Food, fun, and farming in a stunning mountain locale Hakuba’s tradition of welcoming visitors is as old as the town itself. Rising from humble origins as a series of way-stops along the Chikuni Highway, Hakuba offered rest and lodging to people traveling between the mountains of Shinano province and the Sea of Japan. Due to the town’s high elevation and cold climate, traditional Hakuba cuisine places special emphasis on preserving food for the winter months. Fermentation and other preservation methods have been handed down through the generations, forming the backbone of local food culture—a culture to which residents ascribe their exceptional health and longevity.