Hakuba Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Save time and money by comparing all major Hakuba ski rental shops in one place. Prices below are for standard 5-day packages including skis, boots, and poles. Six shops, side by side. Prices are for a standard five-day package with skis or board, boots and poles, unless the tier column says otherwise. Shop opening dates vary — Rhythm's Wadano and Happo stores run 5 December 2026 to 31 March 2027, NBS runs 15 December to 31 March, and the others open as the resorts do. Book ahead for anything over New Year; walk-in stock in late December is thin.

A five-day adult package with skis or a board, boots and poles runs about ¥25,000 to ¥33,800 depending on the shop and the tier. Central's 2026/27 standard package is ¥31,000; Rhythm's standard was ¥33,800 this season. Premium and demo gear adds roughly 25–30% on top.

Kids come in a little over half the adult rate — Central charges ¥20,300 for five days for under-13s. Most shops treat 13 and under as the kids' rate.

Three things catch people out. Clothing, helmets and goggles are almost always priced separately, so budget another ¥1,500 a day for a helmet and around ¥5,000 a day for a jacket-and-pants set. Damage insurance is usually extra — Central charges ¥1,000 per hire regardless of length, Rhythm includes it. And swap rules differ more than the headline price does: Rhythm and Spicy let you change between skis and a board as often as you like at no charge, Central gives you one free swap and charges after that.

Lift passes are separate from hire. Current Hakuba lift pass prices run ¥11,100 for a 1-day adult ticket to ¥148,000 for 14 days.

NBS offers a high-quality fleet of skis and boards from top brands like K2, Armada, and Burton, with pre-bookings recommended. 

• NBS is located in the center of Happo and operates from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. between December 15th and March 31st.
• For your convenience, NBS provides a complimentary pickup and drop-off shuttle service to get your rental equipment. This on-demand service covers the wide area between Tsugaike and Goryu, ensuring easy access to the shop from most accommodations.
• NBS offers flexible equipment swapping policies. Renters with a "Deluxe Package" can enjoy free, unlimited swaps between skis and snowboards. Those with a "Standard Package" can swap once for free between skis and a snowboard, with any subsequent swaps incurring a ¥1,000 fee.
• You can collect your equipment after 3:00 p.m. the day before your rental period begins, allowing you to get on the slopes faster.
• Gear can be returned to the shop by 10:00 a.m. the day after your rental period ends. Alternatively, you can request to have your equipment picked up from your accommodation.

Central Snowsports has Hakuba’s most extensive range of performance skis and boards. With three stores across the valley, they have you covered. Pre-bookings are highly recommended, as walk-ins are now limited.
 

• Complimentary guest shuttles operate from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. They have the fastest turnarounds with six shuttles and a dedicated shuttle hotline. Call +81 (0) 261 85 0506 for pickup.
• Central Snowsports has three convenient locations (Echoland, Happo, and Wadano).
• Both the Regular and Demo packages include one free swap between skis and a board; further changes are charged. Damage insurance is ¥1,000 per hire regardless of length.
• Equipment rentals can be collected from 1 p.m. the afternoon BEFORE your first day at any of the 3 locations.
• Equipment rentals can be pre-delivered; however, we only recommend this for people who know their exact sizes. We do not recommend this for children, who grow a lot from year to year.
• Complimentary collection of equipment; leave them outside the chalet, and they will pick them up.

Spicy is locally owned and operated, with five shops across the valley.

• When you rent, complimentary guest shuttles run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call the store you're collecting from — Happo Lounge +81 (0) 261 75 1110, Wadano +81 (0) 261 72 2857, Echoland +81 (0) 261 72 2858, Iwatake +81 (0) 261 72 2479.
• Five stores: Happo Lounge, Wadano, Echoland, Iwatake and Tsugaike.
• Swap or return gear as often as you like, free, at any of the five stores — you get yourself there.
• They have a wax & tune service, which may not be overnight.
• Complimentary collection of equipment; leave them outside the chalet, and they will pick them up.

Rhythm has the most extensive retail inventory in Hakuba, so they offer the best selection if you need new gloves or goggles. Pre-bookings are highly recommended, as walk-ins are limited on certain days.

• Complimentary pickup and drop-off operating from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (between Goryu and Iwatake). With nine shuttles and a dedicated shuttle hotline, they have quick turnarounds. Call +81 (0) 261 72 3288 for a pickup.
• Rhythm also has one of the best tuning shops in Hakuba, working on the latest Wintersteiger machinery. They can guarantee overnight service and offer professional tuning, ceramic disc edge finishing, and ski and snowboard repair.
• Free unlimited equipment swapping is available for both the Standard and Premium Packages; however, you must arrive at the shop independently.
• Equipment rentals can be collected from 1 p.m. the afternoon BEFORE your first day if you have pre-booked them.
• Rhythm does not automatically pick up your gear when you leave; you must call them and meet with them in person to return it.

Lion Gear Rental is locally owned and operated. It has three stores — Echoland main street, Highland and Goryu.

• Complimentary pickup and drop-off operate from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To schedule a pickup, call +81 (0) 90 4159 1649 or WhatsApp.
• Free unlimited equipment swapping for Standard and Powder Packages; however, you must get to the shop independently.
• Equipment rentals can be collected from 3 p.m. the afternoon BEFORE your first day.
• Complimentary collection of equipment; leave them outside the chalet, and they will pick them up.

Woody Rental is locally owned and operated with with three stores in the Happo-One area, plus service to Tsugaike and Iwatake.

• One of the two rental shops will rent gloves and goggles, but only to those who also rent ski and snowboard packages from them. If you rent the kid's package, all kid's gloves, goggles, beanies, helmets, and other accessories are free!
• Leave your rental gear at their shop (Happo) at the end of the day.
• Three stores are located in the Happo area, including next to the Gondola and Nakiyama lift.
• Complimentary guest shuttles run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call +81 (0) 261 72 9595 for a pickup.
• Complimentary unlimited equipment swapping on all gear; however, you must get to the shop independently.

Yes, especially if you're visiting during the peak ski season from late December to February. Booking your Hakuba ski or snowboard rentals in advance gives you the best choice of equipment and sizes, can unlock early booking discounts, and saves time when you arrive. During quieter periods, booking ahead is still recommended but availability is generally less of a concern.

Usually, yes. Many Hakuba ski and snowboard rental shops offer lower prices or early booking discounts when you reserve online before you arrive. Booking in advance can also give you a wider choice of equipment and sizes, especially during the peak ski season from late December to February.

Between ¥25,000 and ¥37,000 for five days for an adult standard package with boots, and roughly ¥6,000 to ¥8,600 for a single day. Kids are a little over half. Premium and demo gear costs 25–30% more. Clothing, helmets and damage cover are extra at most shops.

The same as skis at every shop in the valley — board, boots and bindings are priced as one package alongside the ski package, so a five-day adult board hire is ¥25,000 to ¥37,000. Rhythm and Spicy let you switch between a board and skis mid-hire at no charge.

On headline price, the smaller Echoland and Happo operators undercut the two big shops by roughly ¥5,000 over five days. But the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest hire — check whether damage insurance is included, whether swaps are free, and whether they collect the gear from your accommodation at the end. A ¥5,000 saving disappears the first time you pay for a taxi to return skis.