Hakuba first appeared as a mountain resort around 1900 by The father of mountaineering in Japan, Rev. Walter Weston. Before this the Japanese Alps were considered sacred and mysterious and climbed only Buddhist monks for soul searching aesthetic training. Skiing was introduced in Japan by the Austrians, and soon after that skiing in Hakuba became a popular activity in Hakuba.

By the middle of the ski resorts had popped up throughout the Hakuba Valley and Hakuba became top of the Japanese skiing scene and remained there ever since. Relatively unnoticed, except by only a few hard core foreigners, Hakuba became internationally famous when it held the premier events of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Skiers and boarders around the world were amazed by the unbelievable amount of snow as well as world class facilities Hakuba was able to offer.

The Salt Road

The area is famous for the "Salt Road". This was a famous route bringing much needed salt and seafoods from the nearby Sea of Japan to the many villages and towns in the mountain areas of Nagano. Along this famous old road you can still see many famous temples, shrines and Buddhist stone images.

Every year brings visitors to the Hakuba region to enjoy the "Salt Road Festival". Visitors enjoy walking the salt road dressed in the attire of old day salt carriers. The walk can be attempted by anyone fit enough.  The Otari section has the most climbs as well as the best scenery.

At the Green Sports Park in Hakuba there is a History and Folklore Museum. The museum is open from 91m to 4pm but is closed in during winter. The museum shows what life in Hakuba was like over 100 years ago.

Local Shrines & Temples

Around Hakuba there are plenty of shrines and temples for the traveller to "get away" from the resort life and have a few minutes of peace. Some of more accessible shrines are Iimori Jinja near to Goryu and Hosno-Suwa Jinja in the middle of Happo.

Hosono-Suwa shrine is set in sacred grounds just a stone throw from Happo Gondola base area. The shrine is home to one of the oldest trees in Hakuba. Over 900 years old!. The tree is 10m in circumference and 40m in height.