Hakuba Valley, though it is most known as one of the best ski resorts in Japan, is also rich in summer activities, from hiking and trekking, to kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking, and many more! This mountainous region is home to Japan's Northern Alps, boasting some of the tallest peaks in the country, stunning views, rich nature, and unique alpine wildlife. If you are visiting Japan in the summer, Hakuba also offers a cooler temperature and is the perfect nature escape from the cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
On this page you will find information about the best ways to enjoy the summer in Hakuba:
Where is Hakuba?
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba is about 275 km from Tokyo and is most conveniently reached by Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano Station, followed by a bus transfer, with a total travel time of around 3~4 hours. The Hakuba valley is nestled among rows of stunning mountains that reach up to 2,900 meters tall, making it perfect for skiing, and attracting visitors from all over the world each winter. Hakuba is made up of 10 different ski resorts in the winter, and you can find descriptions and information about of all the Hakuba ski resorts here.
Not only famous for its winters, Hakuba is increasingly establishing itself as an all-year-round destination and one of Japan’s best ‘green season’ sports regions. For general information on what Hakuba has to offer, check out our "25 Things to Do Around Hakuba & Where to Stay" page.
Best Summer Spots in Hakuba
Hakuba has many breathtaking spots to visit in the summer, from alpine parks and gardens to hiking trails and stunning lakes, just to name a few. These are some of the best spots to visit to make the most of your time travelling there:
Tsugaike Nature Park
Located within the larger Chubu Sangaku National Park, Tsugaike Nature Park sits at an elevation of 1,900 meters among the Northern Japan Alps in Hakuba. This stunning nature park is accessible by a combination of gondola and ropeway, and covers over 100 hectares. Visitors can choose from various walking paths, most of which are on wooden boardwalks and vary in difficulty and length, making it accessible for almost anyone. The beautiful alpine landscape changes with the seasons, blooming with unique colorful flowers in spring and summer, and rich red and orange fall foliage in the autumn.
Happo-ike Pond
Happo-ike, or Happo Pond, is a stunning lake situated at around 2,000 meters above sea level in the Northern Japan Alps, known for its mirror-like quality reflecting the surrounding peaks. To get to the lake, visitors will take one gondola (Gondola Adam), and two chair lifts (Alpen quad lift and Grat quad lift) to arrive at Happo-ike Sanso station, at 1,830m. From there, it is about a 1-hour hike along a well-maintained trail to arrive at the lake. On a clear day, the view is spectacular and offers some of the most iconic photography in Central Japan.
Lake Aoki
The largest of the Three Nishina Lakes of Hakuba, Lake Aoki is known for its calm and clear waters, making it perfect for activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and firefly viewing. Lake Aoki is located about 13 kilometers north of Shinano-Omachi Station, and can be accessed by train or bus. With its clear, mirror-like waters and surrounding alpine scenery, the lake is a popular spot for visitors looking to enjoy both relaxation and outdoor activities throughout the year.
Omachi Village
The village of Omachi lies on the way between Nagano Station and Hakuba, and is not only conveniently located but also has much to offer in the way of activities and history. For example, Omachi Onsenkyo is the historic "onsen" or hot spring area in western Omachi, home to some amazing indoor and outdoor baths with stunning mountain views. Or, if you are there at the right time you can catch the "Nyakuichi-oji" Festival, held in July each year, or the Northern Alps Art Festival, held once every 3 years in the city.
Summer Activities in Hakuba
Hakuba has much to offer for anyone travelling in Japan in the summer—whether you're into high-intensity hiking and white water river rafting, or looking for a slower pace and time to relax and enjoy the mountain views, there is truly something for everyone. Here are our recommended activities in Hakuba:
Hiking & Trekking
Perhaps the second-most popular sport in Hakuba, after skiing, is hiking among the stunning Northern Japan Alps and their many breathtaking trails. For a low-difficulty day hike, Mt. Iwatake offers a 2~3 hour hike (one-way) with beautiful views along the way, and those who don't wish to hike back down can take the Iwatake Gondola Noah back down to the starting point. For a bigger challenge, visitors can hike up to Happo-ike Pond, and from there begin the 3-hour hike to Mt. Karamatsu, where there is also a mountain hut to spend the night. These are just a few of the many options for hiking and trekking in the Hakuba area!
Kayaking, Canoeing and Paddleboarding/SUP
Hakuba is home to 3 beautiful alpine lakes, known as the Three Nishina Lakes, all of which are perfect for water sports and summer activities. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, and canoeing are all popular in the area, and the paddleboards and boats can be rented at various shops nearby, such as Hakuba Lion Adventure.
River Rafting
For those looking for a more intense experience, river rafting is also possible in the Himekawa River in the Iwatake area of Hakuba. The river is shallow and fast-flowing, making for an afternoon of thrill. Alternatively, the Saigawa River is located slightly south of Hakuba, and is a wider and more gentle flowing river, for those who are travelling with children or simply looking for a more calm rafting experience. These river rafting experiences can also be booked with Hakuba Lion Adventure.
