Backcountry Lodge Hakuba

Top choice in Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps


Eric and Fumi's place is an extremely friendly spot to stay, away from the rush of resort-town Hakuba and north of most of the in-town action, near the Tsugaike slopes. They run free transfers from/to Hakuba Station and to the slopes and are lovingly refurbishing their backcountry lodge. Rooms are spacious, communal areas inviting, and the breakfast wonderful.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps attractions

1. Togakushi-Okusha

11.15 MILES

From Okusha bus stop it's 2km (40 minutes' walk) to Okusha (meaning 'Upper Shrine') – the innermost of the three sub-shrines making up Togakushi-jinja –…

2. Togakushi-Hōkōsha

11.73 MILES

Although it's nestled among cedars apparently close to the village, Hōkōsha, the pretty lower sub-shrine of Togakushi-jinja, is reached via 274 ancient,…

3. Togakushi Folk Museum & Ninja House

12.07 MILES

Above the Okusha bus stop you'll find this museum housing artefacts from a time when local yamabushi (mountain monks) practised what became known as ninpo…

4. Togakushi-jinja

12.23 MILES

Comprising three sub-shrines, Togakushi-Hōkōsha, Togakushi-Chūsha and Togakushi-Okusha, each a few kilometres apart, Togakushi-jinja honours the 1911m…

5. Togakushi-Chūsha

12.24 MILES

One of the three sub-shrines of Togakushi-jinja, intimate Chūsha, meaning 'middle shrine', is the most accessible, located prominently in the centre of…

6. Kurobe Dam

16.32 MILES

This massive dam, completed in 1963, is central to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.

7. Zenkō-ji

18.67 MILES

Founded in the 7th century, National Treasure Zenkō-ji is home to the revered statue Ikkō-Sanzon, said to be the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan …

8. Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

22.2 MILES

This popular art museum showcases the work of Chihiro Iwasaki (1918–74), who became world-renowned while specialising in children's-book illustrations…