E85 Skiing Japan: Tokyo to Hakuba – The Ultimate Ski Trip Guide

So… what’s skiing Hakuba Valley really like? 🇯🇵⛷️

After flying 14 hours to Japan, we decided to start this trip properly — with a couple of days exploring Tokyo before heading into the mountains. And honestly, it set the tone for one of the most memorable ski trips we’ve ever done.

From incredible street food at Tsukiji Market, to temples in Asakusa, vintage shopping in Shimokitazawa, and the chaos of Shibuya Crossing — Tokyo delivered.

Then it was time for the main event…

✈️ Getting There

We flew with Japan Airlines — and it was genuinely one of the best long-haul flights I’ve taken. Great food, spotless planes, and next-level service throughout.

For parking at the airport, check out 👉 APH Parking: https://www.aph.com/

And if you're travelling, I’d highly recommend an eSIM — we used 👉 Holafly (unlimited data): https://holafly.sjv.io/LKWN20

🚄 From Tokyo to Hakuba

Getting to Hakuba Valley is surprisingly easy:
Bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Nagano
Then a short bus transfer into the valley
In under 4 hours, you’re in the mountains.

⛷️ Skiing Hakuba Valley

Hakuba isn’t just one resort — it’s an entire valley made up of 10 different ski areas, all connected by the Hakuba Valley lift pass.

👉 Learn more about the resorts here:
https://www.inthesnow.com/hakuba-valley/

Across the valley you’ll find:
~120 ski runs
~90 lifts
~Terrain for every level from pow and tree skiing to wide open greens and blues to your hearts content 

Each resort has its own personality — from beginner-friendly slopes to deep powder and tree skiing.

🏔️ Where We Skied

Over the week we explored:

Cortina & Norikura – deep powder, tree skiing, quieter vibe

Happo-One – Olympic runs, big vertical, incredible views

Hakuba 47 & Goryu – varied terrain + night skiing

Iwatake – some of the best views in the valley

We even hit a couple of proper powder days — the kind Japan is famous for ❄️

🏨 Where We Stayed

Hotel Green Plaza (Cortina) – ski-in ski-out, right on the slopes
https://greenplazahakuba.com-hotel.info/

Mominoki Hotel (Happo) – great location + onsen
https://hakubamominoki.com-hotel.info/

Hotel Keisui (Iwatake area)
https://www.keisui.jp/english/

🍜 Why Japan Is Different

Skiing in Japan isn’t just about the snow (although the powder is unreal).
It’s:
Incredible food (ramen, gyoza, wagyu…)
A completely different ski culture
Immaculate cleanliness everywhere
Friendly, welcoming people
Onsens after skiing (game changer)

❄️ So… is Hakuba worth it?

Absolutely.

You’re not skiing one mega-resort like in Europe — you’re exploring an entire valley, choosing different ski areas each day depending on conditions.

And that’s what makes it so special.

If you’ve been thinking about skiing in Japan…

Just do it.