Higashi – 27th November

Shane Taylor – 26th November

Sally Williams – 26th November

Krystal Johnson – 23rd November

Kev M – 21st November

Shane Beal – 18th November

Lucky Pete – 14th November

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Avalanche Training Courses in Hakuba Japan

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Hakuba Blog
AST in Japan

The first line should be straight to AST school

The resort sking in Hakuba is fantastic with lots of great terrain and of course plenty of snow. Something you will notice when you come here is a line of people at the top of the resorts each day heading off in all different directions with backpacks on. These crews are crossing into the danger zone.

The backcountry skiing and boarding in Hakuba is as good as it gets anywhere in the world however it is not something that should be taken lightly.  Do not go out of bounds without the correct gear and skills to keep you and others safe. The first step is an Avalanche Safety Course ( AST 1 ) These are run throughout the season by the very experienced team at Evergreen. If the endless backcountry lines of Hakuba are calling out to you then this is where you should be starting.

More Information and course dates are HERE

Side note : Probably the main thing that bothers me with people heading out  of the resort without the skills is the fact that they are putting other people’s lives at risk.  Firstly the people they are with, then the people below them and then the rescue teams that bravely come and look for them. Think before your drop.

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Discount lift tickets for Hakuba

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

This is the type of Lift line I enjoy

To get the best value for lift tickets in Hakuba you should purchase daily using the following discount coupons. Just print them off and present them at the ticket box.. It would still be cheap at twice the price. Just remember at some of the resorts there will be an extra charge of between 500 and 1000 yen for the electronic chip but you can get your money back for that at the end of the day.

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Nagano Station

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Hakuba Blog
Nagano Station

The New Nagano Station facade is almost finished

There are some big renovations going on at Nagano Train Station at the moment with the west exit being totally re modeled. There is a new ticket office for the Shinkansen line however everything else remains the same in regards to the bullet train exit and entry area..

Nagano train station

Turn left for the buses

As you come out of the ticket check stalls you will see this sign. Turn left if you want to catch the Hakuba bus.

Hakuba bus

Catching the Nagano to Hakuba bus

Walk about 50 meters and make your way down the stairs then turn left.

Hakuba to Nagano

Bus Stop no. 6 for Hakuba

Walk down the stairs to the street level and you will see the bus stops. The Hakuba bus is at the end at stop No. 26  You can buy your ticket at the shop just under where this photo is taken.

I have simplified these instructions just to make it as easy to get to as possible. There is an escalator if you turned right at the bottom of the set of stairs. There is also a lift which is in the last photo.

Nagano bus

Bus stop number 26

Here is the Bus Timetable for Nagano to Hakuba

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Winner – and gets first track. That’s a twinner

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

Tereza Foulcher – 5th December

Congratulations to Tereza Foulcher for taking out this years prestigious “First Day of the Season Competition”. Good to see she was able to get out on the mountain to celebrate the start of 5 months of skiing Hakuba. Come down to the White Horse Hotel in Echoland anytime from the 18th of December Tereza to pick up your prize.

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First day of the season competition 2014/15

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

22 nd of November 2013 and getting fresh tracks on Goryu

Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are

  • The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
  • One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
  • The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
  • If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.

The prizes are

So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or email me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now.

The list so far.

Tony A – 15th November

Stu Cormack – 16th November

Martie – 16th November

James – 17th November

Brendan Keryk – 17th November

Andy McGrath – 17th November

Jonathon Mizen – 18th November

Leigh – 19th November

Michael Lewis – 19th November

Martin Silitonga – 19th November

Morgan Lund – 20th November

Simon B – 20th November

George A – 20th November

Mick Lay – 21st November

Jonesy – 21st November

Nick Meecham – 21st November

Brett Wilson – 21st November

Shane T – 22nd November

Dean Pollock – 22nd November

George Grant – 22nd November

Raphael C – 22nd November

Grant McGarva – 23rd November

Ingrid Grant – 23rd November

Shane J – 24th November

Cath Muecke – 24th November

Michael McGrath – 24th November

Robert L – 25th November

Ian Phipps – 25th November

Arthur Jones – 25th November

Nicole Plozza – 26th November

Hamish – 26th November

Ungracefulplodder – 26th November

Claire Stabler – 26th November

Phillip Kok – 26th November

Leanne – 27th November

Joshua Turner – 27th November

William F – 28th November

Josh – 28th November

Clare – 29th November

Sam Smith – 29th November

Adrian Caspar – 29th November

Scott Menegon – 29th November

Pricey – 30th November

Mike – 30th November

Lora – 1st December

Matt – 1st December

Geoff Forester – 2nd December

Bridget K – 3rd December

Stacey Giles – 4th December

Harriet – 4th December

Tereza Foulcher – 5th December

Jon – 6th December

Brent Giles – 6th December

Posted in Hakuba, snow | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Hiking in Japan

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

Spectacular views at Happo Ike

Hakuba’s main attraction during the warmer months is the hiking and the most popular day hike would be Happo Ike ( Happo Pond). Each day hundreds of people of all ages ascend up into the mountains to this spectacular viewing platform. I would rate it on a world scale at “as good as it gets”.  The journey starts with a Gondola ride and then 2 chairlifts that are lowered after the winter which brings you closer to the natural foliage. The top of the resort by itself has some amazing views for those not up to the hiking and is certainly worth the trip. For the more adventurous the 45 minute hike along some rocky pathways and boardwalk steps will offer up some breathtaking vistas along the way. The route follows the ridgeline so there are many vantage spots for photos and even the most novice of photographers will be taking professional shots here. The rocky step sections along the way can be a little difficult to manoeuvre so take your time on the hike and absorb the environment. Once you reach the pond the views will amaze you with the stunning back drop of 3000 meter peaks. This is truly a special place.

Hakuba

View from the top of the lifts

Hakuba Japan

The steps make it quite easy but there is some stone trails too

Japan hiking

The trails are well marked

Happo Pond

Beautiful first view of the pond

 

Hakuba snow peaks

Amazing peaks in the background

Hiking in Japan

My favourite place

Snow in Hakuba

There can be fresh snow in spring and autumn

Myoko mountain range

The views to the east

Paragliding in Japan

Tandem paragliding can be booked for a birdseye view

Autumn in Japan

The views on the way down are just as stunning

Hakuba autumn

Autumn leaves and fresh snow on the peaks

Tips. Take warm clothing with you. Conditions can change in an instant. Take some food and a drink and enjoy a picnic lunch next to the pond. Even a bottle of wine or champagne has been known to be popped up there. Take your camera, sunglasses and sunscreen.  There is a toilet at the top of the lifts and also 30 minutes into the hike. Kids as young as 4 should be able to complete the hike up and down. There are always many elderly hikers in their eighties so as long as you are sure footed you should be able to get up and back. Take all your rubbish home.

 

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