13 Best Private Onsen in Hakuba | Relax in a hot spring after skiing

Photo courtesy of Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba

Are you looking for a private onsen in Hakuba?

In a private onsen, you can relax in warm water without worrying about others. You can relax to your heart’s content!

Private onsen can be used by couples and families, and recently many places are starting to allow tattoos. More and more people are booking private onsen for after skiing these days.

In this article, we will introduce 13 Hakuba hotels and villas with private onsen, and private onsen for day trips.

After a long day of skiing, relieve your fatigue by resting in an onsen.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Hakuba Happo Onsen Obinata no yu
2. Shirouma So
3. Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba
4. Hotel Hakuba Hifumi
5. Traumerei
6. Hakuba Highland Hotel
7. Hotel Moegi
8. Mominoki Hotel
9. Azekura Sanso
10. Hakuba Hotel Ougiya
11. Hotel Saitou
12. Pension Winds Hakuba
13. Green Valley Hakuba
14. Conclusion

1. Hakuba Happo Onsen Obinata no Yu (おびなたの湯)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Hakuba Happo Onsen Obinata no Yu is located only 5 minutes by car away from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. Something special about Obinata no Yu is that they only provide onsen services. It isn’t a ryokan like many other places on the list as they only provide services.

You can reserve a large private onsen in the winter, like the one in the video above, that allows large groups to enter at the same time. If you go in the winter, you can reserve the onsen with a group of close friends! Wearing a swimsuit, which is usually not allowed in public onsen, is allowed and perfect. Spend an hour relaxing and talking with your friends after a long day of skiing.

Obinata no Yu is said to help heal the fatigue of long trips, aid in curing muscle pain, nerve damage, bruising, poor circulation, and much more. The alkalinity pH rating is 11+ and is very rich in hydrogen along with other minerals that help keep your skin soft, hydrated, and supple. If you enter with up to 5 people, the cost will be 20,000 JPY. You can enter with 6 or more people, but the price will be an extra 4,000 JPY per person above 5.

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2. Shirouma So (信州白馬八方温泉 しろうま荘)

Shirouma So is a quick 2-minute drive or a 5-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. Shirouma So also offers a discount on lift tickets, and ski and snowboard rentals, so if you plan on relaxing in a nice toasty onsen after hitting the Hakuba slopes, Shirouma So is perfect.

Shirouma So does not have rooms with private onsen attached. If you want to bath in a private onsen at Shirouma So, you’ll have to reserve the private onsen that’s only open from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. when you check-in at the front desk. The highly alkaline water here is said to have a satin feel, and make your skin soft and silky. The cozy onsen is made with Tago stone and is made to resemble wood grain.

Each of the rooms at Shirouma So is unique and designed individually. The rooms all face south and offer great views of the mountain. On the upper floors of the annex, enjoy large windows that show panoramic views of Hakuba nature. The head chef at Shirouma is 77-years old, and has been making homemade dishes with local ingredients since her mother, the previous head chef, taught her how when she was young. You can experience traditional Japanese flavors here!

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3. Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba (ホテルシェラリゾート白馬)

Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba is located in the northern part of Hakuba, surrounded by 25 acres of forest and well-kept gardens. Sierra Resort is located 20 minutes away from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort and 10 minutes away from Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort by car. They also offer a shuttle bus to each ski resort! Sierra Resort is one of the largest accommodations in Hakuba, perfect for enjoying all of the beautiful seasons of Hakuba.

If you would like to enjoy an outdoor jet bath, book the junior suite room, which also comes with a wood stove and two bedrooms. If you prefer a larger private area, definitely check out one of the multiple private open-air onsen. They have plenty of private onsen themes to enjoy, such as authentic tea room, roman style, and traditional Niigata style. The onsen water is bicarbonate and flows from the Mizubasho Onsen source.

