Taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Hakuba is one of the iconic Japanese experiences, however you will need to change at Nagano to take the final trip, via bus. It is all very straight forward and relatively easy to sort through the details.
- Bullet Train (Shinkansen) – Tokyo Station to Nagano Station
- Bus – Nagano Station to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
Lets go through the details.
Why Hakuba
What makes Hakuba so special and one of the most visited ski and snowboard destinations in Japan. With it being easily accessible from Tokyo and boasting 10 different resorts, the Hakuba Valley is able to cater to wide variety of skiers and riders.
Hakuba Valley enjoys over 32 feet (10 meters) of snow per season with the benefit of the Japan getting ‘sea-effect’ snow, when cold air blows from Siberia and hits the warm sea of Japan, it creates a large amount of moisture and cloud formations, hitting the Japan Alps and dumping dry, powdery snow.
The Valley has 10 different resorts, with a number of them used during the 1996 Winter Olympics. You can choose between more family focused resorts such as Sanosaka and Jiigatke or try the popular Happo One, Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 resorts, that combine great skiing and riding for all levels of your travel party, with excellent Après Ski facilities, for the post day debrief.
Getting to the Bullet Train – Tokyo to Hakuba
The Bullet Train is one of the great travel experiences in Japan and is everything that you may have read about or seen. It is fast, clean, efficient and in my experience the trains have run on time, leaving within the minute of the scheduled departure time.
As you travel towards Nagano, you will see the snow capped Japanese Alps emerge, with a stunning vista from your high speed Shinkansen seat.
There are a couple of stations that the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) leaves from in Tokyo, when traveling to Hakuba. The first being Tokyo Central, the second being Ueno and third, on the outskirts of Tokyo, there is Omiya.
Each of these stations are on the Hokuriku line, which goes via Nagano. If you are already in Tokyo, make your way to these stations and the Shinkansen gates, to arrange for tickets and boarding.
To navigate the Tokyo Metro or JR lines, get yourself a Suica card, either a physical ‘Welcome Suica’ card when you arrive at the airport or download to your phone wallet. You can load credit, as you need.
The Suica card is your ticket to navigate the metro and local trains, to get you to Tokyo, Ueno or Omiya stations.
For bullet train journeys from Tokyo to Hakuba, you need to get off the train at Nagano station and change for Bus that will take you direct to Hakuba Happo bus terminal
If you have just arrived in Tokyo at one of the airports (Narita or Haneda) click to find more detail on how to get to Hakuba from Tokyo, via the airport.
The Bullet Train Experience
How long will it take?
The bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano will vary in time, depending on the specific train being taken. Each Shinkansen has its own name, which can be seen when you view the different services, which there are multiple services per hour.
The Shinkansen, on the Hokuriku line, have 4 options and some will stop at different stations along the journey. The four train services are as follows:
- Kayagaki
- Hakutaka
- Tsurugiud
- Asama
The fastest, limited stop service is Kayagaki, which takes 79 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagano. The other services will be approximately 90min.
How much are tickets?
At the time of writing, the cost for 2nd class carriage ticket is around ¥8000 (USD $50 / AUD $75 / EUR $47). If you want to splash out on Green class and even Gran Class, you are looking at approx. ¥12,000 and ¥15,000, respectively.
You have multiple options to book and purchase tickets. This can be direct from the JR East (Japan Railway East) website or via booking companies such as Klook.
You can also purchase direct from ticket machines at the Shinkansen gates, the JR East ticket office and if using a JR Rail Pass, this can also be used. For rail pass reservation, please see staff at the ticket office.
To retrieve tickets via a online booking you can also use specific ticket machines by scanning the QR code received on your booking and get your tickets, without lining up at the ticket office, which lines can be long.
What can I expect on board?
On all carriages, you have access to Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seat, outlet plug and tray table and plenty of legroom.
2nd Class
In second class, this is your standard seat, like economy class on an airline, although these seats have a lot more legroom and recline. For the 90-100 minute trip, this is more than adequate, with the carriage set up in a 2 – 3 configuration.
Green Class
The Green Class seat provides additional comfort; seats are bit wider, a little bit plusher and more room around the carriage. The Green Class carriage is set up in a 2 – 2 seat configuration. This is the ‘Business Class’ seat of the Shinkansen.
