Hakuba (白馬), in the north of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's largest snow destinations, with ten ski resorts in a single valley. The resorts are grouped under "Hakuba Valley," and one all-mountain lift pass lets you ski every one of them.
This guide covers what you can lock in now, even before the resorts announce their opening dates: the Hakuba Valley lift pass and its price, how and where to buy it, and how to reach Hakuba from Tokyo.
It also explains when the resorts usually open, and ends with winter temperatures to plan your gear around.
If you are also weighing Hokkaido, see Niseko Skiing 2026-27.
As of October 2026, none of the ten resorts has announced a 2026-27 opening date (most open in early to mid-December in a normal year). The all-mountain day pass is ¥11,100 for adults, and the fastest trip from Tokyo takes about 2 hours 50 minutes.
One pass, ten ski resorts
The "Hakuba Valley Ticket" covers ten resorts across Hakuba Village, Otari Village, and Omachi City: Happo-one, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba47, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Hakuba Cortina, Hakuba Norikura Onsen, Hakuba Sanosaka, Kashimayari, and Jiigatake.
With the all-mountain pass you can move between resorts in a single day. On days you ski or snowboard, the "Hakuba Valley Shuttle Bus" that links the resorts is free to ride (night skiing and the night shuttle are not included).
Each resort has its own character. Tsugaike Kogen has wide, gentle runs, Kashimayari is family-friendly, and Happo-one is known for expert terrain, so the all-mountain pass lets you try a different one each day.
2026-27 opening dates (not yet announced)
The ten resorts have not published their 2026-27 opening dates yet. Each resort's operator usually announces its date between late November and December.
"Not yet announced" does not mean a resort is closed for the season. The dates simply are not out yet, so check each resort's announcements from late November onward, and visit the Hakuba Valley official site for the latest news.
At the other end of the season, Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba47 say they plan to run through May 6, 2027, conditions permitting.
According to Happo-one, 2026-27 is also the final season for the current "Adam" gondola. A replacement gondola and base center are expected to open around December 2027, so this winter is the last chance to ride the current Adam.
Lift pass: prices and how to buy
The 2026-27 "Hakuba Valley Ticket" prices are published on the official site. There are two age bands, adult (13 and over) and child (6 to 12), and children aged 5 and under ride free.
All-mountain pass (tax incl. | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
1 day | ¥11,100 | ¥6,400 |
2 days | ¥21,800 | ¥12,500 |
3 days | ¥32,200 | ¥18,100 |
5 days | ¥53,400 | ¥29,700 |
A multi-day pass lets you choose which days you ski within a set window (a 2-day pass is valid over 4 days, a 3-day pass over 6 days, and longer passes are available too).
There's a catch: the day counts against your multi-day pass as soon as you board the shuttle bus. Even a day when you only ride the shuttle and do not ski still counts as one of your days.
Single-day "Day Pass" tickets for 2026-27 are expected to go on sale through the official online store around November. The all-mountain season pass already went on sale on July 14, 2026.
Official site: Hakuba Valley lift ticket page
If you want to arrange tickets in advance with a card issued outside Japan, a booking platform that bundles lift tickets and activities is one option.
Check Hakuba Valley lift tickets
If you plan to ski in just one area, a smaller ticket can be cheaper. The combined Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba47 one-day ticket, for example, is ¥10,000 for adults (¥9,500 for new online buyers), less than the ¥11,100 all-mountain day pass.
Match the ticket to where you plan to ski.
Getting to Hakuba from Tokyo
There are two main routes from Tokyo: a shinkansen-and-bus connection, and a direct highway bus from Shinjuku. According to the official Hakuba Valley site, the fastest shinkansen-and-express-bus trip takes about 2 hours 50 minutes.
Route | Time (approx. | One-way fare (approx. |
|---|---|---|
Hokuriku Shinkansen + express bus from Nagano | Fastest approx. | Train ~¥8,450 + bus ~¥2,900 |
Direct bus from Shinjuku (daytime) | approx. | ¥6,400-7,800 |
Direct bus from Shinjuku (overnight) | approx. | ¥8,400-9,800 |
By train, the Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kagayaki" reaches Nagano from Tokyo in about 1 hour 20 minutes, and an Alpico express bus runs from Nagano Station to Hakuba in about 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes.
The "fastest approx. 2h50m" in the table assumes the best connection; depending on the bus, the trip can run over 3 hours. The Nagano-Hakuba bus uses a separate winter timetable, so check the times and fares on the official site before you travel.
Travelers with a lot of luggage, or anyone who wants to skip the transfers, can take the direct highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Hakuba Happo. Both daytime and overnight services can be booked online.
Be careful not to confuse it with the "Sawayaka Shinshu-go": that highway bus also heads toward Nagano, but it goes to Kamikochi, not Hakuba. For Hakuba, choose the "Shinjuku-Hakuba Line."
If you travel over the New Year holidays, reserved shinkansen seats fill up early. Reading Year-End and New Year Shinkansen 2026-27 in advance helps you avoid scrambling for a seat.
Winter weather and what to pack
Hakuba gets seriously cold in winter. Monthly average temperatures run about -0.1°C in December, -2.8°C in January, and -2.4°C in February, and on some January and February days the low drops below -15°C.
The slopes are windy too, so waterproof, windproof gear is essential.
For packing, start with a waterproof, windproof jacket and pants, then add a hat, goggles, and waterproof gloves. For cold waits in the lift line, How to Choose Disposable Hand Warmers (Kairo) is worth a look.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
