Matsumoto to Hakuba
Train, bus, airport shuttle or taxi between Matsumoto and Hakuba — journey times, current fares and which option to pick.
For most people, the train. It runs all year, it costs ¥1,230, and Hakuba Station puts you within a short taxi or shuttle ride of every village in the valley.
Take the bus instead if you are travelling in deep winter with a lot of luggage — but only if it is running, because it is a seasonal service that Alpico confirms late each year. Fly into Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport and the airport shuttle beats both, as long as you book it the day before.
Matsumoto to Hakuba Train
Trains run from Matsumoto Station to Hakuba Station on the JR Ōito Line. Local trains take about 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes — many involve a short transfer at Shinano-Ōmachi — for roughly ¥1,230. A limited express (the daily Azusa, plus extra "Hakuba" services in ski season) runs direct in about an hour for a higher fare.
Matsumoto Airport to Hakuba Shuttle
Nan-an Taxi runs a year-round shared shuttle between Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport and the Hakuba Valley, stopping at Hakuba Station, Hakuba Goryu (Escal Plaza), Hakuba Iwatake and Tsugaike Kogen. You must be flying to or from Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport to use it. Estimated time and cost: about 2 hours 20 minutes to Hakuba Station, ¥3,000 (¥3,500 to Tsugaike Kogen). Adults and elementary-school children pay the same fare; preschoolers ride free.
- Reservations are required and can be made online up to 2 months in advance.
- There are five scheduled shuttles per day, matching flight time.
- Please let them know if you have more than one piece of luggage per person so they can plan ahead.
- Please pay the driver in cash when boarding the shuttle.
- No same-day bookings; next-day reservations are accepted until 12:00 noon.
Matsumoto to Hakuba Bus
One Alpico highway bus a day runs from Matsumoto Bus Terminal to Hakuba in winter. Estimated time and cost: about 2 hours, ¥3,500 adult / ¥1,750 child. The child fare applies to ages 7–12; infants under 1 ride free; ages 1–6 should reserve a child-fare seat. One-way tickets only.
Matsumoto to Hakuba Bus Timetable (2026–27 winter — to be confirmed)
| Company | Journey from | Departure | Arrival | Stop | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpico | Matsumoto Bus Terminal | 7:10 | 9:10 | Happo Bus Terminal | ¥3,500 | ¥1,750 |
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