Ski Break During Your Winter Tokyo Business Trip – How to Get to Hakuba, Japan from Tokyo Station
- India Bodien
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 7
As an employment lawyer who’s also passionate about fitness for lawyers, I believe that staying active isn’t just about keeping in shape — it’s about keeping your focus, energy, and mindset sharp for the long hours and high demands of legal practice. That’s why, on my most recent business trip to Tokyo, I made time for something different: a quick ski break in Hakuba, Japan. If you’re a lawyer or professional traveling to Tokyo this winter, combining your work trip with a weekend (or a few free weekdays) on the slopes can be the perfect way to reset both body and mind. And getting there is easier than you might think.
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba is one of Japan’s most famous ski destinations — a beautiful alpine village surrounded by the Japanese Alps, known for its powder snow, cozy onsen (hot springs), and Olympic-level ski runs. The journey from Tokyo Station to Hakuba is smooth, efficient, and a great glimpse of Japan’s legendary rail system. You’ll first take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, a ride that takes just under two hours. From Nagano, it’s a simple transfer to the Hakuba Ski Bus, which runs regularly during ski season. We took the Alpico Bus, which you must book in advance. The bus ride takes about 75 minutes and winds through snow-covered mountains before arriving at the Hakuba Valley resort area.
Once you arrive, I highly recommend staying at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort. This resort is part of the larger Hakuba Valley but offers a quieter, more authentic Japanese mountain experience. You can literally step out of your hotel and onto the slopes. After a long day of skiing or snowboarding, unwind in a traditional onsen bath, surrounded by snow and mountain views. For those wondering about gear, you don’t need to bring anything with you — Hakuba Norikura Onsen offers full ski and snowboard rentals, including high-quality equipment for people up to six feet tall or taller!
For lawyers and business travelers trying to maintain fitness for lawyers routines, skiing in Hakuba is more than just recreation — it’s functional fitness at its best. Skiing engages your core, legs, and stabilizer muscles while giving your mind the kind of challenge that builds mental stamina. Plus, it gets you outdoors, away from conference rooms and client calls, and into an environment that reminds you why staying active is worth the effort. I often tell clients who work with me as a personal trainer for lawyers that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s balance — and nothing balances a Tokyo work trip like a few days breathing mountain air in Hakuba.
If you’re planning a Tokyo business trip this winter, block off a weekend and head for the mountains. The train from Tokyo Station to Nagano and bus to Hakuba make it seamless, and the reward is world-class skiing just hours away from Japan’s busiest business hub. Pack a suit for your meetings, a down jacket for the slopes, and remember — staying fit keeps you sharper, calmer, and more effective in every part of your legal career.
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