Skiing may be what people think of when they think of Hakuba and Nagano, but all four seasons have their own distinct charms in Japan, and Hakuba is no exception. The explosion of green emerging in spring is capped with the glorious blooming of cherry blossoms in early May. Summer brings warm, sunny days ideal for hiking, trekking, cycling and getting wet in some of the lakes and rivers of the area. Even during the hottest month, August, evenings are cooler here, unlike most other parts of Japan. With October comes cooler temperatures and the amazing colours of autumn, bringing many professional and amateur photographers to the area in search of that perfect shot. Hakuba features three freshwater lakes; Aoki-ko, Nakazuna-ko, and Kizaki-ko. The use of outboard motors is completely banned on Aoki-ko, giving it some of the cleanest and clearest water in Japan and making it ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, windsurfing and other peaceful pursuits. The smallest of