Dinner is prepared by executive chef Pierre Kanazawa, who has won many awards and accolades for his amazing skills. If you have any food allergies or restrictions, they ask that you contact them 10 days in advance so that they have time to prepare separate fresh ingredients. We recommend the full French course which changes every season, so you can enjoy delicious foods with in-season tastes. Breakfast is a large buffet with over 60-kinds of foods, including Japanese, Western, and dim sum foods.

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4. Hotel Hakuba Hifumi (山の郷ホテル白馬ひふみ)

Hotel Hakuba Hifumi is located 10 minutes away from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort on foot and 5 minutes by car. Even though the Hakuba Hifumi is super close to many ski-slopes, the amazing hospitality, onsen, and cuisine may make you never want to leave! They only have 10 rooms available, 6 of which are deluxe with outdoor onsen.

Book one of the amazing suites for a relaxing and wonderful time. The private onsen are large and connected to the alkaline source of Hakuba Happo Onsen. There are large rooms with panoramic windows so that guests can relax with nature. Choose between a cypress tub or an oval clay tub! Each room is slightly different, so you can enjoy a new experience every time you stay. If you book a regular room, enjoy one of the two large public onsen, or the large private rental onsen for free. Reserve a spot at the front desk when you check-in.

Meals are Hakuba original kaiseki, with special Shinshu beef. They are very particular about ingredients and offer many dishes and ingredients that are unique to the region. The meals that they prepare will make your days feel special and high-quality. If you prefer, contact them in advance to reserve a private dining room for special occasions. They also have a small cafe area, where you can enjoy homemade sweets and coffee in front of a large heart near the lobby.

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5. Traumerei (白馬のオーベルジュ・レストラン＆ホテル『トロイメライ』)

Traumerei is located 5 minutes away from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, 10 minutes away from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, and 10 minutes away from Hakuba Goryu Iimori Ski Resort. Its central location is perfect for accessing all of the nearby ski and snowboard lifts. They are a Western-style hotel in the middle of Japan, where you can experience real French wine and cuisine.

The rooms are all western style, hidden in beautiful Hakuba nature with a fairytale-style atmosphere and facade. There are no rooms with private onsen attached, but there are two private rental onsen that you can book for 50 minutes at a time, which are designed with marble to be extravagant and European style. Your stay at Traumerei will be a luxurious French experience in the Japanese Alps.

If you enjoy French food and wine, you will love the restaurant at Traumerei. There are no a la carte dishes, so if you want to try the food, be prepared for 10 courses made with a mix of imported French delicacies and fresh local Shinshu ingredients, all paired perfectly with authentic French wines. The owner is known for mingling with guests at dinner and personally recommending the best wines to go with your dinner according to your tastes!

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6. Hakuba Highland Hotel (白馬姫川温泉 白馬ハイランドホテル)

Hakuba Highland Hotel is located next to the Himekawa River, far away from the center of Hakuba. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet, perfect for relaxing on a holiday! Highland Hotel will send a bus to pick you up from Hakuba station, all you have to do is call ahead and tell them when you plan to arrive. Highland Hotel is 10 minutes by car from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, and 15 minutes away from Hakuba 47 Winter sports park. Not only do they have shuttle buses to all of the popular ski resorts from their parking lot, but they also have snow equipment rentals!

Choose between a Japanese-style room and a Western-style room with excellent views of the Northern Alps or the forest. There are no rooms with private onsen attached, but there is a private onsen available for rent for 50 minutes at 3,000 JPY. Be sure to reserve a time slot when you check-in. The large public onsen sport great views of the snowy mountain landscape in winter, and bright green mountain landscape in the summer.

Highland Hotel uses local ingredients and has even created guidelines for themselves to have more than 80% of the ingredients that they use be sourced from within 81 kilometers of the hotel. They have plenty of local specialties at the buffet like local Shinshu miso-style soup, local Shinshu soba, and Shinshu premium beef. They say that the water used to grow produce in Hakuba is special, and makes vegetables grown in the region delicious.

