Tokyo has the easiest and most direct access to Hakuba so if you are trying to choose an airport to fly into, pick Narita or Haneda. For travel options from the Tokyo area, please check out our transportation entries here. If you have been exploring the country, hanging with the geisha in Kyoto, or got a good deal on a flight to Osaka, then you will have fewer transportation options when making your way to Hakuba.

If you are travelling on a JR rail pass then best stick to JR trains. From Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, and Kyoto, you can catch the Takaido Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya and then change to the Shinano line bound for Matsumoto. In Matsumoto you will need to change to the Oito Line, where there are a few direct trains to Kamishiro/Hakuba but others will stop in Shinano-Oomachi where you will have to board a connecting train bound for Hakuba. If you will be joining us at Lodge tabi-tabi, be sure to get off at Kamishiro (NOT Minami-Kamishiro) station. From there we are a 10 minute walk or a 1000 yen taxi ride.

If you are like me,  and don't mind a little extra travel time if it means less transfers and less hassles, then I suggest taking the Shinano Limited Express from Osaka at 8:58 am. This train will arrive at Matsumoto station at 13:03 where you can change to the Oito line bound for Hakuba. Although a little more out of the way, you can get off 50 minutes later at Nagano station and then take the Alpico Bus bound for Hakuba. Please note, the ¥1500 yen bus fare will not be covered by a JR Rail pass but all Oito Line trains from Matumoto are.

If you are looking for the cheapest way to get to Hakuba, and don't have a JR Rail pass, then I suggest taking the Hankyu Bus from Osaka or Kyoto to Matsumoto and the train from there. The 5 1/2 hour journey from Umeda costs 5,700 one way and 10,000 yen return. For a link to the Hankyu Bus schedule and fares, click here. The train from Matsumoto to Hakuba is another ¥1200 and you may need to transfer in Shinano Oomachi station.

For all train fares, and schedules, check Hyperdia or Jorudan, or talk to a travel expert at the JR English Travel Information Line between 10:00 and 18:00 at:

050-2016-1603

If you are callin from overseas, drop the first zero and add the country code, "81".

Happy travels!

If you are looking for a night out in another part of town, this is the bus for you! The closest stop to Lodge tabi-tabi is #4 Goryu Jankenpon. You can also find it on our Goryu walking map here.

The best way to explore Japan's country-side is with your own set of wheels. We suggest you check out ToCoo! rent-a-car. They have over 800 outlets, offer services from 12 different car rental companies, have a huge choice of vehicles, and an easy-to-use English website where you can check prices and reserve your vehicle. Although you can pick up your car at the airport when you arrive, most people prefer to make their way to Nagano by bus or train, and pick up their car in Nagano City instead. If you pick up your vehicle in Nagano or Matsumoto there is no extra fee for snow tyres, you can also request ski/snowboard racks, child seats, and all cars come with GPS. There is no extra fee for dropping off your vehicle at a different location as long as it is in the same prefecture. Smaller vehicles go for 4200 yen a day and they also offer long-term discounts. Driving in Japan is remarkably easy, other drivers are courteous, just remember to leave a little extra space between you and the car ahead when you are driving on snowy/icy roads.To rent a car in Japan you will need a credit card, a valid driver's license, plus an international driver's license which you have to get in your home country. Click on the pic for more details.

If you have a bit of extra time to spare and you're not lugging a board bag or skis around, then you might as well take the Keisei line from Narita to Nippori. The Keisei Main Line Limited Express (the red line) takes 76 minutes and costs only 1000 yen.  At Nippori Station you can transfer to the Yamanote line for the 21 minute, 190yen ride to Shinjuku, or the 11 minute, 150 yen ride to Tokyo. From Shinjuku you can catch the Keio Highway bus to Hakuba while Tokyo is the main transfer hub for the Nagano Shinkansen.

Check out Hyperdia to help you make sense of all of Japan's train routes, here.

For any and all transportation questions, you can also call the super friendly folks at the JR English Info Line at: 050-2016-1603 . Drop the first zero if you are calling from overseas and don't forget to add Japan's country code, 81.

The fastest way to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport is to take the N'EX (Narita Express) train. You can depart from either terminal and choose from a number of arrival stations including Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Shinagawa.

If you are transferring to the Keio Highway bus bound for Hakuba you will want to get off at Shinjuku Station. If you plan to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Nagano, you should get off at Tokyo station.

The journey will take from 65 - 105 minutes depending on your departure time and destination. The one-way fare to Tokyo station is 2940 yen. If you wish to get off at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, or Ikebukuro the fare will be 3110 yen.

For more details on fares, departure times,  combination tickets, and online reservations click here.

Keep in mind, trains station are often underground and require maneuvering up and down stairs and escalators, or elevators if you are lucky. If you have more bags than you have the strength to carry, I highly recommend taking the bus to Tokyo instead. You can read about the Narita Aiport Limousine bus here.

If you would rather not stop in Tokyo at all, and come directly to Hakuba from Narita Airport, you can take the shared Chuo Taxi. To find out more and to make your (required!) reservation, click here.

 

The easiest way to get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo is by the Friendly Airport Limousine Bus. Most of you are probably wanting to take it to Shinjuku Station's west exit but there are endless destination points to choose from including major Tokyo Hotels.

Terminal 1 has five tickets counters, while Terminal 2 has two tickets counters, all with helpful English speaking staff. Buses depart right outside of Narita aiport's central exit every 20 minutes. The bus stop is on the ground level so no bags to haul up stairs or maneuver through escalators. You can roll your airport luggage cart through customs and right up to the bus luggage compartment. There are even some friendly staff attending to passengers, checking tickets, and making sure your gear is safely stored in the baggage compartment under the bus.

Ask for a window seat to get some great views of Tokyo bay and the urban sprawl of one of the most densely packed cities in the world.

A bus to Shinjuku will cost you 3000 yen one way and take between 85 to 115 minutes depending on traffic. For current travel times, fares, departure and arrival options, check out their English site here

The cheapest (and easiest!) way to get to Hakuba from Tokyo is to take the Keio Highway bus from the Shinjuku Bus Terminal. The journey takes 4 hours and 20 minutes, and costs 8500 yen return (4700 yen one way). If you are coming to stay with us at Lodge tabi-tabi, please get off at the Hakuba Goryu bus stop. It is the first stop in Hakuba Valley. You will need to push the button (above your head) when the driver makes the announcement for "Hakuba Goryu", or the bus may not stop. You can now make your reservation online in English here. If you have a reservation you should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to pay for your ticket at the counter marked "Hakuba". You can use your phone number as your reservation number. This number does not have to be a number in Japan, just a number that you can recall when you go to pick up your ticket.

The easiest way to get to Hakuba from Narita airport is to take the shared Chuo taxi. The 12,000 yen per person service will take you door to door from Narita or Haneda airport to you accommodation in Hakuba. No transfers, and no bags to lug around up and down the  train station stairs. To make a reservation you will need to fill in a form at least 48 hours ahead of time. You can find the form, and more details here.

If you are taking the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo, you will have to transfer to the Alpico bus in Nagano city. If you are joining us at Lodge tabi-tabi, please get off at Hakuba Goryu bus stop. You can find the rest of the Alpico Bus schedules here.

Driving in Japan doesn't have to be daunting. Nexco Highways Japan has an excellent site for people who want to be in the driver's seat. With information on tolls, rest-stop details, recommended tourist attractions, restaurants, and shopping along the way, it's a great way to plan your travels, and keep you from getting lost. Check it out here