Access

Getting to Hakuba from Tokyo

These are the main ways to get to Hakuba from Tokyo. If you’re after speed and comfort, we recommend the bullet train.

On a tighter budget? The bus is the most affordable option.

Option 1: Bullet Train + Bus via Nagano (Fastest Route)

Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Nagano Station, then transfer to a bus bound for Hakuba.

Time: Around 3 hours total
Cost: Approx. ¥10,400 per adult / ¥5,200 per child

Booking:

Train tickets can be reserved through the JR East reservation system or Rakuten Travel.
For train times and platform info, check Google Maps or Jorudan.

Nagano to Hakuba Bus:

At Nagano Station, exit from the East Exit and head to Bus Stop #26.
Buses run roughly hourly from 8:20 to 20:00.
Cost: ¥3,500 per adult / ¥1,750 per child
Important: The last bus to Hakuba departs at 20:30. After that, your only option is a metered taxi via the Uber or Go Taxi app.
Check the latest Nagano to Hakuba bus timetable before your trip.

Option 2: Direct Train from Shinjuku (Azusa Express)

There’s no Shinkansen straight to Hakuba, but the Azusa Express runs daily between Shinjuku and Hakuba Station.

Time: About 3 hours 40 minutes
Cost: ¥8,050 per adult (12+), ¥4,020 per child (6–11). Kids 5 and under ride free (non-reserved seat).

Schedule:

Azusa 5: Leaves Shinjuku at 8:00, arrives Hakuba at 11:40
Azusa 38: Leaves Hakuba at 13:41, arrives Shinjuku at 17:25

Tickets can be reserved through the JR East website.

Option 3: Direct Bus from Shinjuku (Cheapest Option)

The Alpico Highway Bus runs directly from Shinjuku to Hakuba — no transfers needed.

Time: Around 5 hours (can be longer with traffic)
Cost: ¥6,400 per adult / ¥3,200 per child

Details:

Departs from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, connected to JR Shinjuku Station (New South Gate).
Makes two rest stops along the way.
Be aware of possible delays during holidays and weekends.
Tickets and up-to-date schedules are available at highwaybus.com.

Company	Journey from	Departure	Arrival	Stop	Adult	Child
JamJam	Tokyo Station	07:10	12:00	Happo Lawson Store	¥7,000 ~	¥7,000~
Keio	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	7:35	12:48	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
Alpico	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	9:35	14:57	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
Keio	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	10:25	15:38	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
Alpico	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	15:05	20:18	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
Keio	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	17:05	22:27	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
Alpico	Shinjuku Bus Terminal	23:05	6:32	Happo Bus Terminal	¥6,400	¥3,200
JamJam	Tokyo Station	23:40	5:55	Happo Lawson Store	¥8,000~	¥8,000~

From Osaka / Kyoto / Nagoya

From Kyoto or Osaka we recommend taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya.

Once there the most convenient and fastest way to Hakuba is to take the Shinano line train to Matsumoto Station and then take any Oito line train to Hakuba station.