Tokyo to Hakuba by car: routes, driving time and winter tips
Thinking of driving from Tokyo to Hakuba? Here are the two main routes, how long they take, and an easier option for long stays.
Two routes from Tokyo
Times are typical and vary with traffic and snow. In winter, allow extra time.
Driving in winter
Winter tyres are required
Winter tyres are needed from late November to late March. In Nagano, driving on snowy or icy roads with summer tyres is against the rules.
A long drive after a long flight
In winter, the drive from Narita takes around 5 hours and from Haneda around 4.5 hours. Many visitors prefer not to drive this far straight after landing.
Check the roads before you leave
Expressways and mountain roads can close in heavy snow. Read our winter driving guide before you set off.
Get a total price within one business day
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. Your quote includes delivery.
Take the train, then get a car in Hakuba
Shinkansen to Nagano, car delivered in Hakuba
The Hokuriku Shinkansen takes about 1.5 hours from Tokyo to Nagano, and the express bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. We can deliver a 4WD car with winter tyres to your accommodation in Hakuba, so you only drive where you need to.
Prefer to start from Tokyo?
With our Tokyo Delivery Pack, we bring the car to you in Tokyo for ¥55,000 per trip and collect it there at the end of your stay. Rentals are from one week, and every car is 4WD.
RECOMMENDED CARS
Cars for this kind of stay
Every car is 4WD, with a dashcam, GPS navigation and an ETC reader. Prices include tax and insurance.
SUV
Toyota Yaris Cross · 5 seats
- 1 week
- from¥38,700
- 1 month
- from¥112,200
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this car
Minivan (Delica D:5)
Mitsubishi Delica D:5, brand-new · 8 seats
Available from 5 January 2027
- 1 week
- from¥53,900
- 1 month
- from¥132,000
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this car
Compact car
Toyota Yaris, Toyota Roomy · 5 seats
- 1 week
- from¥30,250
- 1 month
- from¥80,250
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this carSee all cars and rates →Car images show the class, not the exact car.
Questions about driving to Hakuba
Q. How long does it take to drive from Tokyo to Hakuba?
About 4 hours via the Joshin-etsu Expressway and Nagano IC, or about 3.5 to 5.5 hours via the Chuo and Nagano Expressways and Azumino IC, depending on traffic and snow.
Q. Do I need winter tyres to drive to Hakuba?
Yes. Winter tyres are required from late November to late March, and driving on snowy or icy roads in Nagano without them is against the rules.
Q. Can I rent a car in Hakuba instead of driving from Tokyo?
Yes. You can take the train to Nagano and have a car delivered to your accommodation in Hakuba. We rent 4WD cars from one week.
Q. Can you deliver a car to Tokyo?
Yes. Our Tokyo Delivery Pack brings the car to Tokyo for ¥55,000 per trip, so you can drive to Nagano yourself.
Get a car for your stay in Hakuba
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. We reply with a total price, including delivery, within one business day.
You are welcome to write to us in English through our web form or LINE. We reply in Japanese, so please use a translation tool to read our reply.