Hakuba and Azumino driving guide: lakes, mountain views and autumn routes

The Hakuba–Azumino area runs north to south along the eastern foothills of Japan's Northern Alps, covering Azumino, Matsukawa, Ikeda, Omachi, Hakuba and Otari in Nagano Prefecture. Wasabi fields and parks spread across Azumino in the south. Heading north on Route 148 takes you past the three Nishina lakes and into the mountain valleys of Hakuba and Otari.

This guide follows a day from Azumino Interchange through Azumino, Omachi and the lakes to Hakuba, with roads and places to stop listed below.

Map of Hakuba and Azumino

The line follows the full-day Azumino–Nishina lakes–Hakuba route below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: Azumino to Hakuba via the Nishina lakes

Start at Michi-no-Eki Alps Azumino Horigane no Sato, visit Alps Azumino National Government Park, then continue to Daio Wasabi Farm and Hotaka Shrine. Head north on Route 147 to Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa and Azumino Chihiro Park before climbing to Takagariyama Observatory in Omachi. Follow Route 148 past the three Nishina lakes, stopping at Michi-no-Eki Hakuba before reaching Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium.

The route is about 77 km, with around two hours of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic and visits. Choose your longer stops to fit the day.

From Azumino Interchange, Daio Wasabi Farm is about ten minutes away and Alps Azumino National Government Park about 20 minutes.

Autumn colours and three layers of scenery

Takagariyama's usual autumn-colour season runs from mid-October to mid-November; late October to early November is a favourable period for cloud-sea views. The Nishina lakes usually have autumn colours from late October to early November.

When the first snow settles on Hakuba's three main peaks, conditions can bring together white summits, red and yellow mountain slopes, and green foothills. This three-layer autumn landscape depends on snow, foliage and visibility coinciding.

Into the Hakuba mountains on the Happo Alpen Line

Take the Happo Alpen Line to Happo-ike Sanso, then continue on foot towards Happo Pond. The adult return fare is ¥3,500, and the 2026 green season is scheduled through 3 November, subject to weather. Parking beside the gondola costs ¥1,000 per day. The operator also lists about 1,100 free spaces nearby, but this total includes winter-only lots; it is not the number available for an autumn visit.

Tsugaike Nature Park's 2026 season ended on 25 October.

Roads you can drive

Driving on snow-covered or icy roads without suitable anti-slip equipment violates Nagano's traffic rules; the traffic penalty payment for an ordinary car is ¥6,000. Fit winter tyres for winter travel and carry chains when snow is forecast. The legal requirement depends on road conditions; winter tyres do not remove the need to obey separate chain controls.

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

An Omachi tourism report dated 21 October 2026 described peak colours at Takase and Nanakura dams and anticipated an earlier peak than in recent years. Treat this as a dated observation, not a statement of conditions on your visit.

Roads and restrictions checked on 1 November 2026

• Northbound Nagano Expressway lane restrictions from Azumino to Omi are scheduled through 20 November. The Azumino–Matsumoto phase was scheduled to end at 06:00 on 31 October; any use of its 4–21 November contingency period will be announced separately.
• Route 148 at Sotazawa Tunnel in Otari has alternating traffic scheduled through 25 December, 08:30–17:00. Restrictions also affect the Shimorise/Nakatsuchi tunnel and Tateyama Bridge section through 7 December, around the clock. These are roadworks, not a blanket closure of Route 148.
• The Kurobishi forest road closed with the end of Kurobishi Line operations on 18 October. It is separate from the Happo Alpen Line, which is scheduled through 3 November.
• Ordinary private cars cannot enter the Oike forest road to Tsugaike Nature Park.

Getting there and fuel

For Hakuba via the Chuo Expressway, leave at Azumino IC and follow the Northern Alps Panorama Road and Route 148. From the Kan-etsu approach, leave at Nagano IC and follow Route 19 and the Hakuba–Nagano Olympic Road.

Refuel in the built-up areas of Azumino or Omachi before heading to Hakuba and Otari. EV charging is available at Michi-no-Eki Horigane no Sato and Azumino Matsukawa.

If you don't have a car

Use the Nagano rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements and the equipment supplied for winter driving.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I drive with one day in Hakuba and Azumino?

From Azumino IC, visit Alps Azumino National Government Park, Daio Wasabi Farm and Hotaka Shrine, then head north on Routes 147 and 148 via Takagariyama and the Nishina lakes to Hakuba. The mapped route is about 77 km, with roughly two hours of driving before stops and congestion.

Which expressway should I use for Hakuba?

From the Chuo Expressway, use Azumino IC on the Nagano Expressway. From the Kan-etsu direction, use Nagano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. The former toll section of the Hakuba–Nagano Olympic Road has been free since 16 February 2025.

Until when can I use the lifts towards Happo Pond?

The Happo Alpen Line's 2026 green-season service is scheduled through 3 November, subject to weather. The pond requires a walk beyond the upper lifts.

Can I drive here in winter?

Route 148 is not included in the cited seasonal mountain-road closure list, but snow, ice and temporary restrictions can still affect it. Use winter tyres and check current road information. Mountain prefectural roads, including the Hakubadake Line and roads towards Kashimayari, have winter closures scheduled from 26–27 November 2026, weather permitting.

Where should I refuel before Hakuba?

Refuel in Azumino or Omachi before continuing north. This is advance-planning advice, not a claim that Hakuba has no filling stations.

Nearby areas and guides

• Kamikochi and Norikura driving guide
• Nagano driving and travel guide
• Winter road closures in Japan