A few more days before December starts rolling in and that means, there is no denying Christmas is definitely coming. I’ve been slacking on the festivities from buying gifts to decorating our small home, but there is something I’ve been busy for the past months – our next Christmas getaway.
Last year, my family went on a 21-day winter holiday in Japan and thanks to my sister, we saved a lot though it was quite a big spending. Almost a year later and we still talk about it once in a while. It was truly memorable and one of them was our stay at Sierra Resort in Hakuba.
Our Japan itinerary only listed an overnight stay in Hakuba and then enjoy Christmas lunch in Tokyo, but the receptionist in our first hotel, Hakuba Springs Hotel, said that the next day will be “the dump” – that means, a heavy snowfall. We were already shrieking as you spotted snow en route to the Japanese Alps, we all love the snow being humans from the tropics. We simply can’t pass the snowfall.
We decided to check out and look for a cheaper accommodation in Hakuba for our second night and while driving around, we spotted winter wonderland scenery here and there. Then, my sister told us she wants us to show a nice mountain resort – but it is a little bit costly.
Going to the resort was an experience itself seeing more of Hakuba away from the tourist center. The gentle winding roads with the mountainsides covered in snow – amazing. Just outside the parking area has nice snow that the kids just dived into.
The lobby was not that grand but it was chic and elegant. “Okay, lunch then” staying at this hotel in Hakuba was unconsciously far-fetched for us. It looked very expensive!
The lobby was not that big but it has this charming and elegant cabin vibe with a fireplace and unlimited juices (I think Liam drank 5 liters of apple juice during our stay). Right outside is a snack/small meal area of curry rice, soft boiled egg, and other Japanese meals. This is a small meal for those who came back skiing, but we attacked it. haha.
And then the kids saw this…
When it’s warming like during summer, that area is a green open space. It was perfect for us non-skiers. The best part? It can be seen from the lobby via a ceiling-to-floor glass – great for parents to enjoy the cozy ambiance of the resort while checking on their kids. Can you spot the peaks at the back?
In the middle of the Sierra Hakuba’s snowland is a small igloo, they call, kamakura. Here’s Liam enjoying the little igloo.
At the back are the guestrooms. I like the design of the resort. The open space is no doubt the place to have your money shot.
With that, we decided to check-in and spend our Christmas Eve at Sierra Resort Hakuba. Let’s deal with the bill later! As what they say, ” You get what you paid for” and Sierra Hakuba is worth every yen.
The rooms are spacious with big windows to enjoy the view. All were centrally heated though I found them a little bit warm. The beds are big and the sofa can be converted into an extra bed.
The room doesn’t have that much amenities – I think that’s the norm in Japan – but the whole property has unique amenities and facilities like footbaths, private and public onsen, and viewing areas. The whole resort is designed to open up to the view all year-round.
The restroom is quite large including a tub. I was tempted to take home the Shiseido toiletries, but my sister said no. hihi.
Check out the alpine water, I can do ofuro here, but Sierra Hakuba has different onsen.
Yukata is provided and luckily, I spotted one Japanese family with little kids on their way to the onsen and I saw their kids wearing a yukata. I called the front desk and they gave us the kids’ yukata including slippers.
Because it was winter time, our yukata has a winter “jacket”. The Samurai and his ronins.
Snow everywhere I look! That area has an outdoor footbath, seating area with a small fridge with coffee and oolong tea.
At the lobby, you can schedule your private onsen. If I remember it right, they have around 5 private onsen. Japanese enjoy onsen before dinner to help stimulate good digestion and metabolism. I wanted to have it before going to sleep, but the resort will host a Christmas part, so we need to have it before 6pm.
They have this onsen in a large pot, I wanted to have it to make it a little bit similar to the kawa bath in Antique. However, I interchanged my onsen and the boys’ (husband and kids) and they had fun in that pot-type onsen. I got the outdoor onsen. Not bad, eh?
I had an authentic onsen at Hakuba Springs and until now, I’ll have it in a minute. It rejuvenating and you look very beautiful after. If there is something you should experience in Japan, it is absolutely onsen.
This outdoor onsen is a few levels up from the onsen I had at the previous hotel. I love how I can be by myself and it was just right that we exchanged our onsen. This onsen is HOT as in a few degrees to scalding my soul!
Because it was too hot and I don’t know if there were some buttons to adjust the temperature, I didn’t get a chance to fully dip. However, it was therapeutic to inhale and let your naked skin feel the hot steam just looking at the open space. I stopped when it got too dark – I felt Samara was lurking behind the woods already. haha!
We had dinner at their in-house Japanese restaurant (open only during winter) and other guests started to arrive. We spent the remaining hours lounging in our rooms, enjoying Japanese coffee and oolong tea. Our room was close to the laundry room and I did my laundry. We had a lot of wet clothes already.
Finally, it was time for our Christmas party courtesy of Sierra Hotel Hakuba!
The prepared games, prizes, and gifts. We won a ski pass but we really can’t use it. Kudos to the staff, they really entertained us especially the kids.
While the kids enjoy the party, the husbands took advantage of the free-flowing wine. They are facing the outdoor view, better during daytime. My sister and I had sake and their warm wine.
This area is like their lounge. During daytime, there’s unlimited tea and coffee.
A Merry Christmas in the Japanese Alps!
What I was looking for is the snowfall that we were expecting the next day. I wanted to experience the magic so bad that I kept on waking up every now and then because I want to see it just as the snow are falling…and as promised, snowfall came on early Christmas morning.
Stay tuned for part two of our stay at Sierra Hotel Resort Hakuba. More snowfall and fun time with the fambam!
Book Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba here!
