Hakuba Valley Ski Area

A bit of a walk from train station, but can be walked all underground (to stay out of summer heat) once you figure out the route. Lots of restaurants within walking distance. Staff speaks English well, which helps if your an English speaker. A good experience overall.

The Hotel New Otani is beautiful and upscale. The gardens are amazing! Be sure to set aside an hour to enjoy the plants and tranquil water. The staff provide the highest level of service. Most speak English. It’s not near the tourist sites, but there’s a metro station nearby and taxis. We stayed at a downtown hotel on our way out of Japan, and I didn’t prefer one location over the other. The beds are VERY hard. Very. It’s normal for Japan, but if you want “American soft” beds, choose a Western brand. The rooms are spacious with nice bathroom facilities. They are generous with toiletries, and the soaps smell great. Try the face cream and lotion. There are many options for food on the lower levels. We liked Tully’s Coffee for breakfast. The main restaurant offers breakfast as well. I really enjoyed the pizza restaurant, which is tucked around a corner. They have pizza, noodle bowls, and gorgeous desserts. It’s their best kept secret! The Currency Exchange is located in the post office. It’s only open until 5:00 pm. There are exchange machines all over Tokyo—we didn’t have any trouble finding one. We felt safe getting money and carrying cash.

Unbeatable view of Tokyo Tower