The 2019-20 season came to an unexpected end due to the global spread of the coronavirus. We spoke to Hakuba Tourism Development, which operates Hakuba Happo-one, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, and Tsugaike Kogen, about the current situation
INDEX
- Hakuba Tourism Development's summer operations and specific COVID-19 countermeasures
- The following measures were taken during the state of emergency:
- What is Happo, Iwatake, and Tsugaike like in the summer?
- summary
Hakuba Tourism Development's summer operations and specific COVID-19 countermeasures
As of July 15th, all three facilities have formulated common COVID-19 infection prevention measures and are operating for the summer.
First, Iwatake started its green season on May 16th, limited to Nagano residents on weekends only, and from June 1st, Happo-one, Tsugaike Kogen, and Iwatake, which had opened earlier, began general operations regardless of region.
For specific COVID-19 prevention measures, the contents here , but here we will give an example of what to do when using the Happo Alpine Line.
- Visitors are encouraged to install the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's app "COCOA."。
- When purchasing a ticket, show the app screen at the ticket counter and purchase your ticket。
- If you have difficulty installing the app, you will need to fill out a consent form when purchasing tickets. This is to ensure a contact system in place in the unlikely event that an infection occurs。
- Masks must be worn inside the facility, and alcohol-based disinfectant is provided at the facility for sanitizing hands upon entering and exiting the facility
- The number of passengers on gondola lifts will be limited and disinfected. Only 50% of the capacity (3 people) will be allowed on board. The carriages will be disinfected with alcohol after each use。
- If multiple people are purchasing tickets, one representative should go to the ticket counter。
- The restaurant is constantly ventilated, alcohol disinfected as needed, and the cash register is fitted with a sheet to prevent droplet infection。
- It goes without saying that employees are required to check their health daily, wear masks and gloves, and thoroughly disinfect their hands
These measures have been implemented to operate the lifts alone during the summer. We asked Kohei Saito of the Marketing Department at Hakuba Tourism Development about the outlook for winter. He replied,
"We are currently taking sufficient infection control measures to create an environment where people can enjoy the charms of Hakuba with peace of mind. We are considering what kind of operating structure we should put in place for winter as well, including infection control measures, so that people can visit the Hakuba area, an all-season mountain resort, throughout the year
.
The following measures were taken during the state of emergency:
The government issued a state of emergency declaration on April 7th. Happo-one closed the following day, and Tsugaike Kogen closed the following day. Iwatake closed on March 29th.
The on-site staff at the two remaining locations were immediately placed under quarantine. During the self-restraint period, each location frequently posted on social media about the spring scenery of Hakuba. Even if users couldn't travel to the area, they continued to share Hakuba's charming, albeit different from mid-winter, atmosphere, encouraging them to return next year.
In particular, Iwatake streamed a no-audience live performance at HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR on social media and YouTube under the hashtag "#StayHomeTravel" so that users could enjoy the beautiful contrast between the fresh greenery and remaining snow of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains from the comfort of their own homes.
What is Happo, Iwatake, and Tsugaike like in the summer?
Each business also operates a thriving summer resort, making it a place where you can enjoy mountain resorts all year round
Happo-one has the Alpine Line, where you can take a gondola and lift to the top of the ski resort, and enjoy trekking up to an altitude of around 2,000m
Tsugaike Kogen is connected to Tsugaike Nature Park, a high-altitude marshland at an altitude of 1,900m, and is a great place for a stroll. Hakuba Tsugaike WOW!, which has a variety of adventure facilities, is also popular
Sandwiched between the two facilities, Iwatake is home to the highly popular HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, which opened at the summit in 2019. Many people, regardless of age or gender, visit the harbor to relax while enjoying the spectacular view of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains
For information on summer in Happo, Iwatake, and Tsugaike Kogen, please click here:
https://www.nsd-hakuba.jp/
summary
Opening for business this summer will highlight the necessary actions and challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hakuba Tourism Development is operated by Nippon Ski Resort Development, which also has facilities in Nagano, Gifu, and Gunma prefectures. By sharing and accumulating various insights from each region, basic guidelines for preventive measures should be updated as winter approaches
The decision on winter operations will likely be made while monitoring the virus situation, government responses in response, and public trends