A Beginner’s Guide to Skiing Hakuba

Have you decided to take your first ski trip in Japan this season but don’t know where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about skiing Hakuba.

Where is Hakuba?

Deep in the Northern Japanese Alps, the Hakuba Valley is surrounded on all sides by stunning mountains. Happo Village, the heart of Hakuba skiing, sits one hour north of Nagano station by bus and roughly 3 hours from Tokyo.

Three Ways to Access Hakuba from Tokyo

Option 1

Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station and then take the bus to Hakuba Bus Terminal.
Time: 3 hours
Cost: ¥10,000

Option 2

Take the JR Azusa Line from Shinjuku to Hakuba Station. While it may not be as luxurious as the Shinkansen, this scenic train ride ends at Hakuba Station saving you the trouble of transferring to a bus.
Time: 4 Hours
Cost: ¥8,000

Option 3

Take an express bus from Shinjuku Station directly to Hakuba Bus Terminal.
Time: 5 Hours
Cost: ¥4,800

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