ski_02_hakuba
Hakuba Valley
Hakuba Valley in Nagano is Japan's ski capital — ten linked ski resorts, 200+ runs, and the biggest vertical drop in the country, home to the 1998 Winter Olympics and world-class Hakuba skiing.
Buy Tokyo → Hakuba train + bus package →About the resort
Ten resorts, one Olympic valley
Hakuba Valley strings ten separate ski areas along the base of the Northern Japan Alps, from Olympic icon Happo-One to the family-friendly slopes of Sanosaka. One valley pass covers most of it, and a shuttle bus links village to village all winter long.
🏅 Olympic pedigree
Happo-One hosted the 1998 Nagano downhill and Super-G; the valley also staged the ski jump and Nordic events.
❄️ 11 m of snow a season
The Northern Alps catch storm after storm — dry, reliable powder from December well into spring.
🔗 Two resorts, one ridge
Ten resorts, ten personalities — Hakuba Happo One's Olympic steeps, Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort's night skiing, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort's views, Hakuba Cortina, Tsugaike's family cruisers, and more.
🚌 Free valley shuttle
A free shuttle bus links the resorts and villages all winter, so you're never stuck at just one mountain.
Terrain by level
Getting there
Two ways from Tokyo to Hakuba
Fastest with a transfer via Nagano, or one direct seat all the way from Shinjuku — pick what suits your trip.
Via Nagano
approx. 2.5–3 hrs totalHakuba Shinkansen route: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano + Hakuba express bus — the fastest option, with frequent departures all day. Book both legs together as one package.
Book the train + bus package online
Choose your date and train, pay online, and receive your QR voucher by email.
Hokuriku Shinkansen: Tokyo → Nagano
Print your tickets from your QR voucher at a station ticket machine, then board.
approx. 90 minExpress bus: Nagano Station → Hakuba
Alpico's Hakuba Express Bus runs frequently from the station's east exit to the Happo Bus Terminal and beyond.
approx. 70–90 minVia Shinjuku
approx. 3 hrs 40 minOne direct Limited Express Azusa train a day runs straight from Shinjuku to Hakuba Station — no transfer, no bus.
Book your Azusa ticket online
Choose your date, pay online, and receive your QR voucher by email.
Limited Express Azusa: Shinjuku → Hakuba
A single direct through-service — departs Shinjuku once each morning and rolls straight into Hakuba Station.
departs 8:00 · direct, no transferResort info
The valley, by the numbers
Ten resorts, one pass, a full week of different mountains.
| Resorts | 10, incl. Hakuba Happo One, Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, Tsugaike, Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort — most on one valley pass |
|---|---|
| Runs & lifts | 200+ runs served by 135 lifts, including 5 gondolas |
| Top elevation | 1,831 m (Happo-One) |
| Longest run | 8 km (Happo-One) |
| Snow | ~11 m per season — dry Northern Alps powder |
| Terrain mix | 30% beginner · 40% intermediate · 30% advanced |
| Season | Mid-December – early May (varies by resort) |
| Getting around | Free shuttle bus links villages and resorts all winter |
Winter services
A big valley, well set up for visitors
Decades as an international destination means English-friendly service at every turn.
🎿 Rentals
Rental shops across the valley stock high-end gear in all sizes; book ahead for peak weeks.
🎓 Ski & snowboard schools
English-language lessons and first-timer packages run daily at every resort.
🏔 Free intra-valley shuttle
Regular free shuttle buses connect the resorts and villages all season — no car needed.
👶 Family zones
Sanosaka and Kashimayari offer gentle, low-key slopes and kids' parks for young families.
📦 Luggage delivery
Takkyubin courier delivers ski bags straight to your hotel or guesthouse.
Village info
A valley of villages
Hakuba isn't one village but several, spread along the valley floor — each with its own base area, lifts, and character.
- Hakuba / Happo — the biggest base, with the most Hakuba hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
- Hakuba hotels — options range from large resort hotels like Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba, Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, and Sierra Resort Hakuba to small guesthouses and lodges across the valley.
- Echoland — a walkable strip of bars and guesthouses near Happo-One.
- Hot springs — several onsen, including large public baths, are scattered through the valley.
- Neighbors — Nozawa Onsen and Myoko Kogen are each roughly an hour away for a change of scene.
Restaurant & nightlife
Japan's most international ski town
Decades of overseas visitors have built a genuinely international après scene — pizza, curry, craft beer, and izakaya, all within reach.
- Echoland strip — the valley's densest cluster of bars and restaurants, walkable from Happo.
- International kitchens — Western, Indian, and Nepali options sit alongside classic Japanese fare.
- Local flavors — Nagano soba, apples, and shinshu beef are worth seeking out.
- Good to know — book dinner ahead on weekends; the valley's popularity means tables fill fast.
When to go
Hakuba Valley season at a glance
Good to know
Hakuba Valley FAQ
Which of the 10 resorts should I ski first?
Do I need a different lift pass for each resort?
How do I get between resorts once I'm there?
Where is Hakuba and how do I get there?
Is a day trip from Tokyo possible?
How does the Shinkansen ticket work?
Ten resorts are
waiting to be skied.
Tokyo → Hakuba train + bus package · QR voucher by email
Buy your ticket →