Hike to the Ridge to Happo Pond, Gaze upon the Hakuba Sanzan Mountains, and Smell the Alpine Flowers

The most scenic point along the Hakuba Happo One ridge is Happo Pond, a natural body of water that clearly reflects the peaks of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains in its surface. The pond sits along the ridgeline of Hakuba Happo One on the way to Mt. Karamatsu, one of the peaks of the Hakuba mountain range. The trail offers magnificent views of the Northern Alps and when conditions are right, even stretch as far as Mt. Fuji. In total, you can see 11 of Japan’s Hyakumeizan peaks in the distance, and at your feet, a variety of delicate alpine flora bloom in accordance with the changing seasons.

Views of Hakuba's townscape below the mountain range.

The trail from Happo-ike Sanso to Happo Pond is well-maintained.

One of the cairns serving as a landmark for mountain climbers. Also a perfect place to take a break.

The trail starts from Happo-ike Sanso, which can be reached by a combination of gondola and ski lift from the base of the mountain. From Happo-ike Sanso to Happo Pond, the trail takes about 2.5 hours to complete roundtrip. You don’t need to submit a trekking itinerary, and the trail itself is beginner friendly.

Over 300 varieties of alpine plants bloom along the trail. Among them are rare flowers and shrubs that normally only grow at altitudes above 2,500 meters. The secret lies in Happo One’s geology: the ridgeline soil, buffeted by strong winds and rain, became a suitable habitat for such alpine plants even at an elevation of just over 1,000 meters. There are also several alpine plants endemic to the area, such as Happo Usuyukiso, Happo Waremokō, Happo Azami, and Happo Takanesenburi.

Kamaike Marsh。In mid-July, day lilies bloom here with the Hakuba Sanzan mountains at their back.

Happo Usuyukiso looks like it is covered in a light dusting of snow.

According to our contact at Happo One, this year's snow melted more quickly than usual.

Sitting around the middle of the Happo One ridge, Happo Pond is a natural body of water formed by the accumulation of earth and rock displaced by snow. Around the pond are several benches where you can sit and appreciate the scenery of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains still streaked with lingering snow. The pond itself reaches a depth of 4 meters, and Sanshōuo salamanders and Moriakagaeru frogs inhabit its clear waters.

See this article for more information on hiking Happo Pond.

2,060-meter-high Happo Pond surrounded by towering peaks.

Depending on the year, snow still lingers around Happo Pond through July. Don't forget to bring some layers to stay warm!

Work amidst Majestic Mountain Scenery at Usagidaira Workstation

While the remote work boom may have reached its peak during the pandemic, the desire for flexibility in work remains high, and workations are one way to please both employees and employers. Many hotels and resorts have begun catering to workationers and digital nomads; and national governments have even created visas specifically for such workers. Japan is no different. It offers a 6-month digital nomad visa for remote workers meeting its income and nationality requirements.

Working remotely in Japan is a great way to maximize your time to experience the country and all it has to offer. And if you happen to be working remotely in Japan during summer, there is no better place than the cool, mountainous region of Hakuba, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and gaze upon the Japanese Alps to refresh yourself between bouts of productivity.

Hakuba Happo One has had its share of digital nomads, who have worked in the cafeteria space of 1,400-meter-high Usagidaira station, and now, it offers a Remote Work area that can be utilized for free without reservations. Wi-Fi and charging stations are available, and the large windows look out over the townscape of Hakuba Village and towards distant Mt. Asama and the Yatsugatake mountains.

Usagidaira is the end station of the Happo Gondola. Attached is Usagidaira Terrace Yeti, where you can enjoy a drink and/or meal along with fresh air and mountainous scenery.

You can bring pets up to Usagidaira for a refreshing mountain walk

From the Mountain Beach deck atop Usagidaira, you can grab a drink from the bar counter and laze on one of its beach chairs as you take in the scenery of Hakuba Village. Peering from the white-bleached deck into the distance, the distant blue mountains look like the waves on the ocean.

Hakuba Mountain Beach sits atop the roof of Usagidaira Terrace Yeti. ©Hakuba Resort Development Co., Ltd.

There's a bar serving light meals and drinks. On a break from work, grab a bite, enjoy the view, relax and recharge. ©Hakuba Resort Development Co., Ltd.

Hakuba Sanzan Mountain Green Season Pass

For those who are planning to regularly head up the mountain for remote work, you can pick the Hakuba Sanzan Mountain Green Season Pass. A limited run of just 1,000 passes, it costs 9,800 yen and includes unlimited rides on the gondolas and lifts for Hakuba Happo One, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort and Tsugaike Mountain Resort during the 2026 green season. Each resort has its own workstation, so you can pick whichever space best suits the weather and/or your mood.

