World class skiing and snowboarding just three and a half hours from Tokyo...
Set high in the heart of the Japanese Alps, amongst the rugged peaks of the Hakuba Valley, lays the resort town of Hakuba. Just three and a half hours from Tokyo, nestled amongst the three peaks of Mt Yarigatake (2903m), Shakushi (2812m) and Shirouma (2933m), Hakuba is a central hub for 11 Japanese ski resorts. There is something in Hakuba for everyone regardless of their level.
The Hakuba Valley averages over 10 meters of powder snow per season across more than 200 runs that contain some of Japan’s longest vertical descents. Host to numerous events of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is gaining international recognition and popularity. Short lift lines, excellent powder, long runs and great local culture are but a few of the factors that are putting Hakuba on the world map.
The resorts...
The Southern end of the Hakuba Valley contains the resorts of Hakuba 47, Goryu, Sun Alpina, Minekata, Hakuba Highland and the Olympic ski resort Happo-One (pronounced O-nay). The Northern end of the valley you find (amongst others) Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura, and Cortina all offering a variety of options for skiers and boarders. The valley and its variety of ski resorts take weeks to explore and with an annual snow fall of over 10 meters and over 800 acres of skiable areas, Hakuba is sure to impress.
There are numerous methods of getting to Hakuba...
Narita pick-up services.
In many respects, these chartered buses are the cheapest and easiest way to get to and from the airport directly to the door of our house. Please see the below links on Narita to Hakuba bus services. As a general guide, the cost will be between JPY 8000 and JPY 12,000 per person one way which is really great.
http://www.chuotaxi.co.jp/index.php?id=8
http://www.hakubus.com/
http://www.hakubasnowbus.com/
Chuo Taxi – most convenient way from Narita Airport to Hakuba.
The taxi service offered by Chuo Taxi is the easiest way to travel. Chuo Taxi will meet you at Narita Airport arrivals displaying your own name card, help you into a well appointed bus or van and drive you directly to the house. Bookings are available from 1 person and the price is set per person (JPY12,000 one way) regardless of whether you are traveling alone or with a group. You must book 5 days in advance.
Here is the URL:
http://www.chuotaxi.co.jp/index.php?id=8
Shinkansen Bullet Train (Total time approx 3.5 hours)
From Narita Airport - Tokyo Station. Passengers transferring from Narita Airport ride the Narita Express to Tokyo Station which frequently departs from the airport rail terminal. Traveling time to Tokyo - 1hr. Costs about JPY 3000.
From Tokyo Station – Nagano. Departing from Tokyo Station to Nagano, passengers ride the Nagano Bullet Train (Asama Shinkansen). Travelling time 1.5 hrs. Costs about JPY 7500 one way. The bullet trains run frequently throughout the day.
See timetable here:
http://www.shinkansen.co.jp/jikoku_hyo/en/nagano/ndh_tokyo.html
From Nagano Station - Hakuba. Buses from Nagano to Hakuba run once an hour, with the last bus departing Hakuba at 8:20pm. (Friday night 9.20pm). Buses depart from the East (Higashi) exit of Nagano Station from bus stop 6. Go out the ticket gates and turn left. Walk outside the building and you will see the bus terminal below you to the left. The fare is JPY 1500 one way and you need to have the correct change to pay the driver at the end of the trip. Get off at Happo-One bus terminal. Travelling time 1hrs.
See timetable here:
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/nagano_hakuba/index_e.html
Our driver will pick you up from the bus station and take you to the house.
Super Azusa Train (Slow and cheaper train, total time 4.5hrs)
From Narita Airport - Tokyo Station. Passengers transferring from Narita Airport ride the Narita Express to Shinjuku Station. Frequent departures from airport rail terminal. Traveling time to Shinjuku - 1hr. Cost about JPY 3000.
From Shinjuku Catch the Chuo limited express (Super Azusa) departs from Shinjuku Station and travels directly to Hakuba station. Travelling time 3.50hrs. Cost about JPY 8000.
Our driver will pick you up from the train station and take you to the house.
Car from Tokyo (Total time 4 hours)
There are two options from Tokyo to get to Hakuba by car.
1. Take the Chuo Expressway to the Okaya J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Nagano Expressway. Exit at the Toyoshina Interchange and follow Rte 147 &148 through Omachi and onto Hakuba. 3.5hrs to 4.5hrs, depending on traffic.
2. Take the Kanetsu Expressway to the Fujioka J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Exit at the Nagano Interchange and follow the Hakuba Nagano Olympic Road to Hakuba. 3.5hrs to 4.5hrs, depending on traffic.
5. Bus from Shinjuku Station (total time 5hrs)
The cheapest way to get to Hakuba is by bus from Shinjuku Station. This takes about 5 hours, two short 10 minute stops on route (also has a toilet on the bus) costs about JPY 4500 one way.
Whichever way you choose to travel to Hakuba, our local manager will pick you up from the Happo bus station or Hakuba train station and take you to the house.
Local Information...
There is plenty of information available at the Tourist Information Office next to Hakuba station or from the Tourist Information Office located at Happo bus terminal. Happo bus terminal is a short five minute walk from our Hakuba Holiday House. Also, you can find very good tourist information websites via Google search. See our links page for some.
Car rentals...
Guests can also arrange a rental car for the period of their stay provided they have an international or Japanese driver’s license (see below link to Nippon Toyota rent a car website in English as an example of models and prices). Or our property manager can arrange for you.
http://rent.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html
With a set of wheels at your disposal you will be able to explore ski resorts outside of the Hakuba Valley such as Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Naeba and the list goes on. You will also be able to easily visit local sightseeing places such as the bathing Monkeys and Matsumoto Castle.
Some local attractions...
Matsumoto Castle (pictured above) is located in Matsumoto City which is 60 Km’s from Hakuba. You can catch a train from Hakuba train station or rent a car from Hakuba. It was built about 400 years ago and is the oldest five-tiered donjon castle in Japan.
Zenkoji Temple located in Nagano city is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan. It houses one of the oldest Buddhist images in the main hall. From Hakuba you can take a hour bus trip into Nagano city or rent a car from Hakuba.
Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park (Snow Monkeys). One of the only places in the world where you can see wild monkeys bathe in natural outdoor hot springs! It is a great half day trip. The monkeys clearly love the hot water!
Money...
Japan is still very heavily reliant on cash - largely due to a very low crime rate. Please ensure that you have access to Japanese yen. This is best arranged at the airport when you arrive via the many foreign exchange windows. International ATM’s can be found in Hakuba at either the 7Eleven convenience store or at the Hakuba Post office. Travelers cheques and foreign currency transactions can be done at the 82 or Nagano Bank branches found near Hakuba station (Passports are essential). Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in Japan however cash is still King!
Shuttle Services...
From mid afternoon to late evening a shuttle service operates along a designated route throughout Hakuba Village providing access to restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shopping areas outside of Happo Village. Complimentary shuttle buses also run between the various ski resorts of Happo, Hakuba47, Hakuba Goryu, Iwatake and Tsugaike. Shuttle timetables and routes are available upon season commencement from the Tourist information offices at Happo bus terminal and Hakuba station.
