Hakuba Station
Hakuba Station is a small region train station on the Oito Line, running from Matsumoto to Minami-Otari. Though small, Hakuba is a busy station in winter as one of the main transport hubs for access to the ski resorts of the Hakuba Valley. While quieter outside of winter, Hakuba’s growing reputation for ‘green season’ activities, means Hakuba Station sees a good volume of traffic all year round.
The station is located in a central location, around a 5-minute drive or 20 to 25-minute walk from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and main area of Hakuba Village. There are plenty of restaurants and shops surrounding the station with most accommodation located in the area surrounding the bus terminal including Wadano and Echoland – always popular in winter.
The station itself is small and easy to navigate and includes typical facilities of a station of this size including public toilets, vending machines and station office. A taxi rank is directly outside the station. You can’t miss it.
Only one line runs to and from the station – the Oito Line:
OITO LINE SERVIES TO/FROM HAKUBA STATION
Running from Matsumoto Station to Minami-Otari Station, the Oito Line covers approximately 70km including Hokata Station in Azumino and before reading Hakuba Station.
Some services continue onto Itoigawa Station in Niigata and in doing so, connect Hakuba to Japan’s north coast.The line is extremely picturesque, worth experiencing in its own right. It takes between 95 to 120-minutes / JPY1170 one-way, to reach Hakuba Station from Matsumoto.
For further information about using about trains services to Hakuba, including timetables, please see our ‘Oito Line inc. Hakuba Trains Services’ page.
BUS SERVICES TO/FROM HAKUBA STATION
A number of local bus services run to and from the station throughout the year, with express bus services running from other major locations in winter including Nagano City, Matsumoto, Tokyo and the airports.
In winter, the Hakuba Shuttle Bus makes regular stops at the station before or after stops at the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
Connecting the station and bus terminal with the major ski resorts of Hakuba, this service is very convenient and free to use for anyone holindg a common ‘Hakuba Valley Ticket’ – see our ‘Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts’ page.
GETTING FROM THE STATION TO THE HAKUBA BUS TERMINAL
It is important to note that the station and the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal are not located together but instead separated by a distance of around 2km or 20 to 25-minutes walk.
While it’s an easy walk in spring, summer and autumn, it isn’t much fun in winter so best to use one of the local bus services or a taxi if you need to transfer from one to the other.
ACCOMMODATION IN HAKUBA
As one of Japan’s winter sports destination, with a growing reputation for its green season attractions and activities, there is no shortage of accommodation in Hakuba. Ranging from luxury to mid-range and budget, Hakuba offers plenty of choice including private chalets, large hotels, family-run lodges and backpackers. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Hakuba Area’ hotel page or to search by specific areas in the valley, see our hotel pages for: Hakuba Village Area / Hakuba Goryu/47 Area / Hakuba Cortina/Norikura Area.
BOOK WITH US! ACCOMMODATION & SKI PACKAGES IN HAKUBA
Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are a registered travel agent, tour and charter operator offering a full-suite of winter services including ski/snowboard packages, accommodation, lift passes, private charters and a range of tours including both group and private options covering the resorts of Hakuba:
HAKUBA ACCOMMODATION & SKI PACKAGES
The multiple resorts of Hakuba Valley are among Nagano’s most popular, offering a plenty of terrain and the region’s best backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Hakuba boasts the most services for English-speaking visitors and huge range of accommodation including plenty of mid to high-end options, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Always popular, it pays to book early – PLAN & BOOK IN HAKUBA NOW!
RECOMMENDED ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES IN HAKUBA
Ten ski resorts make-up the collectively named ‘Hakuba Valley’ – an area that can lay claim to being Central Japan’s most popular and international ski destination. Having hosted several events during the 1998 Winter Olympics and subsequent World Cup events, Hakuba’s pedigree is evident and with so many resorts in the area, skiers and snowboarders are spoiled for choice!
Our ‘Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts’ page provides an overview of the most popular resorts, including all the resorts stats, how to get there and accommodation options. Hugely popular in winter, Hakuba is also quickly establishing itself as Central Japan’s premier summer destination.
Numerous ‘green season’ activities are on offer including some of Japan’s best hiking and mountaineering, rafting, kayaking and canoeing, hot air ballooning and much, much more!
Our ’25 Things To Do In & Around Hakuba’ page has lots of great info, including tips and suggestions, of what’s on offer all year round. With plenty of luxury accommodation, great restaurants and flagship stores for outdoor brands including SNOW Peak in Hakuba, it is quickly becoming one Central Japan’s most popular and celebrated destinations.
BOOK WITH US! TRANSPORT & TOURS IN NAGANO
Snow Monkey Resorts is Nagano’s No.1 tour and charter operator. We have the local knowledge of where and when to go, to help you discover and enjoy the region’s many ski resorts and other fantastic destinations and activities.
For guests wanting to access the resorts in the comfort of their own transport, we can arrange a private tour or charter customised to fit your needs, starting and ending at any destination including from/to Nagano Station and any resort in the region. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule.
All vehicles are fitted with a protective screen – separating the driver from passenger and luggage area – and our drivers wear protective masks, allowing you to move between your destinations in comfort and safety.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of that experience and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano.
Got a question about visiting Nagano and Central Japan this winter? Contact us at snowmonkeyresorts@machinovate.com and let’s get planning together!
JAPAN RAIL DEALS: TRAVEL PASSES & DISCOUNTED TICKETS
Many if not most people traveling around Japan to do so by making use of the fantastic rail network and that covers the entire country, including to and from Nagano and Central Japan.
Any foreign passport-holder – both international visitors and foreign residents of Japan – is eligible for the ‘Japan Rail (JR) East Pass’ for Nagano & Niigata. Covering 5 days of unlimited use within a 14-day period, the pass includes travel on both the Hokuirku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen lines – a great deal if you’re planning to move between the regions while here.
In addition, JR East offers a 3-Day ‘Welcome Pass’ for foreign passport-holders. The pass covers multiple shinkansen lines and other major train routes – a fantastic deal and great option for getting to and moving around Central Japan.
Japan Rail is currently also offering discounted prices on many train services, including shinkansen lines across the country. With discounts of up to 50% available when purchasing online, our ‘Discount Shinkansen Tickets: How to Buy Online’ page includes an English step-by-step guide of how to purchase tickets online.
