How to Get to Hakuba: Your Ultimate Transportation Guide
Hakuba, nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps, is a winter paradise famed for its vast ski slopes and stunning mountain views. Whether you're coming for the world-class skiing, snowboarding, or just to enjoy the beauty of the region, understanding how to get to Hakuba can make your journey much smoother. This comprehensive guide outlines all the best transportation options to help you navigate your way from major cities and airports in Japan to Hakuba.
Getting to Hakuba from Tokyo
1. Airport Shuttle Buses The easiest and most direct option from Tokyo is an airport shuttle. There are two major providers offering services from Tokyo's airports to Hakuba:
4. Local Trains from Tokyo For the adventurous and frugal traveler, the Azusa Limited Express is the only direct train to Hakuba. It departs from Shinjuku Station at 8:00 AM, arriving in Hakuba at 11:42 AM. If you prefer flexibility, you can also use local trains, though they involve several transfers and take more time.
5. Chartered or Shared Taxis For ultimate convenience, you can opt for a taxi from Tokyo to Hakuba. Taxis provide flexibility and comfort, and they can also transport your bags. The Chuo Taxi service offers both private and shared taxis from Tokyo airports and the city center.
- Nagano Snow Shuttle: This shuttle offers direct transfers from Narita and Haneda Airports to Hakuba, with the convenience of drop-offs at hotels in the area. The journey takes about 5 hours.
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (about 90 minutes).
- From Nagano, catch a highway bus to Hakuba, which takes an additional hour.
4. Local Trains from Tokyo For the adventurous and frugal traveler, the Azusa Limited Express is the only direct train to Hakuba. It departs from Shinjuku Station at 8:00 AM, arriving in Hakuba at 11:42 AM. If you prefer flexibility, you can also use local trains, though they involve several transfers and take more time.
5. Chartered or Shared Taxis For ultimate convenience, you can opt for a taxi from Tokyo to Hakuba. Taxis provide flexibility and comfort, and they can also transport your bags. The Chuo Taxi service offers both private and shared taxis from Tokyo airports and the city center.
Getting to Hakuba from Osaka
1. Bullet Train from Osaka Traveling from Osaka to Hakuba is more complicated, requiring multiple transfers. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours:
3. Daytime Bus from Osaka If you prefer to travel during the day, you can take a local highway bus from Osaka to Nagano, then transfer to another bus to Hakuba. This option takes about 6.5 hours.
- Start at Shin-Osaka Station, where you take the Shinkansen to Nagoya.
- From Nagoya, transfer to a limited express train to Matsumoto Station.
- Finally, catch the Oito Line to Hakuba Station.
3. Daytime Bus from Osaka If you prefer to travel during the day, you can take a local highway bus from Osaka to Nagano, then transfer to another bus to Hakuba. This option takes about 6.5 hours.
Connecting from Other Ski Resorts
Hakuba is well-connected to other popular ski resorts in Japan, making it easy to travel from places like Niseko, Nozawa, and Myoko.
1. Niseko to Hakuba: Flying is the most convenient option when coming from Hokkaido’s Niseko ski resort to Hakuba. Direct flights from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo to Matsumoto Airport are available daily. From Matsumoto, you can take a bus, taxi, or train to Hakuba.
2. Shiga Kogen to Hakuba: The Nagano Snow Shuttle offers direct transfers from Shiga Kogen to Hakuba. The journey takes about 3 hours.
3. Nozawa to Hakuba: The Nagano Snow Shuttle also operates a service from Nozawa Onsen to Hakuba, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.0.
4. Myoko to Hakuba: Nagano Snow Shuttle offers routes from Myoko to Hakuba, which take around 2 hours.
1. Niseko to Hakuba: Flying is the most convenient option when coming from Hokkaido’s Niseko ski resort to Hakuba. Direct flights from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo to Matsumoto Airport are available daily. From Matsumoto, you can take a bus, taxi, or train to Hakuba.
2. Shiga Kogen to Hakuba: The Nagano Snow Shuttle offers direct transfers from Shiga Kogen to Hakuba. The journey takes about 3 hours.
3. Nozawa to Hakuba: The Nagano Snow Shuttle also operates a service from Nozawa Onsen to Hakuba, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.0.
4. Myoko to Hakuba: Nagano Snow Shuttle offers routes from Myoko to Hakuba, which take around 2 hours.
Additional Travel Options
- Renting a Car: for those looking for flexibility in their travel plans renting a car is an excellent options. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid driver’s license to drive in Japan. Keep in mind that driving in Japan involves navigating on the left side of the road, dealing with tolls, and possibly driving in snowy conditions.
- Japan Rail Pass: For travelers planning to explore Japan extensively by train, the Japan Rail Pass can be a cost-effective option. The pass offers unlimited travel on most JR trains, including the Shinkansen, for 7, 14, or 21 days. While the pass doesn’t directly cover travel to Hakuba, it can be useful for getting to Nagano Station, where you can transfer to a bus for the final leg of the journey.
Hakuba Local Transportation
Once you arrive in Hakuba, getting around the village and its ski resorts is relatively easy. Hakuba resort shuttles and taxis are available, and there is a network of shuttle buses to take you between resorts. Shuttle routes and schedules are typically released in early December, so it's a good idea to check ahead.
Conclusion
Navigating your way to Hakuba can seem daunting, but with a little planning and the right transportation options, you can easily reach this winter paradise. Whether you're coming from Tokyo, Osaka, or other ski resorts, there are various routes to suit your preferences and budget. From shuttle buses to bullet trains, you’ll find plenty of ways to get to Hakuba and start your winter adventure!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tereza
Links
The Nagano Snow Shutttle will take you directly from Narita or Haneda Airport to Echoland apartments. The bus has multiple departure times from both airports. They also offer a charter service for smaller groups.
Chuo Taxi offers a private charter service for up to 14 people. We can assist in making your booking for you.
3A JR East pass is a economical way to travel via the Shinkansen to Hakuba. The flexi pass gives you 4
days of travel within a month of it's issue. It costs 30,000 yen for a standard pass. You don’t need to pre purchase this pass in Australia.
days of travel within a month of it's issue. It costs 30,000 yen for a standard pass. You don’t need to pre purchase this pass in Australia.
Google Maps is also an excellent tool for finding routes and public transportation times.
The Takkyubin service is an easy and efficient way to get your bags to and from the airport. The cost is very reasonable with delivery the following day for bags checked by 11:30 am. Bags from Hakuba to the airport need to be checked 48 hours before your flght.