Hakuba Sanzan Mountain Green Season Pass
https://ticket-hakubahappo.book.ntmg.com/top/products/754ab014-e337-536d-af64-e09591f07c07?lng=ja (Japanese language)

Summer Events and Activities at Hakuba Happo One Resort

Whether you’re just planning to visit for a day hike or take an extended workation at the resort, there are plenty of summer events and activities to enjoy while you’re here. Some may even become the reason you visit in the first place.

Digital Stamp Rally (via Japanese Language App YAMASTA)

One of these is the 3rd Annual Digital Stamp Rally. Download the YAMASTA app (Japanese Language only) to your smartphone and collect enough stamps to receive a certificate and limited-edition commemorative badge. The badges’ design changes each year, and they are becoming quite the popular collectable.

If you complete the Double Hike Campaign by finishing both the Hakuba Happo One and Tsugaike Nature Park stamp rallies, you can receive a commemorative sticker as well.

Guided Trekking to Happo Pond

From June to October, the resort has partnered with Alpen Outdoors to host the Happo One Trekking Event, a series of guided tours geared towards beginner-level hikers and families with young children.

The tour begins and ends at the Happo Adam gondola lift and follows the trail to Happo Pond. After reaching Happo Pond, young kids can assist the guide in searching for Sanshouo salamanders, families can take commemorative photos together, and everyone can enjoy some oyaki, a local Nagano specialty, while taking in the charm of Nagano’s great outdoors.

Hakuba Happo Night Sky Tour

The Night Sky Tour is held on select evenings between August to September. Event participants ride in a special night gondola to take part in a stargazing event atop the resort.

From the darkness of Usagidaira sheltered from the light of town, you can see clearly the Milky Way stretching across the sky. A veteran guide points out the various constellations, and participants can get a closer look using provided Kenko binoculars or telescopes set up on premises. People living in Hakuba Village, Otari Village or Omachi City can take advantage of a locals’ discount.

The nightscape of Hakuba Town as seen from the gondola. ©Hakuba Resort Development Co., Ltd.

Views of the Milky Way from Usagidaira. ©Hakuba Resort Development Co., Ltd.

The Hakuba Mountain Festival

Last but not least is the Hakuba Mountain Festival, a two-day event held around Usagidaira in the middle of Hakuba Happo One, where you can enjoy music, nature and outdoor culture. The music lineup includes mid-aughts Japanese artists such as Shonan no Kaze, Yuusuke, and Sonar Pocket; and there will be food trucks, activities and trekking events as well.

Tickets include unlimited use of the gondola and ski lifts for the day, so you can also reach the other areas of the resort such as Kurobishi and Happo-ike Sanso. The whole ridgeline becomes the venue, allowing eventgoers to enjoy both the music and the outdoors to their hearts’ content.

The night gondola and stargazing event and Hakuba Mountain Festival are eligible for the Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taiken Wari coupon (details below).

Additional Information

Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taiken Wari Coupon

In 2026, Nagano Prefecture is celebrating its 150th anniversary and as part of that are running the “Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taikenwari” campaign. At Hakuba Happo One, the Happo Alpine Line gondola and Happo Alpine line roundtrip ticket, the private deck reservation with lunchbox set tickets are being sold. It is 50% off for residents of Nagano prefecture and 20% off for visitors from outside of the prefecture.

Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taiken Wari details
https://shinshu-taiken.jp/#non-resident (Japanese)

Facility and Tour Details

Happo Alpine Line
Address: Nagano Pref., Kita-Azumigun Hakuba Village Happo 4258
Operating Period: Jun. 6th to Nov. 3rd, 2026
Details: https://www.happo-one.jp/en/trekking/alpenline/

Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taiken Wari Campaign
Details: https://www.asoview.com/base/159234/ (Japanese language)
Campaign Operating Period
Phase 2: 2026/7/1〜2026/9/30 (excepting 8/13～16、9/19～23)
*When purchasing, be sure to select the “Motto Shiritai! Shinshu Taiken Wari” coupon.
*The coupon may sell out before the campaign period ends.

Night Gondola Special Night Sky Tour
Dates: Jul. 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th; Aug. 1st to 16th, 22nd; Sep. 19th to 22nd, 2026
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Details: https://www.happo-one.jp/event-green/29399/ (Japanese language)

Hakuba Mountain Festival 2026
Dates: Aug. 29th (Sat.) & 30th (Sun.), 2026
Venue: Hakuba Happo One Usagidaira
Homepage: https://hakuba-mt-fes.com/ (Japanese language)
Tickets:
1 Day Pass 7,900 yen / 2 Day Pass 12,000 yen
*Unlimited Gondola/Lift rides included for duration of pass

Photography: Sugimura Wataru /　Writing: Mato Marino / Translation: Guardia, Blair