Access/Coming to Sapporo

Coming to Sapporo [How to get to Sapporo] By Plane / By Railway / By Bus / By FerryTransport Information Servise(third-party site) By Plane Given the travel time, it’s best to come to Sapporo by a speedy plane. New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido, is linked with major cities across the country and boasts a wide range of facilities. Accessing...

Access/Coming to Sapporo

Coming to Sapporo

[How to get to Sapporo]


By Plane / By Railway / By Bus / By Ferry
Transport Information Servise(third-party site)


By Plane

Given the travel time, it’s best to come to Sapporo by a speedy plane. New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido, is linked with major cities across the country and boasts a wide range of facilities. Accessing Sapporo City from the airport is also easy with many options.

New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport, approximately 45 kilometers from downtown Sapporo, is Hokkaido’s largest airport, with direct flights to 30 cities across Japan. It ranks second in domestic passenger traffic, with over 15.23 million passengers annually. The Tokyo (Haneda) – Sapporo (New Chitose) route stands out, with over 3.76 million passengers per year, making it one of the world’s busiest routes. As the gateway to Hokkaido by air, New Chitose Airport plays a critical role.

New Chitose Airport
AddressBibi, Chitose City, Hokkaido
OpenDomestic terminal: Open 5:00am / Closes 11:00 PM International: Open 5:00am / Closes 11:00pm Connecting Facilities: Open 5:00am / Closes 11:00pm
* Opening and closing hours may vary as a result of flight schedule changes and flight delays.
* The international counter operates according to the arrival and departure of international flights.
HolidaysNone
ParkingFee required
Telephone0123-23-1111
Travel time required from major domestic airportsTokyo International Airport (Haneda) / Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Narita International Airport / Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
Chubu International Airport / Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes
Kansai International Airport / Approximately 2 hours
Fukuoka Airport / Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
Naha Airport / Approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes
Direct flights from foreign airportsIncheon International Airport (South Korea / Seoul)
Gimhae International Airport (South Korea / Busan)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan / Taipei)
Hong Kong International Airport (China / Hong Kong)
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Thailand / Bangkok)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur)
Changi International Airport (Malaysia / Singapore)
* Only main routes are listed
* For details, please check the New Chitose Airport official website.
Domestic airlinesAir Do/ All Nippon Airways/ Japan Airlines/ Hokkaido Air System / Skymark Airlines / Fuji Dream Airlines/ Peach/  Jetstar
General information center / information center

General information centers and information centers are located on the first, second, and third floors of both the international and domestic terminals. These centers can provide airport guidance, arrival and departure information, transportation guidance, and hotel information and bookings, etc.

Useful Information for Foreign Tourists in Sapporo: Go sightseeing in Sapporo from New Chitose Airport using a rental wheelchair|Useful Information

From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo City

By railway (JR)

JR is the fastest means of transportation to Sapporo City. The Rapid Airport to Sapporo runs approximately every 12 minutes (except early morning and late night) from after 8:00 to after 22:00, and takes passengers from the airport to Sapporo Station the quickest in just 37 minutes. If traveling prior to 8:00, you can take a local train bound for Sapporo. JR Hokkaido New Chitose Airport Station is directly connected with the first floor basement of the airport terminal building.

New Chitose Airport–Sapporo Station
Time requiredApproximately 37 minutes by Rapid “Airport”
Approximately 33 minutes by special rapid train “Airport”
ChargesOne way ¥1,150
* Reserved seat +¥840 * Half price for children
* In addition to tickets purchased at ticket vending machines, you can also use smart cards such as “Kitaka,” “Suika,” and “PASMO.”
JR General Information Center / Foreigner Guidance Desk

In addition to the JR General Information Center, there is also a Foreigner Guidance Desk within New Chitose Airport Station which provides guidance and support in English, Korean, and Chinese.

JR Hokkaido / Rapid Airport timetable

By bus

Chuo Bus and Hokuto Kotsu Bus operate services from the airport to Sapporo City departing every 10–15 minutes. The bus takes approximately 70 minutes to arrive in central Sapporo. There are bus terminals at two locations on the first floor of the domestic terminal and at one location on the first floor of the international terminal. Tickets can be purchased at the bus counter or from ticket vending machines and used for buses from both companies. There are also special deals such as round trip tickets and coupon tickets.

