The snow that has been falling for a long time melts, and the trees in the town at the foot of the mountain turn green. The remaining white snow on the mountains stretching into the sky creates a beautiful contrast with the deep blue sky. This majestic season is witnessed in the Hakuba area of Nagano Prefecture in early May
At the foot of the mountain, you can feel the arrival of spring, and as you climb the mountain, you can enjoy the snow, savoring the end of the high season. To experience this late-arriving spring, Ithe Defender Hakuba Edition.
Hakubathe Defender. It's the location of "Defender DAY," a special event for Defender owners and fans, and in the past, they even offered a body color called Hakuba Silver. The Northern Alps, where you can enjoy "EPIC ADVENTURE" amidst magnificent nature, as well as winter sports in winter, are a perfect fit for the "TOUGH LUXURY" Defender.
The HAKUBA EDITIONis based on the Defender 110 X Dynamic SE D350 model. The British design team, captivated by the magnificent scenery of the Hakuba Three Mountains, designed signature graphic stickers which are fitted to the tail doors and cross-car beam end caps. This special edition vehicle, limited to 150 units in Japan, is equipped with a variety of options.
It's about three and a half hours on the highway from Tokyo. I get off at the interchange nearest to Hakuba and begin my journey. The reason I was able to concentrate on driving without feeling tired during the drive is due to the car's exceptional quietness. I was once again impressed by the soundproofing performance, which almost completely eliminates unpleasant wind noise while driving, and was amazed by the minimal vibration of the powerful diesel turbo engine and the soundproofing technology used inside and outside the car
The water-cooled, inline 6-cylinder, 2,993cc, DOHC turbocharged powertrain delivers a maximum output of 350 PS, and not only does it provide torqueful acceleration, but it also maintains stable driving at low revolutions even at high speeds. It also cruises smoothly along the mountain roads leading to Hakuba. The smooth ride, while still giving you a sense of contact with the road, is thanks to the Adaptive Dynamics system, which automatically adjusts the suspension's damping force to suit the driving conditions
As we leave the plains, drive along gentle slopes, and cross three lakes, the mountains of Hakuba Village come into sharper focus. Because the Hakuba mountains are close to the Sea of Japan, they are often clouded in color even on clear days due to the effects of yellow sand, but on this day, it had rained a few days prior, washing away the dirt in the air and revealing a clear, spectacular view
As we made our way through Hakuba Village, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains, including the magnificent Hakuba Sanzan, and crossed the Matsukawa River to arrive at our destination for the day, Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort. We met up with our guide, Tomo"GRANIX mountain guide,"and after taking the gondola and ropeway, we began our ascent into the mountains.
Our guide this time was Satoshi Arakawa, the representative of GRANIX mountain guide. He started snowboarding in high school, and after a stint as a snowbum in Naeba, he moved to Hakuba. In the winter, he guides guests to the terrain he is familiar with. His favorite backcountry (BC) mountain ranges are Hakuba Happo, Goryu, Tsugaike, and Tateyama. In the summer, he also works as a mountaineering guide in Shinshu
Tsugaike Kogen is the gateway to Tsugaike Nature Park, located at an altitude of 1,900m, and can be accessed easily by using the ropeway that operates from early spring. As a result, the fields are bustling with people in the spring when the conditions are calm, making them suitable for beginners. From guided tour participants to experienced locals, a wide range of skiers and snowboarders head to the slopes from the Ropeway Nature Park Station, experiencing a world completely different from the beautiful spring weather at the foot of the mountain
We hiked for about two hours with breaks in between from Tsugaike Ropeway Shizenen Station, and climbed to an altitude of about 2,000m, just before Tenguhara, and then skied down. We were worried about the heavy, wet snow that is typical of this season, but the conditions were pretty good, perhaps due to the heavy snowfall this season
During the trip, under a cloudless blue sky, we were able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view as far as the eye could see, and we were able to enjoy a pleasant ride. The feeling of gliding through the natural terrain that spring snow offers is comparable to powder riding in the peak season. Surrounded by the Hakuba mountains, this was a BC tour at Tsugaike where we were able to fully experience the scale of nature
Although I was tempted to leave this easy-to-enjoy field behind, I decided to end today's ride before I got too tired and couldn't move. Since I was there, I decided to enjoy a little drive around Hakuba with Mr. Arakawa
As we drove along a pleasant forest road where new shoots were sprouting, easily accessible from the foot of the mountain, Arakawa-san, who was riding in a Defender for the first time, was impressed. "With this seat, which is both enveloping and provides a secure seating position, I don't think I'll be feeling too tired even when traveling after coming down the mountain. The ceiling is also high and there's no feeling of being cramped, so I think I can enjoy driving even on longjourneysclaustrophobic.
The storage space in the luggage compartment can hold layers, gloves and other personal items, while the pockets in the rear doors can hold frequently used small items
often highlighted for its off-road track record and driving performancethe Defender, it might be perfectly suited to being a gear that makes the impossible possible—a vehicle that allows you to easily make the impossible a reality, perfect for casually heading out to a slightly more distant field for active fun, and then confidently making your way home.
The car used this time is
"LAND ROVER DEFENDER HAKUBA EDITION"
[Key Specifications] Diesel MHEV Model (D350)
Overall Length 4,945mm x Overall Width 1,995mm x Overall Height 1,970mm ● Wheelbase 3,020mm ● Vehicle Weight 2,470kg ● Seating Capacity 5 people ● Right-hand drive ● Drive System AWD ● Engine Water-cooled inline 6-cylinder 2,993cc DOHC turbocharger ● Maximum Output 258kw (350PS) / 4,000rpm ● Maximum Torque 700N・m / 1,500-3,000rpm
Manufacturer's suggested retail price (including consumption tax): ¥11,309,000 (price as of June 3, 2025)
The exterior features popular options such as 20-inch Style 5095 wheels and a sliding panoramic roof
The back door is equipped with a soft-close door that detects the locked state and quietly locks to prevent the door from being left ajar, which is great when your hands are full
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Toll-free number: 0120-18-5568
Official website here
Text: Tatsunori Takanashi
Photo: Go Ito