Winter is a season of celebration and snow fun. Many are looking forward to this freezing season to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. But not everyone is the same. If skiing is not your thing, this is the perfect article for you!
Summary
Iwatake Mountain Resort (岩岳マウンテンリゾート)
Iwatake Mountain Resort is actually the same place as the ski resort (Iwatake Snow Field). It is one of the best places in Hakuba to enjoy the views of the Japanese Alps in winter. On the terrace, you can order a cup of hot chocolate and muffins from The City Bakery while enjoying the majestic mountain views. The YooHoo! Swing is a must attraction for those non-skiers to try.
Recommended period: Late December – March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Alpico’s bus to Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort bus stop. During winter, there are only a few buses that stop at the closest bus stop, so you can opt to get off at Happo Bus Terminal and catch a taxi or ride a ski resort shuttle bus to the destination.
Togakushi (戸隠)
Togakushi Shrine is one of the ancient shrines that appear in Japanese mythology. It is especially popular in summer and autumn as you can enjoy the ancient pilgrimage trail that connects the five shrines in Togakushi. In winter, you can enjoy a different atmosphere as the path to Togakushi Okusha Shrine (the upper shrine) is covered with pure snow. There are also much fewer travelers, very quiet and romantic. We even have witnessed a couple’s marriage proposal here! (But it could be a disaster if the weather does not cooperate. So, check the weather forecast before you go.)
Our recommended walking course in winter is from Togakushi Okusha bus stop to Togakushi Okusha Shrine, or at least to the red Zuishinmon Gate, which is about halfway to Okusha Shrine.
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Take Alpico’s bus no. 70 or no. 73 from bus stop no.7 in front of Alpico Kotsu and get off at Togakushi Chusha bus stop. It is an about 1-hour walk from the bus stop to Togakushi Okusha Shrine. (In other seasons, you can get off the bus at Togakushi Okusha bus stop, which is about 20 minute’s walk closer to the shrine.)
Tsugaike Snow Wow! (栂池 Snow Wow!)
Tsugaike Snow Wow! is a part of Tsugaike Mountain Resort. It is an area dedicated to winter activities that are not skiing or snowboarding, some of which you haven’t heard of, such as snow sleigh, snow buggy, snow scoot, snow racer, snow drive, snow feet, and snow skating. The most popular one is probably the Amidasu which is a giant net suspended over the snowy ground so that the kids can climb, jump, and run around on it. Oh! They also have a rental service for snow boots, helmets, and such.
Please check Tsugaike Snow Wow! official website for the operation status and attractions available before going.
Recommended period: Late December – March
How to get there: The easiest way is to take Alpico’s bus from JR Nagano station to Tsugaike Kogen bus stop.
Nozawa Onsen (野沢温泉)
Internationally known as a great ski resort, Nozawa Onsen is also a wonderful onsen town loved by the locals. It is a compact onsen town where everything is within walking distance, recommended for both day trips and overnight stays. There are 13 public bathhouses for you to enjoy onsen-hopping. Each of them has a unique atmosphere and offers different health benefits. The landmark of the town is “Ogama”. It is one of plenty of hot spring sources in Nozawa. The temperature is scorching hot about 90-100 degrees Celsius. The villagers and souvenir shops nearby use this hot spring to cook foods like onsen eggs, boiled corn, and sweet beans dumplings.
Recommended period: Mid-December – March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Alpico or Naganoden’s bus from bus stop number 24, and get off at Nozawa Onsen bus stop. There are two roundtrip buses running daily.
Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
Although there aren’t many snowfalls in downtown Matsumoto, the castle is beautiful with or without the snow. Compared to other areas in Japan, Matsumoto city tends to have more sunny days with a clear sky which is perfect for a walk. On the way to the castle, you can stop by Nawate Street and Nakamachi Street for some snacks and shopping.
Recommended period: December – March
How to get there: From Matsumoto station, it takes about 20 minutes on foot. But you can also choose to ride a “Town Sneaker” city sightseeing bus (North course), which departs every 30 minutes on weekdays, and every 20 minutes on weekends.
See Shinjuku – Matsumoto bus timetable >
See Takayama – Matsumoto bus timetable >
Lake Nojiri (野尻湖)
Rather than the lake itself, we would like to recommend Guesthouse LAMP, which is an accommodation that provides activities to do around the lake and nearby area. There you can enjoy a Nordic sauna or participate in a snowshoeing or ski-walking tour in Togakushi.
Recommended period: December – Early March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Shinano Tetsudo’s Kita-Shinano line train to Kurohime station (30 minutes). From there take a taxi for another 10 minutes to the lodge.
Kamikochi (上高地)
Yes, you read it right! You can actually go to Kamikochi in the winter season by snowshoeing. If you are not an experienced winter hiker, you must apply for a tour with a local mountain guide to go inside Kamikochi. From Nakanoyu gate, even though it is only about 3 km to Taisho Pond and about 6 km to Kappa bridge, we suggest you prepare your body for this exhausting but worth-participating tour.
Recommended tour “Guesthouse Raicho” >
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Our recommended tour guide and accommodation are based in Norikura Kogen. To get there, take an Alpico’s Kamikochi line train to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus for Norikura Kogen. Get off at N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center.
See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen >
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Norikura Kogen (乗鞍高原)
Kamikochi is not the only place to enjoy a winter wonderland. Our favorite place to snowshoe is Norikura Kogen (highlands). The reason is that there are so many locations and courses to choose from. You can go snowshoeing to admire the frozen “Zengoro Falls” that turns into fantastic blue color, or even snowshoe on a frozen “Ushidome” pond! Our recommended tour guide and accommodation is Guesthouse Raicho.
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Our recommended tour guide and accommodation are based in Norikura Kogen. To get there, take an Alpico’s Kamikochi line train to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus for Norikura Kogen. Get off at N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center. Guesthouse Raicho is about 600 meters from the bus stop.
See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen >
Shirahone Onsen (白骨温泉)
Shirahone Onsen is unique with its pretty bluish-milky hot springs water. Thanks to its location in a remote valley with heavy snowfalls, you can indulge in the serene snow scenery while relaxing in a hot spring. In this little village, there isn’t even a single convenient store, perfect for those who seek absolute tranquility and beautiful nature.
Recommended period: Late December – Mid-March
How to get there: During the winter season from November 16 until April 16, you can take an Alpico train (Kamikochi line) from JR Matsumoto station to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus bound for Shinrahone Onsen. However, during the green season, you have to change one more time from Shin-Shimashima station to Sawando Bus Terminal, then to Shirahone Onsen.
See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Shirahone Onsen >
