Travelling to Hakuba, Japan
We’ve prepared a table of the most popular ways to get from Narita International Airport (near Tokyo) to Hakuba in the Japanese Alps, 260km away.
We recommend the Bullet Train for anyone arriving before 5pm and the Nagano Snow Shuttle or Chuo Taxi for anyone arriving after 5pm and who wish to stay in Hakuba that night.
We are more than happy to help you with your travel arrangements to Hakuba. We can also make a reservation for the Nagano Snow Shuttle for you. Coming from Osaka is relatively easy by train and you need to allow 5-6 hours.
| Bullet Train 4 Hours |
Snow Shuttle 6 Hours |
Alpico bus service 5- 6 Hours |
Normal Train 5- 6 Hours |
Highway Bus 5- 6 Hours |
Shared Taxi 4.5 – 6 hrs* |
| Skyliner to Ueno Train Station |
Narita / Haneda Airport to Hakuba Base Camp in Ecoland |
Narita Airport to Happo Bus Terminal | Narita Express to Shinjuku Train Station |
Narita Express (or Airport Limousine) to Shinjuku Train Station |
Narita Airport direct to Goryu Terrace |
| Asama Shinkansen to Nagano Station |
Super Azusa to Hakuba Station |
Keio Bus to Happo Transit Centre |
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Convert Yen to Your Currency:
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| 12,100 Yen One way Non-reserved |
9,700 Yen One Way |
9,000 Yen One Way |
11,180 Yen One Way |
7,810 Yen Return ticket discount applies for the Keio Bus |
14,000 Yen |
| 23,000 Yen Return, when you purchase a 4-day JR East Flexi Pass |
19,000 Yen Return |
18,000 Yen Return |
20,000 Yen Return, when you purchase a 4-day JR East Flexi Pass |
14,720 Yen Return, when return Keio bus ticket is purchased on departure |
28,000 Yen Return |
* You may be required to wait at the airport for up to 1.5 hours for the taxi to depart
Bullet Train
Quickest way to get to Hakuba. There's 3 connections, but they're well synchronized.
- Catch the Skyliner to Ueno Train Station.
- Transfer through to the JR Trains which are about 200 meters out and to the left. The Shinkansen terminals are on platforms 19 from Ueno station and marked with green train symbol. Catch the Asama Shinkansen. The Asama bullet trains generally runs every 30 minutes during the day.
For those with JR Rail passes this is the next quickest option.
- Catch the Narita Express to Tokyo train station
- Transfer through to the Shinkansen terminals marked with green train symbol and catch the Asama Shinkansen. The Asama bullet trains generally runs every 30 minutes during the day.
- At Nagano Station, go to the east exit and find bus stop #6. Catch the Alpico bus to Hakuba destinations.
This bus leaves every 60-80 minutes from 8:20am to 9:40pm and costs 1,800 yen. Please check with the Alpico website for updated times and info. Please remember that the last departing bus to Hakuba from Nagano station is at 9:40pm and you have limited train options to Hakuba after this time and would be better off staying over night in Nagano. There is a Comfort Inn on the West side of the station that is affordable (walk over train tracks to west then turn right and walk up about 400m). There is an International ATM located in the 7/11 Convenience store opposite the Alpico bus stop on the East side of the train station, this is a good place to get additional cash for your stay as International ATM's are limited in Hakuba like most of Japan.
For a Japan-wide train timetable and route search, try www.hyperdia.com
Alpico Bus
The Direct Bus service provides one round trip every day from December 20th to the March 2nd. Good option as long as you can make the early departure (8:25am from Narita Airport).
This service includes a wide and comfortable reclining chair and Wi-Fi Internet enroute. There's a rest stop every two hours, at Miyoshi Parking Area and Tobu-Yunomaru Service Area.
Book your ticket online and read more: Direct Bus Service
Nagano Snow Shuttle
The Snow Shuttle has two departures from Narita Airport every day at 9:45am and 8:00pm from December 18th to March 12th.
This is a door to door service like the Chuo shared taxi but much cheaper and saves having to lug bags between connections when catching the trains to Nagano and then bus to Hakuba.
We can make the Nagano Snow Shuttle reservation for you and arrange a late night check in simply provide us the names of those travelling with you and your flight details.
Normal Train
Cheapest options for those with a JR Rail pass returning to Tokyo.
1. Catch the Narita Express to Shinjuku Train Station
2. Catch the Chuo Limited Express (Super Azusa) departs from Shinjuku Station directly to Hakuba once daily at 7:30am and there are frequent departures to Matsumoto where you can then connect to the local train through to Hakuba.
For a Japan-wide train timetable and route search, try www.hyperdia.com
Bus
Best option for one way trips and for those who do not purchase a JR Rail pass.
Easy and affordable (4,850 yen one way) to get from Tokyo to Hakuba. Be careful as there is a limited number of departures per day (6 per day 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, see timetable below) The ride is generally 5 hours with two rest stops on the way if there is no traffic jams. During holidays and weekend commuting times, be prepared for delayed times.
To find the bus terminal, exit Shinjuku Station on the west side and follow the signs, or exit on the street level and cross the street and turn left, go one block and turn right. The terminal is across from Yodabashi Camera.
Check out the bus website for additional information.
Driving from Tokyo to Hakuba
Route Option #1 - South and West part of Tokyo
- Take the Chuo Expressway to the Okaya Junction and then turn onto the Nagano Expressway following the signs to Nagano.
- Take the exit at Toyoshina Interchange and follow the 147 & 148 routes that go through Omachi then to Hakuba.
Route Option #2 - North and East Tokyo
- Take the Kanetsu Expressway to the Fujioka Junction and then turn onto the Joshinetsu Expressway following the Nagano signs.
- Take the exit at Nagano Interchange and follow the Hakuba Nagano Olympic Road to Hakuba.
Shared Taxi
Hassle Free transfer to Hakuba.
Although not the cheapest option a shared taxi will meet you at the airport and drop you directly in Hakuba. Convenient for families with children as it saves you from navigating around train stations and lugging your luggage around. Prices are set per person and no discount is provided if a return ticket is purchased. Bookings do need to be made 5 days prior. View their website for more info.
