Goryu

Goryu is located at the southern end of Hakuba Valley with plenty of affordable accommodation options. The connected resorts (Goryu, Iimori, and Hakuba47) offer a great range of terrain between them, making this a great choice if your group of skiers and boarders are at different levels. Goryu is also the only resort in Hakuba to offer night skiing throughout the season. There will be buses running to get you to and from the Main Arena.

Best choice for: affordable accommodation within walking distance to ski resort
Resort: Goryu, Iimori, Hakuba47 – connected resorts with terrain for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Shuttles available to other resorts

Misorano

Misorano is the quiet tree-lined surrounding neighbourhood to Echoland. There are lots of self contained properties in this area providing great value for money, including a lot of recent builds with modern amenities. Note that Misorano is quite spread out. Be sure to check the walk you’re signing up for with your desired property (thankfully it’s flat ground, so the walk isn’t too bad!). You will need to jump on one of the local shuttles to access the resorts, closest resort being Happo One. You will need to catch a bus to the Main Arena.

Best choice for: a quiet self-contained getaway with friends
Resort: need to catch resort shuttles, closest resorts are Happo One and Hakuba47

Echoland

Echoland is one of the most lively villages with an eclectic mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. With a range of accommodation for all budgets, take your pick of hostel, hotel or self contained properties. Some are right in the thick of things along the main street, while others are nestled in the quieter side streets. It’s an easy (flat) walk across to Happo village if you want to check out their cafes or nightlife. While it’s technically walking distance to the gondola at Happo One, we would recommend jumping on one of the free resort shuttles.

Best choice for: nightlife
Resort: need to catch resort shuttles, closest resort is Happo One

Happo

Located in the very centre of Hakuba Valley, Happo Village sits at the base of Happo One resort. Also the closest village to the Main Arena, Happo is the most convenient location for your Snow Machine ski trip! You won’t go hungry (or thirsty) with an abundance of restaurants, cafes and bars at your doorstep. The convenience doesn’t end there, with Happo Bus Terminal acting as Hakuba’s central transport hub, you can jump on a shuttle to one of the other resorts, or catch a bus onto your next location.

Best choice for: being in the thick of it!
Resort: walking distance to Happo One (some properties are ski in/ski out), easily access other resorts catch shuttle from Happo Bus Terminal 

Lower Wadano

Lower Wadano offers the widest range of accommodation from budget hostels through to luxury hotels and chalets. The forested area is especially beautiful after a dusting of snow covers the trees. Easy access to an abundance of bars and restaurants – some in Lower Wadano, others just a 10-15 minute walk (either down to Happo village, or up to Upper Wadano).
Getting to the Main Arena will be a short bus ride, that will pick you up and drop you back to the bottom of the main Wadano street (near Rhythm Japan – Wadano).

Best choice for: groups either on a budget or wanting a luxury hotel
Resort: walking distance to Happo One, shuttle bus stops nearby to access other resorts 

Upper Wadano

If you’re looking for luxury, Upper Wadano has the answer! There are deluxe chalets, apartments and hotels available, some with ski in/ski out access to the Sakka lifts at Happo One, while others are further up the hill within walking distance to the slopes. There are also some more budget-friendly options in the mix. Upper Wadano has its own collection of bars and restaurants, while also providing you with a semi-secluded holiday amongst the trees.
We will have shuttle buses running to/from the Main Arena, and the pick up point is at the bottom of the main street (near Rhythm Japan – Wadano) – we recommend taking note of the walk between your accom and this pick up point.

Best choice for: luxury accommodation
Resort: walking distance to Happo One (some properties are ski in/ski out), shuttle bus stops nearby to access other resorts 

Donguri

Donguri is the serene hillside area between Wadano and Iwatake with beautiful mountain views. As this is a residential village, you will need to head to another village for meals/drinks. You could plan ahead with a stock up from the supermarket? Otherwise, a daily trip to Lawson (nearby convenience store) is the true Japan ski experience. While you may not be able to walk to any of the ski resorts, Donguri is in a central Hakuba Valley location. This means the main resorts are just a short drive away: Happo One and Iwatake are only 5mins, while Goryu and Tsugaike are 15mins. 

