There are three ways to reach Hakuba from Tokyo this winter season: express train, shinkansen, and highway bus. Most transportation requires you to take the shuttle bus to the ski grounds around Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
1. Train (using the Shinkansen or Azusa Express)
2. Direct bus
3. Bus (with a transfer)
Comparison Chart
The closest station to the ski slopes is Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. If you get off at Hakuba Station, you can either walk 35~40 minutes or take the shuttle bus to the slopes. The following times include getting to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
| Means of Transportation | Time Required | Number of Transfers | Cost | Luggage Storage | Boarding Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Online Reservation | 2hrs 35mins | 1 times | 11,640 yen | Limited | Tokyo Station Platform 20 & 23 (headed for Nagano Station) |
| Azusa Limited Express Online Reservation | 3hrs 35mins | 1 time | 8,410 yen | Limited | Shinjuku Station Platform 9 & 10 (direct train to Hakuba St. is at 8AM only) |
| Azusa Express Online Reservation | 5hrs ~ 5hrs 35 mins | 2 times | 8,410 yen | Limited | Shinjuku Station Platform 9 & 10 (headed for Matsumoto Station) |
| Direct Highway Bus Online Reservation | 5hrs 13mins | 0 times | 5,800 yen ~ 7,000 yen | Guaranteed | Shinjuku Bus Terminal (4th floor) |
| Highway bus Online Reservation | 4hrs 55mins | 1 times | 7,700 yen ~ 8,600 yen | Guaranteed | Shinjuku Bus Terminal (4th floor) or Ikebukuro Station East Exit |
Different Transportation from Tokyo to Hakuba
■Train
The fastest way to reach Hakuba is by Shinkansen. Departures can be made from Tokyo Station for the Shinkansen or Shinjuku Station for the express train Azusa with stops to Nagano Station or Matsumoto Station. Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal is the closest station to the slopes, so a transfer via a shuttle bus is necessary.
① Tokyo Station (Shinkansen) → Nagano Station → (Shuttle bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 8140 yen + 3500 yen (roundtrip shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 2hrs 35mins
Transfers: 1
②Shinjuku Station (Azusa Express) → Matsumoto Station → (JR Ota Line) → (Local Bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 8050 yen + 360 yen (roundtrip shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 5hrs ~ 5hrs 35 mins
Transfers: 2
③Shinjuku Station (Limited Express Azusa | One departure a day) → Hakuba Station → (Local Bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 8050 yen + 360 yen (roundtrip shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 3hrs 35mins
Transfers: 2
*The Limited Express Azusa departs at 8AM daily and arrives at Hakuba Station at 11:40 AM.
■Direct Bus
The direct highway bus is a cheaper and more convenient option compared to the Azusa train and Shinkansen. Since it’s a direct bus, there are no transfers making the total arrival time actually faster than the Azusa train by about 30 minutes. It is also 1,000~3,000 yen cheaper and includes spacious luggage storage for your ski gear.
.
① Shinjuku Bus Terminal → (Highway bus) → Shimano Omachi Station / Hakuba Goryu / Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 5,800 yen ~ 7,000 yen (depending on high season)
Total time: 5hrs 13mins
Transfers: 0
■Highway Bus
The regular highway bus requires one transfer (for the shuttle bus to the slopes) but is 40 minutes faster than taking the Azusa Express train. It also can be up to 1,000 yen cheaper depending on the season.
① Shinjuku Bus Terminal → (Highway bus) → Nagano Station → (Shuttle Bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 4,200 yen ~ 5,100 yen (depending on high season) + 3500 yen (roundtrip shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 4hrs 55mins
Transfers: 1
②Ikebukuro Station → (Highway bus) → Nagano Station → (Shuttle Bus) →Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 4,200 yen ~ 5,100 yen (depending on high season) + 3500 yen (roundtrip shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 4hrs 50mins
Transfers: 1
Where to board the highway bus:
Highway buses depart from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), located directly across Shinjuku Station’s South Exit on the 4th floor. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or online in advance. However, we highly recommend buying the tickets in advance online.
Address: 5 Chome 24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
Opening hours: 6:30 AM ~ 11PM
Waiting room opening hours: 3:30 AM ~ 1 AM (the next day)
Official Website
Azusa Express Train Additional Information
- The Limited Express Azusa direct train runs once a day at 8 AM
- The storage on the Azusa is similar to the shinkansen, and is not always guaranteed
- Luggage storage is on cars: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12
- Car 9 is a Green car and requires a special ticket, so do not place your luggage here unless you have a reserved seat
Other Tips/Advice
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Hakuba is via direct bus due to its guaranteed storage and direct drop-off by the slopes. Compared to the shinkansen, the Azusa Express train can be a bit shaky, so we recommend the shinkansen or bus for motion sick passengers. If you get off at Nagano or Matsumoto Station, a shuttle bus to Happo Hakuba Station is necessary and does not require a reservation.
Shuttle buses from Hakuba Station to Happo Hakuba Station runs once or twice an hour. If you hold the Hakuba Valley Day Pass, you can ride the shuttle bus an unlimited amount of times between different slopes.
Hakuba Happo Station Shuttle Timetables
-Check here for the official shuttle times between Happo Hakuba Station and Nagano Station.
-Check here for the official shuttle times between Happo Hakuba Station and Matsumoto Station.
