“Snow Liner” is a convenient bus from Tokyo to Hakuba! Introducing features and departure/arrival locations

How to get to Hakuba ski resort from Tokyo

There are two main ways to get to Hakuba ski resort from Tokyo: by Shinkansen or by bus. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option, as well as travel time and costs.

By Shinkansen

If you are traveling by Shinkansen, first take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (approximately 1 hour 50 minutes), then transfer to an express bus to the Hakuba area (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes).

This is the fastest way to get from Tokyo to Hakuba. If you use the Shinkansen, it may be a little more difficult because you have to transfer and purchase tickets for both the Shinkansen and the express bus.

Time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes (assuming 30 minutes transfer time from the Shinkansen to the express bus)

Fare: From 10,010 yen (Hokuriku Shinkansen from 7,810 yen + Express bus from 2,500 yen)

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Disadvantages

By bus

If you take the bus, you can travel directly from Tokyo to the Hakuba area. The bus departure points are Tokyo Station, the Odaiba area, Haneda Airport, Narita Airport (Chiba), Yokohama (Kanagawa), etc., making it easier to use than the Shinkansen.

The travel time is long and the number of buses per day is limited, but you don't have to transfer. There are also night buses, so this route is recommended for those going to the Hakuba area for the first time, those with a lot of luggage, and those who want to enjoy skiing or snowboarding in the morning. Another attractive feature is the lower fare compared to using the Shinkansen.

Time: About 5 hours (based on a morning bus trip from Haneda Airport to Hakuba Base Center)

Price: From 8,000 yen (assuming use of the direct bus "Snowliner")

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What is the "Snowliner" ski resort bus?

If you are traveling by bus from Tokyo to the Hakuba area, we especially recommend the "Snow Liner." In addition to offering a wide range of direct bus plans to the ski resorts in the Hakuba area, including night buses and morning buses, the following three points are its appealing features.

You can choose your boarding and disembarking locations

In addition to Tokyo Station and Odaiba, you can choose from major areas such as Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, and Yokohama as boarding points. It's a good idea to choose a departure point that suits your needs, such as if you want to go to a ski resort after sightseeing in Tokyo or Yokohama, or if you want to go to a ski resort directly from the airport without sightseeing.

The bus stops include the Hakuba Base Center, Happo area, Tsugaike area, Hakuba Norikura area, and other ski resorts and hotels. Even if your destinations in the Hakuba area are different, you can get on the Snow Liner and get off wherever you want.

Pricing is easy to understand

The fare is the same for adults (12 years old and over) and children (0 to 11 years old). Reservations and payments can be made by credit card only through the reservation website, making it easy to understand. (Even in the case of a cancellation or other refund, the payment is processed by credit card.)

The price listed on the website includes highway tolls and seat reservations, but additional fees may apply depending on the boarding point. In addition, the trunk of the bus can hold up to one item per person, with the total of the three sides being within 120cm and the weight being within 10kg. For skis and snowboards, you can rest assured that you can hold one item per person.

It runs daily during the season

The Snowliner will operate daily during the winter season from December 20, 2024 to March 30, 2025. In addition, if there are seats available, reservations can be made on the website up until noon the day before departure, so even if you decide to go skiing at the last minute, you may be able to board if you are lucky with the timing.

The reservation website is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easy for foreign tourists to use. It's a good idea to check the website to see if the bus is running on the date and time you want.

Snowliner reservations here

There are four boarding points for Tokyo

The Snow Liner, a direct bus to the ski resort that travels from Tokyo to the Hakuba area, has four boarding locations. We will introduce the characteristics and locations of each bus stop, as well as how to get there.

Tokyo

The boarding points in Tokyo are Tokyo Kajibashi Parking Lot and Odaiba Tokyo Teleport. Both can be used as departure points for late night Snowliner services.

Tokyo Kajibashi Parking Lot

In addition to the "Snowliner" bus that goes directly to the ski resort, this is also the boarding and disembarking point for many other express buses. Depending on the date and time, it can get very crowded, so be sure to arrive there with plenty of time to spare.

Odaiba Tokyo Teleport

The bus stops at platform 1 in the rotary just outside Tokyo Teleport Station on the Rinkai Line. Look for the yellow-green sign that says "Express Bus Terminal Odaiba (Tokyo Teleport Station)."

Haneda Airport

The boarding point at Haneda Airport is bus terminal number 5 on the first floor of the Haneda Airport Garden, a complex commercial facility accessible via a connecting walkway from Haneda Airport Terminal 3.

Haneda Airport Garden is home to many cafes, restaurants, and shops selling Japanese goods perfect for fashion and souvenirs. It's easy to get carried away with shopping, but be careful not to miss your bus.

Narita Airport (Chiba)

The boarding point at Narita Airport is bus stop 6 on the first floor of Narita Airport Terminal 3. If you are traveling from Terminal 1 or 2, please take the terminal shuttle bus to Terminal 3.