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7. Hotel Moegi (はくば Moegi HOTEL)

Hotel Moegi is perfect for those who want to wake up and go skiing early. They are only a 4-minute walk away from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort. While you’re walking there, stop at one of the snow gear rental shops on the way and use a coupon from Hotel Moegi to get a discount while picking up some gear! Hotel Moegi is super convenient and great for those who want to relax in style after skiing.

There are no public or private onsen attached to any rooms. If you want to warm up in hot onsen water, reserve a 50-minute time slot when you check-in. There may be times when the onsen is booked and you can’t get a spot at the private onsen, so try one of the many nearby onsen. Because there are only a total of 10 rooms at Hotel Moegi, the hospitality and quality are luxurious.

The dinners at Moegi are course, and the head chef is very particular about ingredients. They use local produce grown with spring water from the Alps. Because of the proximity to the sea of Japan, every part of the meal is fresh and delightful. The head chef carefully selects local wines from the local Nagano Prefecture to go perfectly with whatever is in season on that day.

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8. Mominoki Hotel (白馬樅の木ホテル)

Mominoki Hotel is a 12-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, a 5-minute walk from Hakuba Kokuasi Daiichi Ski Lift, or a 10-minute drive from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park. Mominoki is a high-class North American-style lodge hotel located at the foot of the Northern Alps. For those who love nature, try glamping if you visit in the summer. Check out the helicopter service that they have from Tokyo Heliport or Narita Airport if you’er interested.

There are a variety of different rooms to choose from at Mominoki, but there are no rooms that have private onsen attached. If you want to relax in private, you’ll have to reserve the private onsen at 1 hour for 3,300 JPY. The large public open-air onsen is open until midnight, so hop in before bed when it’s not as busy. If you’re sore from skiing, get one of the many types of massages or treatments for ultimate relaxation and recovery.

Mominoki is an ultimate relaxation experience in the Hakuba wilderness. Choose between the dinner buffet or a high-quality main dish, which is one of the prides of the hotel. They offer a wide menu that is constantly changing with the seasons. They use ingredients that are unique to the Shinshu region. In the summer, you can enjoy an authentic charcoal barbecue on the terrace with a special menu. Mominoki Hotel is the perfect place for those who want to relax in nature while staying close to the many ski resorts of Hakuba.

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9. Azekura Sanso (あぜくら山荘)

Azekura Sanso is 6-minute drive from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, and a 15-minute drive from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park and Hakuba Goryu Iimori Ski Resort. Azekura is a quaint and quiet lodge surrounded by the Hakuba wilderness. The lodge was hand-built in 1983 by the owner.

There are no rooms with private onsen attached, but each room will have you feeling relaxed and comfortable with a peaceful atmosphere. The rooms are perfect for couples and small friend groups. There are two large public onsen that overlook the forest. Reserve the private onsen when you check if you want to spend special time with a loved one. Because there are only 6 rooms at Azekura Sanso, you can expect peace at all times.

The meals at Azekura are all made using seasonal ingredients and produce grown in Shinshu. Not only do they grow their own onions, potatoes, and garlic, but they make their own breakfast jam and miso. They have all organic and pesticide-free foods and have good relationships with their local suppliers. Enjoy locally produced rice, eggs, Matsuda milk, and a variety of local Japanese sake. In July and August, choose the seasonal barbecue for an exceptional experience.

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10. Hakuba Hotel Ougiya (白馬ホテル扇屋)

Hakuba Hotel Ougiya is a 5-minute drive from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort and a 10-minute drive from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park and Hakuba Goryu Iimori Ski Resort. Hotel Ougiya focuses on food and comfort. Even though it’s a Western-style building and hotel, you can still book a room with tatami mats if you want to experience traditional Japanese comfort.

The open-air private onsen has the same source as the large public baths, so you can experience alkaline water that makes your skin feel silky smooth. The tub is made of clay and was baked by skilled craftsmen in Shigaraki. Reserve in advance after you book by phone at 1,500 JPY for 1 hour. There are no rooms with private onsen attached, but relaxing in the traditional rooms with mountain views is relaxing in its own right.

