Summer in Hakuba - Things to do
Hiking
Hakuba is located in the northern part of the Japanese alps which isthe largest national park in Japan and considered to be themountaineering and hiking mecca of Japan. There are hundreds oftrails criss-crossing the mountain range and hikes ranging fromshort walks to multi day expeditions. The resorts of Happo,Goryu/47, and Tsugaike are open all season and offer a conveniententry point to higher altitudes.Short walks
Happo Ike. Happo pond is a small pond situated at over 2100m on thecrest of the ridge leading down from Karamatsu Dake. Amazing viewsof The three biggest peaks in Hakuba, Yari, Shakushi and Shiroumacan be seen reflected in the water of the pond on a clear day. Ittakes about 40mins walk from the top lift of Happo to get there.
Tsugaike. At about 1900m altitude, above Tsugaike ski resort therelies a high flat boggy area. In May after the snow melts theMizubasho flowers and the whole area is carpeted in white. You canalso see the unusual sight of fully leafed trees surrounded by snowin late May/early June. In summer the Nikko-Kisuge flowers and thistime the whole place explodes with gold. The bog is reached by a20minute walk from the top of the Tsugaike ropeway.
Kotoomi. This hike starts at the top of the Goryu resort gondolaand follows the ridge up past Jizo no atama and the Jizonuma marshwhere wild flowers bloom in July and August, finally climbing up theridge to the summit of Kotoomi at 2009m. From the top there areamazing views of Kashimayari dake and Goryu Dake.
Kamoshika trail. A short looped trail leading through deciduousforest with the chance of spotting Kamoshika (A kind of deer-antelope)
Longer Hikes
Karamatsu Dake. A three or four hour walk along the ridge from thetop of Happo ski resort takes you to the summit of Karamatsu Dake(2696m). The path leads past a small pond called Happo Ike withgreat views of the Hakuba peaks and then up through open birchgroves, past some eternal snow fields until finally you arrive atthe summit. The view from the top is outstanding. To the east Hakubais laid out like a map far below. To the west is the spectacularpeak of Tsurugi Dake and the Japan sea beyond. Between Karamatsu andTsurugi lies the deepest canyon in Japan Kurobe canyon and to thesouth countless peaks stretch away to the horizon. On a really clearday Fuji can be seen away to the south west.
The three Hakuba Peaks and the snowy valley. This can be done as areally long day but is probably better split into two with anovernight stay at one of the campsites or at the Shirouma Dake hut.The route includes a walk up the Daiseki gorge which is full ofperennial snow, followed by an ascent of the three highest peaks inHakuba, Shirouma(2903m), Shakushi (2), and Yari (2) and ends with adescent past the highest onsen in Japan Yari onsen at 2100m and backto the starting point.
Multi-day expeditions
Kurobe gorge. This is a mostly low-level walk through the guts ofthe Kurobe gorge. The Kurobe Gorge is the deepest Gorge in Japan.The mountain walls on either side rise to 3000m and the floor of thegorge plunges to 1500-2500m below. The route starts from Unazukionsen. A train ride takes you along the first part of the gorgethrough beautiful scenery to Keiyakidaira where there is a visitorscentre. From there it is a long days walk through the deep gorge crossing subsidiary rivers on huge snow bridges left over from big winter avalanches. Eventually you end up at Kurobe dam, the biggest dam in Asia (until the chinese three gorges dam comes into operation). From there you can return to Hakuba by a trolley bus cut in a tunnel that goes right through the mountain range or by high level walking trails through the mountains.
There are too many other walks around Hakuba to mention here!
Mountainbiking
Mountain biking season is from Golden week until November. There are also some amazing trails to the south in Matsumoto which can be ridden from March.
There is great mountain biking in Hakuba. A variety of trails loop along both sides of the valley through mixed forest and up and down ridges and across rivers. the trails range from technical singletrack to swooping singletrack through meadows of mountain flowers, to rock gardens, rollercoaster berms, drop offs, you name it! Iwatake, Hakuba 47 and Aokiko and soon Happo all offer lift access to mountain bikes and a range of courses. Aokiko especially has a range of fantastic technical singletrack courses with all sorts of riding graded for difficulty. We have along with sweetriders (www.sweetriders.com) built some north shore style bridges and drop offs in an area called the garden of pleasure where a lot of the Aokiko trails converge. Many a happy afternoon can be spent trying out the challenging to downright scary bridges, ramps,drop-offs and jumps! Bikes can be rented from Evergreen www.evergreen-hakuba.com, sweet riders www.sweetriders.com.
Canyoning
Canyoning can be described as walking, climbing, rappelling,jumping, scrambling, and swimming down canyons, waterfalls andnatural pools and is quickly becoming one of the most popularactivities in Hakuba! This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself inHakuba‚s natural beauty and to have a lot of fun!
Our neighbours, Evergreen Outdoor Center offer half-day tours(8000yen/adult 7000yen/kids) with professional instructors who'llguide you up and down Hakuba‚s pristine waterways.
Canyoning season is from Golden week until November.
For more information check out:
www.evergreen-hakuba.com/tours/canyon.html
Paragliding
One sport that's recently taken off (pun intended) in Hakuba isparagliding. Paragliding is a recreational and competitive windsportthat can best be described as a hybrid of hang gliding andparachuting.
The pilot sits in a harness and launches by running and jumping offhills, ridges and mountains. Shifting your weight and using breaksto steer, an experienced paraglider can ride the wind currents for acouple hours at a time.
The endless peaks, ridges and inclines in the Hakuba valley providethe perfect paraglider's playground. And with fully-trainedreasonably-priced schools like "JMB" in Hakuba, anybody can do it!There are tandem jumps with a professional instructor for thecomplete beginner (half-day 5000yen/full-day 9000yen) as well as awhole range of advanced courses for the more experienced.
Paragliding season is from Golden week until November.
For more information check out the "JMB" website at:
jmb-h.cside8.com/
or contact us at info@morinolodge.com
Rafting/kayaking/Canoing
The surrounding peaks, rugged valleys and melting snow make for great conditions for whitewater sports. April through June is the best time to to go while the melting snow pack fuels the rapids.
Or for a more gentler approach try a kayak or canoe on one of the valleys' fresh water lakes.
There are a few tour operators in town who cater to the whitewater enthusiast. At "Evergreen" you can even buy a package combining a day on the river with a number of other activities like mountainbiking or rock-climbing.
Check out their website for more info:
www.evergreen-hakuba.com/tours/canoe.html
Rock Climbing
the Water Jump
Lakes
Lake Aokiko is a beautiful fresh water lake surrounded by forest. The lake is spring fed.