Gu~ Steak House in Goryu has tender juicy steak to fit every budget. Set menus with slabs of sizzling meat on a hot plate and a bit of corn start at ¥800. Customers can help themselves to rice, soup, green tea, and water.  They have a picture menu making it very easy for anyone to order. The above meal is a 150 gram steak alongside a 230 gram chicken fillet which comes with a side-salad, and all-you-can-eat rice and soup for ¥1000. If you go there for lunch, you can take ¥100 off each set. They also have minced meat paddies, rib steak, and if you want to best, their wagu beef is ¥4000 for 300 grams.

Gu~ is about a 15 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi, you can also find it on our walking map here. It's very close to Genryu-no-yu Onsen so many of our guests like to do both.

Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30 (last order 14:00)
Dinner: 17:00 - 20:30 (or until the meat runs out)
Closed: Wednesdays

You know you love powder but do you know Powder Love? According to their facebook page:

"Powder Love Hakuba is a yearly, live-music, DJ and festival style event held both inside and outside of Tracks Bar in Hakuba. The Event will feature a nightclub in the basement of Tracks with a top international DJ line-up, while the first floor will feature live music and performance artists. To add to the good vibes of the event there will also be food stalls and a huge bonfire outside with an icebar , more music, Fire shows , Jump / Jib course and a video projection snow display." ...and plenty of prizes to be won!

Here is a video of last year's jib stars in action:

Live Floor:

デリシャスウィートス Japanese wild show
Swell - Dub Reggae with Jazz infusion
Semi-on - Gypsy Punk Funk
Rawshana Belly Dancers
Anbassa- Reggae
Sabunyuma -African drums and dancers
Very Special Guest
And More ( to be announced )

Club Floor:

 Aron-T . dbi-UK
Mitch 4-the Love ( Australia )
D J Paul T
DJ Mike McKenna from U.K / Dj Seeb from Italy
DJ Dave B　/ DJ Dom Pang / DJ Hirro / DJ HSK
Drew Moon from Australia (Rendered SPACE records)
Big Ted from NZ / DJ Chris Edmeads / DJ DR Juan
Soulza from Brazil
Yanbe Giant Swing - Dance hall Ragga
Jimmy- Techno House

Chill Zone:

Ice Dee Jay set / Snow Bar / Maxime Fire show
VJ show by HEADFUL
Jib and jump course
International Food Stalls

There are soba shops all over the Hakuba Valley but my favorite sansai soba is from Yamato Soba. Sansai means mountain vegetable, these wild and nutritious plants are loaded onto a plate of cold soba noodles along with some grated daikon, green onions, shredded nori (seaweed) and wasabi. You have to pour over the soba tsuyu (sauce) yourself. It comes in a ceramic flask, make sure you mix up your plate well then dig in and slurp away. Yes, it's OK to slurp your noodles in Japan. In fact, the locals feel that you will be missing out on some flavor if you don't. 

If you get zaru soba (plain noodles in middle pic below) you will get a small cup of soba tsuyu where you can add your desired amount of wasabi and daikon. Then you load up on noodles with your chopsticks and dip it into the cup, slurp, chomp, and swallow. 

Yamato Soba has cold and hot versions of all of their dishes. You can also order udon (a thick white noodle) instead of soba (brown buckwheat noodles). 

There are always a few specials to choose from like the seasonal tempura and okowa (sticky rice mixed with beans, see pic below). Today they also had kurumi soba which is a walnut dip instead of the usual soy-sauce based dip. Oishikatta (It was yum)! 

Yamato Soba is about a 10 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi. You can also find it on our walking map here.

Hours: 11:00 to 16:00  (and sometimes 17:00 or 18:00)
Closed: sometimes  

I've been suffering from a cold so, as advised by my naturopath, I've been turning to all things hot. This week I have soaked at the Yamada Ryokan Onsen for a long dip in healing waters, put extra tabasco on my Tacos on Monday, had a good dose of wasabi on my tofu last night, been drinking hot yuzu tea, and spent a few hours sweating it out at Escal Plaza's Spa. The Spa at Escal Plaza is nothing fancy but has all of the required basics for only ¥600. There is a large changing area with free lockers, showers, a large hot bath, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool for those who prefer to bathe the Scandanvian way (alternate between heat and cold). Their super convenient location on the first floor of Goryu Ski Resort's main building, makes it possible to get warm and clean while waiting for your friends to finish up their day on the mountain.

Da Monde is commonly known as "Darts Bar" and rightfully so. They have 2 electronically operated dart boards that will keep track of your score so you can focus on your toss. They also have karaoke, and a good selection of manga for those who prefer to put their feet up and do a little reading (in Japanese). Da Monde is about a 10 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi, you can also find it on our Goryu Walking Map here.

