Choosing the Best Travel Option for Your Trip
Sapporo, located over 800 kilometres from Tokyo on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, offers plenty of travel options.
The Tokyo-Sapporo route is one of the world’s busiest air routes, with dozens of daily flights, so finding a round trip that suits your schedule is a breeze.
With so many options to match your budget and preferences, a bit of planning goes a long way.
The good news? We’ve already done that for you! Read on to find out everything you need to know about travelling from Tokyo to Sapporo.
Flying from Tokyo to Sapporo
Haneda or Narita to Sapporo: Navigating the World’s Busiest Air Routes
Time taken: Approximately 1.5 hours
Price: From 5,300 yen (one-way)
Route: Narita Airport or Tokyo Haneda - Sapporo Chitose Airport
Perfect for: Travellers who need a quick and efficient option.
Tokyo has two main airports—Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport—both of which offer about 80 flights a day to Sapporo.
If you’re looking for convenience, Haneda is your best bet, as it’s much closer to downtown Tokyo. However, if you want more flight options, Tokyo-Narita Airport is the larger and newer of the two, offering low-cost carrier options like Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, and Spring Airlines.
Since the Tokyo-Sapporo route is quite popular, it’s a smart move to book your Sapporo flights in advance. Not only will you secure your preferred seats, but you might also score some early-bird discounts!
If you're coming from Narita, hop on the Tokyo Skyliner for a quick and easy transfer from any major station in the city. It’s also a fantastic option if you're landing at Narita and want to head into Tokyo right away.
Cheap flights to Sapporo: tips and tricks
The next question on your mind is probably how to snag cheaper air tickets.
Well, to kick things off, we recommend checking out a flight comparison website like Skyscanner or Google's price tracking feature.
It’s a great way to uncover the best deals out there, the cheapest times to fly, and which periods you'll be forking out more cash.
Of course, being flexible with your travel dates will always help you find a lower fare, especially if you avoid the weekends. That said, domestic flights between Tokyo and Sapporo (or other cities) should be relatively cheap if you're not flying internationally as well.
Since Sapporo's main airport is New Chitose Airport, why not fly there directly with one of the many budget airlines?
It’s super convenient. And you’ll save time and hassle compared to flying into other major cities in Hokkaido, which you can always reach at your own pace by road or train.
Getting from the Airport to Sapporo: bus and other options
New Chitose Airport is conveniently located about an hour from the city centre by car and just 37 minutes away via the JR Rapid Airport train, with buses and taxis also available.
At the end of the day, Japan truly lives up to its reputation for having one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Here are the different options for travellers:
Train: If you’re looking for the quickest way to reach Sapporo, this is it! Just hop on the Rapid Airport Service, and you’ll be in the city centre in a mere 37 minutes.
The best part? It runs every 15 minutes and is completely covered by the Hokkaido Rail Pass and Japan Rail Pass. A one-way ticket costs about 1,150 yen (that’s roughly SGD 10), and if you want to secure a comfy spot, you can reserve optional seats for 840 yen (around SGD 7.50).
You’ll find the train station in the basement of the domestic terminal, and it’s just a quick 10-minute walk from the international terminal.
Limousine Bus: Looking for another convenient (and a bit cheaper) option? The airport limousine bus might be just for you. It runs regularly between the airport and various spots around town, including Sapporo Station, Nakajima Park, Susukino, and many hotels in the downtown area.
Tickets cost about 1,100 yen (around SGD 9.70), making it a great choice if you’ve got a lot of luggage to manage. The whole trip will take you around 1.5 hours, but do keep in mind that it depends on traffic and weather.
You’ll find bus ticket counters on the first floor of both the domestic and international terminals at New Chitose Airport, and bus stops are conveniently located right outside both terminals.
Taxi/Private Transfers: If you’re looking for a more convenient option, taxi services are available from the airport.
Just keep in mind that it will cost a bit more—around 10,000 yen (or SGD 88) or so. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer with a professional driver who will welcome you at the airport.
A taxi ride or private transfer will take roughly an hour to reach the city, but you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the journey without worrying about directions.
Self-driving: Got a sense of adventure and like to take things into your own hands? Then a rental car might be right up your alley.
You can rent one from the reception counters at the airport from reputable companies like Nissan or Toyota, or you can simply book a car before your trip.
In any case, self-driving is one of the best ways to reach those hard-to-get-to rural areas in Hokkaido, and you won’t have to worry about which tickets go where or deal with all that fuss.
Just keep in mind that it will take roughly an hour to reach the city centre, depending on traffic conditions, and don’t forget to factor in the extra costs of toll roads too.
