- Days
- 3
- Participants
- 10 to 40 participants
- Cities
- Hakuba
Objectives
- Take the leadership team out of the city to work on strategy with perspective
- Use mountain walking as a format for one-to-one discussions
- Reach concrete decisions in short, well-prepared sessions
- Allow real recovery through onsen, quiet and altitude
Participant profile
Executive committees, regional management teams, boards or high-potential groups. Ordinary fitness is enough: the hike is moderate and an alternative without high-altitude walking is planned.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1
Day 1 — Tokyo to Hakuba and opening session
- Around 8:00 am — Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki from Tokyo to Nagano (about 1 h 20), reserved car for the group
- Private minibus transfer to THE ALPS HOTEL HAKUBA in Otari (about 1 h 15), with a viewpoint stop over the Northern Alps in clear weather
- 12:30 pm — Lunch at the hotel and check-in
- 2:00 pm — 3-hour opening session: framing the issues, individual expectations, ground rules; bilingual facilitator available as an option
- 5:30 pm — Natural onsen, sauna or free walk around the hotel
- 7:00 pm — Dinner in a private room: mountain vegetables, Shinshu salmon, soba, Nagano wines and sake from Omachi
Northern Alps, Kamikōchi - 2
Day 2
Day 2 — Hike to Happo-ike and outdoor sessions
- 7:30 am — Transfer to Happo-one (about 25 min), then the Adam gondola and two chairlifts to Happo-ike Sanso, at about 1,830 m
- Hike with mountain guides to Happo-ike pond (about 2,060 m, 1 hour up), with views of the Shirouma, Kashimayari and Goryu peaks
- On the way: one-to-one discussions on two questions prepared in advance, then a short group debrief by the pond
- 12:00 pm — Packed lunch at Happo-ike Sanso, then down by lift
- 3:00 pm — 2.5-hour strategy session at the hotel to turn the morning's conversations into options and priorities
- 7:00 pm — Barbecue dinner on the hotel terrace or in a private room depending on weather
- Option in May and in bad weather: Hakuba Iwatake gondola and the Hakuba Mountain Harbor viewing terrace, with no high-altitude walking, and lunch at the summit at Hakuba Deli (Sky Ark building, about 312 seats, Shinshu produce)
Northern Alps - 3
Day 3
Day 3 — Decision session and return
- 7:00 am — Option: early walk or outdoor stretching session, then onsen
- 9:00 am — 3-hour decision session: trade-offs, 100-day action plan, owners and indicators
- 12:00 pm — Closing lunch
- 1:00 pm — Transfer to Nagano Station (about 1 h 15), optional stop at Zenko-ji temple (20 to 30 min)
- Around 3:30 pm — Shinkansen to Tokyo, arriving around 5:00 pm
三日目 · Zenkō-ji, Nagano
Budget
From €3,100 per person, excluding flights
Indicative rate based on 20 participants in single rooms, 2 nights at THE ALPS HOTEL HAKUBA. Included: round-trip Tokyo-Nagano Shinkansen, private minibuses, meeting room with basic AV, lifts, mountain guides, meals as per program, bilingual staff. Not included: flights, external facilitator, drinks beyond packages, suites. The program runs from May to October starting in 2027: the Happo-ike trail is usually open from June to late October, the rainy season affects the area from mid-June to mid-July, and autumn colors at altitude come in late September and October.
Quick estimate
1040
€77,500
i.e. €3,100 per person, excluding flights
Indicative estimate based on the per-person rate shown for this programme. The exact quote follows your brief.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hike to Happo-ike difficult?
It is moderate: about 1 hour up and 45 minutes down on a partly built trail, starting at 1,830 m. Good walking shoes and a windproof jacket are enough. Guests who prefer not to walk can stay at Happo-ike Sanso or join the Hakuba Iwatake option.
Why choose Hakuba over Hakone for a retreat?
Hakone is closer to Tokyo, but Hakuba offers high mountains: peaks close to 3,000 m, a hike reached by gondola and cooler air in summer. The hotel takes the whole group under one roof, which helps keep discussions confidential.
Can this retreat take place in May?
Yes, but snow often still covers the Happo-ike trail in May. We then replace the hike with the Hakuba Iwatake gondola and its viewing terrace, plus a lower-altitude forest walk. Snow-capped peaks above a green valley make May a very attractive time.
What meeting rooms does the hotel offer?
THE ALPS HOTEL HAKUBA reopens on 15 December 2026 after renovation and has not yet published its meeting room details. For 10 to 40 people, we confirm a U-shape or circle room and breakout spaces when you enquire, with screen and video conferencing if needed.