If you are an onsen virgin (as one of our guests called it) you may be feeling a little reluctant to bathe with the locals. Many foreigners feel strange about being nude with others, but let me assure you, everyone is naked under their clothes, and everyone leaves their clothes behind when they take an onsen. If you too undress, you will fit in perfectly, no need to feel uneasy or out-of-place. And anyway, you will most likely never have to see these people again so who cares if they get a peak at your barest essentials.

Even if you don't care about the nudity, you may be worried about embarrassing yourself by committing the worst of faux pas while having nothing on to cover up the shame. The first time I went to an onsen I had a good friend take me through the process step-by-step. I have to admit it was not the most relaxing experience the first time around, but now, 100s of onsens later, I have to tell you this is an experience not to be missed! So let me take you through the process step by step and hopefully you too will feel confident enough to have a go at one of Japan's oldest and most popular traditions.

Click on "continue reading" for a detailed 9-step onsen procedure.

Nagano prefecture is known for Shinsyu Soba. Shinshyu is the old name for what is now known as Nagano Prefecture and soba is a buckwheat noodle soup made with a simple soy based broth. You can find Soba restaurants all over Hakuba and the rest of the prefecture. Tonegawa Soba has got to be the best soba restaurant in the Hakuba village. As you can see it is set in beautiful old Minka (Japanese farm house) complete with irori (a sunken hearth used for cooking and eating), kotatsu (heated tables), and hand-made hanten (a quilted robe for guests to wear).

Tonegawa Soba Shop is a 15 or 20 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi. You can also find it on our google map here.

Every Monday and Saturday John will be serving up yummy Tex-Mex to satisfy even the hungriest of Texans. I highly recommend you start with the Smokey Quesadilla, a large flour tortilla sandwich of melted cheese, sauteed onion, and smoked chipotle chillies served with a side of fresh guacamole, salsa fresca, sour cream, and a bit of cabbage. The quesadilla could be shared as a starter or eaten whole as a vegetarian meal (¥850).

Pescetarians, and lovers of seafood, should try the Baja Style Tacos (see picture above), where 2 soft tacos are stuffed with beer-battered fried fish, guacamole, cheese, cabbage, salsa fresca, and sour cream.

For meat lovers he's got "nice tender chicken" served in the chicken enchiladas and El Grande chicken burritos. All of Arriba Arriba's Main Plates (¥1000) are served with a side of Spanish rice, re-fried beans, and chopped cabbage.

Their tostada salad served in a deep-fried tortilla bowl sounded delicious but I wanted to leave a bit of space for a Mexican style hot chocolate. Their spiced hot cocoa is not on the menu but may be available on Monday nights. Just ask!

Complete your Mexican meal with a Corona or tequila shot for only ¥400!

Arriba Arriba is about a 10 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi. You can also find it on our recommendation map here.

Canada Tei is a Japanese izakaya with tasty local dishes, great service, and a comprehensive English menu.  Shige (shee-geh) the friendly owner speaks English and is happy to make recommendations like sukiyaki, nabe, or "salted squid guts". You've got to try their okonomiyaki, and make sure you ask about their daily specials, last time I was there they had excellent tuna and salmon sashimi. They carry a good selection of Japanese nihonshu (sake) and shochu, and of course have beer on tap. Canada Tei is a 5 minute walk from, or a 10 minute stumble back to, Lodge tabi-tabi. You can also find it on our recommendation map here.

Karaoke, lasers, a smoke machine, a discoball, slot machines, a projector,  an acoustic guitar, open-mike nights, a pool table, bikes and other motorized vehicles.... Bike Bar has it all. The owners are more than happy to help you choose a drink and a bite to eat as well. The blue cheese in their home-made burger was a hit the night I visited. The cake-like pudding with ice-cream was definitely an Ozi serving so best to share.The pumpkin soup came in two sizes but the small was plenty. I suggest you go with a crowd and make good use of all their toys, or join me this Thursday to swing away to some funky bass lines, when Swell will be making their first appearance at Bike Bar.

Bike Bar is a 5 or 10 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi. You can also find it on our recommendation map here.

For cheap eats (burgers, burritos, pizza, nachos for 600 yen), veggie options (pizza, burgers, burritos all have a veggie version), free pool table, beer on tap, strong cocktails, super friendly folks, and some of the best live music I have ever seen, Tracks Bar continues to bring the usual suspects and local crowds too. There is no reason not to have a few at Tracks. Tracks Bar is only a 5 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi, you can also find it on our recommendation map here.