New Chitose Airport–Sapporo Station
Time requiredApproximately 70 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥1,300
* Children ¥650
*In addition to purchasing tickets at a ticket machine, you can also use IC cards such as Kitaca, Suica, and PASMO.
Boarding location[Domestic terminal]
Chuo Bus counter (first floor, JAL arrival lobby)
Hokuto Kotsu Bus counter (first floor, ANA arrival lobby)
[International terminal]
Transportation Information Counter (first floor lobby)

Chuo Bus timetable / Hokuto Kotsu Bus timetable

By rental car

Renting a vehicle may be an attractive option if you want to enjoy driving in Hokkaido. Sapporo City is located approximately 45 kilometers from New Chitose Airport and takes around 60 minutes by car (using the expressway). Rental car company counters are located on the first floor of the domestic terminal. Rental car guidance is provided at the Transportation Information Counter in the international terminal.
* Please contact the rental car company for inquiries regarding rental fees and bookings, etc.List of rental car companies with counters in the airport

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By taxi

There are taxi stands in two locations outside the domestic terminal exits and at one location outside the international terminal exit, where taxis are waiting at all times. The trip from New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo Station takes around 60 minutes by car and will cost around 10,000–13,000 yen depending on the traffic conditions (a separate expressway fee is required). Some taxi companies also offer a fixed-price service to Sapporo city beginning from ¥7,000 (booking and a separate expressway fee are required)

Sapporo Okadama Airport

Sapporo Okadama Airport is located within the Sapporo city. Hokkaido Air System (HAC) currently operates routes that connect Sapporo with Hakodate, Kushiro, Rishiri, and Misawa. In addition, Fuji Dream Airlines offers flights between Shizuoka,Matsumoto and Sapporo (summer time only). The airport is about a 20-minute drive from central Sapporo. Bus and subway access is good and the airport is convenient for fast transit.

Travel time required from each airportHakodate Airport, approximately 40 minutes
Kushiro Airport, approximately 50 minutes
Memanbetsu Airport, approximately 50 minutes
Okushiri Airport, approximately 50 minutes
Rishiri Airport, approximately 55 minutes
Misawa Airport (Aomori), approximately 60 minutes
Matsumoto Airport, approximately 100minutes
Shizuoka Airport, approximately 110 minutes

Sapporo Okadama Airport / Hokkaido Air System (HAC)/ Fuji Dream Airlines(FDA)

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By Railway

JR Sapporo Station

JR Sapporo Station, used by around 90,000 people a day, is the largest railway hub of JR Hokkaido. Numerous limited express trains connecting Sapporo with various parts of Hokkaido, Rapid Airport connecting New Chitose Airport, and local trains used for commuting within the Sapporo area arrive and depart from JR Sapporo Station.
The station boasts an extensive underground shopping center which, together with the directly-connected “JR Tower” and “Daimaru Sapporo”, forms a huge shopping area of fashion, food, culture, and entertainment. It has become one of the centers of excitement in Sapporo.

Useful Information for Foreign Tourists in Sapporo: Coin-operated Lockers in Sapporo Station| Useful Information

From within Hokkaido

From Asahikawa

Limited Express Kamui train / Limited Exrpess Lilac train

Two limited express trains connecting Sapporo and Asahikawa in 1 hour and 25 minutes the quickest. Over 20 round trips operate per day. Direct services between New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa may also run (with the Sapporo–New Chitose Airport segment served by the Rapid Airport.)

Time requiredApproximately 1 hour and 25 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥5,220 (fare ¥2,860 + regular car reserved seat ¥2,360)
Half price for children

From Hakodate

Limited Express Hokuto train

Two limited express trains run between Sapporo and Hakodate.

Time requiredApproximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥9,440 (fare ¥6,270 + regular car reserved seat ¥3,170)
Half price for children

From Kushiro

Limited Express Ozora train

The Super Ozora runs between Sapporo and Kushiro. It is highly popular as it makes a stop at Obihiro, the major city in eastern Hokkaido.

Time requiredApproximately 4 hours and 11 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥9,990 (fare ¥6,820 + regular car reserved seat ¥3,170)
Half price for children
Related railway companies

JR Hokkaido / JR East / JR West

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By Bus

Long-distance inter-city bus is also convenient when heading from major cities in Hokkaido to Sapporo. Many long-distance buses link Sapporo with major cities. The appeal of bus travel lies in the cheap fares compared to other methods of transportation and the ability to arrive in central Sapporo without having to transit.

