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The lift lines and jagged peaks of the Northern Alps slide past the window as the bus winds down into the Nagano valley, bound for the temple city of Zenko-ji and the Shinkansen. One direct express bus does the whole trip from the ski villages to Nagano Station, and it runs all year round.[1]
Hakuba to Nagano by Bus
Alpico Kotsu's express bus leaves Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, calls at Hakuba Station and Hakuba Goryu, and ends at Nagano Station East Exit. The bus has no toilet and makes no rest stops, and the ride takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.[2][1]
Green season (April to November 2026)
Six buses a day leave Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal for Nagano, at 06:30, 08:20, 11:10, 14:45, 15:50 and 17:45. Hakuba Station and Hakuba Goryu follow within 15 minutes. The adult fare from Hakuba Station or Happo is ¥2,900 one way, and ¥3,200 from Tsugaike Kogen or Hakuba Norikura.[2]
Winter season (December to March)
The fare rises to ¥3,500 from Hakuba Station and Happo, and to ¥3,800 from Tsugaike Kogen and Hakuba Norikura.[2] Last winter, most non-reserved buses ran directly between Happo Bus Terminal and Nagano Station with ten departures between 08:10 and 16:20, and Alpico also ran reservation-only buses; the new winter timetable is published in mid-November.[1]
Tickets
Non-reserved tickets are sold on the day only, so you cannot book a seat in advance. Boarding is first come, first served, and Alpico adds extra buses when it is busy.[1] You can buy a ticket at the Happo Bus Terminal counter (08:00 to 17:00) or the Alpico ticket office at Nagano Station (06:20 to 19:00), or pay the driver in cash or with a contactless card. Only one-way tickets exist, and children aged 1 to 12 pay half.[2]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Fare (JPY) | Duration | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpico express bus | ¥2,900 (green season), ¥3,500 (winter)[2] | About 1h 10m to 1h 30m[2] | 6 a day in the green season[2] |
Tips for Traveling from Hakuba to Nagano
- Line up early: On powder days and at the end of a holiday week the buses fill up, so be at the stop 20 minutes before departure.
- Luggage: The luggage compartment takes suitcases of any size and number. Put skis, snowboards and snowshoes in covers or bags.[1]
- Nagano Station: The bus stops at the East Exit (bus stop No. 26), within a 10-minute walk of the station gates, so leave time to reach your Shinkansen.[1]
- Before your train: Store your bags in a coin locker at the station and walk up to Zenko-ji if you have a few hours to spare.
Timetable
| Bus Hakuba - Nagano $ 44.98–91.73 1h 15m – 2h | |
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| Bus Minami Otari - Nagano $ 52.67 1h 20m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hakuba to Nagano, including current prices and schedules.
The Alpico express bus is the standard public option. It costs ¥2,900 one way from Hakuba Station in the green season (April to November) and ¥3,500 in winter.
The bus takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal to Nagano Station East Exit, depending on the departure and the traffic.
In the green season there are six buses a day, the first at 06:30 and the last at 17:45 from Happo Bus Terminal. In winter there are more departures, and Alpico publishes the new timetable in mid-November.
Not on the non-reserved buses: tickets are sold on the day and boarding is first come, first served. In winter Alpico also runs separate reservation-only buses.
At Nagano Station East Exit, bus stop No. 26, about a 10-minute walk from the station gates.
Yes. The luggage compartment has no limit on the number or size of items. Skis, snowboards and snowshoes should be in covers or bags.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Alpico Kotsu (ALPICO Group): Nagano - Hakuba Winter Timetable. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [2] Alpico Kotsu (ALPICO Group): Nagano - Hakuba Route & Timetable (green season). Retrieved October 30, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.