Getting to Hakuba By Train 

From Tokyo by Shinkansen

This is the fastest method to get to Hakuba from Tokyo. From Tokyo or Ueno stations take the Nagano Shinkansen Asama to Nagano Station. The trains take about 1.30 to 2 hours from Tokyo. At Nagano you will need to transfer to bus. Take the East (higashi) Exit and go to bus stand #6. Please note the last bus to Hakuba is 8.30pm. For transfer times please click here >>.

From Shinjuku in Tokyo.

The direct Super Azusa leaves Shinjuku station at 7.30am and arrives in Hakuba at 11.28.am. There is only one direct train per day. For other Azusa's you will need to transfer at Matsumoto for a local train and add one hour to your journey time. The fare is 8070 yen.  For more journey times and costs please use Jourdon

 From Nagoya/Osaka/Kobe

Make the way to Nagoya by Shinkansen from Osaka and Kobe. From Nagoya take the Shinano Express to Matsumoto and then transfer to the Oito Line direct to Hakuba. The journey time is about 3.5 hours. The fare is 6920 yen. For more journey times and costs please use Jourdon

JR Rail Passes

JR EAST PASS is a great, inexpensive and flexible way to travel to and from Hakuba and around Eastern Japan. There are several variations to meet your itinerary and flexibility. To purchase this pass you must show your passport, with Temporary Visitor" stamp, return air ticket. E-ticket or other ticket-less airline tickets need not be shown. The passes can be bought at JR ticket office in the airports. Please make sure you ask for JR EAST Pass. 

5 day and 10 day passes are valid consecutive days. And start on the first day of use.

Flexible 4 day pass can be used on non-consecutive days within one month.

JR Rail Pass is valid throughout Japan except on some NOZOMI Shinkansen lines. There are 3 types of passes available. Please note these passes need to be purchased by exchange vouchers in your country before departure. For overseas agents and more information please click here. When exchanged you must show your passport, with Temporary Visitor" stamp, return air ticket. E-ticket or other ticket-less airline tickets need not be shown. The passes can be exchanged at JR ticket office in the airports.

7 day, 14 day and 21 day passes are valid for consecutive days. And start on the first day of use.

Shinkansen Reservations

For reservations you need to apply to Travel Service Center, View Plaza or at reservation ticket office at a JR station commonly called "midori-no-madoguchi". Show your pass and then they will give you your reserved seat ticket. Please note if all the seats are full then you will be issued with a non-reserved seat ticket.

For Shinkansen bullet train reservations you can reserve online here