1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba worth booking?
1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba is a 9.8-hour experience in Nagano, Japan, from $16600 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 9.8 hours
- From
- $16600 per person
Enjoy a guided hike to the breathtaking Happo-ike pond in Hakuba, accessible from a series of gondolas and chair lifts. Then, visit beautiful Reisho-ji temple and the nearby onsen town of Omachi-Onsenkyo. Nestled among
What you get
- Transportation from Nagano Station to Hakuba, and between all activities/attractions
- Entry to hot springs in Omachi Onsen-kyo
- English-speaking guide
- Round-trip tickets to ride the gondola and chair lifts to Happo-ike Sanso station
- Guided tour to Happo-ike, Reisho-ji Temple, and Omachi Onsen-kyo
About this experience
Enjoy a guided hike to the breathtaking Happo-ike pond in Hakuba, accessible from a series of gondolas and chair lifts. Then, visit beautiful Reisho-ji temple and the nearby onsen town of Omachi-Onsenkyo. Nestled among the Northern Japan Alps in Nagano, Hakuba Valley is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and clear blue lakes, and is known for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. The high altitude of the mountain ridges in Hakuba makes for some of the best hiking and trekking in all of Japan, with trails that can be accessed from chair lifts and gondolas that run year-round. Starting from Nagano Station, this tour will take guests up to one of the most iconic and breathtaking spots in Hakuba, Happo-ike pond, to see its mirror-like surface reflecting the nearby peaks. Afterwards, guests will visit a historic temple in the area, and have time in a traditional hot spring town, where they can enter a full hot spring, or an outdoor "ashi-yu" footbath.
What's included
Included
- Transportation from Nagano Station to Hakuba, and between all activities/attractions
- Entry to hot springs in Omachi Onsen-kyo
- English-speaking guide
- Round-trip tickets to ride the gondola and chair lifts to Happo-ike Sanso station
- Guided tour to Happo-ike, Reisho-ji Temple, and Omachi Onsen-kyo
Not included
- Lunch
- Additional snacks & drinks
- Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
- Accommodation
What you'll see and do
Happo Pond
Experience the majesty of Happo-ike pond, a picturesque lake among the Japan Alps in Hakuba. Your guide will lead you as you journey up one gondola and two chair lifts, followed by a 1-hour hike to about 2,000 meters above sea level. The pond is known for its mirror-like quality, reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks on a clear day. It is perfect for taking photos, and enjoying the refreshing cool air!
180 minutes here · Admission included
Visit Reisho-ji Temple, a scenic hillside temple overlooking Omachi Village. With its trees that change colors with the seasons, stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and unique wood carvings and architecture, this temple is the perfect place to learn about Buddhism in Japan while also enjoying everything it has to offer. Your guide will tell you about the history of the temple, some of its unique features, and you will have plenty of time to take photos.
45 minutes here
Omachi Onsenkyo
Explore Omachi Onsen-kyo, a traditional "onsen" or natural hot spring town near Hakuba. Enjoying the hot springs is the perfect way to relax after a day of hiking and being out in nature. There are several baths that guests can enter, and your guide will have recommendations for you as well. For those who don't wish to enter a full hot spring, there is also an outdoor "ashi-yu" or hot spring footbath for guests to enjoy.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Nagano
Meet your guide at 8:15am inside of Nagano Station. The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing our tour tag.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your guide at 8:15am inside of Nagano Station. The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing our tour tag.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- There will be a significant amount of physical activity required; the hike from Happo-ike Sanso station to the Happo-ike pond takes about 1 hour and is about 230 meter increase in elevation. Anyone with a low-moderate level of physical fitness/activity can join the tour, and guests are welcome to hike at their own pace. However, it is not suited for those with severe physical limitations.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travelers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
- In the case of extreme weather conditions, the destination may be changed from Happo-ike pond to nearby Tsugaike Nature Park, which offers flat boardwalks and trails that are less intense.
- This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train depending on the season and size of the group.
- The visibility of the mountains from Happo-ike pond is subject to change depending on the weather. On a clear day, all of the surrounding peaks can be visible, and are reflected in the pond. However, on a cloudy day, they may not be visible at all. The weather can change rapidly at high altitudes and clouds can appear or dissipate with no warning. Please be aware that the visibility is not ensured.
- Please note that the fall foliage at Reisho-ji Temple is not visible all year, but only during the autumn season in October and November.
- Infants (0-5) are free of charge.
- Booking cut-off time is an hour before the pick up time on the day.
- Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, or other unforeseeable factors.
- This tour includes a 1-hour hike at high elevation and may not be suitable for guests with serious medical conditions.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 9.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $16600 to $25300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Nagano.
How much does 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba cost?
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Prices start at $16600 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Nagano usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba take?
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Plan for about 9.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Nagano is not rushed.
Is 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Nagano, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Nagano can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Nagano and add a light layer if any part of the 9.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 1 Day Tour Hiking to Happo-ike Pond and Hot Springs in Hakuba start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Nagano within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Nagano?
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On Outty we rank every Nagano experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle, 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano, Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Nagano?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Nagano?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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