Best choice for: more secluded getaway with beautiful views
Resort: none within walking distance. Closest resort is Iwatake (some accomm provides shuttles, while others have a car included)

Iwatake

Iwatake provides a more traditional Japanese ski village experience – a busy resort during the day and a quiet town once the sun goes down. Affordable accommodation options within walking distance to the resort, and bus transfers included to get you to and from Main Arena. Iwatake resort boasts some of the best views in the valley (be sure to grab a coffee and scone at City Bakery Mountain Harbour). With great terrain for beginner and intermediate riders – along with one of our favourite Après Stages – Iwatake is a great day out for the whole squad. Most restaurants are on-mountain, so you’re best to head into Happo village for dinner/nightlife. There’s a great indoor onsen near the gondola base building “Iwatake no yu onsen”.

Best choice for: quiet self contained accommodation within walking distance to ski resort
Resort: walking distance to Iwatake (some properties are ski in/ski out), best suited to beginner-intermediate riders, boasting the best views in Hakuba!

Tsugaike

Smaller than Happo but bigger than Iwatake, Tsugaike is one of the more traditional villages in Hakuba. Fun hostel and affordable hotel accommodation available, with a good handful of dining options in town and on-mountain. The Tsugaike Kogen resort is definitely a favourite – especially with their ski in/ski out Burger King at the gondola mid-station! After a big morning of skiing, grab a beer and soak your tired feet in the foot onsen at the base of the gondola (buy a drink, get free towel hire).
To get to/from the Main Arena will require jumping on one of our free shuttle buses, as it’s a 15min drive away (definitely not walking distance!)

Best choice for: Japanese village vibes
Resort: walking distance to Tsugaike Kogen (some properties are ski in/ski out), best suited to beginner-intermediate riders, en piste Burger King

Norikura / Cortina

Up at the northern point of Hakuba you’ll find Norikura and Cortina. Norikura is surely one of the most underrated resorts in Hakuba! It has some great beginner and intermediate runs which are well groomed, along with some of the best off-piste powder stashes in the valley. Considered a twin resort, Norikura is connected to Cortina by both chairlift and road. Head to the Cortina side to find one of the two ski-thru coffee shacks – their toasted chicken sandwich is elite after a big powder morning. Most of the restaurants in Norikura/Cortina are based within the resort, your best bet for dinner/drinks would be to head to nearby Tsugaike. Otherwise, there’s a great basement bar at Butter Inn. There are also two onsens in the area: Hakuba Alps Hotel (Norikura), and Hotel Green Plaza (Cortina).
While we don’t have Snow Machine shuttle buses running to/from the Main Arena from here, you’ll find the crew at Butter Inn and Phat Packers operating shuttles.

Best choice for: affordable accom close to a ski resort
Resort: walking distance to Norikura (most properties are ski in/ski out), connected to Cortina, great range of terrain especially on a powder day

Norikura / Cortina

Up at the northern point of Hakuba you’ll find Norikura and Cortina. Norikura is surely one of the most underrated resorts in Hakuba! It has some great beginner and intermediate runs which are well groomed, along with some of the best off-piste powder stashes in the valley. Considered a twin resort, Norikura is connected to Cortina by both chairlift and road. Head to the Cortina side to find one of the two ski-thru coffee shacks – their toasted chicken sandwich is elite after a big powder morning. Most of the restaurants in Norikura/Cortina are based within the resort, your best bet for dinner/drinks would be to head to nearby Tsugaike. Otherwise, there’s a great basement bar at Butter Inn. There are also two onsens in the area: Hakuba Alps Hotel (Norikura), and Hotel Green Plaza (Cortina).
While we don’t have Snow Machine shuttle buses running to/from the Main Arena from here, you’ll find the crew at Butter Inn and Phat Packers operating shuttles.

Best choice for: affordable accom close to a ski resort
Resort: walking distance to Norikura (most properties are ski in/ski out), connected to Cortina, great range of terrain especially on a powder day

Welcome to Snow Machine Hakuba 2025!

We have secured Hakuba’s best properties to suit all budgets and group sizes throughout the Hakuba Valley. Please use our interactive map to explore the areas and understand the perks of each village and the ski resorts they are closest to.

From lodges, to luxury chalets, to large hotels – you’ll find all options available in each area.

Have any questions? Reach out to the Snow Machine team who will be happy to help!

We can’t wait to see you in Hakuba!

All packages include five or seven nights accommodation in Hakuba

Four Day Lift Pass for Goryu & Hakuba 47, Tsugaike, Iwatake, Happo, Norikura and Cortina and Snow Machine festival passes!

Misorano