Hakuba’s Evolving Hospitality Scene

As Hakuba’s real estate market continues to evolve, several landmark developments are set to redefine the region’s hospitality landscape.

From lifestyle hotels to high-end retreats, these signature projects will elevate Hakuba and attract a new wave of travelers to the valley.

BANYAN TREE, WADANO
Expected to open in 2028, the highly anticipated Banyan Tree project in Wadano is set to become a premier destination in the Japanese Alps. The development will feature 108 hotel rooms and 48 condominiums, and is being developed by a large Tokyo real estate group.

PLAN DO SEE, HAPPO Tokyo-based hospitality powerhouse Plan Do See has acquired three strategic Hakuba locations, with the first developments starting in 2025. Their entry into the market signals a significant shift towards high-end hospitality offerings, promising a fresh wave of luxury accommodations and services for visitors to the Hakuba Valley.

MITSUBISHI ESTATE AND SHIMIZU CORPORATION, IWATAKE Mitsubishi Estate and Shimizu Corporation have acquired a prime Iwatake location adjacent to the gondola base, with plans to develop a 150-room hotel featuring a full food and beverage program. Slated for completion in 2029, the property is expected to be operated by a branded international hotel group.

MORI TRUST, ECHOLAND A leading domestic developer is widely anticipated to begin construction soon on the expansive site directly across from the Courtyard Marriott in Echoland. The Courtyard Marriott is owned by Mori Trust. 

LIST DEVELOPMENT, ECHOLAND Yokohama based List Development recently completed a 38-unit luxury condo hotel project at the base of Echoland. The majority of units were acquired by Japanese investors, reflecting growing confidence in Hakuba’s position as a premium year-round destination.

SANU 2nd Home, WADANO SANU 2nd Home, a membership-based second home service, opened its Hakuba location in 2024 as part of its expansion to over 30 sites across Japan. The company offers flexible usage models—from nightly stays to joint ownership—focusing on sustainable development and forest regeneration.

evo HOTEL HAKUBA, HAPPO evo, the American outdoor retail and experiences brand, opened evo Hotel Hakuba in 2024 in the center of Happo Village. The Hakuba property is one of three hotels in the evo portfolio, alongside locations in Salt Lake City and Tahoe. The design-forward lifestyle property features Western-style rooms, original works by local artists, and an onsen with mountain views. The opening deepens evo’s commitment to Japan, where it operates Rhythm Japan retail and rental stores in Hakuba, Niseko, and Furano. evo’s investment reflects a shift in Hakuba’s tourism landscape, long dominated by Australian visitors during peak ski season. The region is now seeing growing interest from North American travelers seeking adventure-driven experiences year-round.

LA NEIGE HOTEL, WADANO La Neige, which has long been regarded as Hakuba’s most exclusive boutique hotel, was acquired in 2024 by a prominent Hakuba-based group. Now under the management of Hakuba Hospitality Group (HHG), the property will undergo a full renovation and will reopen in December 2025, repositioned as the premier luxury boutique hotel in the region. The project reflects a broader move toward elevated hospitality offerings across the Hakuba Valley.

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