Also, if you take SL131 (bound for Hakuba/Tsugaike), you will need to first board SL181 and then transfer at the Odaiba Tokyo Teleport stop along the way. Please check with the bus attendant or driver for more information.

Yokohama (Kanagawa)

The boarding point in Yokohama is "Y-CAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal)". When going to "Y-CAT" from Yokohama Station, follow the airplane logo on the information board inside the station. To avoid congestion near the bus stop, the meeting point is the reception counter in the first lobby on the first floor. Please gather at least 15 minutes before departure, taking into account travel time to the bus stop.

Inside Y-CAT, there is a cafe, a convenience store, and a shop where you can buy Yokohama souvenirs. We recommend arriving at Y-CAT as early as possible and waiting for the bus while having a coffee at the cafe and shopping at the convenience store or shop.

There are four main areas to get off at in Hakuba

The Snow Liner bus, which goes directly to ski resorts in the Hakuba area, has four main drop-off points. We will introduce the characteristics of each bus stop and information about the surrounding area.

Hakuba Base Center (Goryu Escal Plaza)

Hakuba Base Center is the first stop for most Snowliners bound for Hakuba. Goryu Escal Plaza at Hakuba Base Center is equipped with all the facilities you need to enjoy skiing all day, including restaurants, one of the largest souvenir shops in the Hakuba area, a sporting goods store, ski and snowboard rental shops, a day spa, and sleeping rooms.

If you want to enjoy skiing or snowboarding at the nearby Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort, get off at Hakuba Base Center.

Happo area

In the Happo area, the bus stops at the JamJam Liner Exclusive Bus Stop and the Mominoki Hotel Visitor Center.

JamJam Liner exclusive bus stop

As the name suggests, this is a bus stop exclusively for the JamJam Liner, such as the "Snow Liner." Nearby hotels include the Hakuba Alpine Hotel, Hakuba Panorama Hotel, and Hakuba Happo Onsen Happo no Yu.

Some people get off at what they think is the Happo Information Center (Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal), which is also a JNTO-certified foreigner information center, but please note that this is a different bus stop.

Mominoki Hotel Visitor Center

The drop-off point is in front of Hakuba Mominoki Hotel. Inside the visitor center, there is "Rhythm Japan", which handles famous brands of skis and snowboards, and sells and rents them. They also offer waxing and tuning services to prepare for the powder snow that is unique to Hakuba.

Right in front of you is Hakuba Mominoki Hotel, a North American-style resort hotel nestled in the forest. The lobby is decorated with elegant antique furniture, and you can enjoy a luxurious time relaxing while looking out at the great outdoors.

Tsugaike area

In the Tsugaike area, the bus stops at three locations: Tsugaike Kogen A, Tsugaike Kogen B, and Tsugaike Kogen C.

Tsugaike Kogen A (Oya no Hara Parking Lot)

The drop-off point is in front of Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort. Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort has the longest run of 5,000m and is a ski resort that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from beginners to advanced skiers, and from children to adults. There is also an international ski school where instructors with international licenses teach. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available in English and Chinese.

Tsugaike Kogen B (Sun Plaza Tsugaike)

The drop-off point is in front of Hotel Sunplaza Tsugaike. Hotel Sunplaza Tsugaike is a large resort hotel with 77 rooms located in the center of Tsugaike Kogen. It is especially proud of its large public bath that uses the mineral-rich Hakuba Himekawa Onsen hot spring water, and also has a sauna. It is sure to soothe your tired body after skiing or snowboarding.

There is a drying room in the basement for drying skis and boots. The entrance to the drying room leads to the Oyanohara slope at Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort.

Tsugaike Highlands C (Grand Jam Tsugaike)

The drop-off point is in front of Hotel Grand Jam Tsugaike. Hotel Grand Jam Tsugaike is a new hotel that opened in December 2019. It boasts Japanese banquet meals that focus on locally produced ingredients, allowing you to enjoy ingredients unique to Shinshu. There is also a plan with no meals included, which is recommended for those who want to enjoy skiing and snowboarding to their heart's content from morning to night.

Hakuba Norikura area

The Hakuba Norikura area is in front of the Hakuba Alps Hotel. This is often the final destination of the "Snow Liner" and takes about 50 minutes from the first stop, the Hakuba Base Center (Goryu Escal Plaza). The Hakuba Alps Hotel is adjacent to the Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort. Next to the hotel is the free "Kids Park" where children can enjoy playing on the playground equipment and sledding.

Let's go to Hakuba using the "Snow Liner"!

We introduced the benefits of taking an express bus from Tokyo to the Hakuba area, as well as the features of the Snow Liner, a bus that goes directly to the ski resort.

Hakuba is a popular destination for many people every year, as they seek out Japan's world-famous powder snow. The winter season officially begins in mid-December, so whether you're a regular skier or snowboarder, or are trying snow activities for the first time, we recommend taking a trip to the Hakuba area on the "Snowliner."

Snowliner reservations here