Mt. Karamatsudake is a celebrated 2,696m peak in the Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range of the Northern Alps. It offers spectacular ridgeline views of the Shirouma Sanzan and the Kaerazu-no-Ken, and is popular for its relatively easy-to-walk route despite its high elevation. Using the Happo Alpine Line (gondola + lifts), you can ascend directly to the Happo-ike Sanso at approximately 1,830m, and enjoy the classic route through Happo-ike, Maruyama Cairn, Karamatsudake Summit Hut, and on to the summit of Karamatsudake.
This page shows how to get to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, the gateway to Mt. Karamatsudake.
Happo Alpine Line (Gondola & Lifts): Operating June 7 to November 3, 2025. Round-trip pass: Adults 3,400 yen / Children 2,200 yen. One-way: Adults 2,000 yen / Children 1,200 yen.
Access to the Trailhead
- Going: Hakuba Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
- Going: Nagano Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
- Going: Shinjuku Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT (Highway Bus)
- Going: Osaka / Kyoto → Hakuba Happo BT (Highway Bus)
- Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Hakuba Sta.
- Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Nagano Sta.
- Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Shinjuku Sta. (Highway Bus)
- Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Kyoto / Osaka
Map
1. Going: Hakuba Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
From JR Hakuba Station, take the Happo Line / Tsugaike Line bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
*Hakuba Station to the bus terminal is 1.9 km, about a 20-minute walk.
Operating period: April 1 to November 30, 2025
Travel time: 5 min
Bus Timetable: Hakuba Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
| Hakuba Sta. (Dep.) | Hakuba Happo BT (Arr.) |
|---|---|
| 8:10 | 8:15 |
| 9:30 | 9:35 |
| 11:10 | 11:15 |
| 12:10 | 12:15 |
| 13:15 | 13:20 |
| 14:15 | 14:20 |
| 15:10 | 15:15 |
| 18:20 | 18:25 |
| 19:30 | 19:35 |
| 21:10 | 21:15 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu
2. Going: Nagano Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
From JR Nagano Station East Exit, take the Alpico Kotsu express bus “Nagano-Hakuba Line” to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
Travel time: 1 hour 15 min
Operating period: April 1 to November 30, 2025
Bus Timetable: Nagano Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT
| Nagano Sta. East Exit (Dep.) | Hakuba Happo BT (Arr.) |
|---|---|
| 8:20 | 9:35 |
| 9:50 | 11:15 |
| 11:00 | 12:15 |
| 14:00 | 15:15 |
| 17:10 | 18:25 |
| 18:20 | 19:35 |
| 20:00 | 21:15 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu
3. Going: Shinjuku Sta. → Hakuba Happo BT (Highway Bus)
From Busta Shinjuku, take the “Shinjuku-Azumino/Omachi/Hakuba Line” highway bus to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal.
Operating period: April 1 to December 5, 2025
Bus Timetable: Busta Shinjuku → Hakuba Happo BT
| Busta Shinjuku | Hakuba Happo BT |
|---|---|
| 7:35 | 12:48 |
| 23:05 | 5:44 |
Availability & reservations: Highway Bus.com
4. Going: Osaka / Kyoto → Hakuba Happo BT (Highway Bus)
From Osaka and Kyoto, highway buses to Hakuba are available (reservation required).
Reference: Alpico Kotsu (Osaka/Kyoto → Hakuba)
5. Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Hakuba Sta.
From Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, take the bus to Hakuba Station.
Bus Timetable: Hakuba Happo BT → Hakuba Sta.
| Hakuba Happo BT | Hakuba Sta. |
|---|---|
| 6:30 | 6:35 |
| 8:20 | 8:25 |
| 11:10 | 11:15 |
| 12:16 | 12:21 |
| 13:26 | 13:31 |
| 14:45 | 14:50 |
| 15:50 | 15:55 |
| 17:45 | 17:50 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu
6. Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Nagano Sta.
From Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, take the Alpico Kotsu express bus “Nagano-Hakuba Line” to Nagano Station.
Bus Timetable: Hakuba Happo BT → Nagano Sta.
| Hakuba Happo BT | Nagano Sta. |
|---|---|
| 6:30 | 7:50 |
| 8:20 | 9:35 |
| 11:10 | 12:25 |
| 14:45 | 16:10 |
| 15:50 | 17:05 |
| 17:45 | 19:00 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu
7. Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Shinjuku Sta. (Highway Bus)
From Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal, take the highway bus to Busta Shinjuku.
Bus Timetable: Hakuba Happo BT → Busta Shinjuku
| Hakuba Happo BT | Busta Shinjuku |
|---|---|
| 15:15 | 20:28 |
| 17:20 | 22:33 |
Availability & reservations: Highway Bus.com
8. Return: Hakuba Happo BT → Kyoto / Osaka
Highway buses from Hakuba to Osaka and Kyoto are available (reservation required).
Reference: Alpico Kotsu (Hakuba → Osaka/Kyoto)
