Highlights
- Authentic Japanese village stay
- Panoramic views from the mountain top viewing platform
- Uncrowded skiing experience
- Great value ski in / ski out accommodation
Overview
Iwatake ski resort offers jaw-dropping 360 degree views over to Happo One, the rest of the Hakuba Valley and the peaks of the Japan Alps on the horizon.
The slopes are uncrowded and the perfect pitch for beginner and intermediate skiers.
The accommodation in Iwatake offers fantastic value for money and is inexpensive compared to similar properties elsewhere in the Hakuba Valley. The slope-side area at the base of the mountain features the pick of the accommodation.
Despite offering the famed Hakuba Brew Pub, a ski-in / ski-out microbrewery, Iwatake is relatively quiet after dark. A visit to neighbouring Happo One village is recommended for those wanting to enjoy a more lively evening.
English is not as widely spoken in local shops and restaurants as elsewhere in the Hakuba Valley and there are not many international visitors to Iwatake, making it a great choice for an authentic low-key stay.
Where is Iwatake?
The Iwatake twin villages are located between Happo One and Tsugaike areas at the base of the Iwatake ski area.
The village of Kirikubo sits next to the slope-side area at the base of the Iwatake ski resort. The pretty Inner Village of Shinden is separated from Kiribuko by a woodland area and fields and is framed by Route 148 & the Shinano Moriue Train Station. The Inner Village area is connected to the slope-side area via the dainty Iwatake Line access ski lift.
Iwatake is connected to the rest of the Hakuba Valley villages and ski resorts via the Hakuba Valley shuttle bus service. 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.
Iwatake Accommodation Map
Iwatake Accommodation
The accommodation in Iwatake offers fantastic value for money and is inexpensive compared to similar properties elsewhere in the Hakuba Valley.
The slope-side area at the base of the ski resorts features the pick of the accommodation options with the lovingly renovated Iwatake Apartments and the stylish Hatsuyuki Apartments as excellent self-catering options.
Iwatake Ski Resort
Iwatake ski area offer tremendous views and is ideal for Intermediate skiers and snowboarders. From the top of the mountain, there are spectacular 360 degree views over to Happo One, the rest of the Hakuba Valley and peaks of the Japan Alps on the horizon.
Best in The Valley for:
- Intermediates
- Terrain Park
- Mountain Views
Iwatake Ski School
The English-speaking instructors at Evergreen Ski School will make sure you are safe and have a great time.
Private lessons offer focused instruction suitable for everyone from total beginners through to advanced skiers and boarders.
Iwatake Onsen
The Iwatake no yu onsen features an indoor bath and sauna in a traditional wooden bathhouse and can be found one road back from the slopeside area.
Heading out towards Tsugaike to Neighbouring Ochikura area, the Sierra Resort features the fabulous Kominka no yu onsen bathhouse. Constructed using timbers from traditional housing as old as 160 years, Kominka no yu is the largest hot spring in the Hakuba Valley. Enjoy stunning forest and mountain views from both the indoor and outdoor baths.
Iwatake Restaurants
Iwatake has a few slopeside cafés for lunch with evening meals served in local lodges.
The Hakuba Brew Pub overlooks the Iwatake ski field and serves locally brewed Hakuba beer and hearty Western food favourites.
Shoya Maruhachi Dining offers fantastic Robatayaki, fresh ingredients cooked in front of you on a charcoal barbeque, within a beautiful Japanese Ryokan and is well worth a trip to the Inner Village of Shinden.
Generally speaking, Iwatake is pretty quiet after dark, so a visit to neighbouring Happo One village is recommended for those wanting to enjoy evening dining & drinking.