Cottages in Hakuba

Powder hounds flock to the Japanese Alps where Hakuba's world-class ski resorts offer runs that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Between face-shots of legendary snow, soak aching muscles in steaming onsen hot springs that feel like nature's perfect apology for a day of wipeouts. Summer transforms the area into a hiker's paradise with trails winding through Chubu-Sangaku National Park toward Mount Karamatsu's summit. The village itself maintains a refreshing authenticity despite its international fame. Local restaurants serve soba noodles with the reverence others reserve for fine wine. Don't miss Hakuba Happo-One for the most impressive terrain or Iwatake for panoramic alpine views that explain why the Japanese consider mountains sacred.