Summer Activities in Hakuba | Explore the Japanese Alps by Rental Car

Most people discover Hakuba in winter — drawn by its legendary powder snow and world-class ski runs. But return in summer, and you find something completely different: a vibrant green mountain valley packed with adventure, fresh alpine air, and some of the most spectacular scenery in Japan.

Mountain biking 521 vertical metres through the Japanese Alps. Rafting glacial meltwater down the Hime River. Paragliding over rice fields and forest. Hiking to a high-altitude lake ringed by snow peaks. Hakuba in summer is one of Japan's great outdoor destinations — and with a rental car from Hakuba Rent a Car, based at Hakuba Cortina Lodge in Otari Village, you can reach every corner of it on your own terms.

① Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort — MTB, Views, and Adventure

Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort transforms completely in summer. Where winter brings powder skiing, the green season brings a gondola-accessed mountain resort at 1,280 metres — with the iconic Hakuba Three Peaks spread directly in front of you and a full programme of outdoor activities below.

Mountain biking (MTB)

Iwatake's MTB park runs from late May to early November and caters to all skill levels. The Alps Downhill Course — 6,900 metres long with 521m of vertical — was the first course in Japan built to international MTB trail standards. For first-timers, the "Hitotoki Downhill" offers a scenic 1.4km descent with rental bikes available at the summit for ¥1,500 (helmet included, minimum height 140cm).

Yahho! Swing and Mountain Cart

The Yahho! Swing (from ¥500) — a giant winding swing 10 metres above the ground — has become one of Hakuba's most photographed experiences. The Mountain Cart lets riders navigate 1.4km of descent using only a handlebar and brake, with the Hakuba Valley spread out below.

② River Rafting — Riding Glacial Meltwater Through the Alps

The Hime River (Himekawa), fed by snowmelt from the Northern Alps, runs through Hakuba Village and offers some of the most scenic white-water rafting in Japan. The combination of cold, clear water and uninterrupted alpine views makes this an experience you won't find anywhere else.

Guided tours involve paddling in a group, navigating rapids, and jumping from rocks into the current — the level of intensity can be adjusted based on your group's preference. After the river, a hot spring soak is almost mandatory, and both are within easy reach by car.

③ Paragliding — Flying Over Hakuba Valley

Hakuba is one of Japan's premier paragliding locations, and tandem flights (with a certified instructor) are available for complete beginners. You'll be airborne for 15–30 minutes depending on the course, drifting over the green patchwork of Hakuba Valley with the Alps as your backdrop.

The perspective from above is genuinely unlike anything you'll see from the ground — rice paddies, forest, ski runs, the village laid out below, and the peaks rising above. It's a composed, quiet experience rather than the gut-drop of a rollercoaster, and one of the most talked-about summer activities in the valley.

④ Trekking and Hiking — Walking the Northern Alps

Hakuba is ringed by some of Japan's finest high-altitude trekking terrain. From gondola-assisted easy walks to serious multi-hour alpine routes, there's a trail for every level.

• 🥾 Iwatake "Nezuko-no-Mori" Trail — a gentle 90-minute loop from the summit, mostly flat, through old-growth beech forest with open views of the Hakuba Three Peaks (approx. 30 min from Hakuba Rent a Car)
• 🥾 Tsugaike Nature Park — one of Japan's largest high-altitude marshlands, with a boardwalk trail through alpine wildflowers and residual snowfields. Best July–October. Approximately 15 min from Hakuba Cortina Lodge by car
• 🥾 Hakuba Happo-One Ridge Trekking — take the gondola and chairlift to 1,820m, then hike to Happo Pond (about 2 hrs return) for direct views of the Hakuba range

⑤ Lake Aoki — Kayaking and SUP on Nagano's Clearest Lake

Lake Aoki (Aokiko), Nagano's deepest lake, is about 20 minutes by car from Hakuba Rent a Car's base at Hakuba Cortina Lodge. The water clarity is extraordinary — you can see the bottom at considerable depth — and the surrounding mountains make for a stunning backdrop for kayaking, Canadian canoe, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

⑥ Hot Springs After Your Activity

Every major activity in Hakuba is made better by what comes after: a long soak in a natural hot spring. The Otari and Hakuba area has several excellent options accessible by car.

• ♨️ Hakuba Cortina Onsen — directly adjacent to Hakuba Rent a Car's base at Hakuba Cortina Lodge. The most convenient post-activity soak you'll find
• ♨️ Hakuba Happo Onsen (Happo-no-Yu) — popular day-use hot spring in Hakuba Village; ideal after rafting or a day on the ridge
• ♨️ Omachi Onsen Village — about 30 min from Hakuba Cortina Lodge, near Lake Aoki; good option if you're combining with a lake activity on the way back

Sample 2-Day Summer Itinerary

Book Your Rental Car at Hakuba Rent a Car

Hakuba's summer activities are spread across Hakuba Village, Otari Village, and the surrounding alpine area — a rental car is the only practical way to combine them freely in a single trip. No bus timetables, no waiting, no compromises. Hakuba Rent a Car is based at Hakuba Cortina Lodge in Otari Village, right in the heart of the action.

Summary

1. Hakuba Iwatake MTB Park offers world-class downhill trails from 1,280m — open May to November, rentals available at the summit for beginners
2. Hime River rafting is one of Japan's best summer outdoor experiences — glacial meltwater, mountain views, and full-on fun
3. Tandem paragliding gives you a 15–30 minute bird's-eye view of Hakuba Valley that you simply can't get any other way
4. Tsugaike Nature Park is about 15 minutes from Hakuba Rent a Car — one of Japan's largest high-altitude marshlands with stunning wildflower displays in July and August
5. Lake Aoki is approximately 20 minutes away by car — Nagano's clearest lake for kayaking and SUP
6. Hakuba Cortina Onsen is right next to the rental shop — the perfect way to end the day before returning your car

Hakuba Rent a Car is based at Hakuba Cortina Lodge in Otari Village. We'd love to help make your summer Hakuba trip the adventure it deserves to be.