Narita Airport to Hakuba

Below are five ways to get from Narita Airport to Hakuba. If you are looking for ease, we recommend the Narita Express + Shinkansen (bullet train) + bus combo. If you are on a budget we recommend the bus option.

Narita Express + Shinkansen + Bus

Take the Narita Express (N’EX) from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, then the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then the bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba-Happo Station. This is the easiest way to reach Hakuba from Tokyo. Estimated time and cost for both the bullet train and bus: 3 hours, ¥11,000 per adult and ¥6,000 per child.

  • Take the Narita Express (N’EX) from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. 1 hour, ¥3,020.
  • Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. There are four classes of Shinkansen seating: Non-reserved (¥7,680), reserved (¥8,200), Green Class (¥10,770), and Gran Class (¥13,860). We suggest avoiding non-reserved seating all together, so that you are guaranteed a seat, however if you do insist on taking a Non-Reserved Shinkansen we suggest arriving at least 30 min prior to departure for a better chance at getting a seat (otherwise you’ll be standing for 2 hours). For precise time, fares and platform numbers click here.
  • At Nagano Station, go to the East Exit and find bus stop #26 on the ground level. This bus goes from Nagano Station to Hakuba roughly every hour from 08:20 to 20:00, taking around 1 hour and costing ¥1,800 per adult and ¥900 per child. For the bus timetable click here. If you miss the last departing bus at 20:00, your only option to get to Hakuba is by taking a taxi (roughly ¥21,000).

Direct Bus

A company called Nagano Snow Shuttle runs five direct busses, leaving at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30, and 20:30, from Narita Airport all the way to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. We suggest pre-booking these buses, which can be done so on their website. Estimated time and cost: 4-5 hours, depending on traffic, ¥9,600 per person.

Express Train

Direct express train (Azusa 3) from Shinjuku to Hakuba. Estimated time and cost: 4 hours, ¥8,300.

  • Leaves daily at 7:30 from Shinjuku Station and goes directly to Hakuba Station arriving at 11:28.
  • This is also a great way to get back to Tokyo with the only direct train (no switching) leaving Hakuba at 14:37 and arriving at Shinjuku Station at 18:36.

Shared or Chartered Taxi

There are now two taxi companies – Alpico Taxi and Chuo Taxi – that offer a chartered taxi service from Narita Airport to Hakuba. They arrange for a Toyota HiAce van ready and waiting for your party at the airport and transferring you to the front door of Happo Apartments. Estimated time and cost: 5 to 6 hours, ¥111,300 for the chartered jumbo taxi.

Alpico Taxi: ¥144,000

Chuo Taxi: ¥111,300

 

  • For groups of 7 adults or more, the taxi is chartered, meaning your taxi is private and there is no waiting for other passengers.
  • Groups smaller than 7 adults can secure a chartered taxi by paying the rate for 7 adults, thus ensuring that you do not need to wait for any other parties. Only Chuo Taxi offers the shared taxi at a rate of ¥15,900 for adults, ¥11,800 for children 12 and under and ¥6,100 for children 6 and under.

Car

Having a car can be very convenient and cheap, depending on the size of your group. We recommend Toyota Rent a Car based on price and reliability. Estimated travel time: 3.25 hours, ¥25,320 per vehicle (¥18,000 per day and ¥7,320 in tolls)

Things to remember:

  • You will need to reserve winter tires as a special option with availability depending on the pick-up location

You will not be able to rent a car without a valid International Driver’s Permit