Hakuba Travel Guide

Hakuba (��n), located in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's most popular ski areas, offering good snow and several large ski resorts to choose from.

During the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba gained world wide recognition as it hosted several olympic competitions, including alpine (downhill, super g, and combination) and nordic (ski jump and cross country) events. Today some of the olympic facilities remain in use, such as the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium. There is also the Hakuba Olympic Village Memorial Hall, a small but interesting museum, located within walking distance of the ski jump.

Hakuba can be reached relatively easily not only from Tokyo, but also from the Nagoya and Kansai regions. While it is possible to do a day trip from Tokyo, Hakuba is best enjoyed overnight. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there are hot springs (onsen) available around town.

Ten of the major resorts (including all of those listed on this page) have teamed up to offer the "Hakuba Valley Ticket" to be used at any of the participating resorts. A one-day ticket costs 6100 yen. Longer validities and other combination tickets are also available, while some locals hotels offer further discounts to staying guests.

Happoone is the the largest and most famous resort in Hakuba. In 1998 it hosted the downhill, super g, and combination ski events of the Nagano Winter Olympics. It is also the resort located closest to the village center and Hakuba Station.

Season*

Late November to early May
(arrival of snow to May 6, 2020)

Lifts

20 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5500 yen

Half day 4600 yen

Nighter 2100 yen

Access

Bus/Train 6 minutes by bus from Hakuba Station.

Car 2.5 kilometers west of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 group

A ticket bought at either Hakuba Goryu or Hakuba 47 can be used at both resorts.

Hakuba Goryu is located relatively close to central Hakuba village and is located on the same mountain as and connected to Hakuba 47.

Season*

First snow to early May
(arrival of snow to May 10, 2020)

Lifts

12 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5500 yen

Half day 4500 yen

Nighter 2500 yen

Access

Bus/Train 5 minutes by shuttle bus from Kamishiro Station.

Car 4.5 kilometers southwest of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Together with its larger brother Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47 makes up the second most popular resorts in the area.

Season*

First snow to early May

Lifts

5 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5500 yen

Half day 4500 yen

Access

Bus/Train 10 minutes by shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.

Car 4.5 kilometers southwest of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina Kokusai Group

Located just outside of the Hakuba village limits. A combination ticket to both resorts costs 5000 yen.

Hakuba Norikura is located just outside of the Hakuba village limits next to Tsugaike Koen.

Season*

Mid December to early April

Lifts

8 lifts

Tickets

Full day 4100 yen

Half day 3200 yen

Nighter N/A

Access

Bus/Train 20 minutes by bus from Minami-Otari Station.

Car 10 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Hakuba Cortina is the furthest major resort from central Hakuba. It is just next to and partnered with Hakuba Norikura.

Season*

Mid December to early April
(December 14, 2019 to April 5, 2020)

Lifts

6 lifts

Tickets

Full day 4200 yen

Half day 3200 yen

Nighter 1500 yen

Access

Bus/Train 20 minutes by bus from Minami-Otari Station.

Car 12 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Other Resorts

Hakuba Iwatake is located close to central Hakuba, and is one of Hakuba's largest single resorts.

Season*

Mid December to early April

Lifts

11 lifts

Tickets

Full day 4600 yen

Half day 3600 yen

Nighter N/A

Access

Bus/Train 15-20 minutes by bus or shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.
Served by express buses from/to Nagano.

Car 3 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Tsugaike Kogen is the second largest resort in the area. It is located next to Hakuba Iwatake, just outside the Hakuba village limits.

Season*

Late November to early May

Lifts

19 lifts

Tickets

Full day 5400 yen

Half day 4300 yen

Nighter 2400 yen

Access

Bus/Train 30 minutes by bus or shuttle bus from Hakuba Station.
Served by express buses from/to Nagano.

Car 7 kilometers north of Hakuba village center.

* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

From Tokyo

By shinkansen and bus via Nagano

Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (100 minutes, 8000 yen) and then an express bus from Nagano to Hakuba (60-90 minutes, 2000-2200 yen), where the bus stops at Hakuba Station and directly at the base of several ski resorts. The Japan Rail Pass covers the shinkansen trip but not the bus journey.

By train via Matsumoto

Take the JR Azusa limited express train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto and transfer to a local train on the JR Oito Line to Hakuba. Some Azusa limited express trains run all the way to Hakuba. The one way journey takes about 4 to 4.5 hours and costs around 8000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By highway bus from Tokyo

Alpico operates several buses per day between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Hakuba, where the buses stop in the village center and at the bases of the Goryu and Happoone resorts (in summer they stop at the Hakuba Happo Bus Treminal). The one way journey takes around 5 hours and costs 5200 yen. A set of two tickets is available for 9400 yen and must be used within three months.

By direct highway bus from Narita Airport

During winter, Alpico operates one round trip per day between Narita Airport and Hakuba (Goryu, town center and Happo-one). The one way trip takes about six hours and costs 9800 yen.

From Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka

Take the JR Shinano limited express train from Nagoya to Matsumoto and transfer to a train along the Oito Line to Hakuba. From Nagoya, the one way journey takes about 3.5 hours and costs around 7000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

How to get from Kyoto to Nagoya
How to get from Osaka to Nagoya

Questions? Ask in our forum.