Having been the host site for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is widely known as a first-class international skiing and snowboarding resort.
Located just over 200km from Tokyo, Hakuba consists of 11 ski resorts with variety of alpine terrain that fascinate every one from beginner to expert.
One of the reasons that this area being very popular for winter activities is that it's location being very easy to access from all the major cities of Japan including Tokyo, Osaka (Kyoto) and Nagoya.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there are hot springs available around town where you can relax after a day on the slopes, so you don’t want to miss visiting Hakuba if you are coming to Japan during winter and spring seasons in 2017.
How to get to Hakuba?
By Hokuriku Shinkansen via Nagano (fastest)
If you start your trip from Tokyo, then taking the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo (or Ueno) to Nagano and then take an express bus from Nagano to Hakuba would be the simplest way.
In this way, you should be able to reach ski resort areas in Hakuba within 3 hours from Tokyo.
Related tickets:
Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Nagano
Shinkansen ticket from Ueno to Nagano
Shinkansen ticket from Nagano to Tokyo
Shinkansen ticket from Nagano to Ueno
By Direct Limited Express Train (economical)
If you are staying at a hotel near Shinjuku, then you may want to consider taking the JR Azusa limited express train from Shinjuku station.
You need to transfer at Matsumoto station to local train at most of the Azusa limited express, but there is one train that takes you directly to Hakuba from Shinjuku station daily. (Azusa 3, departing Shinjuku at 7:30am everyday).
Although it takes approximately 4 hours to get to Hakuba from Shinjuku station, you can relax in the train for the whole trip without being involved in any train or bus changes and carrying your heavy ski equipment in very crowded station.
Related tickets:
Shinkansen ticket from Shinjuku to Hakuba (direct)
Shinkansen ticket from Hakuba to Shinjuku (direct)
By highway bus from major cities
There are a number of bus round trips operated between major cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto) and Hakuba.
You can find direct highway bus information from the link below (ALPICO Group)
http://www.alpico.co.jp/en/transportation/overview.php?id=3
By highway bus from Narita Airport
One round trip is operated daily between Narita Airpot and Hakuba during winter season.
You can find direct highway bus information from the link below (ALPICO Group)
http://www.alpico.co.jp/en/transportation/overview.php?id=3
See Also:
Tickets For Other Ski Areas in Japan
Please check out tickets for other ski areas in Japan!
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collections/ski-resort
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