ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus Timetable

ALPICO operates a variety of express bus services to some of Nagano’s most popular destinations including Hakuba. Express bus services operate all year round with an increase in services during winter, to cover the peak season. The express bus operates to and from Bus Stop No.26 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station:

A one-way journey between Nagano Station and Hakuba costs: JPY2,900 to JPY3,800 per adult depending on which part of Hakuba you are heading to or from, and the season. For full details regarding how to use ALPICO's express bus services, please refer to our 'ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus' page.

On this page you will find the following information:

Hakuba Express Bus Timetable

WINTER SEASON SCHEDULE (December 13, 2025 - March 31, 2026)

The timetable for Winter 2025-2026 was as follows. Unfortunately, the 2026-27 winter season bus schedule has not been released yet (as of September 2026), but we will update this page as soon as it becomes available. Please use last year's schedule as a reference for what this year's timings may be.

As of 2026, the ALPICO bus to and from Hakuba will run two services: non-reserved buses and reservation-only buses. The buses have two different schedules, so please be aware of which bus you will take when travelling to Hakuba.

1. Reservation-Only Bus

Online reservation is available up to 2 months in advance. Please find information about how to reserve the bus tickets online from the ALPICO website.

Please note, only one bus is available for each scheduled trip, and there will be no additional buses. If there are available seats on the day, you can pay the fare directly to the driver and board the bus.

From Nagano Station to Hakuba:

NOTE that not all buses stop everywhere! Many buses go all the way to Tsugaike Kogen. Most stop at Hakuba Goryu as well as in the center of Hakuba Village, at Hakuba Station, Snow Peak Land Station and the Happo Bus Terminal.

Returning from Hakuba to Nagano Station:

This is basically the reverse of the Nagano-to-Hakuba schedule.

However, note that Nagano-bound buses start running earlier and do not depart as late in the evening as Hakuba-bound buses. Also, only a couple of Nagano-bound buses stop at Goryu each day. Check the time and don’t get stranded!

By the way, don’t worry about whether your bus drops you off at Bus Stop No.26 on the east side of Nagano Station or on the Zenkoji Exit side. Either way you'll have arrived at Nagano Station.

(※1) = Only operates on specific dates: Sat, Sun and holidays between 17 Dec -26 Mar and daily between 29 Dec – 3 Jan.

2. Non-Reserved Bus

The non-reserved buses operate directly between Happo Bus Terminal and Nagano Station without stopping at other bus stops. Multiple buses depart at the same time from both Happo Bus Terminal and Nagano Station.

From Nagano Station to Hakuba:

Returning from Hakuba to Nagano Station:

**Please note that the Nagano-bound buses don't run as late into the evening as the Hakuba-bound buses.

GREEN SEASON SCHEDULE (April 1 - November 30, 2026)

From Nagano Station to Hakuba:

During these warmer months bus service between Nagano and Hakuba is only half of what it is during ski season. (Consider yourself warned!)

As in winter, buses depart from the east side of Nagano Station, Bus Stop No.26, with all of them going to the center of Hakuba Village. Those leaving earlier in the day continue north to Iwatake, Tsugaike, and Hakuba Norikura.

All buses run daily, and none require reservations. Just pay when you board and you’re on your way!

Returning from Hakuba to Nagano:

◎：Weekdays
★：Weekends & Holidays

As in winter, the Nagano-bound bus schedule is basically the backwards version of the Hakuba-bound schedule. However, also as in winter, the buses for Nagano start running earlier and do not depart as late.

Note that only the earliest bus loops around to the Nagano Bus Terminal (in case that’s where you want to go).

Buying Tickets for the Hakuba Express Bus

There are three ways to purchase bus tickets:

1. Reservation-Only Bus (winter only)

For the reservation-only bus (winter only), please purchase your tickets online at the ALPICO official website. If the bus has empty seats, you can also pay on the day-of directly to the driver.

Please find the reservation-only bus fares listed below (as of 2026) :

2. Non-Reserved Bus

1 / Directly from the bus driver or a staff member at the bus stop (staff members available only in winter). Here you can pay with cash or via VISA credit card touch payment, now available on all buses to Hakuba.

2 / 【Only during winter】 From the ticket machine inside the JR Ticket Office to the right of the Shinkansen exit of Nagano Station. *Cash only.

Please find the non-reserved bus fares listed below (as of 2026) :

Hakuba Charters & Tours

Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are a fully-accredited charter operator with the expertise to ensure your journey is safe, comfortable and convenient. With vehicles to accommodate single travelers, couples and families as well as groups of up to 45 people, we can transport you and all your luggage - your skis, your snowboards and any other outdoor gear - from downtown Nagano straight to the center of Hakuba!

Private Charters

NAGANO STN → HAKUBA

Duration:

1-2 Hours

Spots:

Nagano, Hakuba

¥58,100~

Book Now View Details

We also have you covered for pick-up and drop-off anywhere in the Nagano region, including all the most popular ski resorts and many other popular destinations including the Snow Monkey Park, as well as more distant points including Nagoya, Tokyo, and even your airport. Which vehicle suits you best depends on your group size and amount of luggage. Please see our list of all charters to & from Hakuba to explore your options!

Day Tour

Best Selling

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano

Spots:

NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba

Pick-up:

Nagano CityHakuba

Drop-off:

Nagano CityHakuba

¥21,800

Book Now View Details

We also offer several tours to and from Hakuba, which can be the perfect way to experience the best parts of Nagano while also getting transportation to and from the ski resorts! For example, our Snow Monkey Tour offers pick-up and drop-off in Hakuba, and visits Zenko-ji Temple and the Snow Monkey Park, including sake-tasting and a delicious Japanese lunch!

Day Tour

New Tour

1-Day Tour from Nagano: Hiking to Happo-ike Pond & Hot Springs in Hakuba Valley

Spots:

Hakuba

Pick-up:

Nagano City

Drop-off:

Nagano City

¥23,800

Book Now View Details

Lastly, we also offer a green season tour to Hakuba, where you can experience hiking to Happo-ike Pond, as well as visit Reisho-ji Temple and Omachi Onsenkyo hot spring town! Join us to see the best of what Hakuba has to offer in the warmer months.

Hakuba Ski Resort: Everything You Need to Know

Hakuba Valley is one of Japan’s best-known and most popular winter destinations. Covering a vast mountainous area, Hakuba Valley actually boasts multiple ski resorts - with a few of them connected by runs of perfect powder. Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort is the most central and largest of the resorts. For a complete run-down of what’s on offer in Hakuba, see our ‘Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts’ page.

Accommodation & Ski Packages in Hakuba

Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are a registered travel agent and tour and charter operator offering a full suite of winter services including ski/snowboard packages, accommodations, lift passes, private charters, and a range of tours including both group and private options covering the Hakuba Valley.

Hakuba Accommodation & Ski Packages

Hakuba Accommodation & Ski Packages

On this page you will find everything you need to book your winter getaway to Hakuba including: Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we can arrange accommodation and lift passes in your choice of hotel…

As always, it pays to book early - you can find a list of accommodation in Hakuba on our dedicated page here, and feel free to contact us for a personalized quotation!

We hope to see you here in Nagano on your next trip to Japan!