Their head chef, Maruyama Fuyuki was born in Nagano and worked as the head chef at the official residence of the Japanese Consul General in Switzerland. He is a master at creating Japanese and European-style food. They describe their meals as an exciting fusion of Shinshu ingredients and Western-style cuisine. The dishes are prepared using locally produced ingredients like organic rice and vegetables from the owner’s garden.

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11. Hotel Saitou (ホテルさいとう)

Hotel Saitou is a 7-minute drive from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, an 8-minute drive away from Hakuba Goryu Iimori Ski Resort, and a 6-minute drive from Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort. If you stay in Hakuba for more than a few days and want to visit multiple different slopes, Hotel Saito is centrally located and close to all of the most popular parks.

At Hotel Saitou, there are three types of rooms available, with a maximum of 3 groups per day. Because Hotel Saito is fairly small, there is no public onsen or rental private onsen. If you want to enjoy a relaxing soak before bed, we recommend booking the room with a private open-air onsen or Jacuzzi attached. Enjoy views of the Hakuba countryside and the Northern Alps from the veranda.

Meals at Hotel Saitou are truly luxurious, as they only serve a maximum of 3 parties a night. They focus on local ingredients that are in season. All of the food is handmade with the utmost care, so if you are a vegetarian, a vegan, want smaller portions, have allergies or are bad with any other kinds of food, they are willing to accommodate! Enjoy a Western-style Kaiseki while relaxing next to the fireplace in their dining room.

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12. Pension Winds Hakuba (ペンションウインズ白馬)

Pension Winds Hakuba is 7 minutes away from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park and Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, and 11 minutes away from Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort by car. Pension Winds Hakuba is a Western-style hotel where you can relax and enjoy ultimate hospitality and food near the major ski resorts.

We recommend booking one of the rooms that have a private terrace open-air onsen attached to your room so you can hop in whenever you want. Don’t worry if you don’t book one of those rooms, as they also have a 24-hour rental private onsen located in a beautiful well-kept garden. They don’t have Japanese-style rooms or a public onsen, so try a different hotel if you are searching for a traditional Japanese experience.

The dinner menu features a variety of different Western-style foods and courses, each prepared with time and care at a professional level. If you visit in the summer, enjoy your breakfast on the garden deck surrounded by warm sunlight, seasonal flowers in bloom, and the sounds of birds. Enjoy freshly baked homemade bread and other delicious seasonal foods for breakfast.

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13. Green Valley Hakuba (グリーンバレー白馬)

Green Valley Hakuba is less of a hotel and more of a cottage rental service. They are located 5 minutes away from Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, 10 minutes away from Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, and Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort. If you want ultimate privacy on your vacation, Green Valley Hakuba will be the perfect experience.

Book a cottage with an onsen attached and take a soak whenever you please. Each of the 7 types of cottages is special and they each have their own style and design. If you have a large group, we recommend the Executive suite which can sleep up to 10 people. If you have more than 10 people, they also have a group executive charter for up to 21 people. If you want to use the open-air onsen, you have to pay an extra fee, so be sure to let them know ahead of time so they can prepare hot water.

To enjoy a barbeque, yakiniku, or yosenabe, they require an extra fee. You’ll need to reserve the equipment and food ahead of time. Renting a comfortable private villa is a great way to enjoy your own time, and can be used for couples, families, and large groups. After skiing or snowboarding, you’ll want to relax with all of the luxuries of a home without being disturbed by anyone.

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14. Conclusion

Have you found the perfect onsen, hotel, or ryokan with a private onsen for your ski vacation to Hakuba?

We hope that our article could be of use as we recommended some places in Hakuba based on their price, proximity to the slopes, quality of food, and level of luxury.

Go for a weekend or a longer holiday to really relax and enjoy your time on the slopes in Hakuba.

Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?

In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high speed data and internet!

By reserving online before departing, you can

• Lower your rental fees
• Avoid stock shortages at the airport

To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.

CUSTOMER’S VOICE

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