Highlights
- Central district with fantastic dining and nightlife
- Direct Shuttle Bus links to Hakuba 47, Groyu, Happo One, Iwatake & Tsugaike ski resorts
- Chalets & lodges in a residential tree-lined setting
- Excellent value for money
Overview
Echoland is centered around the Echoland Main Street, where the majority of restaurants and bars can be found, with side streets branching off. The surrounding neighbourhoods are tree-lined, quiet and spread out with plenty of space.
The area offers a huge amount of accommodation from affordable holiday homes & low-cost local lodges to newly built luxury chalets and houses.
Happo One is the closest ski resort and has a little something for everyone: incredible views, a great variety of long piste runs including steeps, beginner slopes and moguls, freestyle park, great ski school & guiding services and fantastic backcountry terrain.
Echoland is an increasingly popular choice for visitors wanting to try a variety ski hills in the Hakuba Valley but still be within easy walking distance of restaurants and nightlife in the evenings.
Where is Echoland?
Located between Happo One village and the Goryu Iimori area, the Echoland area does not sit directly at the base of any ski resort but is well connected to the rest of the Hakuba Valley via extensive shuttle bus services.
To reach some of the further locations, a change of bus at Happo One may be required.
Tokyu Haneda and Tokyo Narita are the closest airports and can be reached in 5 hours by road or 3.5 to 4 hours by train. Nagano is the closest major city at 1.5-hour drive.
Echoland Area Map
Accommodation
Echoland and the surrounding area offers a huge amount of accommodation from affordable holiday homes & low-cost local lodges to newly built luxury chalets and houses.
Independent-minded visitors who are happy to explore the Hakuba Valley’s ski resorts and villages and want great value accommodation in a peaceful location are drawn to the Echoland area.
Happo One Ski Resort
Happo One has something for everyone – incredible views, a great variety of long piste runs including steeps, beginner slopes and moguls, freestyle park, great ski school & guiding services and seriously steep, fantastic backcountry terrain.
Best in The Valley for:
- Intermediates
- English speaking Ski School
- Serious Backcountry Terrain
- Groups of mixed ability levels
Hakuba 47 Ski Resort
These two ski hills are quite different and compliment each other such that combined they offer a good variety of piste runs, freestyle park features, a small amount of off piste tree runs and extensive backcountry terrain with extensive facilities at its three base stations.
Best in The Valley for:
- Steep Piste runs
- Terrain Park
- Quiet runs
- Easy to Access Backcountry
Onsen
There are limited options for onsen in the Echoland area.
The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel has large indoor and outdoor baths along with the Oak Forest Hotel the other alternative, both of which can be found in West Misorano.
Onsen lovers should head to Hakuba Town for the best onsen in the valley with specular views and beautiful outdoor rock pools.
Restaurants
The Echoland main street hosts the majority of restaurants in the area. The Mizuho and South Misorano areas also feature some great dining options.
The choice of cuisines ranges from Mexican, French, Italian, Indian & Cafes / Delis with plenty of Japanese restaurants. Choose from specialist Ramen, Soba, Yakiniku BBQ, Sushi & Wagyu Steak to Izakayas offering delicious local classics
Bars
Echoland main street and neighbouring Happo One village offer the best nightlife in the Valley, making them both appealing choices for young adults.
DJs come up from Tokyo on weekends during the winter season. Weekdays are quieter by comparison but there are still good options for a few drinks.