Winstar Hotel

The staff at The Square 8 were lovely and helpful, and they made great coffee in the coffee shop. They also arranged taxis for us. The rides into Hakuba town were dependable and reasonably priced, though Uber is an option too if you don’t mind a surcharge. We mostly took taxis, since the village is about a five-minute drive from downtown. Buses to nearby ski areas run once an hour. We stayed in one of the apartment-style places along the small road, with a kitchenette and washing machine. The main building has reception, the cafe, and the breakfast room. Breakfast is an optional, simple Western buffet with things like scrambled eggs, waffles, and croissants. It got busy early when everyone was heading for the ski bus, so we usually had Japanese breakfast at City Coffee or ate once we reached the mountain. The guest house is friendly and sits in a charming village a little away from central Hakuba. It seems easiest for people arriving by car, though we managed without one. The area has a more local feel, with good spots like High Village Izakaya and City Coffee, and Iwatake is conveniently close.

Cockroaches in the bedrooms, even on pillows, and management showed little interest in sorting it out or offering any resolution. The hotel is in a charming spot, but you really need a car because there are almost no restaurants nearby. Rooms are cold, dim, and not soundproof. The only bathroom has fully transparent glass doors, which doesn’t work well for a group. It’s also very expensive in winter.

We only spent one night, but it was a really nice stay. The room felt cozy and modern, with a simple look that made it easy to relax as soon as we walked in. Breakfast had a few choices. We went for the croque monsieur, which was very good. There were two reservable baths where we stayed, or you could just use the shower in your room.

Getting around Hakuba without a car was a bit tricky on my first visit because there aren’t many buses or much public transport. The hotel staff were a huge help, though. One of them even drove us into town after finishing his shift. Big thanks to Tayla and Tanka! The mountains are easy to reach, with buses stopping right outside for Iwatale and Happo, and you can connect to other resorts from either. There’s a great steak restaurant up the road and a 7-11 just a short walk away.