We provide a 24 hour check-in service but you need to let us know in advance if you are going to arrive outside of reception hours so we can organize your key. Our reception is open from 8:00 am till 11.00 am, and between 4:00 pm and 8 pm.
We are located in the Echoland district of Hakuba, which is where most of the nightlife is. By car we are a 5 minute drive from Hakuba Train Station and a 5 minute drive to either of Hakuba 47/Goryu or Happone Ski areas. If you are coming in your own car we can be found on the right hand side going up the main Echoland Road in Hakuba . Please note that whilst there is an ATM that accepts all international visa cards only a short walk from the hostel, non visa credit card holders will have to go to the post office near the station. It is recommended you bring sufficient cash to tide you over.
This can be a little time consuming since there are no direct trains from Narita, and only 1 or 2 direct trains from Tokyo (from Shinjuku at 7.30 and sometimes at 10.09 am) per day. Most of the time you will have to change several times and although this is not difficult you may have to wait up to 2 hours for a connecting train. Typical time and cost from Shinjuku is about 8,000 yen and about 6 hours unless you manage to get one of the direct trains which only take 4 hours. Click here for train schedules/prices. You will first have to get to Shinjuku and the best way to do this from the airport is to catch the Narita Express train (2,000 yen-1 hour) which runs every half hour or so (no need to book).
Unfortunately the bullet train does not come directly to Hakuba-it goes to Nagano and from there you have to catch a connecting bus to Hakuba. From Narita Airport catch the Narita Express train to Tokyo (2000 yen-1 hour). Then catch the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano (1 hour and 45 minutes and about 8,000 yen), see this link for Shinkansen schedules/prices. From Nagano station there are regular Alpico buses (1500 yen) every hour and a half or so to Hakuba.
From Shinjuku there are public buses that will take you directly to Hakuba and they are the cheapest option at 4,700 yen one way. Click on this Alpico Bus link for the schedule and to book (recommended). To find the bus, just exit Shinjuku station from the West exit and follow the signs.
You need to get a train to Matsumoto and transfer to the Oita line for a train heading to Hakuba (you might have to change at Shin Omachi station). It will probably take you about 5 hours to get to Matsumoto either Nagoya or Osaka airport. From Matsumoto it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to Hakuba if you can get a direct train. and about are a number of trains bound for Matsumoto and Nagano cities. Transfer at Matsumoto for trains bound for Hakuba (the Oito line or Super Azusa Express). Click here for train schedules/prices. The one way cost is about 10,000 yen one-way. The other option if the train schedule doesn't fit in with your flight times is to go all the way to Nagano, and then get the bus to Hakuba from Nagano (see from Tokyo section) but this will probably take longer and cost more.
This is the cheapest and quickest method. You first need to get a bus to Matsumoto, then from there catch a train to Hakuba.Click on this Nagoya to Matsumoto Alpico Bus link for the price and schedule from Nagoya (the Meitetsu bus centre is just outside the Nagoya train station), and from Osaka or Kyoto click on this Osaka/Kyoto to Matsumoto Alpico Bus link.
By taxi it is about 1,300 yen to the hostel. During Winter (prior to March 7th) if you are arriving between 4pm and 10.30 pm you can catch the Genki Go shuttle bus from the station for 200 yen. If you are arriving earlier than this you might wish to get a taxi and it will cost about 1000 yen. Another option is to get a free shuttle bus to one of the ski areas directly from the station, then catch another free shuttle bus to our hostel from the ski area when you are ready. You may also wish to go directly from the ski areas to Hakuba Station on the day you leave using the shuttle buses.