From Asahikawa

From Asahikawa
Time requiredApproximately 2 hours and 5 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥2,300
Half price for children
Boarding locationBus terminal in front of Sapporo Station
InquiriesChuo Bus Sapporo Terminal 011-231-0500
Chuo Bus Asahikawa Terminal 0166-25-3000

From Hakodate

Hakodate Highway Bus
Time requiredApproximately 4 hours and 45 minutes
ChargesOne way ¥4,900
Half price for children
Boarding locationBus terminal in front of Sapporo Station
InquiriesChuo Bus Booking Center 011-231-0600
Chuo Bus Oyachi Information Center 011-891-6388
”Japan bus online” online booking

From Wakkanai

Limited Express Hamanasu
Time requiredApproximately 6 hours
ChargesOne way ¥6,200
Half price for children
Boarding locationOdori Bus Center
InquiriesSapporo booking information 011-241-0241
Bus NAVI Hokkaido
Hokuto Kotsu

From Obihiro

Potato Liner
Time requiredApproximately 3 hours and 30 minutes (direct)
ChargesOne way ¥3,840
Half price for children
Boarding locationChuo Bus Sapporo Terminal
InquiriesChuo Bus Booking Center 011-231-0600
Chuo Bus Oyachi Information Center 011-891-6388
“Hassha All Right Net” online booking

From Kushiro

Starlight Kushiro
Time requiredApproximately 3 hours and 30 minutes (direct)
ChargesOne way ¥5,770 (Sapporo–Kushiro)
Half price for children
Boarding locationBus terminal in front of Sapporo Station
InquiriesChuo Bus Booking Center 011-231-0600
Chuo Bus Oyachi Information Center 011-891-6388
”Japan bus online” online booking

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By Ferry

Use of a ferry is recommended if you are traveling to Sapporo from Honshu in private cars or motorcycles. Although the journey by ferry takes a while, you can watch the sunrise and sunset, relax comfortably, and enjoy an elegant cruise. Being able to drive and tour around Sapporo and Hokkaido is very appealing. Ferry terminals are located at Otaru and Tomakomai (West Port and East Port).

Otaru Ferry Terminal

To Sapporo from the Otaru Ferry Terminal
Around 30 minutes by car / Otaru Exit–Sasson Expressway–Sapporo: approximately 37 kilometers

Maizuru–Otaru (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)
Operating daily
Time requiredApproximately 20 hours and 40 minutes
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥11,100–  Vehicle fare: ¥31,800–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesShin Nihonkai Ferry
Niigata–Otaru (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)
Operating from Tuesday to Sunday
Time requiredApproximately 18 hours
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥7,500–  Vehicle fare: ¥19,400–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesShin Nihonkai Ferry

Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal

To Sapporo from the Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal
Around 60 minutes by car / Tomakomaihigashi Exit–Hokkaido Expressway–Sapporo: approximately 55 kilometers

Nagoya–Sendai–Tomakomai West (Taiheiyo Ferry)
The Nagoya–Sendai route operates every other day; the Sendai–Tomakomai route operates daily.
Time requiredApproximately 40 hours
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥11,700–  Vehicle fare: ¥37,000–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesTaiheiyo Ferry
Oarai–Tomakomai West (MOL Ferry)
Operating almost every day
Time requiredApproximately 18 hours
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥9,800–  Vehicle fare: ¥29,700–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesMOL Ferry
Hachinohe–Tomakomai West (Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen)
Operating daily
Time requiredApproximately 7 hours and 15 minutes
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥5,600–  Vehicle fare: ¥21,000–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesKawasaki Kinkai Kisen (Silver Ferry)

Tomakomai East Port Terminal

To Sapporo from the Tomakomai East Port Ferry Terminal
Around 60 minutes by car / Tomakomaihigashi Exit–Hokkaido Expressway–Sapporo: approximately 55 kilometers

Tsuruga–Tomakomai East (direct) (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)
Operating daily
Time requiredApproximately 19 hours and 30 minutes
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥11,100–  Vehicle fare: ¥31,800–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesShin Nihonkai Ferry
Tsuruga–Niigata–Akita–Tomakomai East (stopping at each port) (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)
Departing from Tsuruga on Monday; departing from Niigata from Monday to Saturday
Time requiredApproximately 31 hours and 20 minutes
ChargesPassenger fare: ¥11,100–  Vehicle fare: ¥31,800–
* The fare differs depending on the room, vehicle type, and period.
Please check the details on the ferry company’s website.
InquiriesShin Nihonkai Ferry

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