Affordable Snowboarding in Hakuba, Japan
Snowboarding abroad was never even a consideration because I thought it would be really expensive. But after doing some quick price check, I realized snowboarding in Japan is actually really affordable compared to what we pay in the US. In this blog post, I break down the cost of a three-day, two-night trip to Hakuba for snowboarding and show you how you can have an amazing time without breaking the bank.
Let's start with the essentials. A one-day lift ticket costs only $40, which is significantly cheaper than lift tickets in other popular winter sports destinations (Mammoth is $200? and Big Bear is $120?). You can also rent all of your gear and clothing for only $58, which is a great option if you don't want to pack everything. My hotel had a discount on lift tickets and also gave me a 10% off my rentals! These are the prices for the 2023 season:
For accommodation, I stayed at Hakuba Monimoki Hotel, which was within walking distance to one of the ski lifts. The hotel also had a daily breakfast buffet included in the room rate, which had pretty good food. And to top it off, there's an outdoor onsen (hot spring) for you to enjoy. You will have to pay to use it if you're not a guest. The total for two nights was $269.
I spent $11 on lunch at the top of the slope for food. This was pretty overpriced for a simple curry plus a cup of coffee, considering this would’ve cost $6 at Matsuya. The hotel's food was also very expensive, so if you’re not lazy and willing to leave the hotel, I’m sure you can find more affordable options.
To get to Hakuba from Tokyo, a round-trip Shinkansen ticket is for $125, but if you have the JR Rail Pass, this should be cheaper. After arriving at Nagano station, you need to catch a 1-hour bus to Hakuba, which costs $40 round trip. There is a cheaper bus option from Tokyo, but that will take longer (~5hrs).
All in all, snowboarding in Hakuba, Japan, was cheaper than I thought. I spent $543 for a three-day, two-night trip to Hakuba for snowboarding. From the breathtaking scenery to the well-maintained slopes, it's a must-visit destination for any snowboarder that wants something close and accessible from Tokyo. So if you've been hesitant to try snowboarding in Japan because you think it's too expensive, think again. With lift tickets + rental combined equal to 1 lift ticket in the US, it’s a great activity to add to your list and experience Japan differently.
