1-Day Tour from Nagano: Hiking to Happo-ike Pond & Hot Springs in Hakuba Valley

Nestled among the Northern Japan Alps in Nagano, Hakuba Valley is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and clear blue lakes, and is known for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. The high altitude of the mountain ridges in Hakuba makes for some of the best hiking and trekking in all of Japan, with trails that can be accessed from chair lifts and gondolas that run year-round. Starting from Nagano Station, this tour will take guests up to one of the most iconic and breathtaking spots in Hakuba, Happo-ike pond, to see its mirror-like surface reflecting the nearby peaks. Afterwards, guests will visit a historic temple in the area, and have time to relax in a traditional hot spring.

Highlights

• Experience the majesty of Happo-ike pond, a picturesque lake among the Japan Alps in Hakuba. This lake is known for its mirror-like quality, reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks on a clear day. It is perfect for taking photos, and enjoying the refreshing cool air!
• Enjoy a light 1-hour hike with stunning 360-degree views.**
• Visit Reisho-ji Temple, a scenic hillside temple overlooking Omachi Village.
• Relax in Japan’s famous "onsen" or natural hot springs in Omachi Onsen-kyo, including the option to visit an "ashi-yu" or outdoor foot bath.

**Please note that this hike requires low to moderate physical fitness and involves a 230-meter elevation gain. Please feel free to contact us with any concerns prior to joining the tour!

Description

Morning: Hike to Happo-ike Pond

This tour begins at 8:15am inside of Nagano Station, in front of the large Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Once everyone has arrived, you will board our private tour vehicle towards the Hakuba Valley, about a 1-hour drive. Enjoy the views of mountains and rural Japanese landscape, including rice fields and apple orchards, as your guide tells you about the Nagano region.

We will also make a stop along the way at a "michi-no-eki" rest area, for guests to purchase snacks and lunch. We recommend purchasing lunch, for example a bento box, to bring with you and enjoy by the pond once we finish the hike.

Once you arrive in Hakuba, get ready to board a series of one gondola and two chair lifts that will bring us up into the mountains, and to the entrance of the hiking trail. The first is a gondola called "Gondola Adam", and the ride takes about 8 minutes to arrive at the next station of Usagi-daira at 1400m above sea level.

Next, you will take "Alpen Quad Lift", which takes about 7 minutes, arriving at Kurobishi-daira station at 1680 meters. Lastly is the "Grat Quad Lift", which takes about 5 minutes, bringing you to Happo-ike Sanso station, at 1830 meters. The hike begins from here!

The trail takes about 1 hour to hike, depending on your level of fitness. Your guide will lead the way, so take it at your own pace and enjoy the stunning scenery of rolling hills, distant towns, and towering mountains as you head towards the lake. The trail is made of a combination of rock paths and wooden boardwalks, so please make sure to wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

Once you arrive at Happo-ike pond, you will have about 1 hour to enjoy free time. Rest, relax and take in the stunning views! This is also the time to eat lunch or any snacks you have brought with you.

**Please note that the visibility of the mountains from Happo-ike pond is subject to change depending on the weather. On a clear day, all of the surrounding peaks can be visible, and are reflected in the pond. However, on a cloudy day, they may not be visible at all. The weather can change rapidly at high altitudes and clouds can appear or dissipate with no warning. Please be aware that the visibility is not ensured.

After free time, your guide will gather everyone and you will head back down the trail, taking the same two chairlifts and gondola. Then, you will board the bus again and head towards Reisho-ji Temple.

Afternoon: Reisho-ji Temple and Omachi Onsen-kyo

Arrive at the second destination of the day, Reisho-ji Temple, which lies on a hill overlooking the town of Omachi. One of the oldest Zen Buddhist temples in Nagano, Reisho-ji is known mainly for its stunning fall foliage, particularly the ancient Ginko tree called "Ohatsuki-ichou" that turns the temple grounds into beautiful shades of yellow every autumn.

With its trees that change colors with the seasons, stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and unique wood carvings and architecture, this temple is the perfect place to learn about Buddhism in Japan while also enjoying everything it has to offer. Your guide will tell you about the history of the temple, some of its unique features, and you will have plenty of time to take photos.

**Please note that the best season to view the fall foliage at Reisho-ji Temple is in October and November.

The last destination of the day will be Omachi Onsen-kyo, a traditional "onsen" or natural hot spring town. Enjoying the hot springs is the perfect way to relax after a day of hiking and being out in nature. There are several baths that guests can enter, and your guide will have recommendations for you as well.

For those who don't wish to enter a full hot spring, there is also an outdoor "ashi-yu" or hot spring footbath for guests to enjoy.

After enjoying free time in Omachi, board the bus and head back to Nagano Station to end the day. The tour will conclude around 18:00 in Nagano Station.

Meetup Points

NAGANO STATION @ 08:15

This tour begins and ends in Nagano Station. The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 08:20.

Notes

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Included

• Transportation from Nagano Station to Hakuba, and between all activities/attractions
• Round-trip tickets to ride the gondola and chair lifts to Happo-ike Sanso station
• Guided tour to Happo-ike, Reisho-ji Temple, and Omachi Onsen-kyo
• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Lunch
• Additional snacks & drinks
• Entry to hot springs in Omachi Onsen-kyo
• Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
• Accommodation

Other Information

• There will be a significant amount of physical activity required; the hike from Happo-ike Sanso station to the Happo-ike pond takes about 1 hour and is about 230 meter increase in elevation. Anyone with a low-moderate level of physical fitness/activity can join the tour, and guests are welcome to hike at their own pace. However, it is not suited for those with severe physical limitations.
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travelers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• In the case of extreme weather conditions, the destination may be changed from Happo-ike pond to nearby Tsugaike Nature Park, which offers flat boardwalks and trails that are less intense.
• This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train depending on the season and size of the group.
• The visibility of the mountains from Happo-ike pond is subject to change depending on the weather. On a clear day, all of the surrounding peaks can be visible, and are reflected in the pond. However, on a cloudy day, they may not be visible at all. The weather can change rapidly at high altitudes and clouds can appear or dissipate with no warning. Please be aware that the visibility is not ensured.
• Please note that the fall foliage at Reisho-ji Temple is not visible all year, but only during the autumn season in October and November.
• Infants (0-5) are free of charge.
• Booking cut-off time is an hour before the pick up time on the day.
• Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, or other unforeseeable factors.