Hakuba Happo-One

ChubuShinshuNagano PrefectureHakubaOnsenTattoo FriendlyWeekend Escape

Jan 29

Written By Lia

**RETURNING TO HAKUBA HAPPO ONE**

Over a decade ago, I visited Hakuba for the first time to try my hand at snowboarding, though I thoroughly enjoyed it, I ended up falling in love with onsen more as the way to pass the coldness of a winter in Japan, so imagine my delight when I discovered that the onsen waters of Hakuba Happo-One held in fact the highest pH 11.2 value of onsen water in all of Japan, meaning it’s benefits yet gentleness to the skin are the best.
It meant returning to Hakuba, to enjoy these onsen waters personally, for a lovely midweek (or perfect for a long weekend) getaway!

**WINTER SPORTS NEAR TOKYO**

Hakuba is a perfect destination to combine not only some onsen relaxation but some winter sports like snowboarding, skiing and even ski-jumping if you’re keen to have a more active getaway.
Nagano Prefecture hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics which catapulted Hakuba onto a global stage, so you can bet the powder will be divine for all you snow lovers!
TIP: Green season in Hakuba (ie. spring, summer, autumn) is a great time to enjoy hiking, escape the summer’s intense heat as well as soaking in onsen,

**NAGOMI ASHIYU**

Even if you have limited time, one can enjoy the relaxing nature of onsen with the three free local ashiyu (onsen footbath) scattered around Hakuba Village.
Nagomi no Yu is located in the parking lot of Happo no Yu and is across the road from the very popular Lawson’s convenience store (apparently the convenience store with the highest sales across all of Japan in the winter season!)
Two other ashiyu are located in the town, one by JR Hakuba station, the other in the local town area.

HAKUBA HAPPO’S MIRACLE HOT SPRING

Having discovered that Hakuba Happo Onsen waters held the highest pH 11.2 in all of Japan, the investigative part of me wanted to know why, when, how and what made it so special, so of course I deep dived and talked to the locals who are so proud of their area having such healing waters.

To understand how it’s occurred, one must understand the unique geology of Japan’s islands which are divided into Northeastern Japan and Southwestern Japan by a major fault called the Fossa Magna. Running through the centre of Hakuba Village along the Himekawa River is the western border of this fault called the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line.

Deep within the earth from which the Happo-One Mountain Ranges rise above, were found a great belt of Serpentinite rock which is formed when ocean water inside the oceanic plate reacts to the minerals found deep in the core of the Earth’s mantle (in the simplest terms).

Hakuba is one of largest land areas where one can find exposed Serpentinite Rock, and with the volcanic activity prevalent in Japan, this combination of Serpentinite reacting with the natural hot spring has resulted in the onsen waters having not only a high pH value, but also the presence of dissolved hydrogen (which means the water has antioxidant properties) and very few types of “bacteria” compared to other hot springs.

Continual research by scientists in Japan, and worldwide is ongoing as they assess the potential benefits of what the locals call a “miracle hot spring”. Though I am not in any so way a scientist, I personally found this history and discovery fascinating and wonder what else will be discovered, but for now I am equally happy to just relax and soak away in the hot, healing waters of onsen.