Gran Class
The Gran Class seat is, as you would expect for the name, the ‘First Class’ seat of the Shinkansen. The carriage is set up with a 1 -2 configuration and has automated leather reclining seats, full complimentary meal service and refreshments with dedicated staff providing impeccable Japanese service.
Click here to see further detail on the different classes of travel on the Hokuriku line.
Food & Drink
One of the great Bullet Train experiences in Japan is purchasing an Ekiben, which is a Railway station bento box or lunch box. A box of interesting and amazing food to eat, specifically on your train journey. At Bullet Train (Shinkansen) stations there are many vendors selling these Ekiben boxes, in addition to getting snacks from convenience stores.
The onboard facilities are very comfortable and you can catch up final preparations, check you planning documents and itinerates and then relax into the journey, on your way to Nagano.
Arriving in Nagano – Transfer to Hakuba
The Bullet train Tokyo to Hakuba doesn’t actually go all the way to Hakuba. You need to get off at Nagano station and catch the bus from Nagano bus station to Hakuba.
Bus from Nagano to Hakuba
This very easy and is a matter of getting upstairs from the platform level, head left and following the signs to the bus terminal – east exit. The bus terminal is open air, at ground level, with signage at each of the stops to make it clear which locations/ski resorts the bus is going to. Stop number 26 is for Hakuba.
The company running this service is called Alpico and will have staff to assist with tickets and luggage, when the bus arrives. You can buys tickets beforehand at the ticket machine in Nagano station or at the bus stop, via the attendants.
The bus journey will take about 75 minutes (Nagano to Happo Bus Terminal) and will do a number of different stops in the Hakuba valley, including the local train station of Hakuba and the Hakuba Happo bus terminal.
Arriving in Hakuba via Bus
Check with your accomodation on where best to get off the bus, once you arrive in the valley
The bus has approximately 16 daily services that run each day, with a mix a reserved and non-reserved services.
Bus – Nagano to Hakuba Bus Stops
The Alpico bus goes to various locations in the Hakuba Valley. Check the timetable to determine what location works and note that there are both reserved and non-reserved Alpico bus services available. The stops in the Hakuba valley, via bus include:
- Goryu Escal Plaza
- Hakuba Goryu
- Hakuba Train Station
- Snowpeak Land – Hakuba
- Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal
- Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
- Hakuba Iwatake
- Tsugaike Kogen
- Hakuba Norikura*
- Hakuba Cortina*
*Please note that there is only 1 daily service to Norikura and Cortina. Keep this in mind if you are based at these resorts in the valley to align your schedule and arrange of a transfer from a different location, to your accommodation.
Getting to Your Accommodation
Many of hotels and guesthouses in Hakuba Valley offer a shuttle pick-up service form Hakuba Happo Bus terminal (or other resort drop off locations). This can be as simple as ringing your hotel reception, when you arrive and a pick up is arranged or a pre-arranged time, based on the bus service that you have boarded. Check with your hotel or accommodation provider if this service is offered.
Bullet Train – Tokyo to Hakuba – Tips on a Smooth Journey
The winter season in the Hakuba Valley generally runs from December through to as late as May, depending on conditions and service available. With this in mind the peak periods, particularly in Hakuba are the weeks around the New Year through to late February.
If you were travelling via Bullet Train and Bus during this period, it would be recommended to pre-book seats in advance, to avoid missing out on seats.
In addition, to the above peak periods, the weekends, particularly Saturday, are also popular with weekenders and day-trippers, accessing the resorts in the valley.
Final Thoughts – Bullet Train Tokyo to Hakuba
The Hakuba Valley is an exceptional, world-class ski and snowboard destination and travelling there via bullet train is an excellent way to experience the iconic Shinkansen in Japan.
The best way to experience the bullet train to Hakuba, is to follow the below:
- Bullet Train – Tokyo to Nagano (change here for bus service)
- Bus – Nagano to Hakuba Valley (via Alpico Bus Company)
It is highly recommended to include a Bullet train journey, during your visit to Japan, and combining this with your ski/snowboard trip is an excellent way to start your journey to Hakuba.
Good luck with your travel planning!
