[How to enjoy Hakuba/Echoland area] Recommended restaurants and accommodations

How to enjoy the Hakuba Echoland area

The Hakuba Echoland area is packed with cafes, izakayas, bars, souvenir shops and more along a single main street.

There are many stylish and comfortable restaurants, as well as cafes where you can eat hearty hamburgers, bars where you can enjoy sushi, and many other places aimed at foreign tourists. Therefore, even if you haven't decided where to eat in advance, you're sure to find something you want when you come to the Echoland area.

The Hakuba Echoland area is bustling with people even late at night, as there are many izakayas and bars that are open until late. There are also many hotels, pensions and other accommodations nearby, so you can enjoy a leisurely dinner at Echoland after enjoying winter sports or sightseeing.

4 Recommended Restaurants in the Hakuba Echoland Area

Here are four recommended restaurants that you should definitely stop by when you come to Hakuba Echoland. All of the restaurants we introduce are particular about their interior design and taste, so you'll be able to enjoy them with both your eyes and your tongue.

Sounds Like Cafe

"Sounds Like Cafe" is a stylish cafe located along the main street in the Echoland area.

The main food menu consists of large hamburgers and sandwiches, and you will surely be surprised by the portions when you visit for the first time. Many of the reviews also comment on the size of the hamburgers and how filling they are.

The drink menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of drinks including coffee, juices, smoothies, etc. There is also a wide variety of desserts on the menu, including apple pie, pancakes, creme brulée, affogato, and muffins.

This is a great restaurant to visit whether you want a hearty meal or just a light snack, but it is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, so please be careful if you're sightseeing on the weekends.

Mockingbird

"Mockingbird" is a bar with a relaxed atmosphere that was renovated from an old house in the center of Hakuba Echoland. The interior is decorated with original art and miscellaneous goods handmade by the owner, creating a cozy space.

Many customers have commented on the stylish interior and friendly atmosphere of the staff.

One of the attractions of Mockingbird is its extensive drink menu. They have a wide selection of wines and cocktails, as well as craft beer, whiskey, sake, and more. They also have a wide selection of food, including edamame, fried chicken, pasta, and other dishes and snacks that go well with alcohol.

This is a recommended restaurant for spending a relaxing evening in the Hakuba Echoland area with delicious drinks and food.

The Campfire

"The Campfire" is a cafe bar where you can eat sushi.

The ingredients used are locally sourced from the Sea of Japan and Hokkaido. Therefore, even though the Hakuba area is surrounded by mountains, you can enjoy fresh, authentic sushi, which can also be taken away. In addition, homemade cold brewed coffee, light meals, and sweets are available during cafe time, and eight types of craft beer, wine, cocktails, and more are available at the bar.

Reviews included comments expressing excitement at being able to eat sushi deep in the mountains of Hakuba, as well as comments from overseas tourists saying it was easy to order because an English menu is available.

Campfire footage is shown inside the store, allowing you to spend a relaxing time in a calm atmosphere.

Seasonal Izakaya Sarugaku

"Shunsai Izakaya Sarugaku" is an izakaya that offers a wide variety of dishes made with local ingredients.

They have a particularly large selection of sake, including local Nagano sake.

One of the fun things to do is compare different types of sake.

With a wide variety of menu items to go with alcohol, such as gyoza, fried chicken, and rolled omelets, this restaurant is especially recommended for those looking for an izakaya that focuses on Japanese cuisine.

Other reviews mention not only the deliciousness of the food, but also the speed at which the food is served, indicating the high quality of the service.

It's also perfect for warming up your chilled body after a day at the ski resort.

3 Recommended Accommodations in the Hakuba Echoland Area

The Hakuba Echoland area is densely populated with restaurants and accommodations. We will introduce three particularly recommended accommodations. Please refer to this if you are planning to stay overnight in the Hakuba area.

Hotel Breeze

"Hotel Soyokaze" is a hotel with a quiet and calm atmosphere. Inside, there is a small courtyard where you can see the changing seasons, such as fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery. The hotel is lined with artworks by local artists and cute accessories, creating an elegant space that is very appealing.

Meals are served in the form of a gorgeous full-course meal, the chef's pride and joy, made with an abundance of local Hakuba and Shinshu ingredients. There are also plans available that allow you to check in without dinner, so this is also recommended for those who want to enjoy eating out at restaurants.

There is a private open-air bath available for those who want to relax and soothe the fatigue of the day, but reservations are required when it is busy, so it is best to check in advance.

Villa Rengatei

Villa Rengatei is a recommended guesthouse for those looking for a reasonable accommodation or for those who want to stay for multiple nights. The rooms are 16 tatami mat Japanese-Western style, so you can relax and unwind. There is a microwave, hot water supply, and even a washer/dryer that can be used free of charge, so you can keep your luggage to a minimum.

The vending machines in the building sell alcohol, snacks, cup ramen, juice, bath sets, and more, so you can get everything you need for your stay or night on site. This makes it the perfect guesthouse for when you tend to have a lot of luggage, such as on a ski trip.

The accommodation is mainly for overnight stays and you are free to bring your own food and drinks, so if you want to enjoy the restaurants at Echoland and stay overnight at a reasonable price, why not check it out?

Shakespeare Hotel

The Shakespeare Hotel is modeled after the streets of 16th century England and Shakespeare's birthplace, and features an antique look. There is also a yoga studio and a massage parlor on the premises, so it is also recommended for those who want to take care of their body.

There is also a bar that specializes in whiskey, an Italian restaurant that specializes in cheese dishes, and an authentic Genghis Khan restaurant, so you will never be short of things to eat and drink.

There is also a free shuttle bus to nearby ski resorts, so it is also recommended as a base camp for ski tourism.

Snowliner is convenient if you are staying here for skiing or snowboarding

For those coming to the Hakuba Echoland area to ski or snowboard, we recommend the Snow Liner, an express bus that goes directly to the slopes.

The Echoland area is about 2km from Hakuba Station, so it's a little far to walk, and it takes about 5 minutes by taxi. However, if you take the direct bus, you can easily get to the bus meeting point and it will take you to your destination ski resort, and you won't have to spend time carrying heavy luggage.

There's no need to worry about changing trains; all you have to do is ride the bus, so it's extremely convenient because you can sleep and rest your body on the way home, which is a time when you tend to get tired.

The direct bus "Snow Liner" can be easily booked, so if you're heading to a ski resort in Nagano Prefecture, be sure to consider using it.

Snowliner reservations here

Enjoy the Echoland area until late at night

There are many accommodations in the Echoland area, so you can enjoy the lively restaurants until late at night. Enjoy sightseeing in Echoland, which is filled with stylish restaurants and accommodations.

There are many ski resorts near the Echoland area, so it should also be useful as a camping spot for ski tourists. If you are going on a ski trip, you should consider using the Snow Liner express bus, which goes directly to the slopes, for a comfortable trip to and from the area.