Otari Village

Otari Village in northern Nagano Prefecture is the Hakuba Valley's quieter, more powder-blessed neighbor, home to three ski resorts that draw snow enthusiasts seeking deep drifts without the crowds. Cortina, Norikura, and Tsugaike form the village's trio of resorts, with Cortina in particular famous for its legendary tree skiing through birch forests laden with Japow (Japanese powder snow). Beyond winter, the village offers superb hiking through alpine meadows, with the Tsugaike Nature Park accessible via gondola revealing panoramic mountain views and wildflower fields in summer. The village itself retains a rural mountain charm, with traditional farmhouses and onsen facilities scattered along the valley floor. Accommodation ranges from no-frills lodges to atmospheric ryokan with rotenburo (outdoor baths) overlooking the snow-covered peaks.