{"id":13998,"date":"2025-10-07T16:57:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T07:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hbv1001vjsu4.previewdomain.jp\/jpn\/blog\/wp\/?p=13998"},"modified":"2026-02-04T16:36:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T07:36:58","slug":"tokyo-hakuba-access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corritrip.jp\/jpn\/blog\/en\/tokyo-hakuba-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo to Hakuba by Bullet Train, Train\u00a0& Bus Information | Go to Hakuba Directly from Tokyo!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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, bullet train (also referred to as 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<\/a>. In the winter (around December), these shuttle buses will require a reservation<\/a> especially during busy seasons, so please plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Train (using the bullet train or Azusa Express)<\/a>
2. Direct bus <\/a>
3. Bus (with a transfer)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More detailed information about the shuttle bus from Matsumoto to Hakuba:<\/strong> <\/mark>here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparison Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Means of Transportation<\/th>Time Required<\/th>Number of Transfers<\/th>Total Cost<\/th>Luggage Storage<\/th>Boarding Area<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Bullet Train (Shinkansen)<\/strong>

Online Reservation<\/a><\/td>		3hrs <\/td>1 time<\/td>11,640 yen<\/td>Limited<\/td>Tokyo Station<\/strong>
Platform 20 & 23 (headed for Nagano Station)
<\/td><\/tr>
Azusa Limited Express<\/strong>
(once a day)
Online Reservation<\/a><\/td>		3hrs 35mins <\/td>1 time<\/td>8,410 yen<\/td>Limited <\/td>Shinjuku Station<\/strong>
Platform 9 & 10
(direct train to Hakuba St. is at 8AM only)<\/td><\/tr>
Azusa Express <\/strong>
Online Reservation<\/a><\/td>		4hrs ~ 4hrs 20mins<\/td>3 times<\/td>8,150 yen<\/td>Limited<\/td>Shinjuku Station<\/strong>
Platform 9 & 10
(headed for Matsumoto Station)<\/td><\/tr>
Direct Highway Bus<\/strong>

<\/a>Online Reservation<\/a><\/td>		5hrs 13mins<\/td>0 times<\/td>5,800 yen ~ 7,000 yen<\/td>Guaranteed<\/td>Shinjuku Bus Terminal (4th floor)<\/strong>
<\/td><\/tr>
Highway bus <\/strong>
Online Reservation<\/a><\/td>		5 hours<\/td>1 time<\/td>7,700 yen ~ 8,600 yen<\/td>Guaranteed<\/td>Shinjuku Bus Terminal (4th floor)<\/strong>
or
Ikebukuro Station East Exit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boarding points for the shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal:
<\/strong>\u2022 Nagano Station \u2192<\/strong><\/mark> Hakuba Happo Station: boarding area<\/a> (Bus stop #26 at the East Exit)
\u2022 Matsumoto Station \u2192<\/strong><\/mark> Hakuba Happo Station: boarding area list<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Transportation from Tokyo to Hakuba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 Bullet Train (Shinkansen)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The fastest way to reach Hakuba is by boarding the bullet train called 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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2460 Tokyo Station <\/strong><\/mark>(Hokuriku Shinkansen) <\/mark><\/strong>\u2192 Nagano Station \u2192 <\/strong><\/mark>(Shuttle bus<\/a>)<\/mark><\/strong>\u2192 Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal <\/strong><\/mark>
Total: 8140 yen + 3500 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal<\/a>)
Total time: 3hrs
Transfers: 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Hakuba Bullet Train Reservation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

All-in-One Hakuba Information Stop: Travel HUB in Nagano City<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Conveniently located just a 2 minute walk from Nagano Station is a newly opened Travel HUB<\/a>, a pit stop where you can find all information about Hakuba, including live camera, rentals, storage luggage, and more!

Official Website <\/a>\/ Google Maps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0Train<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>. Alternatively there is a shuttle bus<\/a> 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:<\/strong> here<\/a>

\u2460Shinjuku Station (Azusa Express<\/mark>) \u2192<\/mark> Matsumoto Station \u2192<\/mark> (JR Oito Line<\/mark>) \u2192<\/mark> Hakuba Station \u2192<\/mark> <\/strong> (Local Bus<\/mark>) \u2192<\/mark> Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal<\/strong>
Total: 7790 yen + 360 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 4hrs ~ 4hrs 20 mins
Transfers: 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Azusa Express Online Reservation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2461Shinjuku Station (Limited Express Azusa | One departure a day)<\/mark> \u2192 <\/mark> Hakuba Station \u2192 <\/mark> (Local Bus)<\/mark> \u2192 <\/mark> Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal<\/strong>
Total: 8050 yen + 360 yen (shuttle bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal)
Total time: 3hrs 35mins
Transfers: 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*The Limited Express Azusa departs at 8AM daily and arrives at Hakuba Station at 11:40AM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Limited Azusa Express Online Reservation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0<\/strong>Direct Bus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The direct highway bus is a cheaper and more convenient option compared to the Azusa train and bullet train. 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.
.
\u2460<\/mark> Shinjuku Bus Terminal \u2192 <\/mark>(Highway bus)<\/mark>\u2192 <\/mark><\/mark>Shimano Omachi Station \/ Hakuba Goryu \/ Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal<\/strong>
Total: 5,800 yen ~ 7,000 yen (depending on high season)
Total time: 5hrs 13mins
Transfers: 0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Bus Reservations<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0<\/strong>Highway Bus <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> or Ikebukuro Station<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2460<\/mark> Shinjuku Bus Terminal \u2192 <\/mark>(Highway bus)<\/mark>\u2192 <\/mark><\/mark>Nagano Station \u2192<\/mark><\/mark><\/strong> (Shuttle Bus)<\/mark> \u2192<\/mark><\/mark> Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal <\/strong>
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Bus Reservations<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2461Ikebukuro Station \u2192 <\/mark>(Highway bus)<\/mark> \u2192 <\/mark><\/mark>Nagano Station \u2192<\/mark><\/mark> (Shuttle Bus)<\/mark> \u2192<\/mark><\/mark>Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal <\/strong>
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Bus Reservations<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where to board the highway bus: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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: <\/strong> 5 Chome 24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
Opening hours:<\/strong> 6:30 AM ~ 11PM
Waiting room opening hours:<\/strong> 3:30 AM ~ 1 AM (the next day)
Official Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Direct Bus Reservation<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Highway Bus Reservations<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Azusa Express Train Additional Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n