Good restaurants in Hakuba

Great food just on the other side of the river

I’m still trying to eat my way around the village but it is difficult to move on from some of the gems out there. Azu is a perfect example. The rice omelette set is a great late lunch option after sliding around the mountain for most of the day. The antipasto plate features local produce and is a meal in itself.

This is just for starters.

Next they bring out a bowl of the best tomato soup I have ever tasted.

This place is well worth a visit just for this soup

The main is of course a rice omelette which just makes it a trilogy of taste sensations.

Last but not least. This will certainly fill you up.

To finish up you have a choice of drinks. The one thing that just completes this meal for me is the milk tea. It is the perfect cup of english tea and the owner really takes pride in what she offers. All this for 1420 yen is great value for money. Check it out on the main highway in a log cabin just over the Matsukawa river. If you really want to make an afternoon of it try the Garden No Yu onsen next door too.

Best Day Ever on the snow

Felix Brännlund got lost in the White Room at Cortina. Many people got lost in there today

We hear it every year from people who have done seasons all around the globe. They come back from a day in the Hakuba Pow claiming, “that was my best day ever on the snow”. I heard it a lot last night and I would have to say it gives me a good feeling inside. I spend a lot of time promoting the place and I do it confidently knowing that Hakuba can offer an experience that will blow you away. It’s the reason people keep coming back.  It’s also the reason why a lot of us move here, to this little country town in the middle of this beautiful but obscure country. These days my best days ever get a little lost amongst themselves. I now pool them into one of the top 10 days or to say that was “As Good As It Gets”. I know that I am blessed to have had so many great days on the mountain.

Yesterday was as good as it gets. Today will be for many snowboarders and skiers in Hakuba “the best day ever” too.

Rider: Felix Brännlund Photographer: Andreas Arnesson – Guests of the White Horse Hotels.

When is the best time to ski Hakuba

"You can be here"

The snow switch is turned on in mid December and we see consistant falls from then through to the end of February. Mid January to mid February is the best time to come to Japan to ski and snowboard as the base is set and we receive constant top ups. Being a weather based sport can bring it’s frustrations and every slider has heard the cries of you should have been here last week. With the lack of crowds this season and an abundance of accommodation options the decision to come to Hakuba can be made on a whim. Cheap flights from many carriers can mean you can look at the forecast and say, “ok lets go”. For those living in Japan it’s even easier. A weekend trip leaving work on Friday and heading straight for the mountains is so easy to do. It’s only 2.5 hours from central Tokyo to Hakuba.  The next couple of weeks is looking amazingly good for Japan so if you are following the powder around the world then I would get to Hakuba now. It’s been a while since I have seen such a good line up of cold systems. I may be wrong but the consequences are not so bad. It’s a great place to be anytime of winter. Come and shred Japow.

Thanks Mika Selroos for another great pic.

Big lines, Steep and Deep

Getting in deep off the side of Happo One

There has been a big surge of Scandis coming to town chasing some of the big lines available within an easy hike of the lifts in Hakuba. They have been taking advantage of the good powder conditions and a stable snowpack to head out beyond the resort boundaries. This season we are seeing more lines on the big ridges that pinch down the mountain than ever before.  These are not for the inexperienced so unless you are kitted up and have some avi awareness then you should only head out there with an experienced guiding crew like Evergreen. Thanks to one of the White Horse guests and cracking skier, Mika Selroos, for the use of your photo.

ABC news about Hakuba

The powder without the people. Isn't that what everyone wants.

Here is the link to the ABC report on the effect to tourism that the earthquake produced. The people who are here in Japan are loving the lack of crowds and the snow just keeps on falling. If anyone is looking for some good deals for accommodation and lift tickets get in touch with the White Horse Hotels here. 

Cheap lift passes for Hakuba

Lift passes are cheap in Hakuba but here is a way to get them even cheaper. Print out the following vouchers for some great mountain deals.

Happo:

Happo 1 adult/one child, 1 adult/two children

Happo 2 adults/one child, 2 adults/two children

Cortina: (there is also a regular lift and pizza deal at Cortina, which I think is 3700 yen. The coupon is not valid for both Cortina & Norikura.

Goryu/47:

Iwatake Single:

Iwatake Family Pack A&B (1 adult, 1 child) & (1 adult, 2 children)

Iwatake Family Pack C&D (2 adults, 1 child) & (2 adults, 2 children)

Norikura Single:

Norikura 4 person pack

Kashimayari Single:

Thanks Sandy from Tokyo Shopping Tours for putting all the information together.

ABC in Hakuba

The ABC in Hakuba

The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) have been in Hakuba over the last couple of days doing a story about the impact on tourism and business due to the Japanese triple disaster (E.T.R.) in March. Mark Willacy, Jun Matsuzono and Yumiko Asada drove out from Tokyo to get a first hand glimpse and conduct some interviews with local and expat business owners including your’s truly. It was a big camera and they were filming real close so I dread how I am going to look on a 60″ LCD TV. I hope I don’t scare the kids. Apparently it will be shown on Monday the 16th on National TV along with here at http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Happy Belated New Year to everyone

Back to quiet times especially during the week.

The New Year period can be very busy here in Hakuba (hence my lack of blogging) with many of the Japanese taking their holidays around this time along with many foreigners coming then too. There has also just been a long weekend but now we will see things get back to normal with barely a lift line to be seen. This is a great time to visit and numbers are certainly down from previous years. That means lots of fresh tracks for everyone including myself. If you are staying at the White Horse this year I will fall on my sword each morning and offer my services as a resort guide. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Road trips too if required

Sorry to everyone for the slow down in blogs. I promise to be more diligent now that things are under control. Bring on the powder.

New Years Eve in Hakuba

The Echoland Bars and Clubs have joined forces to make the biggest party in town

It’s always a big night in Hakuba on New Years Eve and this year looks even bigger. This is the busiest time of year with the Japanese taking a few days off and many of them heading to Hakuba which is the most famous ski area in Japan for the locals. The mountains are going to be crowded, there is going to be bedlam on the roads and all the restaurants and bars are going to be full.  That’s unusual for Hakuba these days but it creates a different atmosphere which is also lots of fun. The idea for today is to get some early lines in on the mountain and then have a leisurely day with a long lunch and an onsen. Start the night out at the White Horse for pre-dinner drinks and then hit the main Echoland Strip for some dinner before bouncing between the bars and clubs to see the New Year in. Have a great night.

LATE NEWS - Famous local identity and international DJ Jimmy Concrete is going to make his last appearance tonight so make sure you catch him at QTIPS. Thanks for all the good tunes and good times Jimmy.

Christmas Powder in Hakuba again

The benefits of sliding early the day after Christmas is that most people are still in bed while you get all the pow.

It was another perfect Christmas day in Hakuba with Santa bringing us lots of powder snow. The last 2 years has certainly delivered the goods. A great day was had by all who hit the mountains and there was lots of Christmas cheer going around in the evening.

It will continue to snow tonight and a little tomorrow before clearing.  I am looking forward to seeing some blue sky and the mountain views at their pristine best. Go for first tracks at Happo One tomorrow. Nakiyama Lifts are now open also so ski down for some great Thai food at Bangkokya