Getting There

Private chartered taxi from the airport is often the easiest way to travel to Hakuba, especially for families, as you can travel door-to-door at not much more than public transport prices. We can make bookings for any number of passengers, with the duration of the trip usually taking about 5.5 hours from the airport.

From Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, there is one daily JR (Japan Rail) Super Azusa limited express service leaving early in the morning that runs directly to Hakuba, then a return service leaving mid-afternoon, completing the journey in approximately 4 hours. Otherwise, you will need to take a JR Azusa or Super Azusa to Matsumoto City, then change to local trains on theOito Line, increasing the journey to at least 5 hours.

The fastest route from Tokyo is by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Nagano City, then taking the bus from Nagano to Hakuba that leaves from outside the East Exit of Nagano Station. Bullet trains from Tokyo run every half hour or so, with buses then leaving every hour or so during the winter months. This whole trip can take as little as 3 hours with good connections.

Please note that the Narita Express train from Narita airport to Tokyo Station takes 1 hour and this should be added to the overall journey time.

From Tokyo, buses leave from outside Shinjuku Station (west side) every two or three hours and stop at several places in the Hakuba valley, Happo Bus Terminal being the stop for our guests. The trip takes 6 hours, but is easily the cheapest way to travel from central Tokyo to Hakuba. 

If travelling from the airport, there are now several comfortable, hassle-free and economical bus services traveling directly from Narita Airport to Hakuba. One of these is the Nagano Snow Shuttle, which is a full-sized coach, with daily departures from both Narita and Haneda Airports. Alpico Bus Service also operates a similar service, the Highland Express Direct Bus Service, from Narita Airport.

Outside of the winter months, there are plenty of bike trails and walking paths to get around the area, with several businesses offering rental bike services. It is, however, very advantageous having access to a car during the Green Season, as the distances to be covered and the hilly terrain can be a factor.

During the peak winter months (December to March) there are many free shuttle services running throughout town (Happo Information Centre / Bus Terminalbeing the main hub) to all the resorts in the valley. For Apres Ski, the “Genki-Go” shuttle covers the central village during the evenings, commencing from 5pm.