Express Bus from Tokyo to Karuizawa?

Konnichiwa,

We would like to try the Ski resort in Karuizawa Prince Hotel; I saw some blog that there�fs an Express Bus going there but do not have many details like the Fare for Adult and Child; Time table. Also, where in Tokyo is the Terminal for the bus to Karuizawa? I think its cheaper than Shinkansen. I appreciate your help.

Arigato!

Highway buses make five round trips per day between Tokyo's Ikebukuro Station and Karuizawa Station. The one way journey takes three hours and costs 2600 yen.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6031.html

from Ikebukuro area --

0810 at Ikebukuro Station East (Gosaro)
towards - Karuizawa area (1057 eta.) - Nakakaruizawa area (1110 eta.) - Shinano-oiwake area (1116 eta.)
bus(2+2 toilet)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Chikuma Bus
as of 05-May-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

0910 at Ikebukuro Station East (Gosaro)
towards - Karuizawa area (1157 eta.) - Nakakaruizawa area (1210 eta.) - Shinano-oiwake area (1216 eta.)
bus(2+2 toilet)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Chikuma Bus
as of 05-May-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

1210 at Ikebukuro Station East (Gosaro)
towards - Karuizawa area (1457 eta.)
bus(2+2 toilet)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Chikuma Bus
as of 05-May-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

1310 at Ikebukuro Station East (Gosaro)
towards - Karuizawa area (1557 eta.)
bus(2+2 toilet)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Chikuma Bus
as of 05-May-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

1850 at Ikebukuro Station East (Gosaro)
towards - Karuizawa area (2137 eta.) - Nakakaruizawa area (2150 eta.) - Shinano-oiwake area (2156 eta.)
bus(2+2 toilet)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Chikuma Bus
as of 05-May-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

from Shinagawa area --

0815 at Shinagawa Prince Hotel (East tower)
towards - Karuizawa area (1115 eta.)
bus(2+2)
operated by Seibu Kogen Bus, Keikyu
as of 18-Jul-2014 -- schedule -- prices, maps, offices etc.

http://lazuli.voyage/busList/tokyo/karuizawa

While on the surface, the one day fare would be cheaper on the bus, you could get a Kanto Area Pass and get to Karuizawa in just over an hour (67-75 min or so by bullet train). That would save you nearly 4 hours in a day that you could use to see more or other places.

Not to mention that the cost of the pass would be paid for by just that round trip and you'd still have 2 more days where you could go to other good places. Unless you are really hard up for money and have oodles of time with nothing to do, why not use your time more effectively?