During the ski season, Hakuba is buzzing with activity, with locals and visitors itching to make the most of the Japanese Alps. The restaurants are packed, and the apres-ski scene is pumping.
While we love the vibrant energy that the season brings, we want to be able to enjoy it on our own terms. Shizuku Villas allowed us to soak up that ski season magic while also providing some peace and quiet away from the crowds.
Cosy Living
Shizuku Villas is a trio of chalets located in a quiet pocket of Hakuba, about a five-minute drive from the Happo One ski lifts. Our chalet had everything we needed, and we found the property to be very well designed.
The chalets are compact, yes, but everything is organised for maximum functionality and the build quality is very high. The living room is nice and cosy, and we enjoyed relaxing in front of the TV after being out and about all day.
While the chalet can accommodate up to eight guests, we think things might feel just a little too cosy with eight people staying. Instead, we think the chalet would be ideal for six guests.
Who’s Hungry?
The upstairs living room also has a beautiful dining area, with full wall windows looking out to the snow. We enjoyed cooking our own meals in the adjoining kitchen. Having rented a car, we could easily pick up groceries, with Lawson and A-Coop both just a 5-10-minute drive away.
Relax to the Max
Now for the star of the show! We were blown away by the chalet’s jacuzzi.
Japan, of course, is famous for its onsen baths where natural spring water bubbles up from the earth, containing minerals that are thought to be beneficial for the skin, improve circulation and even reduce stress. In Shizuku Villas, the bath is not a traditional onsen but a spring water jacuzzi.
This means that the bath is fed by a natural hot spring but unlike in an onsen, the water isn’t hot. Instead, it runs through a filter (and jacuzzi jets!), allowing you to set your ideal water temperature with digital controls. In other words, you get to enjoy the perks of an onsen and a jacuzzi all in one go. Thanks to the chalet’s peaceful setting, this really is the ultimate way to relax after a day of skiing.
The chalet has three bedrooms: two with king beds and one with two sets of bunks. While perfectly comfortable, the bedrooms are all quite compact in size. This chalet is really designed for those who prefer spending most of their time out on the slopes – and then returning to the chalet for some heavenly R & R.
A Unique Side of Hakuba
Shizuku Villas has a pretty unique location. If we look at Hakuba, there are 10 ski resorts here, with Happo being the main hub. In Happo, there are two central areas where most of the accommodation options are located: Wadano at the base of the lifts and Echoland a little further down.
Shizuku Villas is essentially positioned in its own pocket between these two areas, neighboured by a handful of other buildings and Nagano’s iconic ski jumping stadium. This is a very quiet part of town, so we really recommend renting your own car to get out and about with ease. The reward is a wonderful sense of peace and privacy – and one of the most relaxing baths you’ll ever experience.
Speak to our team to book your stay at Shizuku Villas.
