basic information

How to travel between Sapporo and Tokyo

By air:

Tokyo-Sapporo is the world's busiest air route with dozens of departures per day, operated by JAL, ANA, Air Do and Skymark Airlines. Most flights use Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Sapporo's New Chitose Airport. Only a small number of flights uses Tokyo's Narita Airport.

Flight time between Tokyo and Sapporo is about 90 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 30,000 Yen in case of JAL and ANA, around 23,000 Yen in case of Air Do and around 16,000 Yen in case of Skymark Airlines.

If you use an air pass or profit from one of the many other discount offers, you can fly for less. Among the cheapest options are the "Air Do Special" and "Sky Bargain", which cost between 5,000 and 10,000 Yen, if you book at least 45, resp. 49 days in advance. Note that many discount offers are not available during travel peak seasons.

Sapporo's New Chitose Airport is located about 30 kilometers south of the city center. By frequently departing trains, it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1,040 Yen into central Sapporo.

By daytime train:

From Tokyo, take a hayate train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to its terminus in Hachinohe (3 hours). Then, take the JR Hakucho limited express to Hakodate (3 hours) and finally the JR Hokuto limited express to Sapporo (3.5 hours).

The entire one way trip costs around 22,500 Yen and takes between ten and eleven hours. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Note that seat reservations are mandatory on the hayate shinkansen between Tokyo and Hachinohe.

Budget travelers with lots of time may consider the seasonally available Hokkaido & Higashinihon Pass for the trip.

By night train:

Two or three night trains (even more during peak seasons) operate daily between Tokyo's Ueno Station and Sapporo in each direction. Note that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover the expense for a berth (from around 6000 Yen), the limited express fee (about 3000 Yen) and a supplement for partially using non-JR tracks (about 3000 Yen) on night trains between Tokyo and Sapporo.

View our night train information page for more details.

By ferry:

There are long distance ferries between various ports in Honshu and Hokkaido, providing leisurely and inexpensive access to Hokkaido. Some of the ports with ferries to Hokkaido are Niigata, Oarai (Ibaraki Prefecture), Sendai, Nagoya, Maizuru (Kyoto Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture). Most ferries arrive either in Otaru, 30 train minutes west of Sapporo or Tomakomai, 45-60 train minutes south of Sapporo.

View our ferry information page for more details.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
 

Orientation

No major city in Japan is easier to navigate than Sapporo with its rectangular street layout and simple addressing system: City blocks are named and numbered according to the point of compass, with the apex at the eastern end of Odori Park.

The Sapporo Beer Museum, for example, is located in city block "North 7, East 9", i.e. in the 7th block north and 9th block east of the apex.

Three subway lines, one tram line and several bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus) provide Sapporo with an efficient network of public transportation. The Japan Rail Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokkaido Free Pass are valid on local buses operated by JR Hokkaido Bus.

Special Tickets

The following one day passes are available for Sapporo:

	Subway 1-Day Card (800 Yen)
	Unlimited usage of Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. Note that a discounted pass is available on weekends (see below).
	Donichi Subway Ticket (500 Yen)
	Unlimited usage of Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. To be used on weekends and public holidays only.
	Combination One Day Pass (1000 Yen)
	Unlimited usage of the subways, trams and buses of JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus on one calendar day.
	Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass (1500 Yen)
	Unlimited use of JR trains between Sapporo and Otaru and on Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. Note that a round trip Sapporo-Otaru by regular tickets costs 1240 Yen alone. Available to foreign tourists only at JR information desks in Sapporo Station and Shin-Chitose Airport.

Prepaid cards make the process of taking subways and buses easier, as you do not always need to buy a new ticket for each ride. They also give small discounts. Prepaid cards can be purchased at vending machines.

	With You Card (500, 1000, 3000, 5000 and 10000 Yen)
	The With You Card can be used on subways, trams and buses of JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus within the city of Sapporo. With the exception of the 500 Yen card, the With You Cards give you a 10% to 15% discount over single tickets.

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

hotels & ryokan

Sapporo Garland Hotel Newly renovated hotel located in Sapporo's Susukino district. FREE internet access in room and laundry facilities available. Marks Inn Sapporo A clean, quiet, convenient hotel in Sapporo city. 3 min walk to two subway stations and Susukino. FREE Small Breakfast.

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