About us

Japanese family operated. Warm hospitality

Pension Folktale is owned and operated by the Suzuki family. Their aim is to enable guests to experience and enjoy the beautiful Hakuba and Otari areas of Nagano in all four seasons. Mrs Suzuki cooks wonderful food and keeps the pension always warm and inviting. Mr Suzuki is a qualified and registered backcountry guide, and is a highly skilled telemark skiier. He runs backcountry ski and snowboard tours in winter, and hiking tours in summer.

Location

Pension Folktale is ideally located to enjoy the best of Hakuba and the spectacular Northern Alps of Japan.

Located with ski-in/ski-out access to Hakuba Norikura (and the adjoining Hakuba Cortina ski field), with Tsugaike ski field just a few minutes away, there is a tremendous variety of skiable terrain at your doorstep.

Rooms

Warm and comfortable rooms.
Japanese style room (x1)
2 Person rooms (twin beds)
6 Person/Family rooms (2 x singles + 2 x bunk beds)

Pension Folktale can accommodate up to 35 guests.
All rooms are private and have shared bathroom.

Self-contained Cottage

Kallin Cottage: 2 bedroom architecturally designed cottage suitable for up to 5 guests, located 100m away from the Pension. Ideal for guests looking for a more private set-up, guests staying in the Cottage can choose to either enjoy meals in the Pension or they can self cater. Please see further details here

Meals

Mrs Suzuki prepares delicious and hearty healthy gourmet meals that utilize local produce and home cooking. Breakfasts feature home baked breads, homemade jams, local free range eggs, fresh coffee, and even home smoked bacon most of the time. Dinner varies between Japanese and Western dishes and changes on a daily basis. Vegetarian option available if advance notice given (minimum 24 hours advance notice, preferably at time of booking).

Transportation

By regular train:
The closest train station is Minami Otari station (JR Oito line) is about 10min away from the Pension. There are local as well as express trains that run from Shinjuku station, called the "Azusa". Cost is approximately 8000yen one way for a reserved seat ticket.

By bullet train:

Catch the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano station. Then take a bus to Hakuba Norikura and get off at the Alps Hotel bus stop, which is just a few minutes walk from the pension. We can come and pick you up from the bus stop if you let us know you are coming. Cost for the bullet train is approximately 7460yen one way. The bus costs approximately 1800yen one way.

By bus:
The cheapest way to get to Hakuba is by express bus from Shinjuku. See here for details. Cost is 4700yen one way. Get off at the "Hakubacho" stop which is the 2nd last stop.

By car:
Hakuba Norikura is approximately 75 minutes drive from the Nagano Interchange on the expressway.

From Narita Airport:
You can travel to Hakuba from Narita Airport via Tokyo, using the train or bus options listed above. Alternatively, there is also a bus service that runs directly from Narita Airport to Hakuba that can be arranged to meet your flight.

Local transfers:
Arrival and departure transfers between the Pension and Minami-Otari Station / Hakuba Station/ Hakuba Bus Terminal are available. 3000yen per person each way.

Check-in & Check-out

Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 10am

Contact details
*For questions and bookings in English, E-mail is the preferred method:
E-mail: info@folktalehakuba.com
Telephone: +81-261-82-2129
Fax: +81-261-82-3097