Tokyo to Hakuba takes about 2h50 by Shinkansen to Nagano plus bus, or about 5h13 on the direct bus from Shinjuku (from ¥5,200). Which to pick.
The fastest way from Tokyo to Hakuba is the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano, then an express bus from Nagano Station's East Exit, about 2 hours 50 minutes door to door at best (Hakuba Valley). The cheapest and simplest is the direct Alpico bus from Busta Shinjuku: about 5 hours 13 minutes, with fares from ¥5,200 and no change of vehicle (Alpico). Driving takes most of a day in winter and only makes sense if you want a car in the valley.
| Route | Time | Fare | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen to Nagano + express bus | About 2 h 50 min at best | Shinkansen fare plus bus fare | One, at Nagano | Light luggage, short trips |
| Direct bus, Busta Shinjuku to Hakuba | About 5 h 13 min (day bus) | From ¥5,200 (variable), up to ¥7,000 | None | Families, ski bags, budget |
| Airport bus from Haneda or Narita | About 5 h 35 min (Haneda), 6 h 30 min (Narita) | Check Alpico | None | Landing and going straight up |
| Rental car | Most of a day in snow | Rental, fuel and tolls | None | Groups, visiting several resorts |
Times are from the Hakuba Valley access page and Alpico route pages.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano from Tokyo in as little as 1 hour 19 minutes (Shiga Kogen access). Leave by the East Exit (東口), where Alpico's Nagano to Hakuba express buses stop. Alpico lists the bus ride as 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes, depending on the stop and the service (Alpico). Outside winter the bus is not reservation-only and you buy tickets on the day; winter arrangements can differ, so check the timetable before you travel.
The weak point is the change at Nagano. You move bags off the train, through the station and into the bus queue. With one suitcase this is easy. With two ski bags per person it is hard work. If you have a lot of luggage, send it ahead with a delivery service; our Yamato airport counters guide and skis on trains guide explain how.
Alpico runs buses from Busta Shinjuku to Hakuba. The day bus takes about 5 hours 13 minutes. Fares vary by date, starting at ¥5,200 for Hakuba stops on Monday to Thursday, with a fixed fare of up to ¥7,000. Night buses take about 7 hours 23 minutes and cost ¥2,000 more. Seats must be booked, and booking opens one month before the travel date (Alpico).
The bus stops at Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba town, Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba, Hakuba Happo bus terminal, Iwatake and Tsugaike, so you can usually get off close to your hotel. You load your bags once in Tokyo and take them off in Hakuba, which is why families and people with ski bags often prefer it.
Alpico also runs seasonal buses from Haneda (about 5 hours 35 minutes) and Narita (about 6 hours 30 minutes). The route pages showed no service in October, so check the winter timetable when it is published.
Driving gives you freedom once you arrive. The Hakuba Valley resorts are spread along the valley, and with a car you can reach Cortina, Tsugaike or Hakuba Norikura without waiting for a shuttle. The drive from Tokyo is long, though, and the last section is on snowy mountain roads. You need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva format and a car with winter tyres; read our car rental guide and snow driving guide first.
A common compromise is to take the train to Nagano and rent a car there, which skips the Tokyo traffic.
Not usually. On days you use a Hakuba Valley ticket, the valley shuttle buses between resorts are free (the night shuttle is not included), according to the Hakuba Valley ticket office (Hakuba Valley tickets). Most restaurants and bars are in Happo and Echoland. For more on the resorts themselves, see our Nagano ski resorts guide and Hakuba Happo snow forecast guide.
Yes. Hakuba Valley gives these fastest times: from Kanazawa about 2 hours 40 minutes (Hokuriku Shinkansen and the JR Oito Line), from Nagoya about 3 hours 30 minutes (limited express Shinano and Azusa), and from Osaka about 4 hours 50 minutes (Hakuba Valley). Alpico also runs a bus between Osaka/Kyoto and Hakuba in season. Trains and buses can stop in heavy snow. The Plan B guide lists what to do when they do.
For the Shinjuku and airport buses, yes: they are reservation-only and open one month ahead. Book as soon as your dates are fixed in late December, New Year and Chinese New Year.
Usually the direct bus, which starts at ¥5,200 from Shinjuku. The Shinkansen route means paying for the train to Nagano and then the bus to Hakuba, so check both fares for your dates.
Yes. Our live cameras show current conditions in the valley.