• Hakuba Village Tourist Info Website, [4].  edit

• Evergreen Outdoors, (Wadanomori Visitor Center 4683-2 Happo Hakuba Kita Azumi, Nagano Japan 399-9301), ☎ 0261-72-5150, [5]. Offering a wide range of activities, their instructors are highly qualified (as well as very friendly) individuals from all over the globe. They'll pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drop you off at the end of your activity.  edit

During the Green Season

Near Hakuba, during the green season (i.e. spring, summer & autumn), there are three freshwater lakes that are so clean that you can swim in them. In order from south to north, they are called Aoki-ko, Nakazuna-ko, and Kizaki-ko. The use of engines and outboard motors is banned on Aoki-ko, making it the quietest and nicest of the three. Popular activities include boating, sport fishing, and windsurfing. Nakazuna-ko is very small and only really attracts fishermen. Kizaki-ko is the most developed, and since engines are allowed, sports like wakeboarding are popular.

During the summer, most of the ski resorts operate some of their lifts to allow access to higher elevations. At Hakuba 47 and Aokiko (in nearby Omachi), the lifts allow access for mountain biking. Hiking or simply enjoying the views are popular at Happo, Goryu and Tsugaike. Above Happo, an easy trail extends for 40 minutes to a small pond in which the local alpine peaks are reflected. A couple of hours further up the trail lies the peak of Mt. Karamatsu on the main ridge of the North Alps. The top ski run at Goryu becomes an alpine garden in summer and another trail leads further upward to a viewpoint (around 50 minutes) or the peak of Mt. Goryu itself (around four hours). Above Tsugaike, a further ropeway takes you to a wetland that is designated as a national park. A trail from here takes you up to Mt. Shirouma, after which Hakuba is named. Shirouma and Hakuba are different readings of the kanji for "white horse". The smaller ski field of Iwatake uses its pistes to grow thousands of lilies in summer and also has a dry ski slope if you're desperate for turns.

Like all mountain areas in Japan, temperatures in Hakuba stay much cooler than in the cities on Japan's Pacific coast. That alone makes it worthy of a visit.

Hakuba, located in Nagano Prefecture, equally central to Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo and nestled at the base of the Northern Japan Alps is towered over by the Three Peaks which provide a stunning backdrop year round. While Hakuba is world famous for it's snow and boasts more than 10 resorts, the green season offers plenty to those craving an escape from the confines of Japan in general.

From Canyoning to Canoeing, from Downhill MTB Single-track to Family Fun-rides, from Paragliding to Hiking, from Children's Summer Camps to Women's and Corporate Retreats, Hakuba has something for everyone. Evergreen Outdoor Center can assist you to have a great time winter and summer.

By train

Hakuba is a stop on the JR Oito Line.

From Shinjuku in Tokyo, there is one daily Super Azusa limited express service that runs to Hakuba. The ride takes 3 hours, 45 minutes and costs ¥8070 each way. As of November 2009, the outbound service leaves at 07:30, and the inbound service (to Shinjuku) departs from Hakuba at 14:57. There is also an additional Azusa service on certain dates, making the run to Hakuba in about 4 hours.

Otherwise, you will have to take an Azusa or Super Azusa to Matsumoto and take one (possibly two) Oito Line local trains, increasing the journey to 4 1/2 hours.

The fastest route from Tokyo is by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Nagano: 105min./8,170yen. Then by bus from Nagano to Hakuba 65min./1,500yen. Trains run every half hour or so, buses every hour. Note that the last bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba is 8:30PM. This whole trip takes just over 2.5 hours, 9,700yen one way.

These trips are useful for Japan Rail Pass holders, or else it is probably cheaper to take the bus.

By bus

From Tokyo, Buses run from Shinjuku every two or three hours and stop at several places in the Hakuba region. The trip takes around 4 and a half hours and costs ¥8500 return for adults or half that for children. Timetable is online [1]

Buses run every hour during ski season from Nagano and cost ¥1400/¥700 for adults/children. The journey takes just over an hour. Timetable is online [2]

If you want to get to Hakuba from Narita Airport fast and painlessly, book a ticket on Hakuba Snowbus. With experienced drivers and buses to meet every inbound flight from Australia, the Hakuba Snowbus [3] is the ultimate in convenient travel. There are also discounts available on lift tickets when you book a return trip.

• Outside of the winter months, there are plenty of bike trails and walking paths to get around the area. Many hostels have bike rental which helps if you are a little bit outside of Hakuba proper.
• If you are based around Kamishiro station, you are on the main rail line and road so a trip into Hakuba proper is only five minutes by JR or by Bus.
• The Shuttle Bus "Genki-Go" runs from December through March in the evenings from 17:00. Three lines run throughout Hakuba for 300yen a ride.

Hakuba's specialty products include blueberries and purple rice.

• Fresh blueberries can be picked straight from the vine during spring and summer at The Blueberry Farm, tel. +81 261-75-2735, or purchased from most gift stores in the region.

• For the same berry flavor with increased shelf-life, try some locally made blueberry youkan (sweet jelly) or daifuku (rices cakes with sweet paste).

• Hakuba Murasakimai, or purple rice, is the result of boiling a mixture of glutinous and non-glutinous grains. It's available from roadside stations around Hakuba.