"Onsen" Hot Springs
If you are looking for a spot to enjoy Japan's hot springs away from the big cities, with beautiful mountain views and a cool summer breeze, then Hakuba is the perfect choice. There are several hot springs in the main village of Hakuba, such as Hakuba Happo Onsen, directly across from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. Or, you can visit Omachi Onsenkyo, a traditional hot spring area in the neighboring town of Omachi, to experience this quintessential part of Japanese culture.
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Cycling and mountain biking have been increasingly popular in Japan in recent years, and more foreign visitors are enjoying travelling around Japan by cycling. Hakuba has some beautiful roads, passing through mountains and around lakes, that are perfect for enjoying the cool summer breeze on a bicycle.
Alternatively, for those who are interested in a more intense experience, mountain biking is also quite popular and Hakuba Iwatake has a great set-up for mountain bikers with extensive trails and rental bikes available at the gondola station. There’s a wide range of courses including the 6.9km "Beginners Downhill Course", 4.1km expert "Cross Country Course", and 3.7km "Intermediate Downhill Course", along with several others. MTB can be enjoyed at the resort from late-April to mid-November, 09:00 to 16:00 daily.
How to Get to Hakuba?
Hakuba is most easily accessible from Nagano Station, which is connected to the major cities of Japan like Tokyo and Osaka through the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) line. For more information about the Hokuriku Shinkansen, please see our 'Hokuriku Shinkansen' main page. Once you have arrived in Nagano Station, take the ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus from Bus Stop No.26 on the east side of the station towards Hakuba. It takes approximately 75 minutes to reach the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, and tickets cost ¥3500 one-way. For more information about the ALPICO bus and how to purchase tickets, please refer to our ‘ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus Timetable’ page.
If you are heading to Hakuba from Tokyo, please see our How to Get to Hakuba from Tokyo page for detailed directions. Or, if you are coming from another part of Japan, see our ‘How to Get to Hakuba – Nagano Ski Resort Info’ page.
We also offer private charter services that can pick your group up directly from Nagano Station, or even Tokyo and its airports, and take you directly to Hakuba. This is a great option if you are traveling with a large group, small children, or large amounts of luggage—private transportation takes away the hassle of changing trains, getting on crammed buses, and maneuvering through confusing train stations.
★Please note that our instantly-bookable charter services (like the one above) will be the same price in either direction, so please feel free to book the service either coming or going from Hakuba.
Where to Stay in Hakuba?
Many hotels in Hakuba that function as ski lodges in the winter stay open in the summer as well, to accommodate the growing number of travelers who are visiting in the green season. To see our list of hotel recommendations in Hakuba, please see our "Where to Stay in Hakuba" page!
Tours and Charters around Hakuba
Snow Monkey Resorts offers tours in central Japan (and beyond!) year-round, visiting some of the best locations that Japan has to offer, from historic castles and temples to breathtaking mountain trails and national parks, and we would love to have you join us from Hakuba!
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
Starting from Nagano Station, this fun and educational tour brings you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park to get up close and personal with the famous hot spring loving snow monkeys, who despite their name actually live in the park year-round! Guests on the tour will also be treated to a tasty Japanese lunch, and visit Nagano City and the historic Zenko-ji temple, one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist sites.
Best Selling
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
- Spots:
- NaganoMatsumotoKamikochi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
Or, join our Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle Tour to learn about Japan's Edo Period by visiting the National Treasure of Matsumoto Castle, and to discover Kamikochi, one of the most pristine and beautiful national parks that the country has to offer.
Recommended
1-Day Togakushi Legends Tour: Hands-on Soba Noodles, Ninja Village, and Hidden Shrines
- Spots:
- NaganoTogakushi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
Lastly, if you love Japanese cuisine and would like to try your hand at making soba noodles, you can join our Togakushi Tour! Not only will you discover the soba capital of Japan, you will also learn about ninjas, hear the history of the 1,000-year old Togakushi Shrine that makes the area famous, and walk the path to the shrine among ancient cedar trees.
We also offer private transportation to and from Hakuba and the surrounding areas, which is the perfect option if you are travelling onwards to a destination like Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, or Nagoya.
Discover all of your options here: Charters to/from Hakuba
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Hakuba worth visiting in the summer?
A: Yes, Hakuba is a beautiful and fun summer destination, with activities like kayaking and canoeing, hiking and trekking, cycling and mountain biking, and more, to be enjoyed!
Q: What is the temperature in Hakuba in summer?
A: Summer in Hakuba is generally cooler than the big cities of Japan, like Tokyo or Osaka, with temperatures of around 25°C to 30°C during the day between June and August.
Q: When is the best time to visit Hakuba?
A: While most people visit Hakuba in the winter for skiing, the summer is an ideal time to visit if you want to enjoy nature trails, hiking, water sports/activities, and smaller crowds. The peak summer season is from June to August, and most hiking trails are open from June to early November.
Q: Are ropeways and gondolas open in Hakuba in the summer?
A: Yes, many of the gondolas and ropeways are open in Hakuba in the summer, allowing guests to access various hiking trails from the top.
Q: How do I get to Hakuba?
A: You can take public transportation or private transportation to get to Hakuba. For public transportation, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano Station, and then the ALPICO Express Bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba. For detailed directions, please see our "How to get to Hakuba" page here. For private transportation, we offer private charter services that can take your group directly to Hakuba.
We hope to see you here in Nagano this summer season! Please feel free to contact us here if you have any questions.