Location and getting there

Whether it’s the cool and humidity-free mountain air, the alpine backdrop, the forest that comes right down to meet the extensive lawns, the local train ride through rice paddies and apple orchards to get there, the beautiful restored kominka onsen- complete with rotenburo, the floor to ceiling windows in the lounge that open up for access to the spacious deck to create an inside/ outside space or the private balcony baths in the suites you can’t help but feel at one with nature at the Sierra Resort Hakuba and that’s what the 2014 Convention Committee is working hard to bring you.

Come along for a weekend of pampering, revitalizing, rejuvenating, fun and friendship all with a nature theme. 

Getting there from Kanto:

Route 1: Shinkansens departing from Tokyo, Ueno or Omiya will take you to Nagano station leave regularly (click here for timetable) and arrive in 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on stops. 

At Nagano station make your way to the East exit and bus stop number 6. The busses bound for Hakuba run almost hourly and there is a bus designed to meet each Shinkansen. See timetable here.

It is a 90 minute bus ride and will cost you 1400 yen.

Route 2: Catch the Azusa or Super Azusa from Shinjuku, Tachikawa or Hachioji and arrive in Matsumoto in around 2 1/2 hours. See here for timetable. Change at Matsumoto for the Oito line and travel direct to Hakuba station in 90 minutes or with a change of train at Shinano Omachi for a little longer journey depending on which train you catch. See timetable here.

The Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba and your convention committee will be organising shuttle busses from the station to the hotel so stay tuned for that information.

And if you do end up waiting for a shuttle? Well, why not do so while enjoying the natural spring foot bath to the left of Hakuba station entrance?

Route 3: For those flying into Haneda or Narita or living in these areas there is a taxi service from Chuo Taxi that will take you from the airport directly to the hotel for 12,400 from Narita and 11,400 from Haneda. Further information here.

Route 4: Busses go directly from Shinjuku to Hakuba 6 times a day for the bargain price of 4,700 yen with a discount for return trips in the green season. You get off the bus at Hakuba-cho bus terminal and it's a three minute walk to Hakuba station where that foot bath is waiting for you while you wait for your shuttle to the hotel.  For more information click here.

Getting there from Kansai:

Take the Shinano Wide View from Nagoya to Matsumoto (2 hours). Transfer to the Oito line at Matsumoto and continue on to Hakuba station (90 minutes). There is one train a day (the #9) that leaves from Osaka and runs directly through to Hakuba.  See here for timetable.

Getting there from Kanazawa:

Take the Hakutaka from Kanazawa to Itoigawa station (90 minutes). At Itoigawa station transfer to the Oito line and continue on to Hakuba station (2 hours).

Getting there from Sapporo or Fukuoka:

There is one plane a day flying into Shinshu Matsumoto airport from these cities. Flight schedule is here. A shuttle bus meets each flight and takes you to Matsumoto Bus Terminal located opposite Matsumoto station in 25 minutes for 600 yen. The schedule is here. (Japanese.) From Matsumoto station take the Oito line to Hakuba station (90 minutes).

By car:

There is ample free parking at the Sierra Resort Hakuba. For those coming by car from the South the nearest IC is Azumino. (On older navigation systems this may be called Toyoshina IC.) From Azumino IC take Route 148 North among beautiful farming and then alpine scenery for 50 km to Hakuba village. Driving past Hakuba station continue on to Iwadake Iriguchi traffic light and turn left onto Route 433. Continue along Route 433 and after going around a hair pin bend the (signposted) entrance to the Sierra Resort Hakuba is on your left.

Coming from Niigata or Karuizawa areas leave the expressway at the Itoigawa IC and it is a 45 km drive including a section through a famous mountain pass down Route 148 to Iwadake Iriguchi traffic light and turn right onto Route 433. Continue along Route 433 and after going around a hair pin bend the (signposted) entrance to the Sierra Resort Hakuba is on your left.

Checking out your route:

To check public transport routes you can use hyperdia entering Hakuba station as your destination and for drive routes you can use Google Maps using Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba as your destination.