Taking the Shinkansen (Bullet Train): Japan Rail Pass
Just like most spots in Japan, taking the train is a super convenient way to get to Sapporo from Tokyo without the hassle of boarding a plane. Here’s how travelers can hop on a bullet train for your journey:
The New Hokkaido Shinkansen Route
Time taken: 7 to 7.5 hours
Price: Starting from 31,820 yen (one-way)
Route: Tokyo Station - Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station - Sapporo Station
Perfect for: Those who appreciate leisurely, scenic train rides and aren't pressed for time.
Believe it or not, Sapporo wasn’t always so accessible by rail.
Well, it was, but you had to endure a full-day train ride or an overnight sleeping car.
Since 2016, the journey from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station takes just under four hours with regular direct trains zipping through the Seikan Tunnel—the world’s longest nonstop rail tunnel and an incredible feat of engineering, with the track level 240 metres below sea level.
From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, all that’s left is a 3.5-hour ride on the Super Hokuto Limited Express train, and yes, the Japan Rail Pass is valid for both legs of this trip.
Seat reservations are mandatory on the Hayabusa trains from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
Passholders can travel in Standard or Green Cars, depending on the pass type.
Upgrading to Gran Class (inspired by the French word for "big") will cost you more, but you’ll enjoy extra legroom, a plush reclining chair, and other comforts like a blanket, warm towel, eye mask, and even slippers.
Alternative Travel Options from Tokyo to Sapporo
Tokyo to Sapporo: By Ferry
Time taken: 18-22 hours
Price: From 11,500 yen (ferry fare)
Route: Tokyo - Oarai Port (Ibaraki) - Tomakomai Port (Hokkaido) - Sapporo
Perfect for: Travellers who appreciate a slow and steady journey with epic views
Taking ferries isn’t the quickest way to get from Tokyo to Sapporo, with the journey clocking in at around 18 hours.
But what it lacks in speed, it more than makes up for with some pretty epic scenery—something you just can’t experience on the road or air, and perfect for travellers who enjoy taking things slow.
Sunflower Ferry from Oarai in Ibaraki to Tomakomai in Hokkaido
When it comes to taking a ferry to Hokkaido from Tokyo, your journey is simple.
The trip starts at Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, roughly a 1 hour and 45 minute train ride from Tokyo.
That’s where you’ll hop on board the Sunflower Ferry, which travels between Oarai Port and Tomakomai Port, with two scheduled sailings to choose from—one in the evening and the other at night.
Here are the ferry timings below:
Ferry Type | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
Evening Ferry | 7:45 PM | 1:30 PM (next day) |
Night Ferry | 1:45 AM | 7:30 PM (same day) |
As for the Sunflower Ferry itself, the cruise is quite cushy.
You can take your pick from six room types, ranging from the cheapest class at 11,500 yen to a luxury suite at an eye-opening 62,000 yen. In terms of amenities, there’s an onboard restaurant, a shop, and even a free ocean-view onsen—now, how cool is that?
Road Tripping from Tokyo to Sapporo: Travel Time and Cost
Time taken: 16-23 hours
Price: 15,150 yen for tolls, 15,400 to 26,100 yen for the ferry (excluding car rental)
Route: Tokyo - Aomori - Hakodate - Sapporo
Perfect for: Hands-on travelers looking to test themselves
Do you have a penchant for adventure and a love for hitting the open road? If so, a road trip is calling!
If you've got plenty of time on your hands, why not drive from Tokyo to Sapporo?
Your journey will start with a drive from Tokyo to Aomori City, followed by a scenic ferry ride to either Hakodate or Tomakomai and then it’s back on the road to Sapporo.
Just a heads up, the Seikan Tunnel doesn’t accommodate cars—it only lets Shinkansen and freight trains pass through.
Driving will take the longest compared to other travel methods, with the fastest estimated travel time being at least 16 hours if you decide to use toll roads.
However, if you’d prefer to save some cash on tolls, you can save up to 15,000 yen. Just keep in mind that your journey will stretch to around 23 hours if you opt for toll-free roads and make plenty of pit stops along the way.
Also, don’t forget to consider the car fares for taking your ride on the ferry, and remember that fuel costs will vary based on your vehicle's efficiency.
Ultimately, driving may take the longest and isn’t the cheapest, but what you’ll gain is solid bragging rights and a real journey through the heart of Japan.
Planning and Preparation
Getting Around Sapporo: Transportation Options
Sapporo city center has a well-developed transportation system, so it's pretty easy to get around town.
There are three subway lines (the Nanboku Line, the Tozai Line, and the Toho Line), four tram lines, and well-connected bus services, including JR Hokkaido Bus, connecting different parts of the city. Conclusion