Hi, I’m planning a 6 day trip to Japan in mid-March to go skiing with my boyfriend. We will be flying into Tokyo and flying out of Osaka. We’ve both been to Tokyo & Osaka a few years ago, so we’re not really looking to do any tourist attractions this time, aside from eating good food! Our main goal for this trip is to spend a few days skiing in Hakuba, since we both have the Epic Local pass. We plan to rely on train/bus to get around, and renting equipment at the resort.
Tentative itinerary:
\- Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo in afternoon. Stay overnight in Tokyo.
\- Day 2: Eat/shop in Tokyo. Take train from Tokyo to Nagano, then bus from Nagano to Hakuba. Rent skiing gear. Stay overnight in Hakuba.
\- Day 3: Skiing at Happo One. Stay in Hakuba.
\- Day 4: Skiing at Happo One/TBD. Stay in Hakuba.
\- Day 5: Skiing in morning if time allows, TBD. Return rental gear. Take train from Hakuba to Osaka. Stay overnight in Osaka.
\- Day 6: Eat/shop in Osaka. Leave Osaka in afternoon.
My questions:
\- Should we try to hit a few different ski resorts in Hakuba Valley area? He is an advanced skiier (black diamond, backcountry). I am intermediate skiier (blue, no backcountry experience, very limited powder experience.) I’ve heard Happo One is the most popular and has a variety of terrain and a lot of restaurants/services so currently just planning to stick to Happo One, but our pass covers all the resorts in Hakuba Valley.
\- How difficult/time consuming is it to travel to multiple resorts by bus?
\- If we decide to try two (or three) different resorts, does it make sense to change our hotel location for the nights in Hakuba, or just stay in one hotel and take the bus to each resort?
\- Any recommendations for private onsens? I only found one hotel so far that offers onsen attached to the room. Would prefer private options since we want to stay together while going to the onsen.
\- We love Japanese food, and would appreciate any food recs around Hakuba.
Thank you!!
![[Trip Report] - Part 1](https://www.lonelyjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/K2slHC1v0cSU1O0jmomPl89gbAzjF4hPnEzsFlcHrRc-380x220.jpg)
1 comment
I would not change accommodation as your already limited time will be spent checking in and out, dealing with luggage etc.
Stay at a guesthouse and pick one that offers shuttle service. Mine drove me to whichever resort I wanted to go to that day. They also usually have a sento, sometimes they can be reserved and are private or for bigger ones they are shared.
I love local/shokudo food and ohyokkuri is my favorite. Go there every time I’m in town.
They don’t take reservations so you either have to go early or wait.