The ski season in Hakuba this year is from Dec 2025 ~ April 2026. There are three ways to reach Hakuba from Tokyo this winter season: express train, shinkansen, and highway bus. Most transportation requires you to make a transfer and take a shuttle bus to the ski grounds around Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. In the winter (around December), these shuttle buses will require a reservation especially during busy seasons, so please plan ahead.
1. Train (using the Shinkansen or Azusa Express)
2. Direct bus
3. Bus (with a transfer)
More detailed information about the shuttle bus from Matsumoto to Hakuba: here
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 | Total Cost | Luggage Storage | Boarding Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Online Reservation | 3hrs | 1 time | 11,640 yen | Limited | Tokyo Station Platform 20 & 23 (headed for Nagano Station) |
| Azusa Limited Express (once a day) 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 | 4hrs ~ 4hrs 20mins | 3 times | 8,150 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 | 5 hours | 1 time | 7,700 yen ~ 8,600 yen | Guaranteed | Shinjuku Bus Terminal (4th floor) or Ikebukuro Station East Exit |
Boarding points for the shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal:
• Nagano Station → Hakuba Happo Station: boarding area (Bus stop #26 at the East Exit)
• Matsumoto Station → Hakuba Happo Station: boarding area list
Different Transportation from Tokyo to Hakuba
■Shinkansen
The fastest way to reach Hakuba is by boarding the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station and transferring at Nagano Station. Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal is the closest station to the slopes, so a transfer from Nagano Station via a shuttle bus is necessary. Please note that the shuttle bus will require reservations in the winter which can be made: here
① Tokyo Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) → Nagano Station → (Shuttle bus)→ Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 8140 yen + 3500 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 3hrs
Transfers: 1
■Train
The Azusa Limited Express (which departs only once a day) and the Azusa Express depart at Shinjuku Station and stops at Matsumoto Station. From Matsumoto Station, take the JR Oito Line to Hakuba Station and then a local bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. The JR Oita Line runs once an hour. Alternatively there is a shuttle bus run by Alpico Group from the slopes, but times are TBD until mid November.
More detailed information about the shuttle bus from Matsumoto to Hakuba: here
①Shinjuku Station (Azusa Express) → Matsumoto Station → (JR Oito Line) → Hakuba Station → (Local Bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 7790 yen + 360 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 4hrs ~ 4hrs 20 mins
Transfers: 3
②Shinjuku Station (Limited Express Azusa | One departure a day) → Hakuba Station → (Local Bus) → Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Total: 8050 yen + 360 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 3hrs 35mins
Transfers: 1
*The Limited Express Azusa departs at 8AM daily and arrives at Hakuba Station at 11:40AM.
■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 potentially faster than the Azusa train if you factor in transferring times. 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) and is 40 minutes slower than taking the Azusa Express train, but requires two less transfers. It can also be up to 1,000 yen cheaper depending on the season. You can board from either the Shinjuku Bus Terminal or Ikebukuro Station.
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 (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 5 hours
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 (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 5 hours
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
- Compared to the shinkansen, the Azusa Express train can be a bit shaky, so we recommend the shinkansen or bus for motion sick passengers.
Direct Night Bus Services
Starting early December, all types of buses increase their frequency during high season. Amongst them is the direct night bus which departs at Shinjuku Bus Terminal around 11PM and arrives in Hakuba around 5AM.
Haneda and Narita Airport to Hakuba + Ticket Discount!
At either Narita or Haneda Airports are bus ticket counters which sell tickets which take you into Tokyo. By taking a bus into Tokyo, you will get a voucher to save up to 1,600 yen on the bus to get to Hakuba! First, from Haneda or Narita Airport, purchase a one-way “Airport Limousine” ticket to Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and tell the receptionist you would like a voucher to transfer at Hakuba. Then once you get to Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, present the voucher to the receptionist there and receive a discount!
To Hakuba:
Regular price: between 9,400 yen and 9,700 yen ⇒
After discount: between 7,800 yen and 8,300 yen (between 1,400 yen and 1,600 yen off)
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. When it comes to transfers, there may be long lines, so budget to spend extra time waiting. If you are transferring to Hakuba from Nagano or Matsumoto Station, around December shuttle buses to Happo Hakuba Station are necessary and will 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.
Luggage Forwarding Service
If you want to ship your skiing or snowboarding gear to Hakuba, you can do so by shipping with Yamato Transport or even through some convenience stores. All airports in Japan have a Yamato Transport luggage forwarding service, but note that it takes some time to ship your luggage and skiing/snowboarding gear to Hakuba. For more official details: check here
- Ski/Snowboarding Gear
Shipment time: 2-3 days
Fee: 4,480 yen + equipment cover (about 400 yen)
- Regular Large Luggage
Shipment time: Usually the next day (by night time)
Fee: 3,580 yen (tax included)
Travel HUB in Nagano City
The newly opened Travel HUB is just a 2 minute walk from Nagano Station and covers all services relating to Hakuba including:
- Luggage Storage 8:30 – 18:00
- Ski/Snowboarding Gear Rentals 7:00 – 18:00
- Lift Ticket Purchases
- Ski Resort Live Cameras
- Private Taxi Tour Service
- Restaurant Information
Official Website / Google Maps
Is there a way to Osaka from Hakuba?
Until March 8th, 2026, direct from Hakuba is an overnight bus which goes to/from Osaka with a stop in Kyoto too. If you prefer to take the train, you can also opt to take the Shinano Limited Express from either Nagano or Matsumoto Station to Nagoya. From Nagoya Station you can then take the shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station.
① Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal → (Shuttle Bus) → Matsumoto Station → (Shinano Limited Express) → Nagoya Station → (Shinkansen) → Shin-Osaka Station
Total: 12,380 yen + 3500 yen (shuttle bus from Hakuba)
Total time: 3 hours 20 mins
Transfers: 1
② Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal → (Shuttle Bus) → Nagano Station → (Shinano Limited Express) → Nagoya Station → (Shinkansen) → Shin-Osaka Station
Total: 13,700 yen + 3500 yen (shuttle bus from Hakuba)
Total time: 4 1/2 hours
Transfers: 1
What can you do in Hakuba other than Skiing/Snowboarding?
For those not keen on taking to the slopes, there are plenty of hot springs, picturesque cafes, view points, and if you’re a fan of Pokemon, collaborations spread out around Hakuba!
Read more here
