At the northern end of the Japanese Alps lies the village of Hakuba, known for its plentiful snow and ski resorts that served as the venues for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. The mountains here reach near 3,000-meter heights, and their rugged cliffs contrast beautifully against the verdant greenery and flowers in the valley below.

You can enjoy the scenery of the Japanese Alps from almost anywhere in Hakuba, from idyllic riverside parks to mountaintop terraces. But one of the most impressive views of the Japanese Alps is from Happo Pond atop Hakuba Happo One at 2,000-meter heights.

A short detour from the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, a day trip to Hakuba Happo One offers majestic mountain scenery, pleasant hikes and laid-back terraces.

Access to Hakuba and Happo Pond

Hakuba Village sits at the base of the Northern Japanese Alps to the west of Nagano City. Several stops along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line are just over an hour away from the village, namely Nagano Station and Itoigawa Station. Buses run regularly between Nagano Station and Hakuba, and the JR Oito train line runs through Hakuba between Matsumoto and Itoigawa.

Nagano to Hakuba Happo One

To reach Happo One, first take the Hakuba line bus from the east exit of Nagano Station to Happo Bus Terminal (70 min.). The bus terminal sits at the entrance of the Hakuba’s central Happo area and from here, it is about a 15-minute walk to the Adam Gondola Station at the base of Hakuba Happo One.

Itoigawa to Hakuba Happo One

If traveling from Itoigawa, take the Oito line train from Matsumoto Station to Hakuba Station (approx. 90 min.). From the station, it is about a 40-minute walk to the Adam Gondola Station. You can also take a bus (see timetable here) from Hakuba Station to the Happo Bus Terminal (5 min.) and walk 15 minutes from there.

Matsumoto to Hakuba Happo One

If traveling from Matsumoto, take the Oito line train from Matsumoto Station to Hakuba Station (approx. 120 min.). From the station to Happo One, same as Itoigawa above.

Ride the Happo Alpen Line to 1,830-meter Heights

The Happo Alpen Line runs from the base of Happo One all the way to Happo Ike Sanso lodge at an altitude of 1,830 meters high. It is composed of three separate lifts: the Adam Gondola, the Alpen Quad and the Grat Quad lift. Each lift is just a short one- to two-minute walk from one another, and in total, it takes about 25 minutes to ascend from the base of the resort all the way to Happoike Sanso lodge.

At the front of the gondola station is the ticket counter, and here you can purchase your roundtrip ticket to the top of the ski resort. At the time of writing, adult roundtrip fare is 3,300 yen and child roundtrip fare is 2,100 yen.

Happo Alpen Line Lift

Opening Hours: Vary. See Happo One's Official website here for hours.
Roundtrip Fare: Adults/3,300 yen, Children/2,100 yen

Hike to Happo Pond

The climb begins from Happo Ike Sanso at the top of the resort. In addition to the lodge, there is a toilet and a small shop that sells snacks, soft-serve ice cream and some hiking gear. Just above the buildings is the trail to Happo Pond.

Climbers can choose between two courses: a flatter switchback course that takes about 70 minutes to reach the top, or a steeper, rocky course that takes about 50 minutes. If you’d like to try both, we recommend climbing the steeper course and descending the flatter one.

While Happo Pond is the ultimate destination, it’s worth taking one’s time to smell the flowers along the way. Throughout the green season, a wide variety of colorful alpine flora blooms beside the trail, such as bright yellow day lilies that flower through July. And from almost anywhere on the ridgeline, you can take in unobstructed views of Hakuba Village and the mountains above.

After passing the Happo Cairn, Happo Pond is just within reach. As you climb further up the path, the pond comes into view just below the Hakuba Sanzan Mountains. The ridgeline trail continues towards Mt. Karamatsu, while another path diverts down and encircles the pond. There are several benches where you can sit down, take in the scenery and enjoy a much-deserved rest.

On a clear, calm day, the view of the mountains of Hakuba reflecting vividly in the surface of the pond will take your breath away.

Have Lunch at Usagidaira Terrace

The return trip from Happo Pond to the mountaintop lift takes about the same amount of time as the hike up. Back at the Happo Ike Sanso Lodge, you can stop for some soft-serve ice cream, or head directly back down to Usagidaira for lunch.

At Usagidaira Terrace, Café Yeti serves some classic ski resort fare like katsu curry, fried chicken and french fries, as well as rice bowls featuring fresh vegetables and local ingredients. The tuna poké bowl is one of their most recommended options, and you can also choose the beef bulgogi bowl, chicken katsu bowl or vegetarian shiitake katsu bowl.

Café Yeti

Opening Hours: 10:00 to 15:30
Last Order: 15:00

Soak up the Sun at Hakuba Mountain Beach

 

 

 

 

If you can’t get enough of the mountain views and want to bask in the sun, you can head up to Hakuba Mountain Beach on the roof of the Usagidaira building. The bleached white wooden deck and decorative palm trees evokes a seaside atmosphere while the Japanese Alps tower just behind. The bar counter serves colorful drinks that pop against the bright white of the deck—just as delicious as they are vibrant.

In addition to the many lounge chairs and hammocks where you can bathe in the sun, Hakuba Mountain Beach also has several tent saunas and a jacuzzi. They can be reserved in advance and they also offer swimwear rentals. Relax atop the open terrace with some colorful drinks in hand and let your fatigue from climbing to Happo Pond just soak away.

Hakuba Mountain Beach

Opening Hours: 10:00 to 15:30
Private Sauna Plan: 5,500 yen/person*
Private Sauna Plan (with Jacuzzi): 6,500 yen/person*
*Sauna plans include roundtrip gondola fare, a 500 yen drink coupon, and rentals (face towel, bath towel and sandals)
Inquiries: 0261-72-3280

Take a Hot Spring Bath at Happo Onsen

Just across from Happo Bus Terminal is Happo Onsen, a hot spring known for its alkaline waters with beautifying properties. After a long day outdoors, nothing beats a soak in a hot spring bath to wash away your fatigue. If you’re hesitant to do a full body soak or low on time, there’s also a hot spring footbath just outside.

Hakuba Happo Onsen Happo no Yu

Opening Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
Entrance Fee: Adults/850 yen, Children/500 yen, Toddlers/300 yen
Address: Nagano Pref., Kitaazumi District, Hakuba Village, Hokujo 5701-2

Conclusion

Hakuba Happo One and Happo Pond offer pleasant hikes, majestic scenery and plenty of ways to relax in the mountains. Just over an hour away from Nagano Station, it makes a great day trip from the city, whether you’re staying in Nagano or just passing through on the Hokuriku Shinkansen as you travel to Kanazawa and beyond.