• The Boarding Co (Hakuba), Hakuba Eki Mae (Opposite Hakuba Station), ☎ (81) 0261 85 5095, [8]. 12-8,30PM. Hakuba's largest Burton dealer,Prior handshaped snowboards and national distributor for Warner Surfboards. Owner has snowboarded in Hakuba for 17 seasons. Specialising in directional snowboards for powder conditions and foreign sizes, L & XL size boots and clothing,goggles accessories, backcountry gear and custom surfboards & wetsuits. Conveniently located opposite Hakuba Railway station. Hand shaped custom surfboards are worth a look.  edit

• Burton Pro Snowboard Shop and Rentals (Hakuba), Turn off Route 147 towards Goryu Ski Field (Follow signs to Escal Plaza (Goryu Skifield) will be on your right hand side with the river on your left.), ☎ (81) 0261 75 4095, [9]. 7.30AM-8.30PM. Huge range of rental boards from Learn to Ride to Burton Pro Models. Brand new boots, boards and bindings all guaranteed not to break or malfunction while your on the mountain. Try a Prior Powderstik or Burton Fish next time it dumps. Boots cater for foreign foot sizes- up to size 15 for men and size 10 for ladies.A select range of Amplid powder, twin, park skis with boots(up to size 28.5) and poles. Fully trained Bilingual staff, door to door deliveries and fitting service ,avoid the queues in rental centres.  edit

• Spicy Rentals, 3020-752,Hokujyo, Hakuba-mura, Nagano,Japan (Just ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction to our closest shop.), ☎ +81-261-72-6168, [10]. 07:30-17:30. Largest ski & snowboard rental shop with the best selection in the Hakuba valley and over 25 years of experience in Hakuba and Whistler. Free helmet with all kids rentals. Y2,500~.  edit

• Gravity Worx Cafe. Next to Hakuba station, this warm and inviting cafe has English menus and homemade apple pie. A wide range of pizza and pasta dishes are available, or you can settle in with a few drinks and watch a movie on the bar tv. The large hot chocolate, served rich and steaming in a huge beer stein, is the best medicine for the icy winter days. Service is excellent and there is local produce and baked goods for sale. Meals ¥800-1500 Deserts ¥400.

• Eclipse Restaurant (Telephone 0261-85-0960). Located in the Hakuba Luna Hotel [11] at the base of the Sakka Quad Chair, Eclipse has the best pizza in Hakuba, together with excellent fresh pastas & salads and great deserts. Serves a range of international wines, local beers, sake, spirits and cocktails. Expresso coffee available. Open for dinner. Occasionally closed. Very reasonably priced (e.g. regular pizzas approx. Yen900; large pizzas approx. Yen1350). English speaking staff. Kids menu. Happy Hour from 4PM to 5PM each day (discounted drinks served with a free slice of garlic & cheese pizza)

• White Horse Restaurant, in Echoland, [12]. Offers a great range of hearty western style meals including steaks, burgers, and pizzas. They have a large international wine list and english speaking staff. Friday night is the famous BBQ night. Expresso coffee available.

• Uncle Steven's Mexican Restaurant just across the bridge up the hill from Happo Village. Some of the best Mexican food in Japan. Don't miss the baked banana. It usually runs a family of four about 8,000 including beer and bananas. Free Wi-Fi.

• Yamano Hotel Restaurant, in Happo-One, in front of the Ski Jumping Stadium, phone: 0261-72-8311 or by e-mail: info@hakuba-yamanohotel.com, [13]. Offers delicious French Style and traditional Japanese Style meals (Chanko Nabe - famed sumo wrestlers one-pot meal) and also a wide range of drinks: wine, beer, sake etc. to enjoy with. Service is excellent with friendly English speaking staff. A reservation is required in advance.

• Kicchonchon, (500m West of Hakuba station), ☎ 0261 72 2833. 17:00-24:00. Traditional Izakaya with friendly staff and great food.  edit

• Hindi Momo, Mizuho, ☎ 0261-72-7715, [14]. 11:30-14:20lunch, 17:30-21:30 dinner. Some of the best Indian in Japan. The menu is constantly refreshed, offering the best "in season" vegetables. The tandoori prawns are a favourite dish. mid.  edit
• sidehill french dining & bar, 6th ave. south Echoland, Hakuba (399-9301), ☎ +85-261-75-5557, [15]. 18:30-. High quality natural & 'slow food' French style evening meals using locally produced fresh meat and vegetables. The Bar is open from 8:30 - midnight daily and serves a wide range of beers, spirits and wines. 4200yen-.  edit

• Happy Hour, daily from 4-5PM at Eclipse Bar & Restaurant (cheap drinks & a free slice of pizza), located in the Hakuba Luna Hotel [16] at the base of the Sakka Quad chair.

• Tracks Bar, One of Hakuba's most happening nightspots [17].

• White Horse Bar, [18]. A cool atmosphere for apres drinks with a great selection of local and international beers, wines and spirits and some smooth tunes. Situated in Echoland.

• Yamano Hotel Bar called "Noroc" in Happo - One, in front of the Ski Jumping Stadium, [19]. Good music, wide range of drinks and friendly staff. Opening hours: 22:00 - 1:00

• Hie (Izakaya), Echoland Main Street, ☎ 0261-72-8035. 18:00-0:30. Designed for foreigners to enjoy a traditional Japanese izakaya, this place has great food! An English menu is available as well as private Japanese style rooms. mid.  edit

• Tomatito, Echoland (just before Echoland Main street, between the gymnasium and the Echoland onsen), ☎ 0261-72-2012, [20]. 18:00-1:00. New in Echoland, Tomatito has everything, from pizza to sake. There is a pool table, darts and fussball. The spring rolls are a must try. mid-high.  edit

• Off Piste, Echoland Main Street. 18:00-?. A cute pub showing snowboarding and skiing videos, darts and great drinks. The staff is very friendly and it's always warm inside! Check for special events. Call 812 61727274 for more information. mid.  edit

• Mt Hakuba Bar, Echoland (just off Echoland Main street, near bar 902), [21]. 18:00-22:00. New in Echoland, Mt Hakuba has cheap meals all 500 yen, happy hour every day from 6PM, billiard table and free wireless internet. low.  edit