Those of you who were in Hakuba a few years back will fondly remember Obuya Onsen. The onsen with endless options. Obuya has a new owner and is now called Hakuba Genryu no Yu. They have a large washing area, large indoor bath, large outdoor bath, a steam room/bath inside a tiny hut, and a good selection of single use baths where you can put your feet up and your head back. This you must try during one of Hakuba's big snow falls. Watching huge lit up flakes floating towards you can best be described as a adventure through the galaxy,  all while keeping warm and soaking in the therapeutic waters of one of Hakuba's best mineral water sources.

UPDATE: The smaller baths and the steam room will not be put to use this winter. The indoor and outdoor baths are still fabulous though.The indoor bath area still smells of fresh hinoki, a Japanese cypres admired for its strength and aromatherapeutic qualities.

The outdoor area is steamy and the stone bath is surrounded by a thick blanket of snow while the hot alkaline rich water does wonders for dry winter skin.

Hakuba Genryu no Yu is a 10 or 15 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi. Just a few steps past the popular steak house, Guu.  You can also find it on our recommendation map here.

Charge: 500 yen
Open: 9:00 - 21:30

If you need rental gear, Hakuba has an ever-growing number of choices. However, for price, quality, and service most of our guests are satisfied with the options available at Spicy Rentals. They have everthing you need for dowhnhill and cross-country skiiing, and snowboarding. They carry large sizes, stuff for kids, helmets, powder boards, beginner and high-perfomance gear.

They open before first lift and are right across from Goryu's main entrance so you won't miss out on first tracks. We have posted a Spicy Rental's pricing chart in the lodge plus our guests will receive an extra 20% off on all their gear. Click on the pic for more details.

Rental Gear at Lodge tabi-tabi:

At the lodge we also have a small selection of rental snowboards, boots, outerwear, gloves, and goggles, at well below the going rate. Sorry, our gear is available on a first come first serve basis and can not be reserved. Please let us know when you are checking in if you are interested in having a look at what is available.

Snowboard with bindings: ¥1000/day
Outer wear: ¥500/day
Goggles: ¥500/day

This year we will be celebrating the full moon with free 30 minute soaks in the tabi-tabi o-furo (bath). If the sky is clear you will be able to catch glimpses of  Mt. Tengu through the rising steam. During the rest of the moon cycle the bath is available for all guests as a private rental. A 50 minute soak is 1500 yen for 2 people, 2000 yen for 3, and 2500 yen for 4 people.

Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu early bird season pass is only 48,000 yen if you order it before October 31st. UPDATE: Hakuba Goryu/Hakuba 47 Early Bird Season Pass Deadline has been extended until November 15th!  Get yours now here!

During the green season, Hakuba is a mecca for hikers and mountaineers. People from all over Japan come to challenge themselves and be humbled by these imposing hills. No need to be afraid though, Hakuba has routes for every level of hiker, from winding trails with wooden boardwalks to steep terrain and chained rock walls. If you do decide to climb to the summit and hike the ridge line, it is best to do an overnight and stay at one of the mountain lodges on the top (from 6300 yen a night for dorm). Last week was my third time to trek the peaks and although I struggled with muscle pain and a headache from the altitude, I also glided through currents of unbounded energy and bodiless joy received from the preserved beauty of these mystical mountains. 

 The Hakuba Goryu gondola is still open for the green season. It's not easy to see green these days though. Instead Hakuba's trees are proudly displaying their fall foliage. The gondola at Hakuba Goryu along with Hakuba Happo and Hakuba 47, will be running until the end of October. Once you get to the top of Goryu there are all kinds of hiking routes to choose from. As you can see in the picture above, many of the trails have wooden boardwalks making it possible for hikers of all levels (and kids in strollers) to enjoy some autumn colors. For those who don't mind a bit of a challenge, and some steep terrain, the trails will lead to some spectacular views of majestic Mt. Goryu (as seen below). The Goryu gondola is only a 10 minute walk from Lodge tabi-tabi, you can also find it on our recommendation map here.

tabi-tabi guests Ray and G from Operation Backpack Asia, Yasu and myself drove around the backstreets looking for the best (worst?) rental shops with the meanest gear and got ourselves hooked up with 7 matching 80s appeal one pieces. Sarah and Andy of Snow Season Japan did all the work behind the scenes and organized yet another super fluoro night at Tracks Bar here in Goryu.

Here are just a couple of us getting ready to head out:

Andy and Alastair representing tabi-tabi won a huge bottle of local sake in the Fluruo Fancy Dance off: